9 Signs Your Compounded GLP-1 Supplier Is Shady

The decision to take a brand-name or compounded GLP-1 medication is a big step on a weight loss or diabetes journey, and it’s essential to find a reputable and reliable supplier. In an online market saturated with options, finding the right seller can be tricky. Some companies want to cash in without your best interests at heart, and shifting rules and regulations can also make it hard for more legitimate outfits to keep up.

“The risks associated with poor-quality products can range from life-threatening allergic reactions to no effect whatsoever,” says Rhonda Bonilla, NP, a board-certified nurse practitioner at Sculpt, a full-service wellness center in Pasco, Washington.

With the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changes limiting the availability of compounded GLP-1s, it’s a good time to investigate where your medications are coming from. These warning signs can also apply to brick-and-mortar locations, such as a wellness center or medical spa.

All prescription medications require a doctor’s approval to be dispensed.

If a GLP-1 seller states that no prescription is required, that's a clear red flag, and you should not partner with them for your health. Any provider that agrees to provide a GLP-1 medication without a prescription is breaking the law.

If your trusted medical partner and prescriber is unfamiliar with the pharmacy, website, or other business where you buy your GLP-1s, that’s not a ringing endorsement. Ask them where they suggest their patients purchase these drugs. If you’ve already done some research, you can bring a list of vetted places you are considering, to see who they recommend — or don’t.

“Most prescribers will have some knowledge of the pharmacies and can vouch,” says Scott Brunner, the chief executive officer at the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding (APC). “In many instances, the prescriber may know the pharmacist by name.”

GLP-1 drugs aren’t for everyone. Experts caution they are not appropriate for people with a history of certain gastrointestinal conditions, women who are pregnant or nursing, or those who just want to lose a few pounds.

GLP-1s may also be risky for older adults, and can interact with other drugs you may take, leading to unwanted side effects or loss of effectiveness.

Suppliers promising a quick and easy medical consultation may miss some of these important details in your own health status.

“It is important to have a medical screening to identify any possible contraindications to GLP-1 therapy,” says Bonilla.

Your GLP-1 journey should start with a comprehensive baseline health examination so your provider can truly know that it’s the right option for you. Expect questions about your medical history, other medications you’re taking, and why you want to take a GLP-1 drug. If your medical evaluation skips key details you’d expect a doctor to ask, trust your gut and think twice about using this supplier.

Some GLP-1 sellers try to trick you into thinking you’re getting the brand-name drug — meaning Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound — or try to convince you the product they sell is a generic version of those drugs. There are no approved generic versions available.

One report found that one-third of websites that sell their own versions of the brand-name drugs implied that the products were the same as the FDA-approved ones.

These marketing claims are not necessarily illegal, but suppliers engaging in this type of misleading advertising may be less likely to adequately inform their customers about potential risks and side effects.

And some sellers have gone further, claiming that their products are even more effective than those approved by the FDA.

Other websites publish unfounded health claims. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are only approved for the treatment of a certain number of conditions: obesity and overweight, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease. If the website claims it can help you live longer, cure substance abuse, or any other health claim that seems too good to be true, you should be raising an eyebrow.

GLP-1s are potent drugs that require monitoring and ongoing support by a clinician. The healthcare provider who prescribes you the medications should be available for regular check-in appointments to discuss your progress.

“Ongoing care is important to be sure your weight loss is healthy and sustainable, to monitor for optimal nutritional intake, and to be able to quickly course correct if any adverse effects are identified,” says Bonilla.

There are GLP-1 prescription websites that connect you with a prescribing doctor. Pharmacies may also have people who can answer questions. Bonilla says that reputable pharmacies should have pharmacists or representatives that patients can contact.

GLP-1 drugs can have comprehensive metabolic health benefits, and your doctor may want to reevaluate any therapies you’ve been prescribed for any other conditions, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol. A GLP-1 supplier should set you up with a doctor who is able and eager to routinely evaluate your overall health.

GLP-1 medications are meant to assist with weight loss, not do it all. They serve as one tool, among others, such as healthy lifestyle choices, to maximize results.

While it might be tempting to believe GLP-1s are a magical fix, they’re meant to be used in conjunction with a regular exercise routine and an optimized diet.

“Lifestyle, diet and exercise coaching are the imperative for healthy sustainable weight loss and metabolic healing,” says Bonilla. Developing and maintaining these healthy habits is the difference between success and frustration. “There is no better way to achieve healthy, sustainable weight loss than with healthy habits that support strong bones and muscles."

Brunner says that using a legitimate state-licensed pharmacy is nonnegotiable. States are primarily responsible for the oversight of compounding pharmacies in the United States.

“On our website, we provide a shortcut tool for licensee lookup in each state,” he says. “If the state board of pharmacy site doesn’t show the pharmacy as licensed, that’s a problem.”

GLP-1 sublingual pills and tinctures have not been publicly or independently tested for safety or efficacy. The FDA also warns of GLP-1 drugs that come in salt forms, including semaglutide sodium and semaglutide acetate. They use different active ingredients from what’s in the approved, brand-name drugs.

If your supplier steers you toward those options — or if they’re the only options — find somewhere else to purchase your meds.

Compounding pharmacies should also be transparent about the ingredients they use and how they confirm their safety.

“Pharmacies should provide purity and sterility testing upon request,” says Bonilla. “They should also be able to quickly and clearly articulate their quality control systems and procedures including the name of the third-party testing lab they utilize.”

“If the pharmacy itself is preparing the compounded drug, ask where they source the active ingredient they use,” says Brunner. “Is it from an FDA-registered facility? The answer to that question should always be yes.”

The FDA reports that some companies are illegally selling GLP-1 drugs that have been falsely labeled “for research purposes” or “not for human consumption.” Labeling drugs in this manner may be an attempt to sell them without requiring a prescription. The same companies may also offer the active pharmaceutical ingredients found in GLP-1 drugs that have not yet been approved for any medicinal use, such as retatrutide, which should be considered unsafe until proven otherwise in phase 3 trials.

In some cases, these products may require mixing your own drugs at home, an unapproved, untested, and potentially dangerous technique.

The Takeaway

Recent FDA changes limited the availability of compounded GLP-1s, shifting the landscape of access. It’s a good time to make sure your supplier is reputable and can help you lose weight or manage diabetes successfully.
If your current supplier doesn’t require a prescription or thorough evaluation, consider finding another place to buy your GLP-1 medications. It’s also problematic if a GLP-1 supplier is unlicensed, uses misleading advertising, or sells untested drug formulations.
Your doctor should be able to recommend websites, compound pharmacies, or brick-and-mortar businesses that will sell you meds that will be safe and effective.

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The Takeaway