are compounded weight meds safe?
You've likely seen many articles debating the risk/benefit profile of compounded semaglutide, the active drug in the brand name 'Ozempic'. Semaglutide has taken the weight management field by storm and changed countless lives (nearly all for the better), but understandably many question the safety profile of the compounded version, which is what we at Revisions, and nearly all private practice medical spas and weight management clinics, offer. Of course patient safety is THE most important consideration we make at Revisions when choosing our service lines and pharmacologic offerings. We wanted to address some common questions surrounding compounded semaglutide to dispell some common misconceptions and let you know everything we are doing to ensure the safety of our patients.
Q: What is the difference between compounded semaglutide and other FDA approved GLP-1 agonists i.e 'Ozempic'?
A: Compounded semaglutide and Ozempic are the same drug, semaglutide. The variations occur during preparation and what regulatory measures are taken to ensure potency and efficacy of the drug. The FDA has very strict standards each dose of Ozempic must meet in order to enter the consumer market. Compounding pharmacies also have regulations, and the compounding pharmacy we use for the majority of our weight drugs here at Revisions is Strive, a reputable nationwide compounding pharmaceutical chain who abides by 503 A/B compounding standards. The FDA actually sets standards for 503A/B compounding pharmacies, so while compounded semaglutide is not technically FDA approved, the FDA does have a role in regulating even compounded versions of the drug.
Q: Why do compounded medications even exist when the FDA approved versions go through more rigorous screening?
A: The beauty of compounded drugs is they can serve various purposes and be made to be more patient specific. For example, Ozempic is semaglutide, but the compounded semaglutide we use at Revisions is also compounded with glycine as well as vitamin B12. Glycine is an amino acid that some studies postulate may help maintain lean muscle mass and prevent muscle wasting as weight loss occurs. B12 can help increase energy levels to combat injection related fatigue, as well as prevent nausea which can be dose dependent. Compounding pharmacies exist to create drugs that are able to serve a more specific patient population and/or treat multiple conditions/ side effects with a single drug.
Q: Are there additional side effects or precautions that should be considered when taking compounded semaglutide?
A: This all comes back to where you're sourcing it from. BEWARE of any company that claims to provide semaglutide for extremely low prices or variations of the pure drug, known as semaglutide salts. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Again, any compounding pharmacy that follows 503A/B standards set by the FDA is going to be your safest option when utilizing compounded medications.
As always, we appreciate your business and take very seriously the responsibility of trusting us with your aesthetic and wellness goals. Send us any questions or feedback you may have!
XO, JENNA
