Having trouble finding Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) at your pharmacy? Learn why this molluscum contagiosum treatment is hard to find and what you can do about it.
You finally got the prescription you've been waiting for — Zelsuvmi (berdazimer), the first and only FDA-approved at-home treatment for molluscum contagiosum. But then your pharmacy tells you they don't have it in stock, can't order it, or it's on backorder. Sound familiar?
You're not imagining the problem. Zelsuvmi has been genuinely difficult to find since it first became available. In this article, we'll explain exactly why, and more importantly, what you can do about it.
Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) is a prescription topical gel that treats molluscum contagiosum (MC) — a common viral skin infection that causes small, firm bumps on the skin. It's especially common in children. Zelsuvmi was approved by the FDA in January 2024 and is indicated for adults and children 1 year of age and older.
The medication works by releasing nitric oxide, which has antiviral properties that help fight the virus causing MC. It's applied once daily to each lesion for up to 12 weeks. Before Zelsuvmi, there was no FDA-approved at-home treatment for molluscum — patients relied on in-office procedures like cryotherapy or curettage, or off-label treatments.
For a deeper dive into how this medication works, check out our guide on how Zelsuvmi works.
There are several reasons why patients struggle to get their hands on Zelsuvmi:
Zelsuvmi was FDA-approved in January 2024, but it didn't actually launch commercially until July 2025 — an 18-month gap between approval and availability. The original developer, Ligand Pharmaceuticals, licensed commercialization rights, and the drug eventually launched through Pelthos Therapeutics after a merger with Channel Therapeutics. That long runway meant many pharmacies weren't stocking it when patients first started getting prescriptions.
As a specialty dermatology product, Zelsuvmi isn't carried by every pharmacy. When it launched, it was primarily available through select retail pharmacies like Walgreens, ASPN Pharmacy Services, and Amazon Pharmacy for home delivery. Many independent and chain pharmacies simply don't carry it yet because demand hasn't been high enough at individual locations to justify stocking a product with a cash price over $2,000.
Even when a pharmacy can order Zelsuvmi, insurance coverage can be a hurdle. Many insurers require prior authorization before they'll cover it, and some plans still don't have it on their formularies. Pelthos Therapeutics signed a major PBM agreement in December 2025 that expanded formulary access to approximately 20 million covered lives, but coverage gaps remain. This can create delays — or push patients toward pharmacies that handle specialty medications.
Zelsuvmi must be stored in a refrigerator (36°F to 46°F) before being dispensed, and once dispensed, it must be used within 60 days. This cold-chain requirement means pharmacies need refrigerator space and careful inventory management, which discourages some from stocking it. It also means the product can't be warehoused indefinitely.
If you're having trouble finding Zelsuvmi, here are your best options:
Medfinder helps you locate pharmacies that have specific medications in stock. Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, you can search for Zelsuvmi availability in your area and find out which locations currently have it.
Zelsuvmi is available through Amazon Pharmacy for home delivery. Your prescriber can send the prescription electronically, and it ships directly to your door. This can be especially convenient if local pharmacies don't stock it.
ASPN Pharmacy is a distribution partner for Zelsuvmi and can help fulfill prescriptions. Your dermatologist's office may already work with them.
Pelthos Therapeutics runs a patient support program called ZelsuvmiGO at (888) 309-0186. They can help you with insurance coverage issues, finding a pharmacy, and connecting with the copay assistance program so commercially insured patients may pay as little as $0.
For more detailed tips on tracking down this medication, see our full guide on how to find Zelsuvmi in stock near you.
Yes — the outlook is improving. Pelthos Therapeutics has been actively expanding pharmacy distribution and insurance coverage throughout 2025 and into 2026. The December 2025 PBM deal was a significant step. As more dermatologists prescribe it and more pharmacies begin stocking it, availability should continue to improve.
If cost is a concern, we also have a guide on how to save money on Zelsuvmi with coupons, discount programs, and patient assistance options.
Zelsuvmi represents a real breakthrough for molluscum contagiosum — it's the first FDA-approved treatment patients can use at home. But being new, expensive, and requiring special storage means it's not always easy to find at your local pharmacy. The good news is that access is expanding, and there are real tools and programs available to help you get the medication you need.
Start your search at Medfinder to check pharmacy availability near you.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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