Nexlizet Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you've been searching online for "Nexlizet shortage" or found it difficult to fill your prescription, you're not alone. Many patients are confused about whether Nexlizet is officially in short supply. Here is a clear, up-to-date breakdown of what's happening with Nexlizet availability in 2026 and what you can do about it.

Is Nexlizet in an Official FDA Shortage?

No. As of 2026, Nexlizet is not listed on the FDA's Drug Shortage Database. Esperion Therapeutics, the manufacturer, has not reported supply disruptions or manufacturing issues. Nexlizet is being produced and distributed normally.

That said, "not in shortage" doesn't mean "easy to find at every pharmacy." Brand-name specialty medications like Nexlizet — especially ones without a generic equivalent — are simply not stocked at every pharmacy the way common medications like metformin or lisinopril are.

Why Patients Are Struggling to Fill Nexlizet Prescriptions

There are several real reasons patients run into difficulties:

No generic available. Nexlizet is only available as a brand-name product. With no generic version, smaller pharmacies may not keep it in regular inventory.

Insurance prior authorization. Many insurance plans require prior authorization before they'll cover Nexlizet. If the prior auth isn't approved before you arrive at the pharmacy, you may face delays.

High retail price. The retail price of Nexlizet ranges from $430 to $595 for a 30-day supply. Without insurance or a copay card, many patients can't afford it at full price, which leads some pharmacies to stock it less consistently.

Lower prescribing volumes at certain practices. Nexlizet is a relatively newer medication (approved in 2020, with expanded indications in 2024). Pharmacies in areas where fewer cardiologists practice may not keep it stocked.

Background: Nexlizet's FDA Approvals and Growing Use

Nexlizet (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) was first approved by the FDA on February 26, 2020. It was a landmark approval — the first non-statin, fixed-dose combination cholesterol-lowering pill in the United States. In March 2024, the FDA expanded Nexlizet's label to include cardiovascular risk reduction (reducing the risk of heart attack and coronary revascularization), and expanded its use to both primary and secondary prevention patients, regardless of statin use.

These expanded indications significantly broadened the pool of patients who may be prescribed Nexlizet — including those in primary prevention (no prior heart attack or stroke) who simply want to lower their LDL. As prescribing has grown, some pharmacies have caught up; others are slower to stock it.

What to Do If You Can't Find Nexlizet

Don't wait — start calling pharmacies now. CVS, Walgreens, Costco, and Walmart pharmacies are your best bets. Ask specifically: "Do you have Nexlizet 180 mg/10 mg in stock today?"

Use medfinder to save time. medfinder calls pharmacies near you and texts you the results — no hold music, no runaround.

Ask for a bridge supply. If you're completely unable to fill Nexlizet for a week or two, ask your doctor if a short supply of a related medication (like ezetimibe alone) can bridge the gap.

Try a mail-order pharmacy. Express Scripts, OptumRx, and CVS Caremark typically stock Nexlizet and may offer 90-day supplies at a lower per-dose cost.

Coverage Milestones That Make Nexlizet More Accessible

As of September 2024, Nexlizet reached an important insurance coverage milestone: it is now covered on formularies reaching over 136 million commercially insured lives (92% of all commercial insurance) and 34 million Medicare lives (65% of all Medicare beneficiaries). Many payers have also updated their prior authorization criteria to align with the expanded FDA label.

For a step-by-step guide on locating Nexlizet quickly, see how to find Nexlizet in stock near you. And if cost is the barrier, check out our guide to saving money on Nexlizet.

When all else fails, medfinder can call pharmacies in your area on your behalf and text you results — helping you spend less time searching and more time getting the care you need.