What is the best compounding pharmacy for semaglutide? Comprehensive Guide

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist made by Novo Nordisk for type 2 diabetes and weight loss (off-label).

Compounded semaglutide is the customized version of the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) drug, semaglutide, made by compounding pharmacies for you.

You may choose compounded semaglutide over the name brand for many reasons such as supply issues, personal preference, allergies, adverse events, or added ingredients to reduce side effects and improve efficacy.

Learn how to choose a compounding pharmacy to make sure the medication is made with proper quality controls to prevent contamination or incorrect dosing.

What are compounding pharmacies?

Compounding pharmacies make medications for people according to their individual requirements. They can change the dose, form, or ingredients of a medication when regular medications don’t work for someone.

Compounding pharmacies can change medications to fit individual needs. For example, they can change the form of a medication (eg. turn it into a liquid or cream), remove ingredients that cause allergies, or create custom dosages of medications like semaglutide that are not available in the name brand.

Compounded GLP-1 medications are not generic drugs or FDA-approved medications. They don’t go through the same approval process as FDA-approved medications.

State boards of pharmacy regulate compounding pharmacies and the medications they sell. Patients should weigh the risks and benefits before using compounded meds as part of their treatment.

There are two types of compounding pharmacies in the United States:

503A compounding pharmacies create custom medicines for individual patients based on individual prescriptions from the patient’s healthcare provider. These compounding pharmacies have to comply with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) 797 Reference Standards, which are regulations intended to ensure patient safety with compounded sterile medications.

503B compounding pharmacies produce larger volumes of compounded medications without individual prescriptions. These compounding pharmacies are subject to stricter regulations and oversight by the FDA, similarly to traditional drug manufacturers.

What is semaglutide?

Semaglutide is an FDA-approved once-weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist for type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood sugar by increasing insulin release and reducing sugar production in the liver.

Semaglutide also helps with weight management in people with obesity and overweight. It suppresses appetite and slows down digestion, makes you feel full longer, reduces food intake, and supports weight loss.

Semaglutide is FDA-approved under three brand names: Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.

Ozempic was FDA-approved in 2017 for blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Wegovy is an FDA-approved weight loss medication that promotes weight loss when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Rybelsus was the first oral GLP-1 medication FDA-approved in 2019 for adults with type 2 diabetes.

Compounded semaglutide has become popular as a customized, more affordable alternative to name-brand medications, especially during shortages and accessibility issues. It offers custom dosages and forms to fit individual needs.

Why choose a compounded pharmacy for semaglutide?

When considering compounded semaglutide, make sure to buy the medication with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider and a state-licensed pharmacy. Make sure to choose a reputable pharmacy that follows strict safety and quality standards.

Here are some reasons you may choose compounded semaglutide:

• Custom dosage: Compounding pharmacies can create custom dosages of semaglutide according to your doctor’s prescription, with more control than standard dosages.
• Cost savings: Compounded medications are cheaper than brand name drugs, and patients can save money especially if they are paying out of pocket.
• Accessibility: Compounding pharmacies can make semaglutide more available, especially during shortages or when standard formulations are hard to find.
• Formulation flexibility: If you have allergies or prefer a different form of medication (like a pill instead of an injection), a compounding pharmacy can change the ingredients or delivery method.

You should seek medical advice from a healthcare provider who can help assess the risks and benefits of FDA-approved Ozempic or Wegovy, and compounded semaglutide, to determine what’s best for their individual patients.

Criteria for selecting the best compounding pharmacy

When choosing a compounding pharmacy for semaglutide, you should review the following:

Quality assurance

Make sure the compounding pharmacy has quality control and tests its processes.

Top compounding pharmacies use high-quality ingredients and follow USP (United States Pharmacopeia) standards, so the medication is safe, effective, and of the highest quality. USP standards ensure the purity, strength, and consistency of ingredients so there is no contamination, and you get consistent results in the final product.

You can ask for Certificates of Analysis (COA) and third-party test results to verify the compounded drug is safe, potent, and pure.

Licensing and accreditation

A good compounding pharmacy should follow FDA guidelines and be Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB) accredited to ensure high-quality and safe products.

Also, check if the pharmacy follows cGMP standards for even higher quality. Verifying these credentials means the pharmacy is reputable and committed to safe and high-quality compounded medications.

Ingredient sourcing

For safety, a compounding pharmacy should use FDA-registered active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). When compounding semaglutide, the pharmacy should use the base form, not the salt form.

Make sure the pharmacy sources their ingredients from trusted, FDA-registered suppliers and tests for purity and potency.

Experience with GLP-1 medications

Choose a compounding pharmacy that has experience making GLP-1 medications like semaglutide. Their experience matters with the medication’s safety and efficacy.

By researching pharmacies, you can increase your chances of getting safe and effective compounded versions.

Shipping and accessibility

When choosing a compounding pharmacy, consider their shipping and convenience, and if the pharmacy get the medication to you on time.

Look for pharmacies that offer nationwide delivery and a user-friendly online ordering system so you can get your medication fast and easily.

Top-rated semaglutide compounding pharmacies

Here are a few other well-known names of compounding pharmacies. Note that you will need a prior prescription from your healthcare provider to order from these pharmacies.

1. The Compounding Pharmacy of America: Known for its reliability in providing high-quality customized medications. They have strict quality control standards and are customer service focused so they can give personalized service to ensure the best possible outcome for patients.
2. Wedgewood Pharmacy: Years of experience and excellence. Consistent quality and customer service. Patients love their semaglutide expertise and other compounding.
3. Empower Pharmacy: Attention to detail and personalized care. FDA-registered ingredients and fast shipping so patients get what they need without the hassle. Customer satisfaction is key to their good reputation.
4. Olympia Pharmacy: Quality compounded medications and personalized care. Reliable service and patient safety and satisfaction.
5. Pine Pharmacy: Expertise in compounding personalized medications including semaglutide. Quality, customer service, and patient safety with every prescription.
6. Wells Pharmacy Network: Quality compounded medications and patient care. Customized treatment and strict adherence to safety and regulations for all compounded prescriptions.

Disclaimer: Always consult with your healthcare provider before choosing a compounding pharmacy for weight loss drugs as they can guide you in choosing a reputable one that suits your needs, before deciding which pharmacy to purchase from.

Factors to consider when choosing a compounding pharmacy

Besides verifying the reputation of FDA-registered facilities that compound semaglutide, consider the following when choosing a compounding pharmacy:

Availability of Semaglutide-specific formulations

When choosing a compounding pharmacy, make sure they have semaglutide formulations. Not all pharmacies have customized dosages or forms of semaglutide.

Make sure they can compound the exact medication your doctor prescribed or the drug manufacturer makes, that’s the best for your treatment plan.

Accessibility of pharmacist consultations for personalized care

A good compounding pharmacy should have easy access to consultations with compounding pharmacists. This is for personalized care; you may have questions or concerns about your compounded medication.

A pharmacy that is transparent and has expert advice will keep you informed of your treatment and let you decide on your health.

To choose a compounding pharmacy, you can check online reviews and ratings from patients who have used their services. Look for feedback on the pharmacy’s quality, customer service, and reliability.

Also, you can check their accreditation status and verify with trusted organizations such as NABP or PCAB to make sure they are compliant with the regulations so you can trust their services.

Risks of using substandard compounding pharmacies

The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) doesn’t evaluate compounded medications for safety and efficacy but that doesn’t mean they are not safe or effective. Compounding outsourcing facilities play a big role in helping patients access the medications they need, although they come with potential risks such as:

• Contamination: Compounded semaglutide injections can be contaminated if not made in a sterile environment. A study found that 45% of drug recalls over 10 years were due to sterility issues in compounding pharmacies.
• Inconsistent dosages: Compounded semaglutide vials don’t have the safety features of prefilled pens so you can inject too much semaglutide. This is a higher risk if you don’t get clear instructions or are not familiar with using a syringe to measure the dose.
• Legal and regulatory issues with unlicensed providers: Unlicensed compounding pharmacies may not follow legal and regulatory standards which can be potentially unsafe and harmful. Without oversight, there is a higher risk of getting ineffective or contaminated medication.
• Unapproved ingredients: Some compounded semaglutide medications may have extra ingredients like BPC-157 that haven’t been tested with semaglutide. These ingredients may be of unknown quality or affect the medication’s efficacy.
• Impurities: Novo Nordisk found some compounded semaglutide products had unknown impurities reaching up to 33%.

These risks apply to all medications but moreso with compounded medications. Choosing an experienced pharmacy can help mitigate these risks.

Tips to identify red flags

Talk to your healthcare prescriber and see if they recommend a compounding pharmacy. If not, here are some things to consider:

• Too cheap: If the price of compounded semaglutide is too good to be true, it may contain subpar ingredients or bad practices. Always compare prices and make sure they are reasonable for the quality.
• Not accredited: Accredited pharmacies follow national standards for compounded medications, so they meet safety and quality standards. A non-accredited pharmacy may not meet safety and quality standards.
• Improperly licensed: The pharmacy should be properly licensed, with a valid and active license. They should have a physical address and phone number in the U.S. and some states require a separate license for sterile compounding, especially for injections.
• False advertising: Be cautious of pharmacies that claim compounded semaglutide is a “generic” version of Ozempic or Wegovy. They should also not make unproven claims about its efficacy or safety.
• No prescription needed: Compounded semaglutide always requires a prescription. Don’t buy from pharmacies that don’t require one as you may get a counterfeit product.

FDA warnings for semaglutide salts

FDA warns against using semaglutide in any form other than the regular version, including when it’s a salt.

Semaglutide is safe and effective in its regular form but when compounded into a salt, it can cause potential harm to patients.

How to get compounded semaglutide from a compounding pharmacy

To get compounded semaglutide from a compounding pharmacy:

1. Talk to your doctor: Your healthcare team will decide if you need semaglutide and what dose is right for you.
2. Get a prescription: You’ll need a prescription from your healthcare team to get compounded semaglutide.
3. Pick a pharmacy: Choose a pharmacy that’s licensed and knows how to make compounded semaglutide.
4. Send the prescription: Send the prescription to the pharmacy so they can fill it.
5. Cost and delivery: Ask about pricing and if they can ship to you.

Benefits of using compounded semaglutide

• Customized dosage: Compounded semaglutide can be made to your exact dose.
• Cost savings: Compounded is often cheaper if you are paying out of pocket.
• Alternative form: If you want a different form of medication, such as pills instead of injections, they can make that for you.
• Availability: If the brand is in short supply or hard to find, compounded semaglutide is an option.
• Allergy customization: They can remove ingredients that cause an allergic reaction, making the medication safer for sensitive individuals.
• Personalized support: They can work with your healthcare provider to support your treatment.

Frequently asked questions

Is compounded Semaglutide as effective as branded versions?

Compounded semaglutide should be as effective as the brand name drug as it contains the same active ingredient. However, it’s not FDA-approved and can vary in quality and effectiveness. Safety and efficacy depends on the compounding pharmacy you buy from and the formulation used.

How much can I save with a compounded alternative?

With a compounded alternative, you can save up to $1,000 per month depending on the dose without insurance coverage for semaglutide.

Can my doctor recommend a specific compounding pharmacy?

Yes, your doctor can recommend a specific pharmacy if they have worked with trusted compounding pharmacies before. They can point you to a pharmacy that meets high quality standards or you can choose an online pharmacy.

Bottom line

Semaglutide helps with diabetes by lowering blood sugar and increasing insulin. It also helps with weight loss by suppressing appetite and slowing digestion, so you feel fuller longer.

Compounding pharmacies can make custom semaglutide formulations, so dosing, ingredients, and delivery can be tailored to you.

Choose a licensed, accredited compounding pharmacy with quality controls and experience making semaglutide.

Talk to your healthcare provider before trying compounded semaglutide to discuss the benefits and risks, to determine if the compounded medication is right for you.