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Prescribing available GLP-1 receptor agonists

Published Last updated See all updates
Topics: DiabetesDulaglutideExenatide · LiraglutidePrescribingSemaglutideSupply ·

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist availability varies currently. Supply content is maintained regularly by DHSC.

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Contents
  1. Prescribing advice
  2. Dulaglutide
    1. Limited availability
    2. Affected
  3. Exenatide
    1. Available
    2. Affected
  4. Liraglutide
    1. Limited availability
    2. Affected
  5. Semaglutide injection
    1. Limited availability
    2. Available
    3. Affected
  6. Semaglutide tablets
    1. Available
  7. Further advice
  8. Update history

Prescribing advice

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues act as GLP-1 receptor agonists.

An updated Medicine Supply Notification (MSN) was issued on 18 March 2024 and the details can be viewed in the following Supply Tool post:

This information supersedes the updated National Patient Safety Alert (NatPSA) on the shortage of GLP-1 receptor agonists on 3 January 2024.

The original NatPSA issued on 18 July 2023 is still available to access.

Prescribing advice is available from the following key resources listed in the NatPSA:

Dulaglutide

Limited availability

The following dulaglutide products will be in limited supply and are unable to support uplift in demand from other GLP-1 receptor agonists:

  • Trulicity 0.75 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen
  • Trulicity 1.5 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen
  • Trulicity 3 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen
  • Trulicity 4.5 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen

Affected

The following active supply issues exist:

Exenatide

Available

The following exenatide products are available but are unable to support uplift in demand from other GLP-1 receptor agonists:

  • Byetta 5micrograms/0.02mL solution for injection 1.2mL pre-filled pens
  • Bydureon 2mg/0.85mL prolonged-release suspension for injection 1.2mL pre-filled pens

Affected

The following active supply issues exist:

Liraglutide

Limited availability

The following injectable liraglutide products will be in limited supply and are unable to support uplift in demand from other GLP-1 receptor agonists:

  • Victoza 6mg/mL solution for injection in prefilled pen
  • Saxenda 6mg/mL solution for injection in prefilled pen

Affected

The following active supply issues exist:

Semaglutide injection

Limited availability

The following injectable semaglutide products will be in limited supply and are unable to support uplift in demand from other GLP-1 receptor agonists:

  • Ozempic 0.25mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen
  • Ozempic 1mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen

Available

Wegovy (semaglutide) is now available in the following presentations by Novo Nordisk:

  • Wegovy 0.25mg FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen
  • Wegovy 0.5mg FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen
  • Wegovy 1mg FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen
  • Wegovy 1.7mg FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen
  • Wegovy 2.4mg FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen

Accessing Wegovy for weight loss: Everything you need to know contains further information regarding access on the NHS.

Affected

The following active supply issues exist:

  • Ozempic 0.5mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen

Shortage of Semaglutide (Ozempic) solution for injections contains further information.

Semaglutide tablets

Available

Rybelsus tablets are now available in sufficient quantities to support initiation of GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM):

  • Rybelsus 3mg tablets
  • Rybelsus 7mg tablets
  • Rybelsus 14mg tablets

Further advice

Prescribing available insulins

Current supply disruption of GLP-1 receptor agonists means some patients may need to switch to insulin. Prescribers must know which insulins can be used.

Medicines Supply Tool

Latest information on supply issues, actions to take, alternatives to use, and expected resolution dates. Content provided by DHSC and CMU.

Update history

  1. Updated to reflect publication of the MSN on 18 March 2024.
  1. Ozempic 0.5mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen is out of stock.
  1. Rybelsus supply position clarified.
  1. Link to the updated NatPSA published 3 Jan 2024; link to NG28 updated and link to CG189 has been added.
  1. Shortage of Byetta 10micrograms/0.04mL solution for injection 1.2mL pre-filled pens added.
  1. Product details and link to further information added for Wegovy. Status changed from intermittent to limited availability for other GLP-1 RAs.
  1. Content updated to reflect the publication of the NatPSA and Saxenda supply issue added.
  1. Bydureon has been added to the exenatide section.
  1. Published