GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) are medications used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. You’ve probably heard of them under brand names like Ozempic® and Wegovy® (semaglutide) or Monjouro and Zepbound (tirzepatide). But what’s the deal with compounded GLP-1s?
Compounded GLP-1s contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, but they haven’t been FDA-approved. While they tend to be far more affordable and easier to access than brand-name drugs, they aren’t subject to the same rigorous safety standards as FDA-approved medications.
This means it’s super important to make sure you get compounded GLP-1s from a reputable company like Hims & Hers, with a demonstrated commitment to safety and transparency.
Below, we’ll dive into whether compounded GLP-1 medications are safe, the benefits of using them, and how to make sure you’re getting the real deal.
What Are Compounded GLP-1 Medications?
Let’s start by explaining what compounded drugs are exactly.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the compounding process usually involves changing or adding new ingredients to a medication or combining medications to create a drug tailored to an individual patient’s needs.
This could include:
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Removing an allergen, like a dye or other inactive ingredient
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Making a tablet medication into a liquid medication for patients who can’t swallow
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Changing the dose strength or diluting a drug to suit a patient’s need
One more reason for compounding? Shortages.
When there are shortages of an FDA-approved drug, compounding pharmacies to able to step in and help fill the gap in supply.
This is where compounded GLP-1 drugs come in.
Due to the increase in demand, there are currently shortages of GLP-1 medications like semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide.
Compounded semaglutide uses the same active ingredient — semaglutide — as Ozempic and Wegovy. And compounded tirzepatide uses the same active ingredient — tirzepatide — as Mounjaro® and Zepbound®. (Learn more about Are Diabetes Drugs Safe & Effective For Weight Loss?.)
You get the idea — the same goes for other compounded GLP-1s.
This article originally appeared on ForHers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.