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Is Mounjaro still in shortage in 2026? Get the latest update on Mounjaro availability, what the FDA has said, and how to find Mounjaro in stock near you today.
If you take Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for type 2 diabetes or weight management, you probably remember how difficult it was to find in stock over the past couple of years. The good news? The national shortage has been officially resolved. The not-so-good news? Many patients are still running into availability issues at their local pharmacy.
In this guide, we'll break down the current status of Mounjaro availability in 2026, what the FDA has said, what's changed with compounded versions, and how to find Mounjaro in stock near you today.
No. As of 2026, Mounjaro is no longer on the FDA's official drug shortage list. The FDA first determined the tirzepatide shortage was resolved in October 2024 after Eli Lilly demonstrated that its manufacturing capacity could meet national demand. After pushback from compounding pharmacies and a brief legal challenge, the FDA reaffirmed this decision in a declaratory order on December 19, 2024. In May 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas upheld the FDA's decision.
Eli Lilly has stated that all six dose strengths of Mounjaro (2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, and 15mg) are available and that the company has sufficient reserves and increasing production capacity to meet projected demand.
Even though the national shortage is officially over, many patients still report difficulty filling their Mounjaro prescriptions. The FDA has acknowledged that "intermittent localized supply disruptions" can still occur as the medication moves through the supply chain. Here's why this happens:
Pharmacies order their medications from wholesalers like McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen. These wholesalers may limit how much Mounjaro a pharmacy can order each month, regardless of how many patients that pharmacy serves. This means a pharmacy might technically be able to get Mounjaro, but not enough to fill every prescription.
Mounjaro remains one of the most prescribed medications in the country. Demand continues to grow as more patients are prescribed tirzepatide for both type 2 diabetes and weight management. Individual pharmacies - especially in densely populated areas - may still struggle to keep enough on the shelves.
Mounjaro is an expensive, refrigerated medication. Some pharmacies choose to limit how much they keep in stock due to the upfront cost and the risk involved in holding high-value inventory. This is especially true for smaller independent pharmacies with tighter budgets.
During the shortage, compounding pharmacies were permitted to produce their own versions of tirzepatide under FDA rules that allow compounding of medications in shortage. These compounded versions were often significantly cheaper than brand-name Mounjaro, sometimes available through telehealth platforms for a fraction of the cost.
Now that the shortage is resolved, the FDA has moved to restrict compounding of tirzepatide. The agency set enforcement deadlines in early 2025: state-licensed pharmacies had until February 18, 2025, and outsourcing facilities had until March 19, 2025, to cease production of compounded tirzepatide.
What this means for patients: If you were previously using a compounded version of tirzepatide, you will need to transition to FDA-approved Mounjaro or Zepbound. Talk to your healthcare provider about this switch, as dosing and delivery may differ. Be aware that the cost may also be higher than what you were paying for compounded versions.
Cost remains a significant barrier for many patients. Here's what you can expect:
Without insurance: Mounjaro typically costs between $950 and $1,150 for a 28-day supply (four pens). Prices tend to be lowest at large chain pharmacies like Walmart and Costco ($950-$1,050 range) and highest at independent or specialty pharmacies.
With insurance: Coverage varies widely by plan. Many insurance companies require prior authorization for Mounjaro, and some may only cover it for type 2 diabetes, not weight management. Eli Lilly offers a savings card that can bring the cost down to as low as $25 per 28-day fill for eligible commercially insured patients.
Without insurance or savings card: Patients who are uninsured or underinsured may qualify for the Lilly Cares patient assistance program, which provides Mounjaro at no cost or reduced cost for qualifying individuals.
The GLP-1 landscape is evolving rapidly, and patients now have more options than ever:
Oral Wegovy (oral semaglutide): In December 2025, the FDA approved oral Wegovy - the first oral GLP-1 medication approved specifically for chronic weight management. This pill form may be a game-changer for patients who prefer not to inject and could help relieve some pressure on injectable GLP-1 supply.
Zepbound (tirzepatide for weight management): If your doctor prescribed Mounjaro off-label for weight loss, Zepbound may be a better fit. It contains the exact same active ingredient as Mounjaro but is specifically FDA-approved for chronic weight management, which may make insurance coverage easier to obtain.
If your pharmacy is out of Mounjaro, here are the most effective steps to find it:
The fastest way to find Mounjaro in stock is to use Medfinder. Just enter your medication and location, and Medfinder will check pharmacies in your area to find one that can fill your prescription today. No more calling pharmacy after pharmacy.
Big chain pharmacies tend to run out of Mounjaro faster. Independent pharmacies often have more flexibility in ordering and may be able to special-order your specific dose.
Eli Lilly recommends contacting your pharmacy about one week before you need your refill. This gives them time to order your dose if it's not currently in stock.
Your pharmacy may have some Mounjaro doses available but not others. Always ask about your specific dose strength when calling around.
The Mounjaro shortage that started in late 2022 has been officially resolved, but real-world availability challenges continue for many patients in 2026. Here's the bottom line:
Don't waste time calling every pharmacy in your area. Use Medfinder to find a pharmacy with Mounjaro in stock near you today.
For our full guide on how to find Mounjaro in stock, click here.
Looking for Mounjaro alternatives? Check out our guide here.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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