Your Patients Can't Find Crinone — Here's How to Help

As a reproductive endocrinologist, OB/GYN, or fertility nurse coordinator, you've likely fielded calls from anxious patients who can't find Crinone at their pharmacy. For patients in active ART cycles, the urgency is real — Progesterone supplementation is time-critical, and gaps can jeopardize treatment outcomes.

This guide provides a practical framework for helping your patients access Crinone (Progesterone vaginal gel, 8%) efficiently, with backup plans when it's not available.

Current Availability Landscape

Crinone is not in a formal FDA-reported shortage, but real-world availability is inconsistent:

• Major chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid): Rarely stock Crinone. Low prescription volume makes it a deprioritized inventory item.
• Specialty IVF pharmacies: Generally reliable stock. Many offer pricing between $65-$100 for 15 applicators — significantly below the $450-$700 retail cash price.
• Independent pharmacies: Variable availability, but many can special-order within 24-48 hours.
• Mail-order specialty pharmacies: Available with 1-3 business day shipping in most cases.

For the full supply picture, see our clinical briefing on Crinone availability in 2026.

Why Patients Can't Find Crinone

Understanding the root causes helps you set patient expectations and proactively address access issues:

1. Retail stocking gaps: Chain pharmacies don't carry low-volume specialty drugs. Patients interpret "we don't have it" as a shortage.
2. Insurance network restrictions: Plans may mandate specialty pharmacy dispensing, limiting fill locations even when stock exists elsewhere.
3. Prior authorization delays: PA requirements for fertility medications can take 3-5 business days — too long for cycle-sensitive prescriptions.
4. Patient unfamiliarity with specialty pharmacy channels: Many patients default to their usual retail pharmacy and don't know to look at fertility-specific dispensing options.

What Providers Can Do: 5 Practical Steps

Step 1: Send Prescriptions to Specialty Pharmacies First

Don't send Crinone prescriptions to retail chain pharmacies. Instead, maintain a short list of 2-3 specialty IVF pharmacies (both local and mail-order) and route Crinone prescriptions directly to them. This single change eliminates most access complaints.

When onboarding new patients, include specialty pharmacy information in your treatment orientation materials.

Step 2: Direct Patients to Medfinder

When patients call about Crinone availability, direct them to Medfinder for Providers. This tool shows real-time pharmacy availability by location, saving your staff from making multiple phone calls on the patient's behalf.

Consider adding the Medfinder link to your patient portal, after-visit summaries, or treatment protocol handouts.

Step 3: Submit Prior Authorizations Proactively

For patients whose insurance requires PA for Crinone, submit the authorization as early as possible — ideally at the beginning of the treatment cycle, not when the prescription is needed. Key tips:

• Use diagnosis codes specific to the indication (e.g., N97.x for female infertility, N91.1 for secondary amenorrhea)
• Include documentation of clinical necessity and time-sensitivity
• Have a peer-to-peer review script ready for denials
• Maintain templates for common payer requirements

Step 4: Have a Clear Backup Protocol

Establish a documented protocol for what to do when Crinone specifically cannot be obtained in time. This should include:

• First-line alternative: Endometrin (Progesterone vaginal insert, 100 mg) — FDA-approved for ART, dosed 2-3x daily
• Second-line alternative: Prometrium (Micronized Progesterone, 200 mg capsules) used vaginally — off-label but well-established, significantly lower cost ($12-$30 with coupon)
• Third-line alternative: Progesterone in Oil injections (50 mg/mL IM daily) — most evidence-supported option, requires patient education on self-injection

Having a clear protocol means nurses can act quickly when patients report fill issues, without waiting for individual physician decisions.

Step 5: Educate Patients About Cost-Saving Options

Many patients don't know that Crinone pricing varies dramatically by pharmacy. Proactively sharing this information reduces abandonment and improves compliance:

• Specialty IVF pharmacies: $65-$100 for 15 applicators
• GoodRx/discount cards at retail: ~$453 for 15 applicators
• Patient assistance programs: ~$80/month (The Rx Advocates)
• Generic Progesterone gel (where available): $200-$400 for 15 applicators

Direct patients to our guide on saving money on Crinone for detailed options.

Alternatives at a Glance

Quick reference for your clinical team:

• Endometrin: 100 mg vaginal insert, 2-3x daily. FDA-approved for ART. $400-$700/month retail.
• Prometrium (vaginal): 200 mg capsules, 2-3x daily. Off-label. $12-$30/month with coupon. Contains peanut oil.
• PIO injections: 50 mg/mL IM daily. $20-$50/vial. Painful but highly effective.
• Compounded suppositories: Custom dose. Not FDA-approved. Variable quality. Use when commercial options unavailable.

For a full clinical comparison, see alternatives to Crinone.

Workflow Tips for Your Practice

• Create a "fertility pharmacy" reference sheet for your front desk and nursing staff with contact information for your preferred specialty pharmacies.
• Add medication access check-ins to your treatment cycle monitoring appointments — ask patients about fill status at each visit.
• Designate a medication access coordinator (even part-time) to handle PA submissions, pharmacy sourcing, and patient assistance program enrollment.
• Use e-prescribing to route directly to specialty pharmacies, avoiding the patient's default retail pharmacy.
• Track access issues — if multiple patients report problems with the same pharmacy or insurer, escalate to your practice's administrative team.

Final Thoughts

Crinone access issues are frustrating but largely solvable with the right systems in place. By routing prescriptions to specialty pharmacies, leveraging tools like Medfinder for Providers, and maintaining clear backup protocols, you can significantly reduce the number of frantic patient calls — and more importantly, ensure your patients don't miss critical doses during their treatment cycles.

For more resources, explore our Crinone supply briefing for providers and our guide to helping patients save money on Crinone.