This article was reviewed by Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA.
Is compounded semaglutide effective for weight loss? Here’s the short version: Compounded semaglutide isn’t approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), so it hasn’t been proven effective in clinical trials.
However, it contains the same active ingredient — semaglutide — as Ozempic and Wegovy. Ozempic and Wegovy are FDA-approved, and studies show they’re effective for weight loss.
The long version? Read on. We’ll dive into what compounded semaglutide actually is, how effective semaglutide can be, and whether compounded semaglutide is safe.
Image Credit: Carolina Rudah/Istockphoto.
What Is Compounded Semaglutide?
The world of weight loss medications can be confusing. There are so many brand names and compounded drugs to keep up with. But compounded semaglutide isn’t as complicated as it sounds.
In many cases, a compounded drug is a medication that’s been changed in some way. Perhaps patients who can’t swallow need a liquid version of a tablet medication, or someone with an allergy needs a dye removed.
Compounded versions of a drug also help fill a gap when a medication is in short supply.
This is where compounded semaglutide comes in. There have been recent shortages of Ozempic and Wegovy, so compounding pharmacies create compounded versions of the drugs to help meet demand.
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Compounded Semaglutide vs. Ozempic and Wegovy
What’s the difference between compounded semaglutide and Ozempic and Wegovy?
Well, Ozempic and Wegovy are FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, respectively. FYI, Rybelsus also contains semaglutide and is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes.
Compounded semaglutide contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, but it hasn’t been FDA-approved. That means the FDA hasn’t verified that it’s safe or effective.
If you’re considering compounded semaglutide as a weight loss treatment, it’s super important to get it from a reputable company known for safety and transparency.
Another difference between semaglutide versus compounded semaglutide?
Compounded semaglutide is often more affordable and more available than its non-compounded cousins, Ozempic and Wegovy.
What is compounded semaglutide? Learn more in our comprehensive guide.
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Is Compounded Semaglutide Effective for Weight Loss?
There are no clinical trials on compounded semaglutide, so we can’t say for sure that it’s effective.
But according to a Hims and Hers survey, customers report losing an average of 9.3 pounds during their first month taking compounded semaglutide.
Additionally, after about two months of treatment, 93% of compounded semaglutide report feeling healthier and more confident. They also report improvements in health conditions and mood.
There are also plenty of clinical trials on Ozempic and Wegovy, and these studies show that semaglutide can be an effective weight loss treatment for people with and without diabetes.
Image Credit: Carolina Rudah/Istockphoto.
Research and Studies on Semaglutide Effectiveness
For instance, a 2021 study funded by Novo Nordisk (the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy) included almost 2,000 people with overweight or obesity who didn’t have type 2 diabetes.
Alongside diet and exercise changes, participants took a once-weekly semaglutide injection or a placebo for 68 weeks.
Participants taking semaglutide lost almost 15 percent of their body weight. Those taking the placebo lost about 2.5 percent.
More recent papers back this up and show benefits beyond weight loss.
For example, a 2024 analysis — also funded by Novo Nordisk — included almost 18,000 people with cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity, but not diabetes.
The results showed that people taking semaglutide experienced weight loss over 65 weeks, and this weight loss was sustained over four years on the medication. Plus, there was a 20 percent reduction in cardiovascular events.
Just to hammer it home: These trials are on branded semaglutide — there are no official compounded semaglutide results.
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Is Compounded Semaglutide Safe?
Studies on Ozempic and Wegovy show that it’s safe for most people, and that side effects tend to be mild to moderate and clear up with time.
Compounded semaglutide is typically safe for most people, too, but there are no clinical trials backing this up.
There’s also an additional — pretty important — safety concern with any compounded medication: Since it’s not an FDA-approved drug, compounded semaglutide isn’t subject to the same rigorous safety standards as non-compounded, FDA-approved Ozempic and Wegovy.
This means you need to take extra care if you’re considering a compounded version of semaglutide.
Avoid dodgy websites and online pharmacies that don’t require a prescription. Instead, make sure you get compounded semaglutide products from reputable companies that are committed to safety and transparency.
To give you an idea of the standards to look out for, Hers offers compounded GLP-1 medications (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) that are:
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Produced in FDA-regulated 503B facilities in the U.S.
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Made with ingredients sourced from FDA-regulated manufacturers
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Tested for quality, sterility, and consistency to ensure the correct amount of active ingredients in each batch
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Stored and shipped under controlled temperatures
When weighing up compounded semaglutide versus semaglutide — and where to get weight loss treatments from — you can also look into compounded semaglutide reviews.
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What Are the Side Effects of Compounded Semaglutide?
The ingredients in compounded semaglutide can differ depending on where you get your medication from, so side effects may vary. This is another reason to get your medication from a trusted source.
Generally, compounded semaglutide side effects should be similar to Ozempic and Wegovy side effects.
To give you an idea, Wegovy side effects include:
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Diarrhea
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Headache
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Constipation
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Stomach pain
We’ve also covered the potential long-term effects of Wegovy if you’re interested.
No matter which type of weight loss drug you’re taking, don’t be afraid to reach out to your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing worrying side effects.
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Does Compounded Semaglutide Work? Final Thoughts
Compounded drugs sound shady, but they’re perfectly legal and help fill a gap when there are drug shortages. But effectiveness? It’s tricky.
So, is compounded semaglutide effective for weight loss? Here are some final points to keep in mind:
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The FDA doesn’t guarantee the effectiveness of compounded drugs. We can’t say for sure if compounded semaglutide works. But it contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy, which studies show are effective for weight loss and weight management.
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Take extra care if you’re considering compounded semaglutide. Get your medication on prescription from a licensed healthcare professional and through a reputable compounding pharmacy based in the US. Shady websites and pharmacies may sell compounded semaglutide that won’t work and might not be safe.
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Don’t panic if compounded semaglutide doesn’t work straight away. It may take some time to adjust to the medication and start feeling the effects. Speak to your prescribing healthcare provider for medical advice, like what to do if you’re still hungry on semaglutide.
What about tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) GLP-1 receptor agonists? Our blog compares tirzepatide versus semaglutide.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
This article originally appeared on ForHers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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