Is Tirzepatide safe for weight loss? Here’s what we know.

Key points:

1. Compounded medications are made directly by pharmacists—not manufactured by large pharmaceutical companies. 
2. The FDA does not approve compounded medications. To ensure that your compounded medication is safe and effective, always work with a licensed medical provider who can guarantee that your medication is sourced from a licensed compounding pharmacy. 
3. For Shed It—our holistic prescription weight loss program—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 Tirzepatide medication they receive is safe and effective.

Those of us who’ve exercised regularly over the years and tried one healthy eating plan after another don’t need to read a scientific study to know that sometimes we need a little help jumpstarting weight loss.

GLP-1 receptor agonist medications can give us that initial boost. But brand-name GLP-1s can be expensive when paid out-of-pocket, leaving those without insurance coverage, those with high deductibles, and those without insurance without access to them.

Dr. B’s holistic prescription program, Shed It, combines GLP-1 medication treatment with science-backed nutrition and fitness materials to help our members shift and shed the negative habits holding them back from a more vital, healthier life.

But we want to nurture our members’ financial health, too.

So we work with trusted compounding pharmacy partners to offer safe and affordable compounded Tirzepatide medication. Whether you’re pondering medical weight loss or already on the road to healthier chronic weight management with Shed It, here's what to know about taking compounded medications.

What’s a compounded medication?

Licensed pharmacists make compounded medications in specialized compounding pharmacies.

Compounding pharmacies often make large batches of medications to fill medication gaps when the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) puts a brand-name medication on its drug shortage list. In 2022, the FDA put Tirzepatide on the drug shortage list, and pharmacies that met certain qualifications were permitted to make injectable versions of medication to meet patient demand.

They also regularly make personalized medications for patients who can’t tolerate a mass-produced formula—like making a liquid form of a medicine for someone who has a hard time swallowing pills. Personalized compounded Tirzepatide medication is made for patients 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 approved by the FDA. And they’re not “generic” forms of brand-name medications. They’re another drug form entirely. So the FDA does not approve them in the same way it does brand-name or generic medications.

That doesn’t mean compounded medications are made without oversight.

In the US, compounding pharmacies are overseen by state agencies and sometimes reviewed by the FDA. High-quality compounding pharmacies often source the active ingredients they use in their medications from FDA-registered facilities. They’re often the same suppliers used by large drug manufacturers, providing extra peace of mind. So while the medications are not approved, the pharmacies must follow strict safety standards.

For Shed It, Dr. B works with 503B compounding pharmacies, which are registered with the FDA and regularly test their products for stability, potency, quality and effectiveness.

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

Tirzepatide is a dual-agonist receptor medication. That means it mimics two hormones released in the gut as we eat. The first is glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is also found in the weight loss medication Semaglutide. The second is glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).

GIP and GLP-1 slow digestion and control appetite, which can help keep blood sugar levels steady. Additionally, GIP may encourage metabolism and reduce inflammation. This combined effect can promote healthier eating habits and support weight loss goals.

Tirzepatide is the same active ingredient in brand-name medical weight loss treatments like Zepbound®* and Mounjaro®*.

Shed It patients with robust insurance coverage can get a prescription for Zepbound or Mounjaro sent to their local pharmacy for pickup. But for those without coverage—or those with high deductibles—personalized compounded Tirzepatide costs patients less because it’s made in-house at licensed compounding pharmacies and shipped with fewer intermediaries.

All forms are equally effective at lowering blood sugar levels, slowing digestion, increasing metabolism and encouraging weight loss.

Why are compounded weight-loss medications controversial?

Medical weight loss medications like Tirzepatide and Semaglutide get (justified) buzz for reasons we understand.

• Weight does not equal illness/health. People can be healthy at varying weights, and losing weight doesn’t necessarily improve health. 
• They’re expensive. Weight loss treatments can cost thousands of dollars out of pocket. For many, taking a medication that costs several hundred dollars every month is not financially feasible, either.
• Insurance plans don’t cover them for many patients. Many insurers only cover them for those with specific weight-related conditions. While coverage may expand with time, many patients currently don’t have access.
• Not all compounded meds are equal. Since the FDA doesn’t review and approve compounded Tirzepatide and Semaglutide, their quality and effectiveness can vary from one pharmacy to another. (That’s why it’s vital to work with a licensed provider on your medical weight loss care!)
• They require a long-term commitment. GIP/GLP-1 medications are prescribed to be taken long-term for high BMI—a chronic condition. Right now, clinical studies suggest that patients who stop taking these medications regain most (if not all) of the weight they lose with time. 

Dr. B considered these points when creating Shed It. That’s why our holistic approach combines effective medication and science-backed fitness and nutrition support.

Can I buy Tirzepatide online? 

Again, the best way to get safe, effective Tirzepatide is to work with a licensed online weight loss doctor. They’ll make sure that the facility that makes your medication uses quality ingredients and works under strict safety guidelines.

With Shed It, patients meet monthly with a licensed medical provider in their state through a chat or video consultation.

If approved for coverage, patients with insurance can choose to have a prescription for a brand-name medication sent to their local pharmacy for pickup. Those without insurance (or a high prescription deductible) can get a prescription for compounded Tirzepatide sent to a 503B compounding pharmacy and the medication shipped to their door.

Start a Shed It consultation today.

*Zepbound® and Mounjaro® 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:

Farzam, K., Patel, P. (2024). Tirzepatide. StatPearls Publishing.

Gasbjerg, L.S., et al. (2018). Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor antagonists as anti-diabetic agents. Peptides.

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.