What is compounded Semaglutide/Tirzepatide?

• Compounded medications are customized preparations created by a licensed pharmacy. "Compounded Semaglutide" or "Compounded Tirzepatide" means a sterile compounding pharmacy has prepared a medication using the same active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) as the brand-name drugs (like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, or Mounjaro®).

  This is often done to help address drug shortages or to provide a more affordable option for patients. It is prescribed by a medical provider, just like the brand-name version, but comes in a vial instead of a branded pen.

Is compounding safe?

• Your safety is our absolute highest priority. While compounded drugs themselves are not FDA-approved (the same way brand-name drugs are), the pharmacies we work with operate under strict state and federal regulations to ensure safety and sterility.

What's the difference between compounded and brand-name?

• There are three main differences:

  1. FDA Approval: Brand-name drugs (Ozempic®, Zepbound®, etc.) are FDA-approved, which means their specific formula, delivery pen, and manufacturing process have undergone extensive clinical trials. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, but they are made with the same active ingredient.

  2. Cost: Compounding is a way to access the medication at a significantly lower cost, making treatment more accessible.

  3. Delivery: Brand-name drugs come in their own pre-filled, single-use injector pens. Compounded medication is typically delivered in a multi-dose vial, and you use a small, sterile insulin syringe to draw up your dose. (Don't worry, we'll teach you exactly how to do this!)

Who is a good candidate for this program?

• This program is designed for adults who are committed to making long-term lifestyle changes. Our Nurse Practitioner will evaluate your full health history, but you are generally a good candidate if you meet the medical criteria for these medications:

  • You have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher (defined as obesity).

  • OR you have a BMI of 27 or higher (defined as overweight) and at least one weight-related health condition, such as:

    • High blood pressure (hypertension)

    • High cholesterol

    • Type 2 diabetes

    • Sleep apnea

  This program is not for you if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a personal or family history of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

What are the common side effects?

• The most common are gastrointestinal (GI), and tend to be mild and improve as your body adjusts. They include:

  • Nausea

  • Diarrhea

  • Constipation

  • Vomiting

  • Abdominal pain

  • Reduced appetite

  Our Nurse Practitioner starts you on a very low "titration" dose and increases it slowly over several months. This is the best way to minimize potential side effects and make the treatment comfortable and effective.

Do I need lab work?

• Yes. As a responsible medical practice, we require recent lab work before prescribing any medication. This is to ensure the treatment is safe for you.

  If you've had labs done in the last 6 months, we can often use those. If not, we will order a standard panel for you, which typically includes:

  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): To check your kidney and liver function.

  • Complete Blood Count (CBC): To screen for anemia, infection, and other blood disorders that may impact your energy levels or overall health plan.

  • Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): To check your average blood sugar levels.

  • Lipid Panel: To check your cholesterol levels.

  • Thyroid Panel (TSH): To check your thyroid function.

  • Fasting Insulin: This is crucial for understanding how your body processes sugar. It gives us deeper insight into potential insulin resistance, which is a common underlying factor in weight gain.

  • Vitamin D: Low levels of Vitamin D are very common and have been linked to fatigue, mood issues, and difficulty with weight management. Checking this allows us to address any deficiency with supplementation, optimizing your overall well-being during your program.

  This gives us a complete picture of your health and establishes a baseline so we can monitor your success.