Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, Retatrutide and other compounded peptides are suddenly being advertised everywhere you turn. Chatter on the internet, on TikTok, on morning news shows and in neighborhoods all over the country came to a peak recently when Oprah hosted a feature dedicated to these peptides and especially to the brand name drugs: Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound. In my years of practice in the field of obesity medicine, I have seen the new players come out and watched public demand reach a crescendo. I have treated thousands of patients with these medications and fielded just as many questions about them. Here is what I know as of the spring of 2024.
Although insurance coverage is growing, many insurance companies do not offer coverage for weight loss medications. Many companies and commercial plans that previously let slide the practice of ‘off-label’ prescribing have cracked down on that practice, although off-label use of medications is neither illegal nor frowned upon in many other areas of healthcare. Meanwhile, for those who do have coverage, worldwide shortages have been the norm over the past several years meaning patients simply cannot easily get their hands on Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound.
Compounding pharmacies did not take long to jump into the market to take advantage of the high consumer demand. For the average consumer who wants the weight loss benefit of these medications, it can look very appealing. The out-of-pocket cost of a compounded semaglutide can be as little as a few hundred dollars a month -just 60% of the cost of the brand name medication! Combine that cost savings with guaranteed availability, and the appeal is real. Consumers have no idea that the product they are injecting is not the real product and has no FDA oversight. These compounded medications have met no standards for safe manufacturing and may contain additives with no proven weight loss benefit and possible harmful side effects. The Obesity Medicine Association released a position statement earlier in 2023 stating that they do not support use of compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide and warning consumers against their use. The FDA echoed that warning in a statement on May 30th of 2023, advising against the use of compounded weight loss and diabetes agents if FDA approved versions were available. The warning stated that the compounded versions were chemically different than the brand name medications and could have serious side effects.
Of course, there are those who would argue that most of the pushback against compounded medications comes from those with a vested interest in protecting the patents of pharmaceutical companies.
My biggest concern is that consumers are not being given the whole story. Every day, I have patients ask about compounded medications and will often point to the website of a local med-spa or virtual physician practice that purports to be using FDA approved semaglutide combined with B-12. This is a blatant attempt to mislead the consumer into believing that they are taking an FDA approved medication. It is fraudulent and unethical; some would argue it is unsafe.
At Aspect Wellness, it is our priority to prescribe branded, FDA approved weight loss medications to our patients, to help them understand the risks and benefits inherent in using any medication and to work closely with our patients to help them navigate their insurance coverage of FDA approved medications. We prescribe Trulicity, Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. We prescribe them for diabetes, metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes and weight loss. In addition, we prescribe oral weight loss medications either alone or in combination to help patients with weight loss. Every day, more insurance companies are adding coverage for these FDA approved medications. In the event that FDA approved medications are not covered by your insurance, we will discuss the safety sources for alternatives. Don’t risk your health with anything less than the very safest medications. Schedule your consultation today.