Wegovy shortage over: An end to Compounded Semaglutide
On February 21st, 2025, the FDA declared that semaglutide (Wegovy / Ozempic) is no longer in shortage. This will have significant impact for patients currently being treated with compounded semaglutide. Read on to learn more about this decision, and about your treatment options.
Compounded semaglutide: a brief history
Semaglutide was approved for type 2 diabetes in 2017 as Ozempic. In 2021, it was approved for weight loss as Wegovy. It became immediately popular for weight loss, being promoted by movie stars and other influencers, it wasn’t long before the drug was declared in shortage. When a medication is in shortage, compounding pharmacies are allowed to produce it – and they did just that.
What does compounded semaglutide do?
Semaglutide is effective for weight management, because it mimics a hormone called GLP-1, tricking the body into thinking it is in a “fed” or “sated” state. While on semaglutide, people are less hungry, don’t think about food between meals, and feel fuller quicker. In clinical trials, Wegovy led to an average weight loss of 15%, or around 35 pounds, with about one out of 3 patients losing 20% (47 pounds) or more.
What led to compounded semaglutide?
During the shortage, many people were not able to fill prescriptions for Wegovy or Ozempic and resorted to using compounded semaglutide instead. In addition, compounded versions of the medication tended to be less expensive than brand name versions, which drove the popularity of compounded semaglutide.
Semaglutide shortage over – what next?
With the FDA’s decision, compounding pharmacies will have 60-90 days, after which time they will no longer be able to produce compounded semaglutide.
If you are being treated with compounded semaglutide, that means that you have 60-90 days from February 21st to figure out your treatment strategy. Your options will include:
- Transition to brand-name semaglutide (Wegovy or Ozempic).
- Transition to a different GLP-1 medication (including tirzepatide or liraglutide)
- Transition to oral medicaion(s) including metformin, phentermine, tenuate, Contrave, Qsymia, etc.
- Re-focus on behavioral weight loss strategies working with your CNC Registered Dietitian to work to maintain the behaviors which led to the weight loss.
Every individual is unique. Each person has different potential benefits from semaglutide, and cost is a major issue in this decision. By working with a skilled provider, you can make the best decision for your health.
