Mounjaro Shortage Update: Want to know the up-to-date information and Solutions You Need RIGHT NOW?! 7 tips to navigate the shortage list that are Countess Of Shopping tested and approved tips you need to know about.
This post is about travel with Mounjaro shortage.
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Mounjaro Shortage
I am not a doctor, nor pretend to play one on the internet. Always talk with your own healthcare professionals. Published: February 26, 2024, Updated: March 3, 2024
Mounjaro has FDA approval for type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro been prescribed off-label for weight loss and chronic obesity management.
Recently, Mounjaro has now been FDA approved for chronic obesity management under new name Zepbound. Both Mounjaro and Zepbound are from the manufacturer Eli Lilly.
The biggest difference between Zepbound and Mounjaro is the FDA approval. Because of the approval of Zepbound, this can change insurance approval coverage for patients.
Insurance companies hurdles is the biggest difference for both injectable medications. You may need a prior authorization from your insurance company health plans before getting weight loss medications or obesity treatment.
With the outbreak in popularity of Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 receptor agonists are booming in sales. Eli Lilly, the maker of Mounjaro and Mounjaro’s sister drug, Zepbound, are at production capacity to keep up with surging demand which is creating drug shortages.
Mounjaro, Zepbound, Ozempic and Wegovy are once-weekly injection that can have significant amount of weight loss. Many have coined these GLP-1 miracle drugs. Mounjaro’s and Zepbound’s active ingredient tirzepatide.
Diabetes drug, Mounjaro, has FDA approval for type 2 diabetes medication in 2022. With many of the side effects being weight loss, a surge was created for drug off-label prescriptions for Mounjaro.
“Off-label use does not imply a contraindicated or illegal use. Off-label prescriptions for drugs are common, occurring overall in 21%3 to 32.3%4 of prescriptions overall.” says National Institutes of Health. Source: NIH, February 23, 2023
Mounjaro Shortages
The FDA approved Mounjaro for chronic obesity management in 2023 for a new drug title called Zepbound. Many have toted
FDA first appeared on the FDA shortage list December 15, 2022.
Mounjaro is currently on the FDA shortage list (SEE FDA SHORTAGE LIST HERE).
Mounjaro Backorder
Different doses of Mounjaro are on the FDA shortage list. From my own -79lbs down (so far!) Mounjaro weight loss journey, I know that just because a Mounjaro dose is not on the FDA shortage list, doesn’t mean I won’t be able to easily get my medication.
- Mounjaro 2.5 mg dose – FDA says available
- Mounjaro 5 mg pen – FDA says available
- Mounjaro 7.5mg – FDA says available
- Mounjaro 10mg – FDA says limited availability through early March 2024
- Mounjaro 12.5 mg – FDA says limited availability through early March 2024
- Mounjaro 15mg – FDA says limited availability through early March 2024
Source: FDA Website (February 26, 2024)
There is limited availability of higher doses of the treatment and also intermittent backorders of higher doses. Eli Lilly USA is monitoring on an ongoing basis with increased demand.
7 Solutions For Shortages Of The Drugs
7 solutions to navigate the shortage while continuing weight-loss treatment through the end of the year.
Solution 1 – Continue to look at the FDA’s shortage list. Information changes, usually slowly, but it will change.
Solution 2: Just because the FDA says the a dose is not on the shortage list, doesn’t mean you won’t have a hard time finding a doses of the drug. This has happened to me countless times over the last 13+ months I have been on Mounjaro.
Solution 3: Get a system for getting your Mounjaro medication.
1) Set up a Google calendar system to alert you when you need to refill your medication. I can refill my medication every 21 days. I am on getting my medication on the 21st day as to not waste time. Know your healthcare insurance coverage rules for refill date amounts on weight loss drugs.
2) I call the pharmacy to see if the Mounjaro dose is available.
3) If the dose is available, I will fill my prescription that day. I have waited a day and then didn’t get my medication. I had to wait for another 4 days, unfortunately. Move quickly if your pharmacy does have your dose.
Mounjaro Backordered
Solution 4: If the pharmacy you call is out, ask the pharmacy if there is another pharmacy that does have the medication that you can transfer the prescription. Side note: Be kind! Pharmacists work really hard!
Solution 5: If the pharmacy comes up short, pull out your Zach-Morris-Phone and start calling like its 1995. Call pharmacies in a 30 mile radius to see if they have your dose. Get your prescription switched to that pharmacy.
Obviously, you need to be well versed on your health insurance rules for pharmacies.
Solution 6: Get your prescription that day. I know it can be a pain, but getting it once you find out the medication is available will prevent potentially from not having the medication on short supply.
Solution 7: If you can setup mail order for 90 day prescription, would be best. Many of my FREE Mounjaro, Zepbound & Wegovy Weight Loss Success Encouragement Members have this option and have raved about it.
BONUS SOLUTION: (UPDATE AS OF FEB 28, 2024): I’m moving to a compound until the shortage and savings card glitch is over. I cannot wait 5-6 weeks with no guarantee my medication will be available.
Compounds are available when there is a FDA Shortage for a drug.
The reputable compound pharmacies work with Join Fridays (use code: QUEEN). The compound pharmacies are 3rd party tested.
GLP-1 Agonists
Having a treatment plan with weight loss medications is important, particularly for significant weight loss.
Eli Lilly is building a second manufacturing plant to help with supply chain issues, boost production for its manufacturing sites and for the dynamic demand.
As a result of shortages of Ozempic, manufacturing capacity is at its max too. See Wegovy on the FDA shortage list and Ozempic on the FDA shortage list (HERE)
Mounjaro Side Effects
Common Mounjaro side effects are gastrointestinal symptoms:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
After taking Mounjaro for over a year, I had never experienced nausea as a Mounjaro side effect.
Erroneously, I thought I was in the clear of not going to get nausea on my Mounjaro journey.
I have said the last year on my one year of Mounjaro experience, “Just because you don’t get a common Mounjaro side effect on one dose, doesn’t mean you don’t get that side effect at another dose.”
Boy. That was true!
On previous doses I had diarrhea (SOLUTIONS) and constipation (SOLUTIONS). I have never vomited from Mounjaro.
Starting on Mounjaro 15mg felt like a brick in my stomach with nausea.
It was not incredibly painful, but enough for me to slow my work load and family responsibilities as a mom and wife.
I knew from discussing my Mounjaro use and Mounjaro treatment plan with my healthcare professional that nausea maybe one of Mounjaro’s side effects.
Tip 1: Change Smell
The first solution for nausea that works well for me is changing my senses. Immediately I go to smell.
It sounds weird, but sniffing for a brief second my alcohol wipe that I use for my Mounjaro injection helps make the nausea go away.
Here are my favorite alcohol swabs I use with Mounjaro:
SHOP HERE for alcohol swabs.
Nausea With Mounjaro
Tip 2: Change Taste
My second nausea with Mounjaro solution is changing taste.
I had tried buying Ginger chews as so many of my Mounjaro & Zepbound Encouragement Group members had recommended.
The ginger chews had simply too much sugar for me. I wanted the same effects of ginger chews, but without all the sugar.
Instead I created my own ginger water. It is simply 1 inch of ginger and a pitch full of filtered water.
I love also adding mint, lime and lemon.
I simply peel the ginger. Cut into little pieces. Let the ginger soak in the pitcher of filtered water for a few hours.
Use a strainer to filter out the ‘bits’ when pouring into glass.
Drink chilled with ice.
Join FREE Mounjaro, Wegovy & Ozempic Encouragement Group [HERE]
Nausea From Mounjaro
Tip 3 for Nausea From Mounjaro: Sip on water.
Using my 40 ounce Stanley to lightly sip on my water has been so helpful for me.
SHOP for a 40 Ounce Stanley Tumbler (HERE)
Since my food intake changed with use of Mounjaro, having other methods to calm my gastrointestinal possible side effects.
Most Common Side Effects Of Mounjaro
Here are the most common Mounjaro side effects. Of course everyone can experience different side effects.
I intentionally do NOT titrate up Mounjaro doses near travel to avoid side effects.
Personally, just because I had one Mounjaro / Zepbound side effect at one dose didn’t mean I was going to have it for all doses.
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Indigestion
- Stomach Pain
Always talk with your doctor if you are having a common side effect, symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, abdominal pain or if your family has a history or thyroid cancer.
And the inverse for me is true too. Just because I didn’t experience one side effect on one dose didn’t mean I didn’t have that side effect at a higher dose when I titrated up.
I bring with my remedies for above side effects on travel. (READ MORE)
Severe Vomiting
Severe vomiting is not normal and get medical help if you nausea turns into severe vomiting.
If you are in severe pain, that could be a medical emergency and seek immediate medical attention.
Some severe side effects can be gallbladder problems, injection site reactions, risk of thyroid cancer, inflammation of the pancreas, severe abdominal pain.
Mounjaro Injection Shopping
Read more about Mounjaro 2.5 mg weight loss when you are just starting HERE.
How long can Mounjaro stay out of the fridge (READ HERE)?
Best Overall: LMNT ELECTROLYTES
“Massively has helped with when I get Mounjaro side effects like diarrhea, leg cramps, headaches, constipation as I titrate up. Has no sugar or junk ingredients…just potassium, magnesium and sodium. If it’s too salty, simply dilute.”
Most Popular: 40 Ounce Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Stainless Steel Tumbler
“My Stanley helps me drank SO MUCH MORE WATER on Mounjaro! I’m also super clumsy and w/ the spill lock, I don’t spill my water bottle. LOVE LOVE LOVE!”
Most Helpful: Loose Skin Cream
“The loose skin cream has dramatically helped me on my Mounjaro weight loss journey. It is NOT a miracle worker, but DOES help me visibly see results with my loose skin.”
Weight Loss Measurement: Smart Tape Measure That Syncs
“When I’ve had Mounjaro weight loss stalls, this is what gets me through it.”
Most Used: Meal Plan
“With Mounjaro weight loss, I needed an easy meal plan that fit with taking injections. Beyond Body has been beyond exciting on my Mounjaro weight loss journey!”
Sharps Container – You will need somewhere to dispose of your Mounjaro, Wegovy or Ozempic syringe after injecting it. I love this container, but it’s smaller to fight underneath your bathroom sink, but large enough to fit the Mounjaro injection afterwards. SHOP HERE Biohazard Needle & Syringe Disposal
Alcohol Prep Pads
Alcohol Prep Pads For Injection Site – I didn’t realize prior to my Mounjaro injections that I should make sure my injection site was clean with an alcohol pads. I love these because they are so little I can easily store them with my other Mounjaro items. SHOP HERE.
Youtube: Watch HERE
TikTok: Watch HERE
Instagram: Watch HERE
Need Mounjaro Lunch Ideas? Here are some Mounjaro lunch and dinner ideas that are working well for me.