'Compounded Semaglutide' is Illegal and Dangerous

June 7, 2023 at 5:59:25 PM

'Compounded Semaglutide' is being advertised around the country as an affordable source of the active ingredients in Wegovy. In reality, people are being injected with unapproved and potential dangerous substances.

'Compounded Semaglutide' is Illegal and Dangerous

Caveat Emptor (Let the Buyer Beware)

It's tempting to be drawn in by advertisements for 'compounded semaglutide' at seemingly too-good-to-be-true prices. Numerous 'medical spas' and clinics across the country have started advertising this as a budget-friendly weight loss solution. However, understanding the context and implications is crucial.

What Are 'Compounded' Drugs?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) describes compounding as the process of combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a medication designed to meet the specific needs of an individual patient. It's important to note that compounded drugs aren't FDA-approved, meaning they have minimal federal regulation and are mostly overseen by respective state boards of pharmacy.

The Source of Compounded Semaglutide Matters

In principle, a compounding pharmacy could manufacture compounded semaglutide as long as the source of the semaglutide is legally approved for human use in the United States. This narrows down the legally permissible source drugs to three brand-name medications: Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus.

Limited Legal Semaglutide Sources

There are only three legal sources of semaglutide for human use in the U.S., namely, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. Notably, none of these drugs are sold directly to compounding pharmacies, but rather to retail pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS. This raises the question of how compounding pharmacies are acquiring 'semaglutide'.

Deconstructing 'Compounded Semaglutide'

Rybelsus is an oral medication, making it both illegal and dangerous to derive injectable drugs from it. Thus, we can rule out Rybelsus as the source.

While it's theoretically possible for 'compounded semaglutide' to be made from Ozempic or Wegovy, there are significant obstacles:

The procurement of Ozempic or Wegovy is problematic, as these drugs aren't sold directly to compounding pharmacies, ruling out official supply channels. If compounding pharmacies are obtaining these drugs from patients with prescriptions, it would be a serious legal infringement.
The advertised prices for 'compounded semaglutide' are too low to derive profit from Ozempic or Wegovy, which cost about $900 per month. Sourcing from insured patients would constitute insurance fraud.

So, what's the origin of 'compounded semaglutide'? Regrettably, the answer remains unknown, but it's certain it's not from a legal source.

The 'Peptide' Trade: A Potential Illegal Source?

Some suspect that the illegal semaglutide might originate from the dubious 'peptide trade'. Unregulated companies worldwide advertise 'peptides', including semaglutide and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), at a tiny fraction of brand-name costs. There's much we don't know about these 'peptides':

Their actual semaglutide content, if any.
Their sterility.
Whether they contain unapproved and potentially dangerous 'drug salts'.
Whether they contain harmful impurities.

The origins of these substances are speculative, but it's clear they do not come from legal sources.

The 'Shortage' Misconception

Some clinics assert that their compounded semaglutide products are legal due to a current shortage of Ozempic and Wegovy in the U.S. However, even in a shortage, the source drug for the compounded product must be approved, legal, and safe. The claim is flawed as the shortage itself pertains to Ozempic and Wegovy – the supposed source drugs.

Adverse Events Reported

The FDA recently announced that it received reports of serious adverse events related to the use of 'compounded semaglutide'. The exact nature of these events hasn't been disclosed yet, but we expect more information to be released soon.

The Bottom Line: Your Safety First

The truth about 'compounded semaglutide' is worrying. This product seems to be, at best, an ambiguous solution, and at worst, a potentially dangerous or even fatal scam. Please prioritize your health and well-being: don't allow anyone to inject you with this compound. Remember that legally approved and safe weight loss treatments, like those offered by trusted medical professionals, are the only secure way forward."