GLP-1 (Ozempic ® Wegovy ®)

Recently there has been a lot of buzz regarding GLP-1. The FDA approved GLP-1 for the treatment of diabetes in the form of Ozempic ® in 2017 and for weight loss in the form of Wegovy® in 2021.  However, most medical insurance does not have coverage for these medications and there have been supply shortages. This causes an issue and I have heard of individuals going to compounding pharmacies to purchase them. But have you wondered if they are safe and effective??

Novo Nordisk, manufacturer of GLP-1 (Ozempic ® and Wegovy ®) has control of segmaglutide and are not available for any compounding pharmacy. Therefore, we have no idea where compounding pharmacies can purchase the ingredients.  Recently the FDA issued a warning against going to compounding pharmacies for generic a version of GLP-1.

There have been reports stating patients may “experience unanticipated side effects” with GLP-1, which may be made with salt-based forms of GLP-1 that are different from the active ingredient in Wegovy ® and Ozempic ®. “Patients should be aware that some products sold as GLP-1 likely not contain the same active ingredient as FDA-approved GLP-1 products and may be the salt formulations,” the FDA said in a statement “Products containing these salts, such as GLP-1 sodium and GLP-1 acetate, have not been shown to be safe and effective in humans.”  The FDA continues to state, “Purchasing medicine online from unregulated, unlicensed sources can expose patients to potentially unsafe products that have not undergone appropriate evaluation or approval, or do not meet quality standards.”

If you are interested in using an approved, legal, and safe injectable medication for weight loss, schedule an appointment with an obesity clinician at Scottsdale Weight Loss Center to discuss the most cost-effective, safe, and sustainable weight loss plan.