Brand vs compounded: what changes

Updated: 2026-10-17

When you compare prices you will see two kinds of medication. Here is what differs, with official sources. Not medical advice: which one fits you is a licensed clinician’s decision.

Brand-name medication

• Made by the approval holder (e.g., Wegovy and Ozempic by Novo Nordisk; Zepbound and Mounjaro by Eli Lilly).
• FDA-approved: FDA reviewed safety, effectiveness and quality for specific uses.
• May be covered by insurance or manufacturer self-pay programs (see GLP-1 without insurance).

Compounded medication

• Prepared by a compounding pharmacy (503A) or outsourcing facility (503B) from a prescription.
• Not FDA-approved. FDA does not review safety, effectiveness or quality before marketing. Not a generic: generics are FDA-approved (FDA).
• Usually cash-pay and usually cheaper.
• FDA warns that semaglutide “salt” products (sodium or acetate) have not been shown to be safe or effective.

What FDA has flagged in advertising

FDA has sent dozens of warning letters to telehealth companies for calling a compounded drug “the same” as the brand, “generic”, “FDA-approved”, or sourced from an “FDA-approved/licensed” pharmacy (FDA does not approve or license pharmacies) (FDA). GLP Claro flags those letters on each clinic.

How to verify before paying

• Ask which pharmacy prepares it and check its license in your state (FDA BeSafeRx) or FDA’s 503B list (FDA).
• Check the clinic’s status on LegitScript.
• Check FDA’s drug shortage database (FDA): availability affects compounding rules.

Summary

Compare brand and compounded

FAQ

Is compounded semaglutide a generic of Ozempic?

No. Generics are FDA-approved; compounded drugs are not.

Is compounded medication illegal?

Not necessarily: it can be legally prepared with a prescription under certain conditions, but it is not FDA-approved. Ask a licensed clinician.