Understanding if You Can Get Protein Shakes on Prescription

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS), which include high-protein shakes, are commercially produced medicinal products that can be prescribed by a doctor for specific medical needs. This guide explains whether you can get protein shakes on prescription, under what circumstances, and how the process works.

Quick Summary

Prescription protein shakes, formally known as Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS), are issued for medical conditions like malnutrition or chronic illness, not for general use. A healthcare professional, often a dietitian, must determine the necessity after a trial of food-first methods has failed. The process requires meeting specific clinical criteria.

Key Points

Prescription for Medical Need: You can get protein shakes on prescription, but they are specialized Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS) intended for medical conditions, not general health or fitness.
Clinical Criteria are Required: A prescription is only issued after a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or dietitian, has assessed a patient and determined they are malnourished or at risk.
"Food First" Approach: Before a prescription is considered, patients are typically advised to try a "food first" approach, fortifying their regular diet to increase nutritional intake.
Role of the Dietitian: Dietitians play a crucial role in assessing nutritional needs and recommending specific ONS products, often as part of the criteria for prescribing.
OTC vs. Prescription Differences: Prescription ONS are regulated as medical products, whereas over-the-counter (OTC) protein shakes are regulated as food supplements, leading to differences in quality assurance and formulation.
Conditions for Prescribing: Common conditions leading to ONS prescriptions include cancer, chronic illness, recovery from surgery, and dysphagia.
Regular Review is Standard: Prescriptions for ONS are not permanent; they are regularly reviewed by the healthcare team to ensure the patient still requires the supplement.

What are Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS)?

Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS) are specialized, nutrient-dense products designed for individuals who cannot meet their nutritional needs through food alone. While you can buy many protein shakes over the counter, the ones available on prescription are considered medicinal products. They are often high in protein, calories, and fortified with vitamins and minerals to improve or maintain nutritional status.

Unlike standard sports nutrition shakes, prescribed ONS are developed to meet the specific requirements of people recovering from illness, living with chronic conditions, or experiencing malnutrition. Their use is overseen by healthcare professionals to ensure they are appropriate and effective for the patient's condition.

Who Qualifies for a Prescription?

Getting a prescription for protein shakes is not a casual matter; it is based on a clinical assessment. A healthcare provider will evaluate a patient's nutritional status to determine if ONS are medically necessary. The primary goal is always a "food first" approach, where the patient's diet is fortified with nourishing snacks and high-calorie foods. A prescription is typically considered only after this food-first strategy has been trialed for at least four weeks and found to be insufficient.

Common medical conditions that may warrant a prescription for ONS include:

Disease-related malnutrition: This is a key reason for prescribing ONS, especially for individuals who have lost significant weight or are at high risk of becoming malnourished.
Cancer and treatment side effects: Cancer and its treatments can cause loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and weight loss, making ONS necessary to maintain nutritional intake.
Chronic illnesses: Conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), inflammatory bowel disease, and renal disease can affect appetite and nutrient absorption.
Neurological conditions: Parkinson's disease, dementia, and motor neurone disease can lead to chewing or swallowing difficulties, or poor appetite, necessitating nutritional support.
Post-operative recovery: Patients recovering from surgery, particularly major operations, may require ONS to support healing and rebuild muscle mass.
Dysphagia: People with swallowing difficulties may need thickened or liquid supplements to ensure safe and adequate nutritional intake.

The Prescription Process for ONS

Obtaining a prescription for ONS is a structured process involving multiple healthcare professionals. The key steps are:

Clinical Assessment: A GP, nurse, or other clinician screens the patient for malnutrition or risk factors. This involves taking measurements and evaluating dietary intake.
Trial of "Food First" Approach: Before prescribing, the healthcare team typically recommends a trial period (e.g., four weeks) of using dietary strategies to boost calorie and protein intake. This could include using high-calorie recipes or over-the-counter fortifying powders.
Referral to a Dietitian: If the food-first approach is unsuccessful, the patient is usually referred to a dietitian for a more in-depth nutritional review. A dietitian's assessment is often required to meet specific prescribing criteria.
Prescribing: If the dietitian confirms the need for ONS based on the assessment, they will recommend a specific product to the GP, who can then issue the prescription. The prescribed product is chosen based on the patient's needs and tolerability, with considerations for conditions like lactose intolerance or diabetes.
Regular Review: The patient's need for ONS is regularly reviewed to ensure it is still necessary. Once treatment goals are met, the prescription may be discontinued.

Comparison: Over-the-Counter vs. Prescription Protein Shakes

Understanding the differences between over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription protein supplements is crucial for choosing the right product for your needs.


Feature	Prescription Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS)	Over-the-Counter (OTC) Protein Shakes
Purpose	To treat or prevent malnutrition and address specific medical nutritional needs.	For general dietary supplementation, fitness goals, or convenience.
Regulation	Regulated as medicinal products, ensuring consistent composition and quality.	Regulated as food or supplements, with less stringent oversight of contents and claims.
Nutritional Profile	Varies widely, but typically formulated to be nutritionally complete or highly concentrated in protein and calories for specific medical uses.	Often focuses solely on high protein content; may lack other essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Access	Requires a clinical assessment and a prescription from a healthcare professional.	Can be purchased freely at supermarkets, health food stores, and pharmacies.
Medical Context	Part of a monitored medical treatment plan and reviewed regularly by a healthcare team.	Used at the individual's discretion, without professional medical oversight.

Making Your Own Nourishing Drinks

For individuals who do not qualify for a prescription, or as part of the initial "food first" approach, making your own high-calorie, high-protein drinks at home is a great alternative. These can be more palatable and often more cost-effective than commercial supplements. Recipes often involve fortifying drinks with ingredients like milk powder, full-fat yogurt, and nut butters.

Resources from organizations like Macmillan Cancer Support offer excellent recipes and tips for homemade nourishing drinks. This empowers individuals to take control of their nutrition using whole foods, which can sometimes be more effective and enjoyable than pre-packaged supplements.

Conclusion: Navigating Prescribed vs. OTC Options

In conclusion, can you get protein shakes on prescription? Yes, but only in specific medical circumstances and under the guidance of a healthcare professional. These are not your average gym supplements; they are medicinal Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS) for treating conditions like malnutrition. The process involves a clinical assessment, a trial of dietary modifications, and often a referral to a dietitian.

For those who do not qualify, a range of high-quality over-the-counter options and homemade recipes provide effective ways to supplement protein intake. Always consult with a doctor or dietitian before starting any new supplement to ensure it's appropriate for your health needs and goals. For more detailed information on nutritional support for specific health conditions, resources like Macmillan Cancer Support are invaluable.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Prescribed protein shakes, known as Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS), are medicinal products formulated for specific medical conditions like malnutrition. Over-the-counter protein shakes are food supplements, often with different nutritional compositions and less regulatory oversight.

A variety of medical conditions can warrant a prescription for ONS, including cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), inflammatory bowel disease, malnutrition related to illness, dysphagia (swallowing difficulties), and recovery after surgery.

In many cases, yes. While a GP might initiate the process, a dietitian's expert assessment is often required to determine the specific need for ONS and to meet the criteria for prescription.

The 'food first' approach is the initial strategy of using regular food, fortified with extra calories and protein, to address nutritional deficiencies. It's important because it's often more palatable and cost-effective than supplements and must be trialed for a period (e.g., four weeks) before a prescription is considered.

No. The purpose of prescribed ONS is to treat or prevent medical malnutrition, not to support athletic performance or muscle growth for healthy individuals. For those goals, over-the-counter supplements and a balanced diet are the appropriate path.

Coverage for prescribed nutritional supplements varies depending on the insurance plan. For certain conditions, some commercial insurances and Medicaid may cover them with a letter of medical necessity from your doctor. Medicare generally does not cover protein drinks.

Yes. When prescribing, a dietitian or doctor will consider any dietary intolerances or allergies. They can prescribe suitable supplements, such as lactose-free or plant-based options, if they are medically necessary.

Yes, and for many people, this is the recommended first step. Homemade high-protein and high-calorie drinks can be more appealing and are often more cost-effective. Resources and recipes for these drinks are widely available.