Having trouble finding Baricitinib (Olumiant)? Learn why this JAK inhibitor can be hard to locate and what you can do to get your prescription filled in 2026.
You've got your prescription in hand, but pharmacy after pharmacy tells you the same thing: Baricitinib isn't in stock. Whether you take it for rheumatoid arthritis, alopecia areata, or another condition, not being able to fill your prescription is stressful — and potentially dangerous for your health.
Baricitinib, sold under the brand name Olumiant, is a specialty medication that doesn't sit on every pharmacy shelf. In this guide, we'll explain exactly why Baricitinib can be so hard to find in 2026 and what steps you can take to get it.
Baricitinib is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor made by Eli Lilly and Company. It works by blocking JAK1 and JAK2 enzymes, which are part of the immune system's signaling pathway. By reducing immune system overactivity, Baricitinib helps control inflammation.
The FDA has approved Baricitinib (Olumiant) for three conditions:
It comes as a tablet in 1 mg, 2 mg, and 4 mg strengths and is taken once daily by mouth. For more details on how Baricitinib works, see our mechanism of action guide.
There are several reasons why you might have trouble getting your Baricitinib prescription filled:
Baricitinib is not a common drug like a blood pressure pill or antibiotic. It's a specialty medication, which means most retail pharmacies — including big chains like CVS and Walgreens — may not keep it in regular stock. Many insurance plans require Baricitinib to be dispensed through a specialty pharmacy, which handles high-cost, complex medications.
If your local pharmacy doesn't carry it, that doesn't mean there's a shortage. It just means you may need to use a different pharmacy channel.
Even when Baricitinib is physically available, getting it can be delayed by insurance requirements. Most commercial insurance plans and Medicare Part D require:
These requirements can add days or weeks to the process of getting your medication. If your prior authorization is denied, you might feel like Baricitinib is "impossible to find" — but the barrier is really the insurance process, not the drug supply.
Baricitinib costs approximately $2,500 to $3,000 per month without insurance. At that price point, pharmacies are cautious about stocking it without confirmed demand. A pharmacy doesn't want to invest thousands in a medication that might sit on the shelf. This means you'll often need to order it specifically rather than picking it up on demand.
As of 2026, there is no generic version of Baricitinib available in the United States. Eli Lilly is the sole manufacturer of Olumiant, which means supply depends entirely on one company. While Baricitinib is not currently on the FDA drug shortage list, having a single manufacturer makes the supply chain more fragile than drugs with multiple generic producers.
If you're having trouble finding Baricitinib, here are some practical steps:
Medfinder helps you check which pharmacies near you have Baricitinib in stock right now. Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, you can search online and find availability in seconds.
Your doctor's office or insurance company can direct you to an approved specialty pharmacy. These pharmacies are set up to handle medications like Baricitinib and often ship directly to your home.
If insurance delays are the problem, ask your doctor's office to follow up on the prior authorization. Some offices have staff dedicated to handling these requests. A peer-to-peer review between your doctor and the insurance company's medical reviewer can sometimes speed up approvals.
If cost is the barrier, Eli Lilly offers the Olumiant Savings Card, which can reduce your copay to as low as $5 per month for commercially insured patients. Uninsured patients may qualify for the Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program. Learn more in our guide to saving money on Baricitinib.
If Baricitinib truly isn't available or accessible for you, there are other JAK inhibitors your doctor might consider, including Tofacitinib (Xeljanz), Upadacitinib (Rinvoq), or Ritlecitinib (Litfulo) for alopecia areata. Check out our alternatives guide for details.
Baricitinib can be hard to find — but usually not because of a drug shortage. The real barriers are specialty pharmacy requirements, insurance hoops, high cost, and limited manufacturing. The good news is that with the right tools and knowledge, most patients can get their Baricitinib prescription filled.
Start by checking real-time availability on Medfinder, and don't hesitate to work with your doctor and insurance company to resolve any access issues. Your health shouldn't wait.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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