Latest News and Updates on Mounjaro Availability

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Quick Answer

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is no longer in national shortage. Tirzepatide injection was on the FDA drug shortage list from December 2022 because of high demand; the FDA determined the shortage was resolved on October 2, 2024, and confirmed that decision in a declaratory order on December 19, 2024^[1]. As of October 2026, tirzepatide does not appear in the FDA Drug Shortages database^[2]. Individual pharmacies can still run short temporarily, something the FDA itself anticipated^[1].

Current Status of Mounjaro Availability

Mounjaro, a brand name for tirzepatide, is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for managing type 2 diabetes. The FDA approved Mounjaro pens in May 2022; the same medicine is sold as Zepbound for weight management, approved in November 2023^[1]. Mounjaro and Zepbound are the only FDA-approved tirzepatide products, and both are made by Eli Lilly^[1].

Nationally, supply has caught up. In its December 2024 order, the FDA concluded from Lilly data on supply, demand and inventory that supply was meeting or exceeding demand and would meet projected demand^[1]. In an April 2026 update, the FDA noted that tirzepatide does not currently appear on its drug shortage list^[3].

Local gaps are a different matter. The FDA acknowledged that patients and prescribers may still see intermittent localized supply disruptions as products move from the manufacturer and distributors to local pharmacies^[1]. An empty shelf at one pharmacy therefore does not mean the national shortage has returned.

What Happened: The 2022–2024 Shortage

High Demand and Market Reception

Mounjaro pens were added to the FDA drug shortage list on December 15, 2022, due to high demand^[1]. Following its approval, the medication quickly became popular not only for its glucose-lowering effects but also for weight loss, after clinical trials showed large reductions in body weight^[4].

For instance, in the SURMOUNT-1 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, adults with obesity but without diabetes lost an average of 15.0%, 19.5%, and 20.9% of their body weight over 72 weeks on tirzepatide 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg weekly, versus 3.1% on placebo^[4]. This level of efficacy made tirzepatide a sought-after option for both diabetes management and obesity treatment.

Until Zepbound was approved in November 2023, tirzepatide was approved only for type 2 diabetes, so prescribing it for weight loss alone was off-label. One US health-records study identified 10,193 adults with no type 2 diabetes diagnosis who were prescribed tirzepatide between May 2022 and August 2023^[5]. Once Zepbound launched, its pens were also added to the shortage list, in April 2024, again due to high demand^[1].

Manufacturing Capacity

In FDA terms, a shortage is a period when the demand or projected demand for a drug exceeds its supply nationwide^[1]. With a single company making every approved tirzepatide product, supply depended on how quickly Lilly could add capacity.

Lilly has said it began a major manufacturing expansion in 2020, investing at risk before approval, and that by May 2024 it had committed more than $18 billion to build, upgrade and acquire facilities in the U.S. and Europe, including new sites in Research Triangle Park and Concord, North Carolina^[6]. In the same May 2024 announcement, Lilly raised its investment in its Lebanon, Indiana site to $9 billion to make the active ingredient for Mounjaro and Zepbound, and said it expected to begin making medicines there toward the end of 2026, scaling up through 2028^[6].

How the Shortage Ended

The FDA Decisions in 2024

On October 2, 2024, the FDA determined the tirzepatide shortage was resolved after confirming with Lilly that its stated product availability and manufacturing capacity could meet present and projected national demand^[3]. That decision was challenged in court and sent back to the agency for reevaluation^[3]. On December 19, 2024, the FDA issued a declaratory order that again found the shortage resolved, after weighing Lilly data against information from patients, healthcare providers and compounders^[1].

What It Meant for Compounded Tirzepatide

While a drug is on the FDA shortage list, federal law allows compounding pharmacies and outsourcing facilities to make versions of it that would otherwise be restricted. When a shortage is resolved, the FDA generally considers the drug commercially available again^[3]. To avoid disrupting treatment, the December 2024 order set transition periods: until February 18, 2025, for state-licensed pharmacies and physicians compounding under section 503A, and until March 19, 2025, for outsourcing facilities under section 503B^[1].

After a federal court declined to block the FDA decision on March 5, 2025, the FDA stated that the 503A transition period had ended and that the 503B period ran until March 19, 2025^[3]. Since then, compounders can no longer rely on the shortage exemption for tirzepatide; other legal conditions on compounding still apply^[3].

Impact on Patients and Healthcare Providers

Patient Access and Treatment Adherence

During the shortage, people who relied on Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes sometimes faced interruptions in their treatment plans. Consistent medication adherence is important for managing chronic conditions like diabetes, and an unplanned gap can make glucose control harder.

Shortages also caused anxiety and uncertainty. Some patients had to explore alternative treatments or adjust their dosages under the guidance of their healthcare providers, which underscored the importance of open communication with the care team.

Healthcare Provider Challenges

Healthcare providers had to manage patient expectations, track which strengths were available, and offer alternative treatment options when necessary. That often meant working closely with pharmacists and weighing patient-specific factors such as previous treatment responses, side effects, and other health conditions before recommending a substitute.

What to Do If Your Pharmacy Is Out of Mounjaro

Call Ahead and Ask About Other Pharmacies

Because short local gaps can still happen as stock moves from distributors to pharmacies^[1], call your pharmacy a few days before your refill is due. Ask whether your strength is in stock, when the next delivery is expected, and whether another location or a nearby pharmacy has it. If another pharmacy does, ask how to move your prescription there.

Talk to Your Prescriber About Dose or Alternatives

If you cannot get your usual strength in time, contact your prescriber before skipping a dose or changing your dose on your own. They can advise you on how to handle a delayed dose, whether a different strength is appropriate, or whether an alternative medication makes sense for you.

Avoid Unapproved Compounded and Online Sources

The FDA warns that unapproved versions of tirzepatide do not undergo FDA review for safety, effectiveness and quality before they are marketed^[7]. It recommends compounded drugs only for patients whose medical needs cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug, and urges consumers to buy only from state-licensed pharmacies^[7].

The agency has issued warning letters over illegally marketed tirzepatide that may be counterfeit or contain the wrong ingredients or the wrong amount of active ingredient, and it urges consumers not to buy products labeled "for research purposes" or "not for human consumption"^[7]. As of May 31, 2026, the FDA had received more than 730 reports of adverse events associated with compounded tirzepatide^[7].

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Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the Mounjaro shortage?

High demand. The FDA added Mounjaro to its drug shortage list in December 2022 due to high demand. Interest came from people with type 2 diabetes and from people seeking weight loss, including off-label prescribing before Zepbound was approved in November 2023, while Eli Lilly, the only maker of FDA-approved tirzepatide, worked to expand production capacity.

Is Mounjaro still in shortage?

No. The FDA determined the tirzepatide shortage was resolved on October 2, 2024, and confirmed that decision in a declaratory order on December 19, 2024. Tirzepatide does not appear in the FDA Drug Shortages database as of October 2026. Individual pharmacies may still be temporarily out of a particular strength.

What should I do if my pharmacy does not have Mounjaro?

Call before your refill is due, ask when the next delivery is expected, and ask whether another nearby pharmacy has your strength in stock. If you cannot get your dose in time, contact your prescriber before skipping or changing a dose; they can advise on timing, a different strength, or an alternative medication.

Are there any alternatives to Mounjaro?

Yes. For type 2 diabetes, the closest alternative is semaglutide (Ozempic); for weight management, semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy) is approved. Wegovy is not approved for blood-sugar control. Your healthcare provider can recommend the most suitable alternative based on your medical history and treatment goals.

Is compounded tirzepatide still allowed?

Compounded tirzepatide is not FDA-approved. The FDA transition periods for compounders that relied on the shortage ended by March 2025. The FDA recommends compounded drugs only for patients whose medical needs cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug, and urges consumers to buy prescription medicines only from state-licensed pharmacies.

How can I stay informed about Mounjaro availability?

Check the FDA Drug Shortages database, ask your pharmacist about expected deliveries, and stay in touch with your healthcare provider. You can also use a Mounjaro medication tracker to log your doses and any changes in your treatment.

What should I do if I experience side effects from an alternative medication?

If you experience side effects from an alternative medication, report them to your healthcare provider immediately. They can adjust your treatment plan or suggest another alternative to ensure your safety and well-being.

Sources and References

[1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Declaratory Order: Resolution of Shortages of Tirzepatide Injection Products (Mounjaro and Zepbound)." December 19, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/media/184606/download

[2] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "FDA Drug Shortages" database. Accessed October 3, 2026. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/

[3] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "FDA clarifies policies for compounders as national GLP-1 supply begins to stabilize." Updated April 1, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-alerts-and-statements/fda-clarifies-policies-compounders-national-glp-1-supply-begins-stabilize

[4] Jastreboff AM, et al. "Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity." N Engl J Med. 2022;387(3):205-216. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038

[5] Hunter Gibble T, Chinthammit C, Ward JM, et al. "Real-world use of tirzepatide among individuals without evidence of type 2 diabetes: Results from the Veradigm database." Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025;27(6):3185-3194. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.16330

[6] Eli Lilly and Company. "Lilly Increases Manufacturing Investment to $9 Billion at Newest Indiana Site to Boost API Production for Tirzepatide and Pipeline Medicines." May 24, 2024. https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lilly-increases-manufacturing-investment-9-billion-newest

[7] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss." Content current as of October 1, 2026; accessed October 3, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-alerts-and-statements/fdas-concerns-unapproved-glp-1-drugs-used-weight-loss

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.