How to find a pharmacy that has your medication in stock

When your pharmacy is out, a practical first step is to check other pharmacies before you drive anywhere. Here is what helps.

1. Call and ask for the pharmacist

Ask for your medication by its exact name, strength, form and quantity, and say whether it is brand or generic. "Adderall XR 20 mg capsules, 30 of them, generic" gets a clearer answer than "Do you have Adderall?" If they are out, ask when their next order comes in and whether they can order it for you.

Some pharmacies will not say over the phone whether they have a controlled medication. If that happens, ask what they need from you to tell whether they can fill your prescription.

2. Ask your pharmacy to check nearby stores

Some chains can check stock at their other locations nearby. Ask your pharmacist whether they can check, and confirm with the other store before you go.

3. Ask about moving your prescription

Many prescriptions can be transferred to another pharmacy. Controlled medications such as Adderall or Vyvanse have stricter rules that depend on the prescription and your state, so ask the receiving pharmacy whether your prescription can transfer or whether your prescriber needs to send a new one.

4. Ask your prescriber about another strength or form

A different strength or form of the same medication is sometimes in stock when yours is not. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist about alternatives. Do not change the strength, form or dose yourself.

5. Check the FDA drug shortage list

The FDA lists reported national drug shortages, often with notes from each manufacturer. It does not show local stock, and a drug missing from the list can still be hard to find, but it tells you whether a national shortage has been reported. We also keep shortage pages for Adderall, Vyvanse and Concerta.

Or let us call for you

RxFinder calls up to 40 pharmacies near you with real phone calls and asks whether your medication is in stock. You get an email with your results and a link to the details. One search is $29.99. Answers in about an hour while pharmacies are open.

Stock can change, so call the pharmacy before you go.

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Questions

How can I check if a pharmacy has my medication in stock?
Call the pharmacy, ask for the pharmacist, and give the exact name, strength, form and quantity on your prescription. Or have RxFinder call up to 40 pharmacies near you for $29.99.
Will a pharmacy tell me over the phone if they have my medication?
Policies vary. Some pharmacies will not discuss stock of controlled medications by phone. If that happens, ask what they need from you to tell whether they can fill your prescription.
Is there an app that shows pharmacy stock?
Most pharmacies do not publish live stock for prescription drugs, so someone has to ask. RxFinder places real phone calls to pharmacies and emails you the results.
Can I transfer my prescription to a pharmacy that has it?
Often, yes. Controlled medications have stricter rules that depend on the prescription and your state, so ask the receiving pharmacy whether yours can transfer.

RxFinder is not a pharmacy and does not prescribe or sell medication.