What’s the Difference Between Brand-Name and Compounded GLP-1 Medication?
Updated: May 07, 2025
4 mins
GLP-1 receptor agonists have become extremely popular options in both type 2 diabetes management and weight loss. These medications mimic a natural hormone that helps regulate blood sugar, control appetite, and slow down digestion. Both of these functions alike are especially helpful for people living with type 2 diabetes or struggling with obesity.
As demand for these treatments has surged – especially medications like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Zepbound® – compounded versions have started becoming available through some telehealth services and compounding pharmacies.
In this article, we’ll break down the differences between branded and compounded GLP-1 medications to help you make an informed decision about your health.
What are Brand-Name GLP-1 Medications?
Brand-name GLP-1 receptor agonists are FDA-approved medications prescribed to support blood sugar control and weight management. They work by mimicking the body’s own GLP-1 hormone, helping people feel fuller longer, reducing food intake, and improving insulin response. These drugs have undergone extensive clinical trials, giving healthcare providers confidence in their safety and effectiveness.
Here are the most common brand-name GLP-1 medications:
Semaglutide-based options | Tirzepatide-based options | Liraglutide-based option |
Ozempic®: FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes; frequently prescribed off-label for weight loss. | Mounjaro®: Approved for type 2 diabetes, also prescribed off-label for weight loss. | Saxenda®: FDA-approved for chronic weight management. |
Wegovy®: A higher dose of semaglutide specifically FDA-approved for chronic weight management. | Zepbound®: FDA-approved for weight loss in eligible adults. | |
Rybelsus®: The only oral form of semaglutide, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. |
Note: Zepbound is available in two formats: a single-dose vial or a prefilled injection pen. Both contain the same active ingredient, but the dosing options and pricing structures may vary depending on insurance status and delivery preferences.
Pros of brand-name GLP-1s
Brand-name medications have a few key advantages:
These drugs have been studied in large, high-quality clinical trials and shown to lower blood sugar, support weight loss, and reduce cardiovascular risk in people with type 2 diabetes.
Every dose is manufactured under strict quality and safety regulations by the FDA.
Doctors are familiar with these medications and can personalize your plan with established dosing and monitoring protocols.
Cons of brand-name GLP-1s
The biggest hurdle for many people is cost. Without insurance, brand-name GLP-1s can run several hundred to over a thousand dollars per month. Even with insurance, coverage often comes with restrictions – like needing prior authorization or meeting strict BMI criteria.
Another issue is supply shortages. At various points, high demand has made it difficult to fill prescriptions consistently. These access barriers are part of what led to a rise in interest in compounded alternatives.
However, manufacturers have begun streamlining access: Novo Nordisk now offers Wegovy® (semaglutide) through the NovoCare® Pharmacy Program, and Eli Lilly facilitates access to Zepbound® via LillyDirect®, its direct-to-patient pharmacy platform. These integrations offer a simplified service for cash-pay patients to access all FDA-approved dose strengths of Wegovy® and Zepbound® through LifeMD’s virtual care services.
What are Compounded GLP-1 Medications?
Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are custom formulations prepared by licensed compounding pharmacies. These aren’t mass-produced by pharmaceutical manufacturers and are not FDA-approved in the same way brand-name medications are.
Compounding is legal under certain conditions – typically when a medication is in short supply or a patient needs a customized version (like a different strength or added ingredient, such as B12 for energy support or to help reduce nausea).
However, compounded medications cannot legally be made if the FDA-approved version is widely available on the market.
Key Point: Important Update: FDA Ruling on Compounded GLP-1s
As of March 2025, the FDA has declared the shortages of semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) to be resolved. This means compounding pharmacies are no longer allowed to produce compounded versions of these medications under the “shortage” exemption. While there is a brief grace period, production must wind down soon.
- 503A pharmacies (state-licensed): must stop compounding semaglutide by April 22, 2025.
- 503B outsourcing facilities: must stop by May 22, 2025, or sooner if courts require it.
If you’re currently taking a compounded GLP-1, it’s a good time to talk with your healthcare provider about next steps.
What’s next for patients using compounded GLP-1s?
With FDA enforcement deadlines approaching, compounded versions of semaglutide and tirzepatide are being phased out. If you’ve been using one of these medications, speak with your provider about transitioning to an FDA-approved option or exploring alternative treatments that align with your health goals.
How Can LifeMD Help?
If looking for help with reaching your weight loss goals, the LifeMD Weight Management Program can provide you with access to a licensed healthcare provider, brand-name GLP-1 medications approved for weight loss, metabolic testing, and more.
Take the first step to healthier living today.
LifeMD makes it easy to stay on top of your health because talking to a doctor, filling your prescriptions, getting your labs done—and more—are all easy and cost-effective. Come discover a healthcare solution built around you and your life.
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