Duavee is hard to find at many pharmacies in 2026. Learn why this menopause medication faces supply issues and what you can do to get your prescription filled.
You walk into your pharmacy expecting to pick up your Duavee prescription — and the pharmacist tells you it's out of stock. Again. If this sounds familiar, you're far from the only one dealing with this frustration. Duavee has been one of the harder-to-find menopause medications for years, and in 2026, many patients are still running into the same problem.
In this article, we'll explain exactly what Duavee is, why it's so difficult to find, and — most importantly — what steps you can take to get your prescription filled.
Duavee is a prescription medication made by Pfizer that combines two active ingredients: conjugated estrogens (0.45 mg) and bazedoxifene (20 mg). It's FDA-approved for two uses in postmenopausal women who still have a uterus:
What makes Duavee unique is its combination approach. Instead of pairing estrogen with a progestin (like many traditional hormone replacement therapies), Duavee pairs estrogen with bazedoxifene — a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). Bazedoxifene protects the uterine lining from the effects of estrogen, which means patients don't need to take a separate progestin.
For more details about how Duavee works, see our guide on Duavee's mechanism of action.
There are several reasons why Duavee is consistently difficult to locate at pharmacies across the country. Here are the main factors:
As of 2026, there is no generic equivalent for Duavee. The combination of conjugated estrogens and bazedoxifene is unique to this brand-name product. Without generic competition, only Pfizer manufactures Duavee, which limits the total supply available in the market. When demand fluctuates or production hits a snag, there's no backup manufacturer to fill the gap.
Duavee serves a relatively niche group of patients — specifically, postmenopausal women with an intact uterus who prefer an estrogen/SERM combination over traditional estrogen/progestin therapy. Because pharmacies stock medications based on local demand, many retail pharmacies simply don't keep Duavee on their shelves. If they don't have regular customers requesting it, they won't order it.
Pfizer has experienced periodic supply constraints with Duavee since the drug's launch in 2013. These disruptions aren't always formally listed on the FDA Drug Shortage Database, but they're very real for patients trying to fill prescriptions. Manufacturing a combination product with specific formulation requirements can be more complex than producing a single-ingredient drug.
Duavee typically costs between $300 and $500 per month without insurance. Many insurance plans place it on a high copay tier, require prior authorization, or push patients toward cheaper alternatives first (step therapy). This means fewer prescriptions are written overall, which feeds back into the low-demand cycle at pharmacies.
The good news is that Duavee is still being manufactured and is available — you may just need to look beyond your usual pharmacy. Here are some practical steps:
Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, use Medfinder to search for Duavee availability near you. Medfinder checks stock at pharmacies in your area so you can see who actually has it before you make the trip.
Large chain pharmacies often have rigid inventory systems that may not stock niche medications like Duavee. Independent pharmacies and specialty pharmacies are often more flexible and willing to order medications for you — sometimes with next-day availability.
Mail-order pharmacies, including those affiliated with your insurance plan, often have better access to brand-name medications like Duavee. This can also save you the hassle of searching locally.
If you've been unable to find Duavee for an extended period, your doctor may recommend an alternative. Options include Prempro (conjugated estrogens/medroxyprogesterone), Bijuva (estradiol/progesterone), or Activella (estradiol/norethindrone acetate). Learn more in our article on alternatives to Duavee.
Cost can be a barrier to access. Pfizer offers a co-pay savings card that may reduce your out-of-pocket cost to as low as $30–$50 per month. The Pfizer RxPathways program also helps uninsured or underinsured patients. Read our full guide on how to save money on Duavee.
Duavee is a valuable medication for many postmenopausal women, but its limited supply, lack of a generic, and niche market make it genuinely hard to find. The situation in 2026 hasn't changed dramatically from prior years — but there are more tools available to help you locate it.
If you're struggling to find Duavee, start with Medfinder to check pharmacy stock near you. And if you're curious about the broader supply situation, check out our Duavee shortage update for 2026.
You deserve access to the medication your doctor prescribed. Don't give up — the right pharmacy is out there.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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