The FDA warns of GLP-1 drugs that use different active ingredients from what’s in the approved, brand-name drugs.
Adding other ingredients to GLP-1 drugs can result in medications that are unsafe. It’s an issue often seen with medical spas and weight loss clinics, however. For instance, one study of 75 of these businesses reported that nearly 59 percent added other ingredients. B vitamins were the most common additive, followed by levocarnitine and glycine. One company offered a triple agonist product, though the FDA hasn’t approved any of these.
Some clinics may offer GLP-1 sublingual pills (which dissolve under your tongue) and tinctures, which haven’t 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.
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.”
