If You've Been Told "We Don't Have Novarel," You're Not Alone

You finally got through the insurance approvals, you have your prescription in hand, and you're ready to start your fertility treatment — only to hear those frustrating words: "We're out of Novarel."

If you've been calling pharmacy after pharmacy trying to find Novarel in stock, know that you're not imagining things. This medication has been genuinely difficult to find for years, and in 2026, many patients are still struggling.

In this post, we'll explain exactly what Novarel is, why it's so hard to find, and — most importantly — what steps you can take right now to get the medication you need.

What Is Novarel?

Novarel is a brand-name injectable medication containing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a naturally occurring hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. It belongs to a drug class called gonadotropins.

Novarel is manufactured by Ferring Pharmaceuticals and is FDA-approved for three main uses:

• Ovulation induction — triggering egg release in women undergoing fertility treatment
• Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in males — stimulating testosterone production
• Prepubertal cryptorchidism — helping with undescended testes in boys

In fertility clinics, Novarel is commonly used as a "trigger shot" — an injection given to trigger ovulation at just the right time during an IVF or IUI cycle. Timing is critical, which makes finding this drug quickly even more important.

Novarel comes as a lyophilized powder in two strengths: 5,000 USP Units and 10,000 USP Units. It must be mixed with bacteriostatic water and injected intramuscularly.

Why Is Novarel So Hard to Find in 2026?

There are several reasons Novarel has been consistently difficult to locate. Here are the main factors:

1. The FDA Reclassified hCG as a Biologic

In March 2020, the FDA reclassified human chorionic gonadotropin as a biologic product under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA). Before this change, compounding pharmacies could produce hCG relatively easily.

After the reclassification, most compounding pharmacies — known as 503A and 503B facilities — were no longer allowed to compound hCG. A few received temporary waivers, but the overall supply dropped dramatically. This meant that patients who had been getting affordable compounded hCG were suddenly competing for a much smaller supply of brand-name products like Novarel and Pregnyl.

2. Limited Manufacturers

Only a handful of companies manufacture FDA-approved hCG products. Novarel is made exclusively by Ferring Pharmaceuticals. When one manufacturer experiences production issues or supply chain disruptions, there aren't many alternatives to absorb the demand.

3. Ongoing Supply Chain Challenges

Like many injectable medications, Novarel relies on complex manufacturing processes. The raw material — hCG derived from human pregnancy urine — has a limited and somewhat unpredictable supply. Global supply chain disruptions that have affected the pharmaceutical industry broadly continue to impact specialty medications like Novarel.

4. High and Growing Demand

Fertility treatment rates have been increasing steadily. More people are pursuing IVF, IUI, and other assisted reproductive technologies. At the same time, hCG is used for male hypogonadism and other conditions, further stretching an already limited supply.

What You Can Do Right Now

Finding Novarel may be challenging, but it's not impossible. Here are practical steps you can take:

Use a Real-Time Pharmacy Finder

Instead of calling pharmacies one by one, use Medfinder to search for Novarel availability at pharmacies near you. Medfinder checks real-time stock levels so you can see which pharmacies actually have it before you waste time calling.

Try Independent and Specialty Pharmacies

Big chain pharmacies often run out of specialty medications first. Independent pharmacies and fertility specialty pharmacies may have better stock because they specifically serve patients with fertility prescriptions. Ask your fertility clinic if they work with a preferred specialty pharmacy.

Ask Your Doctor About Alternatives

If Novarel is unavailable, your doctor may be able to prescribe an alternative hCG product such as Pregnyl or Ovidrel. Ovidrel is a recombinant form of hCG that comes in a pre-filled syringe and is given subcutaneously rather than intramuscularly.

Plan Ahead When Possible

If you know you'll need Novarel for an upcoming treatment cycle, talk to your pharmacy and clinic well in advance. Some specialty pharmacies can order the medication ahead of time if they have enough lead time.

Check for Savings Programs

Cost can be another barrier. If you're paying out of pocket, look into savings programs and patient assistance from Ferring Pharmaceuticals and discount card providers like GoodRx.

Final Thoughts

The Novarel shortage is frustrating, especially when you're on a strict fertility treatment timeline. But understanding why it's hard to find can help you plan better and take action sooner.

The key takeaways:

• The FDA's 2020 reclassification of hCG as a biologic drastically reduced supply.
• Limited manufacturers and rising demand continue to strain availability.
• Tools like Medfinder can help you locate Novarel in stock near you.
• Alternatives like Pregnyl and Ovidrel may be available if Novarel is not.

Don't give up. With the right tools and a proactive approach, you can find the medication you need. For more tips, read our guide on how to find Novarel in stock near you.