Struggling to find Fluvoxamine XR at your pharmacy? Here are 3 proven strategies to locate it in stock near you, plus what to do if you still can't find it.
If your pharmacy has told you Fluvoxamine XR is on backorder — again — you already know how frustrating this shortage has become. Since early 2024, Fluvoxamine extended-release capsules have been in limited supply across the country, leaving patients with OCD and social anxiety scrambling to fill their prescriptions.
The good news? There are smart strategies that can help you find Fluvoxamine XR in stock, even during the shortage. Here are three tips that actually work — plus a backup plan if none of them do.
The fastest way to find Fluvoxamine XR is to skip the phone calls and use a tool that checks pharmacy inventory for you.
Medfinder lets you search for Fluvoxamine XR by your zip code and shows you which pharmacies near you currently have it in stock. Instead of calling 10 pharmacies one by one, you can see availability at a glance and head straight to a pharmacy that has your medication.
This is especially helpful during a shortage, when stock can come and go within hours. A real-time tool saves you time and reduces the anxiety of not knowing where to look.
When you hear "pharmacy," you probably think of CVS, Walgreens, or Rite Aid. But during a drug shortage, the big chains are often the first to run out because they serve the most patients.
Independent pharmacies — the locally owned shops — often use different drug wholesalers and distributors. That means they may have access to Fluvoxamine XR stock that the chains don't. Some independent pharmacies also have stronger relationships with their distributors and can special-order medications more easily.
Compounding pharmacies are another option to explore. While they typically can't replicate the exact extended-release formulation, your doctor may be able to work with a compounding pharmacy to create a suitable alternative if needed.
To find independent pharmacies near you, search on Google Maps for "independent pharmacy near me" or check the Medfinder results, which include independents alongside chains.
Pharmacies typically receive shipments from their wholesalers early in the morning — often between 7 and 10 AM on weekdays. If you're going to call around, do it during these hours when new stock is most likely to have just arrived.
You can also ask your pharmacist:
Being proactive and polite with your pharmacist goes a long way. They're dealing with shortages across dozens of medications and genuinely want to help.
If you've tried all three tips and you're still coming up empty, here are your next steps:
The immediate-release form of Fluvoxamine (IR tablets in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg) is much more widely available and significantly cheaper — as low as $16 to $22 with a coupon. Your doctor can help you convert your dose. The total daily amount stays the same, but you'll take it in two divided doses instead of once at bedtime.
If switching to Fluvoxamine IR isn't an option, there are several other SSRIs that treat OCD and anxiety. Sertraline (Zoloft), Fluoxetine (Prozac), and Paroxetine (Paxil) are all widely available generics. Talk to your doctor about whether one of these might work for you.
When you do find Fluvoxamine XR, the cash price can be high — $170 to $440 for a 30-day supply without insurance. Coupon tools like GoodRx, SingleCare, and RxSaver can bring that down significantly. See our full guide on how to save money on Fluvoxamine XR.
Whatever you do, don't abruptly stop taking Fluvoxamine XR without talking to your doctor. Stopping an SSRI suddenly can cause withdrawal-like symptoms including dizziness, nausea, anxiety, and mood changes. If your supply is running low, contact your prescriber right away to make a plan.
The Fluvoxamine XR shortage is real and ongoing, but it doesn't have to mean going without your medication. By using stock-checking tools like Medfinder, exploring independent pharmacies, and timing your calls right, you can significantly improve your chances of finding it in stock.
And if the extended-release capsules remain elusive, remember that Fluvoxamine IR tablets and alternative SSRIs are viable backup options — just make sure to work with your prescriber on any changes.
For more on the current state of the shortage, read our Fluvoxamine XR shortage update for 2026.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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