How to Help Your Patients Find Dulera in Stock: A Provider's Guide

Updated:

February 17, 2026

Author:

Peter Daggett

Summarize this blog with AI:

A practical guide for providers on helping patients find Dulera during the 2026 shortage, including availability tools, alternatives, and workflow tips.

Your Patients Are Struggling to Find Dulera — Here's How You Can Help

The Dulera (Mometasone Furoate/Formoterol Fumarate) shortage has created a ripple effect in clinical practice. Patients are calling your office frustrated. Pharmacies are sending back prescriptions unfilled. And the lack of a generic alternative means there's no quick swap at the pharmacy counter.

As a provider, you're in a unique position to help your patients navigate this shortage efficiently. This guide provides a practical, step-by-step approach to managing Dulera access issues in your practice — from checking availability to switching therapies when necessary.

Current Availability: What You Need to Know

Dulera remains in limited supply as of early 2026. The shortage was first reported by Organon to the FDA in September 2025 and primarily affects:

  • 100 mcg/5 mcg strength: Both the 8.8 g (60-dose) and 13 g (120-dose) canisters
  • 200 mcg/5 mcg strength: Less affected but with regional variability
  • 50 mcg/5 mcg strength: Generally more available but spot shortages reported

Organon has not announced a firm resolution date. For the full shortage timeline and background, see our provider briefing on the Dulera shortage.

Why Patients Can't Find Dulera

Understanding the root causes helps you communicate effectively with patients and set appropriate expectations:

  • Single manufacturer: Organon is the sole source. No authorized generic exists, so there's no backup supply.
  • Complex manufacturing: Metered-dose inhalers require specialized production facilities. Scaling up takes months, not weeks.
  • Pharmacy stocking patterns: At $400-$500 per unit, many pharmacies — especially independents — only stock Dulera on demand. This means patients can't just walk in and find it.
  • Insurance formulary shifts: As payers have moved toward preferred generic ICS/LABA options, Dulera prescribing volume has decreased. Lower volume means lower inventory at pharmacies.

What Providers Can Do: 5 Practical Steps

Step 1: Proactively Identify Affected Patients

Run a report in your EHR to identify all patients with active Dulera prescriptions. Reach out proactively rather than waiting for patients to call in distress. A simple message — "We're aware of the Dulera shortage and want to help you plan ahead" — can reduce patient anxiety and call volume.

Step 2: Use Medfinder to Locate Available Stock

Medfinder for Providers provides real-time pharmacy availability data for Dulera. Your front-desk or nursing staff can use this tool to:

  • Check which local pharmacies currently have Dulera in stock
  • Direct patients to specific pharmacy locations with available supply
  • Reduce the back-and-forth of rejected prescriptions and pharmacy transfers

This is the single most impactful workflow change you can make during the shortage. Instead of sending prescriptions blind and hoping for the best, you can confirm stock before the patient arrives at the pharmacy.

Step 3: Prepare Alternative Prescriptions

For patients who cannot locate Dulera, have alternative prescriptions ready to go. The most appropriate ICS/LABA alternatives include:

  • Generic Budesonide/Formoterol (Symbicort): Closest pharmacologic match — same LABA (Formoterol). Available at roughly $97 with coupon vs. $400+ for Dulera. Widely stocked.
  • Generic Fluticasone/Salmeterol (Advair Diskus/HFA): Well-established, available as generic in multiple forms. Often $50-$150 with coupon.
  • Breo Ellipta (Fluticasone Furoate/Vilanterol): Once-daily dosing may improve adherence. Brand only, $350-$450 retail.
  • AirDuo RespiClick (Fluticasone/Salmeterol): Breath-activated DPI, available as generic. Good option for patients with poor MDI technique.

Approximate ICS dose conversions:

  • Dulera 100 mcg Mometasone ≈ Budesonide 160 mcg ≈ Fluticasone Propionate 250 mcg ≈ Fluticasone Furoate 100 mcg
  • Dulera 200 mcg Mometasone ≈ Budesonide 320 mcg ≈ Fluticasone Propionate 500 mcg ≈ Fluticasone Furoate 200 mcg

Step 4: Educate Patients on the Situation

Many patients don't understand why their medication has suddenly become unavailable. Take 60 seconds to explain:

  • The shortage is a manufacturing/supply issue — not a pharmacy error
  • Dulera has not been discontinued
  • Alternatives in the same drug class are available and clinically appropriate
  • You're working to ensure they maintain asthma control throughout the shortage

Consider sharing these patient-facing resources:

Step 5: Address Cost Barriers

Patients switching from Dulera may face different cost structures on alternative agents. Proactively address this:

  • Check formulary status of the alternative on the patient's plan
  • Recommend the Organon Savings Card ($15 copay for Dulera) if they can find it in stock
  • Suggest GoodRx or SingleCare coupons for generic alternatives
  • Refer uninsured patients to Organon's patient assistance program (1-844-674-3200)

For a comprehensive cost guide, see our provider's guide to saving patients money on Dulera.

Alternatives: Quick Reference

Here's a summary table for your clinical reference:

  • Symbicort / Generic Budesonide/Formoterol: MDI, 2 puffs BID, ages 6+, generic available (~$97), same LABA as Dulera
  • Advair / Generic Fluticasone/Salmeterol: DPI or MDI, 1 puff BID (DPI) or 2 puffs BID (MDI), ages 4+, generic available (~$50-$150)
  • Breo Ellipta: DPI, 1 puff daily, ages 18+, brand only (~$350-$450), once-daily convenience
  • AirDuo RespiClick: Breath-activated DPI, 1 puff BID, ages 12+, generic available, good for poor MDI technique

Workflow Tips for Your Practice

To minimize disruption from the shortage, consider these workflow adjustments:

  • Batch outreach: Contact all Dulera patients at once rather than handling one-off calls. Use your EHR's messaging system or patient portal.
  • Pre-authorize alternatives: If your patient's insurance requires PA for the alternative, start the process before the Dulera runs out.
  • Bookmark Medfinder: Add medfinder.com/providers to your staff's browser bookmarks for quick access during patient calls.
  • Stock samples: If available, request Symbicort or Breo Ellipta samples from your reps to bridge patients during transitions.
  • Document everything: Note the shortage-related switch in the chart for future reference, especially if the patient will want to return to Dulera once supply normalizes.

Final Thoughts

The Dulera shortage is inconvenient, but with proactive planning and the right tools, you can ensure your patients maintain asthma control throughout. The key is getting ahead of the problem — identify affected patients, confirm availability before prescribing, and have alternatives ready.

Medfinder for Providers is your best tool for real-time stock checks. Use it, share it with your staff, and help your patients breathe easier — even when their usual medication is hard to find.

For the full clinical briefing on the shortage, including dose conversion guidance, see our Dulera shortage briefing for providers.

What is the best tool for checking Dulera pharmacy availability?

Medfinder for Providers (medfinder.com/providers) offers real-time pharmacy stock data across multiple networks. It allows your staff to quickly identify which pharmacies near your patients have Dulera in stock, reducing rejected prescriptions and patient frustration.

What ICS/LABA should I switch Dulera patients to during the shortage?

Generic Budesonide/Formoterol (Symbicort) is the most pharmacologically similar option, sharing the same LABA (Formoterol). Generic Fluticasone/Salmeterol (Advair) is also widely available. Breo Ellipta offers once-daily convenience. Choice should be guided by patient factors, formulary status, and clinical judgment.

How do I convert Dulera doses to equivalent alternative ICS/LABA doses?

Approximate ICS equivalencies: Dulera 100 mcg Mometasone ≈ Budesonide 160 mcg ≈ Fluticasone Propionate 250 mcg ≈ Fluticasone Furoate 100 mcg. Dulera 200 mcg Mometasone ≈ Budesonide 320 mcg ≈ Fluticasone Propionate 500 mcg ≈ Fluticasone Furoate 200 mcg. These are approximate; individual clinical judgment should guide final dosing.

Should I proactively contact my Dulera patients about the shortage?

Yes. Proactive outreach reduces emergency calls, allows time for orderly transitions, and demonstrates patient-centered care. Run an EHR report for active Dulera prescriptions and reach out via portal message or phone to discuss the shortage and available options before patients run out.

Why waste time calling, coordinating, and hunting?

You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.

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