Mounjaro shortages are the result of high demand that the manufacturer can’t keep up with. They affect the availability of different strengths at different times. Learn ways to monitor availability and help avoid delays in getting your medication.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is an injectable brand-name medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It’s given as an injection under the skin once per week to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Mounjaro works by mimicking the effects of GLP-1, a hormone that triggers the secretion of insulin to regulate blood glucose levels. It also reduces feelings of hunger and boosts fullness by slowing down digestion. This can lead to weight loss, which doctors often prescribe this drug off-label to assist with. (With off-label use, a drug is prescribed to treat a condition other than those it’s approved for.)
As a result of its effectiveness in aiding weight loss, there’s now a huge demand for Mounjaro. Eli Lilly — the manufacturer of Mounjaro — has been unable to keep up with this demand, so there’s been a shortage of the drug. This means you may experience delays in receiving your medication.
In this article, we explain the shortage and what to do if you can’t get your Mounjaro prescription on time.
Mounjaro has been difficult to get a hold of since the drug shortage began in 2022. In fact, throughout 2022, the number of people using Mounjaro more than doubled each month. This is the result of growing levels of off-label prescriptions of the drug to help with weight loss.
Shortages occur when the manufacturer can’t produce the drug fast enough to meet everyone’s prescriptions on time. In the case of Mounjaro, this is a result of growing levels of off-label prescriptions of the drug to help with weight loss. This shortage affects various available strengths of Mounjaro differently, and this availability can change frequently.
In July 2024, the FDA noted a limited availability of the 10-milligram (mg) and 15-mg dose pens. However, other strengths of the drug were available. As of August 2024, all doses show availability.
When will the Mounjaro shortage end?
At the moment, it’s not known when the Mounjaro shortage will end for good. Eli Lilly is boosting production to keep up with the high demand.
How do I check Mounjaro availability near me?
Eli Lilly regularly updates the FDA with expected Mounjaro shortages. You can find these updates here.
Regional and local availability for Mounjaro dose pens vary. You can check with your local pharmacy or healthcare professional for the most up-to-date information in your area.
Remember, certain pharmacies may still experience short-term delays in receiving Mounjaro doses even if they’re available. This can happen for different reasons but typically resolves quickly.
If your local pharmacy or healthcare professional doesn’t have access to Mounjaro stock, there are some steps you can take, such as:
- trying a different local pharmacy or certain telehealth platforms
- checking back with local pharmacies in 2 to 10 days
- asking a pharmacy or healthcare professional to order your dose
- checking ahead with local pharmacies about availability before you need your next prescription
If you have difficulty accessing Mounjaro, talk with the healthcare professional managing your treatment plan.
Can I switch from Mounjaro to Ozempic?
Both Mounjaro and Ozempic work in a similar way, which makes it possible to switch from one to the other.
Ozempic reduces your risk of heart attack and stroke. So for some people, Ozempic may provide greater benefits than Mounjaro.
This switching can be a solution to a drug shortage, but you’ll need to talk with a healthcare professional first. They’ll likely recommend starting Ozempic with a small dose about a week after stopping Mounjaro.
Warnings against compounded versions of Mounjaro, Ozempic, etc.
While it may be tempting, it’s important to avoid compounded medication alternatives to fill your prescriptions.
Compounding medications involves combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a drug. These drugs are
- licensed pharmacists
- licensed doctors
- people working under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional
Compounded medications don’t provide the safety, effectiveness, and quality assurance of FDA-approved drugs. But there are
Mounjaro is an FDA-approved prescription-only medication used to manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It can also be prescribed off-label to help you lose weight.
Due to the demand of Mounjaro for weight loss, there’s an ongoing shortage of the drug. Different strengths may be unavailable at different times.
If your local pharmacy or healthcare professional doesn’t have access to the dose you need, try different pharmacies in your area. If you can’t get your Mounjaro prescription filled as needed, talk with a healthcare professional about other treatment options, such as Ozempic.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.