Your Patients Can't Find Fluvoxamine XR — Here's How You Can Help

As a provider, you know the frustration your patients feel when they leave your office with a prescription they can't fill. The Fluvoxamine XR (extended-release) shortage has been ongoing since February 2024, and patients with OCD and social anxiety disorder are among those most affected.

This guide gives you a practical, step-by-step approach to helping your patients navigate the shortage — from finding stock to switching medications when necessary.

Current Availability of Fluvoxamine XR

Here's where things stand as of early 2026:

• Fluvoxamine ER capsules (100 mg, 150 mg): Active shortage. Supply from Par Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceuticals is intermittent and varies by region.
• Fluvoxamine IR tablets (25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg): No shortage. Widely available from multiple generic manufacturers at $16–$22/month with coupons.
• Luvox CR (brand): Discontinued. Not available.

The shortage is listed on both the ASHP and FDA drug shortage databases.

Why Your Patients Can't Find It

Understanding the root causes can help you set realistic expectations with patients:

1. Only two manufacturers: With Luvox CR discontinued, only Par Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceuticals produce generic Fluvoxamine ER. This extremely narrow supply base means any disruption at either facility causes widespread shortages.
2. Supply chain fragility: Both manufacturers have cited raw material sourcing challenges and manufacturing delays since early 2024.
3. Uneven distribution: Available stock doesn't reach all pharmacies evenly. Chain pharmacies often allocate limited supply based on prior ordering patterns, which can leave some locations consistently without stock.
4. No brand fallback: Unlike many other generics, there's no brand-name version patients can request when the generic is unavailable.

5 Steps You Can Take to Help Your Patients

Step 1: Direct Patients to Real-Time Stock Tools

The most efficient way for patients to find Fluvoxamine XR is through a pharmacy stock checker. Medfinder for Providers allows you to check availability by zip code during the appointment — or you can share the link with patients so they can search on their own.

This eliminates the frustrating cycle of patients calling pharmacy after pharmacy. Many providers are now building this recommendation directly into their discharge or after-visit instructions.

Step 2: Recommend Independent Pharmacies

Independent pharmacies often use different wholesale distributors than major chains. When CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid are out of stock, a local independent pharmacy may have Fluvoxamine ER available or be able to order it from their distributor.

Encourage patients to try at least 2-3 independent pharmacies in their area, or check independent pharmacy listings on Medfinder.

Step 3: Offer the IR Formulation as a Bridge

If the patient's immediate need is treatment continuity, the fastest solution is often switching to Fluvoxamine IR tablets. Key points for the conversion:

• Total daily dose stays the same
• Split into two doses: typically a smaller dose in the morning and a larger dose at bedtime, or equal doses twice daily
• IR tablets are widely available with no reported shortage
• Cost is significantly lower: $16–$22/month with coupons vs. $75–$440 for ER
• Some patients may experience transient GI effects during the switch

Frame this as a "bridge" — patients can switch back to ER when supply normalizes, or may find they do well on the IR formulation long-term.

Step 4: Have Alternative SSRIs Ready to Discuss

For patients who cannot find Fluvoxamine in any formulation, or who are open to trying a different medication, prepare to discuss alternatives based on their primary diagnosis:

• OCD: Sertraline (50–200 mg/day), Fluoxetine (20–80 mg/day), Paroxetine (20–60 mg/day), or Clomipramine (25–250 mg/day) for refractory cases
• Social Anxiety Disorder: Sertraline, Paroxetine CR, or Venlafaxine XR
• Off-label uses (depression, PTSD, GAD): Most SSRIs and SNRIs are appropriate alternatives

All of these are available as affordable generics ($4–$20/month) with no current shortage issues. For a detailed comparison, see our provider shortage briefing.

Step 5: Address Cost Barriers Proactively

Even when patients find Fluvoxamine XR in stock, the cost can be a barrier — especially for uninsured patients facing cash prices of $170–$440 per month. Proactive steps include:

• Recommending coupon tools like GoodRx or SingleCare (can reduce ER cost to $75–$107)
• Referring to NeedyMeds or RxAssist for patient assistance programs
• Noting that switching to IR reduces cost to $16–$22/month
• Checking whether the patient's insurance covers ER at a preferred tier

For a comprehensive cost guide you can share with patients: How to Save Money on Fluvoxamine XR

Workflow Tips for Your Practice

Here are some practical ways to build shortage management into your clinical workflow:

Add a Shortage Alert to Your EHR

If your EHR supports clinical alerts or sticky notes, add a flag to Fluvoxamine ER to remind prescribers that the drug is in shortage. Include a brief note with recommended alternatives and the IR conversion instructions.

Prepare Patient Handouts

Create a one-page handout or use our patient-facing articles that you can share during visits:

• How to Find Fluvoxamine XR in Stock
• Alternatives to Fluvoxamine XR
• Saving Money on Fluvoxamine XR

Use a "Plan B" Prescribing Approach

Consider writing two prescriptions: one for Fluvoxamine ER and one for Fluvoxamine IR (with appropriate dose conversion). This gives the pharmacist flexibility to fill whichever formulation is available, and prevents the patient from needing to schedule another appointment if the ER is out of stock.

Document the Shortage

When making any medication change due to the shortage, document it clearly in the patient's chart. This helps with insurance appeals, continuity of care, and avoids confusion if another provider sees the patient.

Final Thoughts

The Fluvoxamine XR shortage is an ongoing challenge with no clear resolution date. As a provider, the most impactful things you can do are plan ahead, have alternatives ready, and connect patients with tools like Medfinder for Providers that reduce the burden of finding medication during a shortage.

By building shortage awareness into your workflow — through EHR alerts, patient handouts, and Plan B prescribing — you can turn a reactive problem into a manageable one.

For additional clinical detail, see our Fluvoxamine XR Shortage: What Providers Need to Know.