DisclosureWe earn commission on partner links; ranking is set by clinician-vetted methodology — not advertisers.
Non-FDA-approved version mixed by a licensed pharmacy. Cheaper than brand-name but quality varies. Only legal when the FDA declares a drug in shortage.
Compounded medications are mixed by licensed pharmacies under Section 503A (patient-specific) or 503B (outsourcing facility) of the FD&C Act. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved and do not undergo brand-equivalent manufacturing oversight. Most compounded GLP-1s sold by telehealth platforms during the 2023-2025 shortage were produced under 503A or 503B authority. With the shortage officially resolved (May 2026), compounded sales are facing tighter FDA enforcement.