- The FDA warns that the load loss medicine market is filled with doubtlessly dangerous copycat medication.
- Compounded semaglutide could include substances that have not been examined for security or effectiveness.
- It is typically prescribed on-line with out correct analysis or follow-up from a health care provider.
The US Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) is cautioning towards using some variations of a preferred weight-loss medicine typically offered on-line, noting that sufferers have been reporting antagonistic results.
The warning, posted on the FDA web site Could 30, states that some pharmacies have been utilizing an unapproved model of semaglutide, the energetic ingredient in model identify medicines Ozempic and Wegovy, used for diabetes remedy and weight administration.
The excessive demand for the medicines has prompted shortages of the FDA-approved merchandise, made by pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk, giving rise to a marketplace for a generic model often known as compounded semaglutide.
Compounded medicines could be protected and efficient, and sometimes contain a pharmacist making ready the energetic ingredient for a selected affected person’s distinctive wants, resembling customizing the dose, providing it in liquid as an alternative of stable type, or eradicating allergens.
Nevertheless, these formulations normally contain medication which have an accredited generic model. The semaglutide molecule is patented by Novo Nordisk, and the producer says it would not promote it to compounding pharmacies.
Because of this, it is unclear the place makers of compounded semaglutide are sourcing the drug. In keeping with the FDA, some pharmacies have been reported for utilizing totally different variations of the substance referred to as semaglutide sodium or semaglutide acetate, which aren’t FDA-approved and have not been examined for security or effectiveness.
Since semaglutide is run by way of once-weekly injections, it must be ready in a sterile surroundings, which is also a priority for sufferers shopping for from unapproved or unregistered sources.
Compounded semaglutide requires a selected prescription to acquire — nonetheless, on-line suppliers typically provide entry to the drug with out the suitable medical oversight or follow-up, medical doctors and pharmacy consultants beforehand instructed Insider.
In keeping with the FDA assertion, doing so could be dangerous.
“Buying drugs on-line from unregulated, unlicensed sources can expose sufferers to doubtlessly unsafe merchandise that haven’t undergone applicable analysis or approval, or don’t meet high quality requirements,” the assertion says.