Update (March 2026): The FDA has resolved the semaglutide shortage. Ozempic and Wegovy are widely available at most pharmacies. The information below is retained for reference but the acute supply issues described are no longer current.
Current Ozempic Supply Status
As of 2026, Ozempic supply has returned to normal. Novo Nordisk's multibillion-dollar manufacturing expansion has caught up with demand, and all dose strengths (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, and 2.0 mg) are available at most retail and mail-order pharmacies.
The severe shortages of 2023–2024 are over. If you still have trouble filling a prescription, contact your pharmacy or provider — isolated supply blips can occur with any medication but are no longer the systemic issue they were.
Key point: Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes only, not weight loss. For patients using semaglutide for weight management, the relevant product is Wegovy, which has its own supply status.
Why Semaglutide Shortages Happened
The semaglutide shortage was driven by a combination of factors:
- Unprecedented demand: Both Ozempic and Wegovy became among the most prescribed medications in the U.S., with demand far exceeding Novo Nordisk’s manufacturing projections
- Off-label use: Significant Ozempic prescribing for weight loss (off-label) diverted supply from diabetes patients, contributing to shortages of the diabetes product
- Complex manufacturing: Semaglutide is a biologic—a complex molecule that requires specialized production facilities. Scaling up takes years, not months
- Pen device supply chain: The delivery devices themselves have separate manufacturing constraints
- Global demand: Semaglutide products are prescribed worldwide, creating international competition for supply
Novo Nordisk committed over 6 billion dollars to manufacturing expansion, including new facilities in Denmark and the United States. Those investments helped restore supply.
Which Doses Were Affected
During the shortage, availability varied by dose strength:
| Dose | 2024 Status | 2026 Resolution Status |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 mg / 0.5 mg pen | Limited availability | Available in most pharmacies |
| 1.0 mg pen | Intermittent shortage | Largely resolved with occasional local delays |
| 2.0 mg pen | Severe shortage | Resolved nationally with occasional local delays |
Higher doses were most affected because they represented the largest volume of medication per pen and required more manufacturing capacity per prescription.
What Patients Did During Shortages
- Check multiple pharmacies. Supply varies between locations and chains. Specialty pharmacies and independent pharmacies may have stock when major chains don’t
- Ask about different dose pens. If the 2 mg pen is unavailable, your provider may adjust your prescription to use available doses
- Don’t stockpile. Hoarding creates artificial shortages and prevents other patients from accessing needed medication
- Stay in communication with your provider. They can recommend alternatives or bridge strategies during gaps
- Consider mail-order pharmacy. Some mail-order services have more consistent supply than retail pharmacies
- Plan ahead. Refill prescriptions 5–7 days before your dose is due to allow time for sourcing
FDA-Approved Alternatives
If Ozempic is unavailable for your diabetes management, several alternatives exist:
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide): A dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes. Different mechanism, comparable or potentially superior efficacy
- Trulicity (dulaglutide): Another GLP-1 receptor agonist with a weekly injection schedule. Less weight loss effect than semaglutide but more readily available
- Rybelsus (oral semaglutide): The same semaglutide molecule in a daily oral tablet. May have fewer supply constraints than the injectable
- Victoza (liraglutide): A daily GLP-1 injection. Older medication with established safety profile
For patients who were using Ozempic off-label for weight loss, PEAK recommends transitioning to the FDA-approved weight loss product—either Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) or Zepbound (tirzepatide)—rather than seeking another off-label supply of Ozempic.
Using Ozempic off-label for weight loss contributes to shortages for diabetes patients who have no alternative. FDA-approved weight loss medications exist for a reason—and they're dosed specifically for that purpose.
A Word About Compounded Semaglutide
Past supply shortages drove demand for compounded semaglutide from compounding pharmacies. PEAK does not prescribe compounded semaglutide, and we recommend caution:
- Compounded products are not FDA-approved and don’t undergo the same manufacturing quality controls
- The FDA has issued multiple warnings about adverse events associated with compounded semaglutide
- Dosing accuracy, sterility, and stability cannot be guaranteed to the same standard as manufactured products
- As brand-name supply improved, the FDA moved toward tighter restrictions on compounded versions
Learn more about our position: Why PEAK Doesn’t Prescribe Compounded GLP-1s
Boxed warning — thyroid C-cell tumors: GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide) carry an FDA boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodent studies. They are contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). Tell your provider immediately if you notice a lump in your neck, difficulty swallowing, or persistent hoarseness.
