Is Semaglutide in Shortage? The Latest on Ozempic and Wegovy Availability
Key takeaways:
Due to high demand, semaglutide injections (sold as Ozempic and Wegovy) were in shortage from early 2022 until late February 2025.
After the shortage was resolved, the FDA gave pharmacies phase-out periods to stop compounding copies of FDA-approved semaglutide injections. These deadlines have since passed.
If you’ve been receiving compounded semaglutide, you’ll likely need to switch to Ozempic or Wegovy to continue treatment. This will require a new prescription.
If you need help affording Ozempic or Wegovy, there are ways to save money. Manufacturer copay cards, patient assistance programs, and GoodRx discounts can help make your prescription more affordable.
Table of contents
With the rise in popularity of semaglutide for weight loss, it’s no surprise that the demand for medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have surged. But this has also led to shortages, leaving many people scrambling to find a consistent supply over the last few years.
In February 2025, the FDA announced that the semaglutide shortage was resolved. This means that the agency has determined that the manufacturer can meet the national demand. This is good news if you’ve had difficulty filling your Ozempic or Wegovy prescription.
But if you’ve been relying on compounded semaglutide, you may still have questions about how this update could affect you. Here’s what you need to know.
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Is semaglutide in shortage?
No, not anymore. Semaglutide injections — which are sold as Ozempic and Wegovy — are no longer listed on the FDA website as being in shortage. The shortage, which began in early 2022, lasted until February 2025. Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus), however, hasn’t been on the shortage list.
When the FDA removes a medication to the shortage list, it means that the agency has determined that the manufacturer is able to meet national demand. The FDA typically reviews information from manufacturers, distributors, and other sources when making this decision. However, Ozempic and Wegovy may not be readily available at every pharmacy right away.
Why was semaglutide in shortage?
Semaglutide injections were in shortage primarily due to a surge in demand. One study found that semaglutide fills increased by 442% between January 2021 and December 2023. This rise in popularity was due to national attention on the medication’s weight-loss effects.
Wegovy is FDA approved for weight loss. And Ozempic, which is approved for Type 2 diabetes, is often prescribed off-label for weight loss.
What happens to compounded semaglutide now that the shortage has resolved?
During the shortage, pharmacies started making lower-cost compounded versions of Ozempic and Wegovy. Normally, pharmacies aren’t allowed to compound copies of FDA-approved drugs, except in cases of documented medical need. But the FDA makes an exception when a medication is officially in shortage. Once the shortage ends, that exception no longer applies. And cost alone isn’t a valid reason for pharmacies to continue compounding these products.
The semaglutide injection shortage is now considered resolved, and the FDA set specific deadlines for pharmacies to stop regularly making compounded copies. Those deadlines have now passed. So if you were using compounded semaglutide injections, you’ll likely need to transition to FDA-approved Ozempic or Wegovy to continue treatment.
Good to know: Compounded medications aren’t regulated the same way as FDA-approved drugs. They don’t go through the same approval process, so their safety and effectiveness hasn’t been evaluated. Make sure that you understand the unique risks of compounded semaglutide before starting it.
Tips for managing your semaglutide prescription
With the supply of Ozempic and Wegovy stabilizing, it should get easier to fill your prescription. But if you’ve been navigating supply challenges or using compounded semaglutide, here are some tips to help ensure a smooth transition:
Request refills earlier. While the supply has stabilized, it’s still a good idea to request a refill of your Ozempic or Wegovy prescription earlier than usual. This can give the pharmacy extra time to ensure they have stock available to fill your prescription.
Check with multiple pharmacies. If your usual pharmacy is out of stock, call around to different pharmacies. This includes smaller local ones, since medication supply can vary across locations. Be specific about which dose you need.
Talk to your prescriber. If you’ve been using compounded semaglutide, you can discuss transitioning to the FDA-approved version with your healthcare team. They can help determine the best option for you.
Check your insurance coverage. Some people may have turned to compounded semaglutide due to cost concerns. So, it’s a good idea to check with your insurance plan to see if it covers Ozempic or Wegovy. Knowing your options in advance can help make the transition smoother if you’re planning to switch treatments.
Avoid buying semaglutide injections online. Buying medications online can be risky and expose you to counterfeit products. The safety and effectiveness of these products are unknown.
How to save: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications don’t need to break the bank. Explore ways to save on Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, and other GLP-1 medications.
Knowing the risks: Compounded products can help people access certain medications that are in shortage. But before giving compounded semaglutide a try, it’s a good idea to understand the potential risks.
Making the switch: Need to switch from a compounded GLP-1 to a brand-name GLP-1? Here’s how to make the process smoother.
How to save on Ozempic and Wegovy
For some people, cost can be a barrier to accessing or switching to Ozempic or Wegovy. If this sounds like your situation, there are several ways to save on your prescription.
Manufacturer copay savings cards: If you have commercial insurance, you could pay as little as $25 for Ozempic or $0 for Wegovy with a copay savings card from the manufacturer. And if you’re uninsured or paying cash, you could pay $499 for Wegovy.
Patient assistance programs: If you’re eligible, you could get Ozempic at no cost through the manufacturer’s patient assistance program.
NovoCare Pharmacy: You can access Wegovy through NovoCare Pharmacy for $499 per month and have the medication shipped directly to you.
GoodRx coupons: GoodRx coupons can also help you save on your prescription. The price of Ozempic is as low as $972.87 and the price of Wegovy is as low as $1320.00 at certain pharmacies.
The bottom line
Semaglutide injections (Ozempic, Wegovy) had been in shortage since early 2022. As of February 2025, the FDA has determined that the shortage is resolved. This means that the agency determined that the manufacturer is able to meet demand. But it also means that semaglutide injections can no longer be regularly compounded.
There are steps you can take to manage your semaglutide prescription. Examples include requesting refills earlier and checking with multiple pharmacies. If you’ve been using compounded semaglutide, you may need to switch to Ozempic or Wegovy to continue treatment. Your healthcare team can help determine the best option for you.
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References
Ashraf, A. R., et al. Safety and risk assessment of no-prescription online semaglutide purchases. JAMA Network Open.
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Mitropoulos, A. (2021). Newly approved drug heralded as 'game changer' in the growing national obesity crisis. Good Morning America.
Novo Nordisk. (n.d.). Save on Ozempic (semaglutide) injection.
Novo Nordisk. (n.d.). Save on Wegovy.
Novo Nordisk. (2024). Novo Nordisk announces 4.1 billion USD investment to expand US manufacturing capacity.
Novo Nordisk. (2024). Updates about Wegovy.
Scannell, C., et al (2024). Prescription fills for semaglutide products by payment method. JAMA Health Forum.
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U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). FDA’s concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss.
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U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025). FDA clarifies policies for compounders as national GLP-1 supply begins to stabilize.
