Q&A: Buying Weight Loss Drugs? What You Must Know First

When endocrinologist Dan Bessesen, MD, checked online and noticed how simple it would be for him to buy a weight loss medication from a compounding pharmacy without consulting a healthcare professional, he felt concerned.

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If you consider other medications such as those for blood pressure or cholesterol, individuals consult their physicians and learn about the advantages and disadvantages of these drugs,” explains Bessesen, a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and director of the CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center. “Your physician is obligated to act in your best interest—not to profit from you. The objectives might differ for companies that produce customized obesity treatments.

In recent years, ads for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications such as semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy) have increased significantly, highlighting their ability to aid in weight loss. In 2022, due to a nationwide shortage of semaglutide, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed other companies to produce generic versions of the drug, known as compounded GLP-1s. These companies marketed convenient access and purchase options for these compounded drugs, frequently claiming that individuals could obtain them online with just a few clicks.

However, in 2025, the FDA prohibited the manufacturing of these compounded GLP-1 medications since the shortage of semaglutide has ended. Even with this restriction, compounded GLP-1s are still accessible.

Individuals concerned about their weight might encounter a greater risk of being exploited by these companies that are capitalizing on strong consumer interest,” Bessesen states. “As long as the costs of brand-name obesity treatments stay high and insurance support is insufficient, these customized medications are now prohibited from being made, which leads to a question: Would you truly want to put your health in the hands of a company engaging in illegal activities for profit?

A common goal for many in 2026 is losing weight. With this in mind, we recently interviewed Bessesen on the differences between GLP-1s and their compounded versions, how compounded GLP-1s transitioned from being widely used to being prohibited, and what individuals should keep in mind before buying weight loss medications online.

What are GLP-1s and how do they function?

GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the intestine. It essentially signals your body that you have eaten and that food is coming.

Medications such as semaglutide are drugs that mimic this natural hormone. Some individuals may have also heard of the medicationtirzepatide(sold under the brand names Zepbound and Mounjaro), which imitates both GLP-1 and a different intestinal hormone known as gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP).

These medications perform multiple functions. They assist the body in preparing for the carbohydrates consumed during a meal, they help prevent a significant increase in blood sugar levels after eating, and they signal the body that you have already eaten, which leads to a feeling of fullness and reduced food intake.

What ailments are these medications designed to address?

Earlier versions of these medications were first approved to treat diabetes. Later, it was discovered that they lead to weight loss, and with the development of more effective forms of these drugs, weight loss has become a major reason for their use. Currently, both semaglutide and tirzepatide are approved by the FDA for both diabetes and weight loss.

What are the typical reasons a GLP-1 medication might be prescribed?

Concerning weight reduction, the FDA has authorized these medications for individuals whobody mass indexA body mass index (BMI) exceeding 30 kg/m²²or individuals with a BMI exceeding 27 who also suffer from a weight-related medical condition, such as hypertension, sleep apnea, or prediabetes.

What is a combined GLP-1, and how is it different from the GLP-1s that have been approved by the FDA?

Pharmaceutical companies spend significant funds on creating and evaluating medicines to obtain FDA approval. The company holds patent protection for the drugs they develop, which includes the drug’s chemical structure. For several years, during the period the patent is active, no other entity can produce and sell that compound—except in cases of shortage.

In the end, compounding refers to situations where the company producing a drug is not the original creator of that medication. These compounded drugs have not undergone evaluation by the FDA regarding their safety or effectiveness. While the FDA has the power to oversee and request information from companies that produce and distribute compounded versions of FDA-approved medicines, the agency lacks sufficient personnel to keep track of all compounding activities.

Some compounding pharmaciesEnsure they are acquiring the raw materials from a reputable manufacturer that maintains rigorous quality assurance procedures, and they take precautions when preparing the medication for sale and use—but other pharmacy compounding facilities might not.

Compounded GLP-1 medications are currently prohibited. Could you clarify the reasons behind this?

The need for semaglutide and tirzepatide was extremely high that theFDAreported a scarcity of them, allowing generic pharmaceutical companies and custom pharmacy services to manufacture and provide these medications.

Subsequently, the FDA announced at the end of 2024 that tirzepatide was no longer in short supply, and it confirmed in early 2025 that semaglutide was also no longer in shortage. Legally, the compounding process must now cease—no compounders should be distributing these compounded versions of semaglutide or tirzepatide. Nevertheless, there have been numerous legal challenges opposing this decision, leading some companies to continue manufacturing and selling these medications.

The FDA cautions that compounded GLP-1s may pose dangers. What are the possible risks associated with compounded weight-loss medications?

It varies depending on the source. If you obtain a compounded medication from a highly trustworthy provider, they should be able to inform you about its production and preparation location, and offer written documentation.

The primary worry is that you might end up with a product containing something dangerous, although this is not very probable. More likely, you may receive an incorrect dosage or strength of the medication—either too little or too much, which can result in adverse effects. For these medications, the most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and other digestive problems.

Some individuals opt for compounded GLP-1 medications because they aren’t eligible for a prescription but still aim to shed pounds. Could there be any risks for someone who maintains a generally healthy weight when using compounded GLP-1s?

Every medication comes with both risks and advantages. For individuals who are healthy and not overweight, the benefits may be reduced, although the risks remain unchanged. These medications can cause numerous side effects, such as significantly reducing appetite to the extent that people do not consume enough calories, potentially leading to vitamin deficiencies and a loss of lean body mass, including muscle tissue. I believe that older adults who have only a small amount of weight to lose might be more vulnerable to losing a clinically significant portion of their lean body mass.

It’s crucial to remember that the medication is effective only while you are using it. Viewing it as a temporary solution may lead to losing weight, but once you discontinue the medicine, the weight is likely to return. This cycle of losing and gaining weight is not desirable.

If you’re aiming to shed weight rapidly, I encourage you to reflect on your true goals. How do you perceive your body, and are you capable of being more compassionate toward yourself? Typically, we should view weight as a long-term concern—not something to be addressed in the short term.

As the new year begins, losing weight is a popular goal. Considering this subject, what should individuals aiming for this goal be aware of?

For individuals with a high weight and associated health issues, discussing obesity medications with your doctor can provide valuable information on whether these treatments could be suitable for you. Prescription obesity medications, including brand-name GLP-1 drugs, can be beneficial for those experiencing health problems due to their weight. The cost of these medications is expected to drop over time, and there are more than 100new medicationsRegarding the treatment of obesity that is emerging in the near future. I believe it’s a very promising time for individuals who face challenges with their weight.

If you have a slightly higher weight but are generally in good health, I believe it’s crucial to think about the changes you can make to your eating habits and exercise routine to support overall well-being, rather than seeking a quick solution to lower the number on the scale.

It’s typically better to seek guidance from a medical professional rather than relying on online sources. I understand that discussing this topic can be challenging due to the stigma surrounding weight, and many individuals face criticism or experience internalized shame, which they shouldn’t have to endure. This is a biological issue, similar to conditions like high blood pressure or elevated blood sugar. We don’t hold people accountable for having high blood pressure or cancer.

Obesity is increasingly recognized as a long-term metabolic health condition rather than simply a result of personal lifestyle decisions. As a doctor, my role is to engage with patients to learn about their objectives and apply my medical expertise to assist them in making decisions that support their overall health goals.

Offered by the University of Colorado School of Medicine

This narrative was first released onMedical Xpress.