by Numerous individuals in the United States, like Marissa Montanino, are on a quest to lose weight. In their pursuit, they often consider options such as Ozempic or other similar drugs that have been touted as revolutionary in the battle against obesity. However, despite her dedicated efforts in working out and sticking to a clean diet, Montanino, a 36-year-old esthetician, felt frustrated with the lack of results. She had heard about the success stories surrounding Ozempic, with celebrities dropping weight at a rapid pace, but she was concerned about the potential side effect of gastrointestinal issues commonly associated with these drugs.
To ease her apprehensions, Montanino sought reassurance from clients at her studio and joined Facebook support groups to gather more insights. Although initially afraid, she decided to take a leap of faith and opted for compounded semaglutide instead of the brand name drug Ozempic manufactured by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. However, experts and officials have raised concerns about the potential risks associated with compounded weight loss drugs.
The prevalence of obesity among over 40 percent of Americans highlights the severity of the health crisis and the immense market demand for medications like Ozempic. These groundbreaking drugs are considered the primary therapy for obese individuals, with semaglutide being the active ingredient in Ozempic, approved for diabetes treatment in 2017, and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, which received authorization as an obesity medicine in 2021.
Not only are millions of diabetic and obese patients seeking these drugs, but many individuals without severe health issues are also requesting off-label prescriptions. Celebrities, including Elon Musk, have openly shared their use of these drugs to shed pounds, further propelling the surge in interest.
However, one major obstacle is the difficulty in obtaining these medications. According to Dr. Samuel Klein, a research physician from Washington University in St. Louis, the current production of these drugs is inadequate to meet the demand. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified semaglutide and tirzepatide, the compound used by Eli Lilly in its drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound, as drugs currently in shortage. This designation may lead to certain restrictions being lifted to allow the compounding of drugs that are essentially copies of the approved drugs.
Compounding, which involves the creation of custom drugs, has traditionally been utilized when a patient has allergies to certain components of medications. However, concerns arise when it comes to compounded weight loss drugs, as patients often acquire them through online platforms. Dr. Andrea Coviello, an obesity specialist, expressed her apprehension regarding patients taking these compounded drugs. While some patients claim to have lost weight using these drugs, it remains unclear what they are actually receiving in terms of composition and quality.
Despite the uncertainties surrounding compounded drugs, individuals like Montanino continue to rely on them for their weight loss journey. In less than six months of using weekly injections, Montanino has managed to shed pounds, going from 157 pounds to roughly 130 pounds, with a target weight of 125 pounds. Montanino mentioned that in her group chat with others who are also taking weight loss drugs, only one person was using the brand name Wegovy, and everyone seemed to be satisfied with their progress.
US authorities caution against the use of compounded drugs due to the higher risk they pose compared to FDA-approved drugs, which undergo premarket review for safety, effectiveness, and quality. Furthermore, the FDA has received reports of adverse events associated with the use of compounded semaglutide, although specific details are limited.
A simple online search for compounded weight loss drugs yields numerous retailers offering to ship the medicine via mail. Although the advertised prices may be lower than the brand name drugs, they may not necessarily be more affordable if insurance coverage is taken into account. Montanino initially paid $300 for a three-month supply, but as the dosage increases over time, it could potentially cost her $300 per month.
Given the high demand for these drugs, it remains uncertain when they will no longer be in shortage. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, already earning billions from their branded weight-loss medications, are ramping up production and pursuing legal action against compounding pharmacies.
Despite the uncertainties and challenges, Montanino plans to continue using the drugs, ideally for the rest of her life. She and her husband celebrated their weight loss achievements by retaking their wedding photos on their one-year anniversary. Montanino shared that she feels happier and more confident in her own skin, and although reluctant to admit it, she also feels better when it comes to how clothes fit her.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
