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Accessing weight-loss drugs and injectables remains difficult for many who are interested. Whether it’s a supply issue, lack of insurance coverage, or the cost of the drugs, many people who are eager to get their hands on these injectables have turned to compounding pharmacies for knockoff versions. While weight-loss drugs and injectables can be an effective short-term strategy, the long-term success and tolerance for side effects of these medications is still being researched.
Compounding Pharmacy Concerns
Compounding pharmacies tailor make medications for individual patients. For example, a patient who has an allergy to a certain dye, or an elderly patient who cannot swallow a pill and needs it in liquid form, can have a compounding pharmacy create a medication to fit their needs. However, it’s important to know that compounded drugs are not FDA-approved.
When it comes to compounded weight-loss drugs and injectables, the FDA says off-brand versions can be unsafe. The FDA received reports that compounding pharmacies may be selling other formulations of Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy. Semaglutide is a synthetic version of a hormone known as GLP-1, which the body releases into the intestines after food consumption. The hormone leads to appetite reduction and slows down stomach emptying, which may contribute to feeling full. Patients reported “adverse events” to the FDA after using compounded semaglutide.
Recently Novo Nordisk, the makers of Wegovy, sued two Florida compounding pharmacies, saying impurities were found in compounded versions of its weight-loss drug Wegovy.
The FDA says if an approved drug is available, people should not use a compounded drug. However, some of the major side effects that users cite include nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal issues and dizziness.
New York Bariatric Group: Weight Loss Leader
New York Bariatric Group’s doctor-supervised medical weight loss program is committed to patient safety and well-being. Patients benefit from regular monitoring and follow-up appointments. This ongoing supervision allows doctors to make necessary adjustments to a patient’s treatment plan based on their progress and any changes in their health status. It ensures that the weight loss journey is personalized and optimized for each individual, leading to more effective outcomes.
New York Bariatric Group is a leader in long-term weight-loss solutions. Their bariatric practice is the best around and they have the numbers to prove it:
- Over 30 surgeons who are leaders in bariatrics, plastic surgery, veins, and medical weight loss
- 42,000 successful procedures performed, with more every day
- The #1 gastric balloon practice by volume – most balloons placed in the United States
- Access to online seminars, support groups, cooking demos, and Q-and-A sessions
- 100s of videos for patients explaining procedures, answering common questions, and showcasing previous patients
- Multiple offices located in three states; NY, NJ, CT
- Since 2000, we boast over 23 years of success!
All of our hospitals are Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) accredited facilities, which is a prestigious designation bestowed upon only the top-quality bariatric programs.
Stop waiting; start achieving better health today. Together, we’ve got this!
New York Bariatric Group is implementing and enforcing strict guidelines put out by the Center of Disease Control and the Department of Health in order to keep our staff and patients safe.
We are offering in-person and virtual consultations to ensure that everyone is able to get the information and care they deserve without feeling pressure to leave their home.
