US EDITION · CHECKED SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
Compounded vs FDA-approved medication
The active-ingredient name alone is not enough to make two products equivalent.
Approval applies to a specific product
FDA-approved medicines have undergone the agency’s review. Compounded products are not FDA-approved and are not reviewed by FDA for safety, effectiveness or quality before marketing. Compounding can serve particular medical needs; it is not a general assurance of equivalence to a brand.
Why this matters in a price comparison
Formulation, concentration, delivery device, dispensing pharmacy and instructions may differ. A price for compounded semaglutide must not be presented as a price for Wegovy. “FDA-registered” or “licensed pharmacy” does not make every product FDA-approved.
Current FDA concerns
The agency describes concerns including dosing errors, inappropriate dose escalation, salt forms and fraudulent products. Do not use this directory to change doses or select an unapproved substitute. Discuss the actual prescription and dispensing arrangements with your clinician and pharmacist.
FDA: unapproved GLP-1 concerns ↗ · FDA: current compounding policy ↗
Questions to ask
- What is the exact product and is that product FDA-approved?
- Who writes the prescription and which pharmacy fills it?
- Why is this formulation appropriate for my medical needs?
- Who handles questions, adverse effects and problems with a shipment?