Spilling the tea on GLP-1's: Compounded or FDA approved

I’m in – I want to start a GLP-1.

What to choose? FDA or compounded GLP-1s?

When GLP-1 medications first came to the market and people began to realize the

weight loss benefit it was Christmas shopping for everyone! Think of the time your

kid announced 2 days before Christmas “I only want Talking ELMO! Santa will

bring it I know because I’ve been good all year”. The panic and desperation that

set in trying to fight the holiday crowd and seize the sold out toy to put under the

tree. I’m not saying it was that level of frenzy but it was close. Let me tell you, as a

prescriber of these medications right after COVID, it felt like we were meeting the

“guy” on the corner who was whispering the latest rumor of which pharmacy was

currently carrying the “stuff”.

So, can you guess why so many compounded GLP-1 products suddenly popped

up? Compounding pharmacies can make the same medication if the FDA

regulated medication is inaccessible to the public. And we saw that 100 fold.

Compounded GLP-1s sprouted from every weight loss online and brick and mortar

sites as businesses began to sell them assuring a lower price and the ability to get

them the same day! Sounds great, right? And, don’t get me wrong, some sites

were managed medically with provider monitoring but what about the product

itself? All a compounding pharmacy had to do was manufacture a similar

medication and “tweak” the ingredients a bit by adding B12, collagen, or other

substances and “Voila”, a new compounded GLP-1 was born. Magic!

So here is the 411 regarding compounded GLP-1s. Many of these preparations are

compounded in an international pharmacy setting where there are no United

States FDA standards. I know we are questioning the FDA these days but, overall,

FDA regulations are in place to hold approved medications to certain standards.

Standards that protect people. Standards that make sure the medication you are

taking is not contaminated but is pure and it contains the actual medication you

are prescribed and not a Tic-Tac.

Now we are over the hump of inaccessibility but the craze continues as

researchers extend the list of benefits these medications can potentially deliver.

Are GLP-1s the next Holy Grail? Not sure, but I don’t think these medications will

disappear any time soon. In fact, second and third generation GLP-1s are in late

phase trials right now.

GLP-1s are now readily available, just like Talking ELMO (the scary toy that made

my kid cry) and seem to be covered a bit better by insurances; self- pay costs are

also dropping daily. Eli Lilly (maker of Mounjaro and Zepbound) and Novo Nordisk

(maker of Ozempic and Wegovy) both offer deals through online pharmacies so

there is no longer the need to haggle and beg to get the “stuff” at the pharmacy.

Just have it delivered to the door. Simplicity and convenience, what more could

we ask for?

Bottom line- if you are interested in GLP-1s choose an FDA regulated medication

along with a team of experienced multidisciplinary specialists who care about

your success and goals, who will advocate for you and provide a safe plan with

integrity.