Weight Loss Hope in Jeopardy: Compounded Tirzepatide Users Face Uncertainty
For patients like Willow Baillies, 29, a human resources specialist from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, compounded tirzepatide has been a game-changer in their weight loss journey. The off-brand version of Eli Lilly’s Zepbound has helped Baillies alleviate chronic autoimmune issues and shed 52 pounds, all at a more affordable price tag of $350 per month. However, the Food and Drug Administration’s recent decision to lift the shortage designation for branded tirzepatide may soon make compounded versions inaccessible to patients like Baillies.
The Consequences of FDA’s Decision
The FDA’s move is expected to prevent compounding pharmacies from making and selling cheaper versions of the drug in the next two to three months. While this decision may increase access to Zepbound for patients with insurance coverage, it will leave others in limbo, forced to either stockpile doses, switch to other treatments, or stop receiving care altogether due to financial constraints.
Patients Scramble to Ensure Continued Care
Many patients who rely on compounded tirzepatide are now scrambling to ensure they can continue their treatment. Some, like Amanda Bonello, 36, an account manager from Iowa, are considering switching to compounded semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy. Others, like Erin Hunt, 31, a communications analyst from Maryland, may eventually switch to the branded version of tirzepatide, despite concerns about the cost.
The Gray Market: A Risky Alternative
In desperation, some patients may turn to an underground community, where they can purchase powdered tirzepatide or semaglutide peptides and mix them with sterile water at home. However, this method raises serious safety concerns, as it lacks proper training and quality control.
Compounding Pharmacies Adapt to New Reality
Some compounding pharmacies, like Strive Pharmacy, are operating as usual pending further updates to the legal fight. However, they may largely stop making compounded tirzepatide by the February deadline if nothing changes. Others, like Chronos Body Health Wellness, are trying to help patients get insurance approval for branded tirzepatide or switching them to compounded semaglutide.
The Future of Compounded GLP-1s
The American Diabetes Association recommends against the use of compounded GLP-1s due to concerns about their safety, quality, and efficacy. However, for patients like Molly B., an interior designer from New York, compounded GLP-1s are their only option. As the landscape of weight loss treatments continues to shift, one thing is clear: patients are willing to do whatever it takes to access life-changing medications like tirzepatide.
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