Finding Crinone Shouldn't Be This Stressful

When your doctor prescribes Crinone — especially as part of a time-sensitive fertility treatment — the last thing you want to hear is "we don't have it in stock." But that's exactly what happens to many patients. Crinone is a specialty Progesterone vaginal gel that not every pharmacy carries, and tracking it down can feel like a scavenger hunt.

The good news? There are practical ways to find Crinone in stock near you without spending hours on the phone. Here are the best tools and strategies.

Tip #1: Use Medfinder to Check Real-Time Pharmacy Availability

The fastest way to find Crinone in stock is to use Medfinder. Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, Medfinder shows you which pharmacies near your zip code currently have Crinone available. It takes seconds, and it's free.

Here's how it works:

1. Go to medfinder.com
2. Search for "Crinone" or "Progesterone gel"
3. Enter your location
4. See a list of nearby pharmacies with real-time stock information

This is especially useful for specialty medications like Crinone that many pharmacies don't keep on their shelves. For a detailed walkthrough, check out our guide on how to check if a pharmacy has Crinone in stock.

Tip #2: Try Independent and Specialty Pharmacies

Big chain pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid often don't stock Crinone because it's a niche fertility medication. The pharmacies most likely to carry it include:

• Specialty IVF pharmacies: These pharmacies focus specifically on fertility medications and almost always have Crinone in stock. Many also offer significant discounts — some sell Crinone 8% for as little as $65 for 15 applicators, compared to $450-$700 at retail pharmacies.
• Independent pharmacies: Locally owned pharmacies often have more flexibility in what they stock and can sometimes special-order Crinone within 24-48 hours.
• Compounding pharmacies: While they don't carry brand-name Crinone, compounding pharmacies can prepare custom Progesterone suppositories or creams if Crinone is unavailable.

Your fertility clinic likely has a list of preferred specialty pharmacies — ask your nurse coordinator for recommendations.

Tip #3: Time Your Refills Strategically

If you know you'll need Crinone for several weeks (which is common during IVF — treatment can last 10-12 weeks), don't wait until you're on your last applicator to refill. Plan ahead:

• Request refills 5-7 days early to give the pharmacy time to order if needed.
• Fill prescriptions earlier in the week — pharmacies receive deliveries Monday through Thursday, and ordering on a Friday may mean waiting until the following week.
• Ask your pharmacy to set up auto-refills so they're prepared for your next pickup.

Being proactive with refills is one of the simplest ways to avoid the stress of an empty shelf.

What If You Still Can't Find Crinone?

If you've tried everything and Crinone is still unavailable in your area, you have options:

Ask Your Doctor About Alternatives

Several other Progesterone products can serve as substitutes depending on your specific situation:

• Endometrin — vaginal Progesterone inserts, dosed 2-3 times daily
• Prometrium — oral Progesterone capsules (sometimes used vaginally off-label)
• Progesterone in Oil (PIO) injections — intramuscular shots, very effective but require daily injections
• Compounded Progesterone suppositories — custom-made at compounding pharmacies

Read our full comparison in alternatives to Crinone if you can't fill your prescription.

Contact Your Fertility Clinic Directly

Fertility clinics deal with medication sourcing issues all the time. Your clinic may have emergency supplies, direct relationships with distributors, or the ability to write for an alternative without a full office visit. Call them before you panic.

Look Into Mail-Order Specialty Pharmacies

Several specialty pharmacies that focus on fertility medications offer mail-order service with overnight or two-day shipping. This can be a lifeline when local pharmacies don't have stock. Some options include discount IVF medication providers that offer Crinone at substantially lower prices than retail.

Final Thoughts

Finding Crinone doesn't have to derail your treatment. Start with Medfinder for real-time availability, explore specialty pharmacies, and plan refills in advance. If all else fails, your doctor can help you switch to an equally effective alternative.

For more information about Crinone, visit our guides on what Crinone is and how to use it and how to save money on Crinone.