My experience with compounded semaglutide-a cautionary tale

[Anonymous]

Before I begin, I fully recognize that everyone reacts differently to medication, and I’m not saying you will react this way. But since this has happened to me, many people have suddenly come out of the woodwork sharing a similar experience. So here we go.

TL;DR: I was sick and vomiting for a week from compounded semaglutide and ended up in the ER.

My BMI is 40, I am obese ok (not looking to lose 10 or even 30 lbs here). My insurance doesn’t cover any of the weight loss meds, and I’m only prediabetic, so no help there from my insurance. I went through one of the multiple online prescribing agencies to get a compounded version of semaglutide. I’m not naming the agency because I don’t want them to get a bad rap-what happened wasn’t their fault necessarily. They had me meet with a PA, and a nutritionist, prior to prescribing the med. It was compounded at an FDA-approved, sterile lab. I was put on the lowest dose to start, and injected the first dose on a Monday with no issues. Immediately felt the effects-lessened food noise, not hungry, etc.

Tuesday evening, around 8, my stomach started to feel uncomfortable and queasy. I had eaten a side salad with just a little bit of falafel for dinner, and a cup of vegetable soup for lunch without discomfort. The feeling got worse and worse until I ended up vomiting pretty much an entire undigested falafel salad. For the next day or two, nothing stayed down and I was in major pain. I could drink sips of water or Gatorade but even chicken broth made me feel overfull. Late Thursday I felt better and was able to have about 2/3 c chicken soup, mostly just broth. I ended up vomiting that up in the middle of the night, undigested. Friday I went to the ER and was in so much pain I had trouble breathing. I got fluids and zofran. Finally on Sunday I started feeling better, and could eat chicken broth. I improved from there.

I know many people have nausea as a side effect, but believe me, this was not sustainable. I was non-functional for a week, and I’m going to have hospital bills to deal with. Since this happened I have heard multiple stories from people who have had the same thing…but only with compounded meds. I just want to caution people since I feel it’s going to come out that the compounding is more an art and that the solutions aren’t as reliable, and may in fact be detrimental. It is an amazing drug, but as I haven’t heard too many stories like mine (at least until AFTER I took the meds 🙄), I just wanted to share. Feel free to ask any questions.

[Anonymous]

What does it mean if a med is compounded?

[Anonymous]

Compounded means the active ingredient (like semaglutide) is mixed with other fillers, but it’s not the trademarked mixture of Ozempic or Wegovy. Kind of like generic vs name brand. It is like 75% cheaper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Compounded means the active ingredient (like semaglutide) is mixed with other fillers, but it’s not the trademarked mixture of Ozempic or Wegovy. Kind of like generic vs name brand. It is like 75% cheaper.

I’m in California and these are barred here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Compounded means the active ingredient (like semaglutide) is mixed with other fillers, but it’s not the trademarked mixture of Ozempic or Wegovy. Kind of like generic vs name brand. It is like 75% cheaper.

I’m in California and these are barred here.

OP here, I am not surprised and think this may become more widespread.

[Anonymous]

The FDA allows for compounding of many drugs via release of formulas when there is a shortage.

SO technically, it is allowed, but they have issued warnings about the compounds.

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/medications-containing-semaglutide-marketed-type-2-diabetes-or-weight-loss

[Anonymous]

Given that you felt the impact so immediately I wonder if the dose you got was compounded incorrectly and had too much active ingredient? Did you save any of the prescription?

[Anonymous]

OP, if you do more research (there are several very active reddit communities) you’ll find this is a very common reaction in some people to semaglutide period.

Yes, it could be it’s because of the compounding. But it could also be you don’t tolerate the medication as well. As mentioned on these sites, many people have the same reaction with Ozempic/Wegovy confirmed drugs.

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry. Due to your BMI, your insurance might cover Wegovy or the others. I’d suggest calling Washington center for weight loss research. You might also be a candidate for the trials they do. They do not do compounding at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Given that you felt the impact so immediately I wonder if the dose you got was compounded incorrectly and had too much active ingredient? Did you save any of the prescription?

Agree. This is a fast and strong reaction for the lowest dose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Given that you felt the impact so immediately I wonder if the dose you got was compounded incorrectly and had too much active ingredient? Did you save any of the prescription?

That def could have happened as well. And I do know that nausea and vomiting could be a side effect, but I was unaware that it would be for so long or so violent. I’m sure it does happen to norvonordisk patients, but it seems like the chances are much higher with the compounded meds, hence my post (also because they are so much cheaper and easier to get, I think it’s important to really research the compounds. I wish I had done so before I started).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Compounded means the active ingredient (like semaglutide) is mixed with other fillers, but it’s not the trademarked mixture of Ozempic or Wegovy. Kind of like generic vs name brand. It is like 75% cheaper.

I’m in California and these are barred here.

Yeah clearly there is a reason for that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that you felt the impact so immediately I wonder if the dose you got was compounded incorrectly and had too much active ingredient? Did you save any of the prescription?

That def could have happened as well. And I do know that nausea and vomiting could be a side effect, but I was unaware that it would be for so long or so violent. I’m sure it does happen to norvonordisk patients, but it seems like the chances are much higher with the compounded meds, hence my post (also because they are so much cheaper and easier to get, I think it’s important to really research the compounds. I wish I had done so before I started).

I’ve heard of the compounded versions mixing wrong doses. I haven’t heard of reactions this extreme to prescribed drugs, though I am sure it happens sometimes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Compounded means the active ingredient (like semaglutide) is mixed with other fillers, but it’s not the trademarked mixture of Ozempic or Wegovy. Kind of like generic vs name brand. It is like 75% cheaper.

That is not what generic vs. name brand is. Generic is the EXACT SAME formulation.

[Anonymous]

The compounded meds could be anything. Norvo Nordis has strongly advised again taking them. I don't know why anyone would based on that alone.