Accessing GLP-1 medications if you were anyone but a celebrity in 2022-23 was like finding a needle in a haystack. And even if you could find one, affording it may have felt out of reach. Dr. Christopher McGowan, MD, MSCR, AGAF, FASGE, the senior vice president of Peri-Procedural Care, remembers those days but says that things have changed.
"GLP-1 medications are far more accessible today than they were even a few years ago," Dr. McGowan tells Parade. "We now have FDA-approved options like Wegovy and Zepbound for obesity, Ozempic and Mounjaro for diabetes, a newly approved oral version of semaglutide and overall significantly lower prices than before."
He says the $1,000 price tag for GLP-1s led to a surge in demand for cheaper knockoff alternatives.
"The key issue is that these alternatives are not FDA-approved, have not been tested for safety or efficacy, and are not subject to the same rigorous manufacturing standards," he explains.
According to Dr. Alissa Chen, MD, MPH, MHS, a primary care physician, obesity medicine specialist and researcher at the Yale School of Medicine, the rise in alternatives makes it vital to become informed about the risks and benefits of these medications to protect yourself.
"As a physician, I always want to do my best to help my patients. But in the end, I can't help them if I'm not in the loop," she says. "That's why I've done research in this area and tried to understand it better. I want patients to have the best chance they have to be informed of risks and benefits and make informed decisions."
To help you become informed, doctors want to warn you that these "cheaper" Ozempic alternatives may have risks. Here's what to know before you click "buy."
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Doctors are raising alarms about the potential risks associated with compounded Ozempic and other GLP-1s.
"Not all GLP-1s are created equal—and compounded versions are simply not equivalent to the real thing," Dr. McGowan warns.
You may see the word "compounded drug" floating around, especially with GLP-1s, given the rise of telehealth companies offering them. But what does it even mean? It turns out, the definition of "compounded drug" has gotten trickier since GLPs became sought after.
"Compounding, historically, was a means of making a medication for a patient that suited their specific needs," Dr. Chen says. "An example of this is putting a medicine into a cream for a patient when it's not ordinarily available as a cream."
However, when there was a GLP-1 shortage in 2022, Dr. Chen says compounding pharmacies began making copies of these medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound) to increase supply. People could buy the drugs at a lower cost—$200 to $300, at least for the first month, which was way less than $1,000 for brand-name Ozempic or Wegovy.
While Dr. Chen says the shortages are over, another specialist shares that people still have trouble accessing GLP-1s, which is why there's still interest in compounded versions.
"Though the pharmaceutical companies that make Wegovy and Zepbound say there is no shortage, my patients still report difficulty getting these medications," says Dr. Mir Ali, MD, a bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center. "The pharmacy tells them they are out of stock."
Dr. Ali adds that some people cannot get their insurance to cover GLP-1s.
"Sometimes even with insurance coverage, the out-of-pocket cost is still very high," he explains. "For these reasons, people are still seeking the compounded versions of these medications."
Related: We Asked 3 Metabolism Experts What People on GLP-1s Should Never Skip—They All Agreed
What Are the Risks of Compounded Ozempic and GLP-1s?
Experts are concerned that compounded semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound and Mounjaro) could be lower quality, with questionable quantities. "These are not the same drugs—and they don’t have the same standards behind them," Dr. McGowan warns.
Dr. Chen is also concerned about the standards. "It's hard to be specific about the risks of compounded GLPs because there is no oversight," she says. "No oversight means we don't know what is in them."
Doctors dig deeper into their concerns with compounded Ozempic.
"Brand-name GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are manufactured under strict quality controls, with well-defined dosing, stability and extensive clinical trial data behind them," Dr. McGowan says.
He shares that the FDA monitors and tightly regulates these processes to ensure safety, consistency and effectiveness.
In fact, the FDA released a warning about the risks of using unapproved versions of GLP-1s, including compounded drugs.
2. Some compounding pharmacies are offering untested GLP-1 products
Dr. Chen is seeing more compounding pharmacies offering GLP-1s customized to a patient's needs. "Microdose" GLP-1s and medications infused with a vitamin are two common examples.
"It's important to know that those forms of GLPs have not been tested in large trials, and it's not clear if they provide benefit or harm," she says.
Dr. Allison Steele, DO, DABFM, DABOM, an obesity medicine specialist at HonorHealth Bariatric Center, wants people seeking compounded Ozempic to know that the pharmacy may use the same active ingredient, like semaglutide. But it can get complicated from there.
"The source of these active ingredients can vary significantly," she says.
Dr. Steele points to a recent The Center for Medicine in the Public Interest report that stated, "Most active pharmaceutical ingredients imported into the U.S by entities other than Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly (the makers of FDA-approved semaglutide and tirzepatide products) are from entities that are either not registered with the FDA or have never once been inspected by the FDA. "
4. Dosing errors can happen
Dr. Chen says one of the main risks of compounded anti-obesity drugs is the dosing errors. "This may be a result of insufficient instructions with the compounded medication or issues with too much or too little medication being given to the patient," she explains.
Related: The Truth About Over-the-Counter GLP-1 Patches, According to Doctors
Before pursuing a compounded GLP-1, Dr. McGowan suggests:
Check insurance coverage updates or pursue appealsExplore manufacturer savings programs, including LillyDirect and NovoCareWork with a physician to identify appropriate, FDA-approved treatment optionsIf you're going to opt for compounded GLP-1s, you can take steps to improve the chances that you are getting a safe, effective medication that helps you reach your goals. Here's what doctors recommend.
This one is huge. "It is important that if a patient is seeking these medications, they should go to a legitimate source—typically a health care provider who focuses on weight loss," Dr. Ali stresses. "Getting these medications from social media or questionable online sources can lead to problems. Most commonly, they are getting something that just does not work if it is not from a reputable source."
Dr. McGowan suggests using a "state-licensed U.S. pharmacy, ideally one that is PCAB-accredited."
2. Do some homework
According to Dr. Steele, it's important to know about the side effects and limitations of the compounded medications you're taking. "Ensure that the ingredients and the sources of these ingredients are disclosed," she advises.
Dr. McGowan agrees, sharing, "Confirm exactly what form of the drug is being used, as not all are equivalent."
3. Keep your doctor in the loop
Even if you're going the compounded medication route, it's vital to let your doctor know.
"Always let your doctor know this is an option you're pursuing," Dr. Chen states. "If you run into problems, you want your doctor to know you were taking a compounded GLP so they can help you."
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Related: These Ozempic Before and After Photos Give a Real-Life Glimpse of What Life Is Like on Weight Loss Medication
Sources:
Dr. Christopher McGowan, MD, MSCR, AGAF, FASGE, the senior vice president of Peri-Procedural CareDr. Alissa Chen, MD, MPH, MHS, a primary care physician, obesity medicine specialist and researcher at the Yale School of MedicineDr. Mir Ali, MD, a bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical CenterDr. Allison Steele, DO, DABFM, DABOM, is an obesity medicine specialist at HonorHealth Bariatric CenterFDA’s Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss. FDA.FDA Regulatory Failures in Enforcing Limits on GLP-1 Compounding Puts Patients at Risk. Center for Medicine in the Public Interest - FDA Regulatory FailuresHence then, the article about doctors warn this cheaper ozempic alternative may come with risks was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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