What to know if there’s a Wegovy shortage

Medication shortages happen. And when they do, it’s not only frustrating — it also throws a wrench in your treatment plan. That was the case for many people who took Wegovy — a GLP-1 for weight loss that was in and out of supply a few years ago. If a Wegovy shortage happens again, it doesn’t have to sidetrack your health journey. Here’s what to do if you can’t fill your prescription.

No. According to the FDA, there is not currently a shortage of Wegovy. While this is true at the time of publication, things can change. Visit the FDA tracker for the latest shortage information. 

A shortage happens when there’s not enough of the drug to meet the demand, says Dr. Michelle Ponder, M.D., an endocrinologist and assistant professor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine.

The main reason for the previous Wegovy injection shortage was that the medication kept growing in popularity faster than production could be increased. Research shows that the standard dose of injectable Wegovy can lead to about 15 percent weight loss in a little over a year when combined with diet and exercise, leading more and more people to request the medication, says Dr. Deborah Horn, D.O., medical director at the University of Texas Center of Obesity Medicine and Metabolic Performance and a clinical associate professor of surgery at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston.

Adding to the demand: Newer studies reveal that GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide can reduce the risk for diabetes and cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, in people with obesity. “Public awareness of these drugs has really grown,” says Ponder. “As more data comes out, doctors and providers have become more comfortable prescribing them, and more people are interested in their benefits.” 

If there is a Wegovy shortage, you may not be able to fill your prescription at your regular pharmacy. As a work-around, you may need to go to a different pharmacy, hit pause on taking the medication, switch to a different dose, or try an alternative drug. If you aren’t able to find Wegovy and, as a result, stop taking it, you may start gaining back some of the weight you’ve lost, Horn says. 

On top of that, if you stop taking the medication for an extended period, then start again at your old dose when it’s back in stock, you may experience side effects, says Horn. Suddenly taking a large dose as opposed to gradually increasing your dose over time can lead to nausea, headaches, and more. (Find a full list of Wegovy side effects here.) 

If you miss more than two doses of the medication, your clinician may recommend reducing your dose or even starting you over at the lowest dose when you do restart to reduce the risk of side effects. Lowering your dose may feel frustrating, but it helps your body readjust and lets your clinician find the right dose. What’s most important is to stay in lockstep with your clinician during a shortage; they may need to adjust your treatment plan based on how long you’ve been off the medication and which medication you'll be taking.

The first thing you can do is ask the pharmacist if there are any other locations that have the medication in stock. They may be able to point you in the right direction, but you’ll likely need to do the legwork and call around to various pharmacies. “It’s frustrating for patients,” says Horn. “Many don’t have the time to spend hours calling around to different pharmacies.” If you’re a member of Weight Watchers Med+, your Care Team will do the legwork for you. During a shortage, they may call pharmacies in your area to track down the medicine you need. Another benefit to being a member of Weight Watchers Med+ is that if you do end up missing a dose, you can work with your clinician on implementing strategies that help you stay on track with your health goals. And access to the Weight Watchers GLP-1 Success program will help you stay on top of your nutrition and lifestyle changes. 

Can’t locate your exact dosage? Talk to your healthcare provider; they may suggest taking a different dose of Wegovy until your usual medication is back in stock. They may also recommend switching from Wegovy to an alternative medication for as long as the shortage lasts.

When you can’t find Wegovy, talk to your healthcare provider about your options. They include:

• Zepbound, Saxenda, or Foundayo: Your doctor may suggest switching to another GLP-1 agonist that’s approved for weight loss, although that’s generally not the first preference since the dosing and side effects vary between the drugs. “People can respond differently to the medications,” says Horn. “They may tolerate one well, but have side effects with another.” The addition of the Wegovy pill provides yet another option. 

• A different prescription weight-loss medication: There are other medications that are approved by the FDA for weight loss, although they’re less effective than GLP-1s, says Horn. They act in different ways, and include Adipex-P (phentermine hydrochloride), Qsymia (phentermine / topiramate), Contrave (naltrexone/ bupropion), and Xenical (orlistat). Talk with your provider about the pros and cons of each, and which one might be right for your unique health needs.

Because of Wegovy's growing popularity, the drug was previously in shortage. There may be times when you aren’t able to fill your prescription at your regular pharmacy. If that’s the case, talk to your pharmacist and call around to see if you can find another local pharmacy where it’s in stock. Your provider may also suggest another option, such as taking a different dose or trying a different medication in the short term.