Is Compounded Tirzepatide Safe?
What to look for when considering compounded tirzepatide for weight loss
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication use has skyrocketed in recent years. Originally used to help individuals with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels, these drugs have now become a popular weight loss treatment. Unfortunately, the industry hasn’t been able to keep up with the surge in demand, leading to a significant shortage of an already expensive medication.
To address the gap in the market, affordable compounded medications have become more widespread. However, as with any newer option on the market, some have expressed concern about their safety and efficacy. In this blog, we’ll explore compounded tirzepatide and what quality control measures to look out for to ensure safety and treatment success.
What is tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is a dual agonist containing a glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) and a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). It mimics the naturally occurring GLP-1 and GIP hormones released by the gut to slow gastric emptying, increase insulin release, suppress appetite, and create a feeling of fullness.
Similar to GLP, GIP is another neuroendocrine hormone involved in regulating blood glucose levels and insulin release. By targeting both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, tirzepatide delivers not only good blood glucose control but also significant weight loss through its synergistic effects on lowering appetite, decreasing fat mass, and reducing weight.
What is a compounded tirzepatide?
Compounded tirzepatide is a customized formulation of the diabetes and obesity medication tirzepatide, created by a compounding pharmacy. It is tailored to meet individual patient needs, such as specific dosages or forms not available in the commercially sold version, Zepbound™.
It’s important to know that there are some risks associated with compounded tirzepatide. However, Agile Telehealth only uses licensed pharmacies to offer our patients the safest, most affordable, and most effective tirzepatide weight loss treatment.
Federal laws have long allowed compounding pharmacies to produce “copies” of medications that are listed on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug shortage list. Included in that list are semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Benefits of compounded medications
Compounded tirzepatide offers numerous benefits over its branded counterpart, including:
Affordability: Compared to name-brand medications, compounded medications are highly affordable. They’re often a fraction of the price, eliminating the barrier to entry for patients who aren’t covered by insurance or can’t afford the steep prices.
Customizability: Since compounded medications are made-to-order, they’re highly customizable.
Expanded access: When a shortage prevents people from getting their necessary medications, this is where compounds step in. For medical weight loss treatment, it’s important to have uninterrupted medication access to ensure they keep making progress.
Is compounded tirzepatide safe?
While compounded medications are nothing new, some have expressed concerns about their safety and efficacy. In this section, we'll address these concerns and identify the green flags to look for if you’re considering compounded tirzepatide for weight loss.
Addressing safety and efficacy concerns
Unfortunately, the high demand for GLP-1s has given way to the emergence of some unregulated medical weight loss companies.
As a result, these developments have fostered skepticism surrounding compounded weight loss drugs like tirzepatide. However, it’s important to note that there are many more reputable healthcare organizations out there that offer high-quality compounded GLP-1 medications.
As you start your research, here are a few things to look for when you're vetting a medical weight loss company. Do they have:
State-licensed and FDA-regulated pharmacies
There are many state-licensed and FDA-regulated compounding pharmacies that offer these medications, working well within federal and state regulations and only dispensing medication with valid prescriptions from licensed physicians. By choosing providers and organizations that solely partner with licensed compounding pharmacies, you can ensure you’re getting high-quality compounded tirzepatide.
Licensed medical providers
Always get your compounded tirzepatide from a fully licensed medical provider. These providers are well-regulated and must adhere to specific quality and safety standards, which ensures that the compounded medication you receive is prepared and dispensed per applicable requirements.
Written prescription
In addition to making sure you're seeing a licensed medical professional, you should ALWAYS receive a written prescription for tirzepatide. If a company is sending you GLP-1 medication without a prescription, it's likely counterfeit or fake.
Industry certifications
The various industry certifications that apply to healthcare companies are benchmarks for quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. Certifications and accreditations like the Telehealth Accreditation Commission for Health Care, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NQCA), and the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB) indicate the company’s dedication to a higher standard of care and total compliance, ensuring you receive safe, effective, and reliable care.
LegitScript certification
Check to see if the organization is LegitScript certified. LegitScript essentially vets healthcare businesses, certifying that they’re operating in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. It’s a stamp of approval that lets you know the healthcare company you work with is legitimate and fully compliant.
NCQA Credentialing Accreditation
An NCQA Credentialing Accreditation is an excellent sign that the organization and its healthcare providers are dedicated to providing high-quality care and patient safety. The program evaluates the business’s operations, including verifying practitioner credentials and designating a credentialing committee review of practitioners and practitioner sanctions.
Require additional metabolic labs
Requiring metabolic labs is a great indicator that an organization is committed to patient safety and high-quality care. This gives your provider a more in-depth look at your overall health to identify any potentially unknown health risks and prescribe a more accurate dosage and treatment—ensuring you see the best results.
Compounded tirzepatide is a safe alternative to branded GLP-1s
Compounded tirzepatide is a safe and legitimate option for those affected by the shortage or looking to try medical weight loss. However, as with any medication or treatment, it’s important to do your homework to find the best and safest option.
That is where Agile Telehealth comes in. We are dedicated to the highest levels of patient safety and only work with licensed compounding pharmacies.
We ensure that the ingredients used in the prescribed GLP-1 compounds are pharmaceutical grade and NOT research grade.
We ensure that the GLP-1 medication is compounded using its base form and NOT its salt form.
The compounding pharmacy conducts third-party quality testing to check for potency, sterility, and the presence of toxins.
We ensure complete due diligence of the compounding pharmacy, including but not limited to accreditations, licensures, and manufacturing/storage/tracking processes.
Our network of clinicians is also NCQA accredited, meaning they adhere to the highest safety and compliance standards. Ready to learn more about the Agile tirzepatide weight loss program? See if you qualify here!
