A provider briefing on Adipex-P (Phentermine) availability in 2026. Coverage of supply status, prescribing considerations, cost, and tools for patients.
Phentermine remains one of the most frequently prescribed weight-loss medications in the United States. As patient demand for obesity pharmacotherapy continues to grow — driven in part by the success and visibility of GLP-1 receptor agonists — providers are fielding more questions about Phentermine availability, cost, and alternatives.
This briefing covers the current supply picture for Adipex-P (Phentermine Hydrochloride), prescribing implications, cost and access considerations, and practical tools to help your patients find their medication.
As of early 2026, Phentermine is not listed on the FDA Drug Shortage Database or the ASHP Drug Shortages list. Manufacturing supply from Teva Pharmaceuticals (brand Adipex-P) and multiple generic manufacturers remains stable.
However, providers should be aware that pharmacy-level availability is inconsistent. The disconnect between national supply adequacy and local stockouts is driven by factors unique to Schedule IV controlled substances, as outlined below.
Phentermine has maintained a relatively stable supply history compared to other commonly prescribed controlled substances:
When prescribing Phentermine in the current environment, consider the following:
Generic Phentermine 37.5 mg is manufactured by multiple companies and is substantially easier for pharmacies to stock and for patients to afford. Brand-name Adipex-P, while bioequivalent, is less commonly stocked and significantly more expensive (~$100-$115 vs. $4-$10 with coupons for generic).
Recommendation: Unless the patient has a documented clinical reason for brand-name Adipex-P, prescribe generic Phentermine to maximize availability and minimize cost.
Multiple Phentermine formulations are available:
As a Schedule IV controlled substance, Phentermine prescriptions are subject to:
Advise patients that some pharmacies may not stock Phentermine in large quantities due to these regulatory constraints.
Despite stable manufacturing supply, your patients may report difficulty finding Phentermine for several reasons:
Here is the current pricing landscape for Phentermine:
Several tools can help you and your patients navigate availability challenges:
Medfinder offers real-time pharmacy stock information that you can share with patients or integrate into your workflow. When a patient reports they can't find Phentermine, direct them to Medfinder to locate a pharmacy with current stock.
Consider sharing these guides with patients who are struggling to fill their prescriptions:
When Phentermine is consistently unavailable for a patient, consider:
The landscape for obesity pharmacotherapy is evolving rapidly. Phentermine remains a reliable, affordable first-line option, but the growing pipeline of GLP-1 and dual-agonist medications is shifting prescribing patterns. Key developments to watch:
Phentermine supply is stable at the manufacturing level, but pharmacy-level availability remains inconsistent due to controlled substance regulations and surging demand. Prescribing generic Phentermine, educating patients about tools like Medfinder, and maintaining familiarity with alternative agents will help ensure your patients can access effective weight management pharmacotherapy in 2026.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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