The FDA is cautioning against using compounding pharmacies for generic versions of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, due to concerns of potential unexpected side effects.
Compounded drugs are medications that have been mixed, combined, or changed to meet individual patients’ needs and are typically used when FDA-approved drugs are in short supply. However, compounded semaglutide may be made with salt-based forms that differ from the active ingredient in FDA-approved drugs, and the FDA has received reports of adverse events after patients used these products.
The safety and effectiveness of salt-based semaglutide have not been studied in rigorous clinical trials, and these versions of the drug may not be safe or effective. Wellyfe does not allow the prescription of compounded semaglutide due to the less rigorous quality control process used in compounding pharmacies.
Patients who have trouble filling their semaglutide prescription should consider alternative FDA-approved medications for diabetes management or weight loss. To ensure safety, patients looking for semaglutide should only purchase it with a prescription and from a licensed pharmacy, whether online or in-person.