Here’s what we know about compounded Semaglutide safety

Key Points:

1. Specialized pharmacies custom-make personalized compounded medications to fit a person's unique needs. In some cases, compounded medicines also help relieve drug shortages.
2. While compounded medications are not FDA-approved, the best way to get quality medication is to work with a medical provider who sources prescriptions from a licensed facility.
3. Dr. B works with FDA-registered 503B compounding pharmacy partners who follow strict rules and test their products rigorously. So our patients can trust that the compounded Semaglutide medication they receive is safe and effective.

With expensive brand-name weight loss medications inaccessible for many qualifying patients, , Dr. B is thrilled to offer patients a safe, effective and affordable compounded Semaglutide via Shed It—a holistic prescription weight loss program by Dr. B.

Naturally, we expect that some of our patients will have questions about how compounded medicines are made and how their compounded Semaglutide stacks up against brand-name versions.

Here's what to know about compounded Semaglutide safety.

What exactly is a compounded weight loss medication?

Compounded products are made by pharmacists at specialized pharmacies.

Sometimes, compounded medications are made to address a drug shortage. In 2022, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put brand-name Semaglutide weight loss medications on their drug shortage list. Pharmacies that met certain requirements were permitted to create compounded forms of the same medications to fill those gaps for the patients requiring treatment. The FDA recently removed those brand-name medications from the drug shortage list and gave compounding pharmacies a specific window of time to dispense their remaining compounded medications.

Other times, pharmacists custom-make compounded medicines as an alternative to standard drug formulas so that they fit a patient’s unique needs. For example, someone who can't swallow capsules might order a compounded medicine in liquid form. Or a person who is allergic to the dye in a skin cream might have a compounded version made without that ingredient. Personalized compounded Semaglutide medication is often enhanced with Pyridoxine (vitamin B6), which can help reduce the common GLP-1 side effects of nausea and vomiting.

Are compounded medications FDA-approved?

Compounded medications are not generics or FDA-approved drugs. That means the FDA does not verify their safety and efficacy in the same way that it approves standard medications.

But in the US, state agencies—and sometimes the FDA—oversee the specialized pharmacies that make compounded medicines. In some cases, compounding pharmacies even source their active ingredients from the same FDA-registered facilities used by drug manufacturers.

While the medications they make are not FDA-approved, licensed compounding pharmacies follow strict safety standards. They also test their products carefully to guarantee their quality, potency, stability and effectiveness.

A licensed provider can help you source medicines from state-licensed pharmacies or outsourcing facilities registered with the FDA and make sure that your compounded prescription treatment is the correct formula and dosage for you.

How does compounded Semaglutide compare to other prescription medical weight loss options?

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps control appetite and slow digestion. It is the same active ingredient used in brand-name medical weight loss options like Wegovy®* and Ozempic®* (which patients can also get with Dr. B).

Compounded Semaglutide weight loss medication works the same way as standard versions of the drug. It is safe and effective. It costs less than brand-name drugs because it is sourced from compounding pharmacies that produce in-house and ship straight to consumers. That means they can set reasonable medication prices.

Why are compounded weight-loss medications controversial?

There are a few reasons why compounded medical weight loss medications get a lot of (justified) buzz.

• Because the FDA doesn’t review and approve them, they can vary in quality and effectiveness—especially compared to their brand-name or generic medication versions.
• Weight loss medications are often not covered by health insurance. So they can be expensive to pay for out-of-pocket, especially as they’re prescribed indefinitely to manage a chronic condition.
• Most people tend to regain weight if they stop taking GLP-1 weight loss medicines.
• Losing weight alone does not automatically improve health.

A holistic approach to prescription weight loss is the best way to guarantee lasting benefits. By combining effective personalized compounded Semaglutide weight loss medication with nourishing foods and regular movement, you can manage chronic conditions and achieve your health goals.

How can I trust that my compounded Semaglutide is safe?

Dr. B works with compounding pharmacy partners who source Semaglutide from facilities registered with the FDA. These licensed compounding pharmacies test their products and follow strict safety standards.

Shed It with Dr. B’s monthly fee includes regular check-ins with a licensed provider and unlimited support. So if our patients have questions about their health concerns, they can request a provider callback at their patient dashboard at any time.

Can I buy Semaglutide online?

Some online pharmacies and telehealth providers “sell” Semaglutide online. But not all offer the same version of the product. That’s why it’s vital to work with a licensed provider and get a prescription treatment made by a facility that uses quality ingredients and meets strict safety guidelines.

For Shed It, patients meet monthly with a certified weight loss (obesity) doctor via chat or video to review their health history, symptoms, goals and treatment progress. If prescribed compounded Semaglutide, patients receive effective personalized Semaglutide from 503B compounding pharmacies that follow best practices.

So our patients can trust that their medication will do only what it’s supposed to do—and they can shed worries along with extra pounds and negative habits!

Start a Shed It consultation today!

Wegovy® and Ozempic® are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Our use of these names is for informational purposes only and does not imply any affiliation, endorsement or approval by the trademark holders.

Sources:

Gilbert, Daniel. (2023.) Inside the gold rush to sell cheaper imitations of Ozempic. The Washington Post.

Lupkin, Sydney. (2024). Compounding pharmacies are making their own versions of blockbuster weight loss drugs. NPR.

US Food and Drug Administration. (2022). Compounding and the FDA: Questions and answers.

US Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Compounding laws and policies.

US Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Medications containing semaglutide marketed for type 2 diabetes or weight loss.