Compounded vs brand-name semaglutide: are they the same?

With compounded semaglutide now restricted, this question is less practical than it used to be. But for education: **Brand-name (Ozempic/Wegovy):** - Manufactured by Novo Nordisk under strict GMP conditions - Exact formulation backed by clinical trials - FDA-approved with known safety/efficacy profile - Costs $1,000-1,300+/month without insurance **Compounded semaglutide (when available):** - Produced by 503A/503B pharmacies using bulk semaglutide sodium salt - Same active compound but different salt form (sodium vs. base) - Not FDA-approved as a finished product - Quality varies by pharmacy (hence the importance of COAs) - Cost $129-497/month The active molecule is the same. The manufacturing oversight, salt form, and quality assurance differ. When sourced from a reputable 503B pharmacy operating under USP standards, compounded semaglutide has been clinically effective for many patients. The cost difference made it accessible to people who couldn't afford brand-name. This is precisely why the FDA restrictions have been so controversial — they effectively eliminated the affordable option for millions of patients.