Short answerCompounded semaglutide has the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy and is made by state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacies, at $49-$199/month compared with $1,150+ for the brands. The trade-off: compounded versions are not FDA-approved products, so the quality of the provider and pharmacy matters most.Prices checked on each provider’s website on October 16, 2026.
What is compounded semaglutide?
Compounded semaglutide is the same active ingredient found in Ozempic and Wegovy, prepared by licensed compounding pharmacies instead of the original manufacturer, Novo Nordisk.
Compounding pharmacies make customized medications under FDA regulation, but the finished compounded product is not individually FDA-approved the way brand-name drugs are.
Compounding pharmacies make customized medications under FDA regulation, but the finished compounded product is not individually FDA-approved the way brand-name drugs are.
Our 2 favorite GLP-1 providers
The two providers our editors recommend first, with the same checked prices and scores used in our full ranking.
Our Most Popular
1
Exceptional
9.8out of 10
Semaglutide from $69/mo, delivered in 1-2 days
Refund if not approvedFree expedited shipping
Treatments offered
Compounded semaglutide injection (GLP-1) · Compounded tirzepatide injection (GLP-1 + GIP) · Online doctor review and prescription · Dose changes through the patient portal
Starting price
$79$69/month
*Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
- Semaglutide $69/mo; tirzepatide $119/mo
- 5-minute questionnaire; doctor review usually within 24 hours
- Free 1-2 day shipping: cold-packed, tracked and insured
- No insurance, no clinic visits, cancel anytime
Pricing starts at
from $69/month
embody prescribes compounded semaglutide at $69/mo and tirzepatide at $119/mo online, ships in 1-2 days, and requires no insurance. Trustpilot: 3.8 from 9,604 reviews.
Read full embody review2
Exceptional
9.7out of 10
Low-cost GLP-1 care: semaglutide from $89/mo
Clear, flat pricingNo insurance needed
Treatments offered
Compounded semaglutide injection (GLP-1) · Compounded tirzepatide injection (GLP-1 + GIP) · Brand-name Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy · Once-weekly injection schedule
Starting price
$199$89/month
*Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
- Semaglutide from $89/mo; tirzepatide from $149/mo
- Brand-name Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy available
- Reviewed by a physician, PA or nurse practitioner
- Free shipping, arriving in about 5-7 days
Pricing starts at
from $89/month
altRx sells compounded semaglutide from $89/month and tirzepatide from $149/month at a flat price per dose, plus brand-name Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy. Self-pay, no insurance needed.
Read full altRx reviewIs compounded semaglutide safe to use?
Most medical professionals consider compounded semaglutide safe when it comes from a licensed 503B compounding pharmacy that follows current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) standards. Safety depends on the pharmacy's credentials.
Reputable telehealth providers use only licensed, inspected facilities. Ask your provider which pharmacy fills your prescription, verify its license, and avoid any platform that will not name its compounding source.
Reputable telehealth providers use only licensed, inspected facilities. Ask your provider which pharmacy fills your prescription, verify its license, and avoid any platform that will not name its compounding source.
What is the FDA warning about semaglutide salt forms?
The FDA has warned about compounded products made with salt forms of semaglutide, semaglutide sodium and semaglutide acetate. The approved drug in Ozempic and Wegovy is the base form, and legitimate 503A compounding pharmacies compound that same base form. The FDA has said it knows of no basis for salt forms to meet compounding requirements, and it has cautioned consumers against them.
Before ordering, ask: "Do you compound semaglutide base?"
A legitimate provider answers right away, and the providers we list work with US state-licensed pharmacies that compound the base form. If a seller avoids the question or sells "research use" vials without a prescription, leave.
That is not the legitimate $49-$299/month market; it is the gray market dressed up to look like it.
Does compounded semaglutide work as well as Ozempic?
Compounded semaglutide uses the same molecule as the brand-name versions, so it works the same way: it acts on GLP-1 receptors to curb appetite and regulate blood sugar. Most patients and providers report similar results.
The caveat: compounded versions are not put through the same clinical trials as brand-name drugs, so there is less published data on them specifically.
The caveat: compounded versions are not put through the same clinical trials as brand-name drugs, so there is less published data on them specifically.
Is GLP-1 Treatment Right for You?
GLP-1 medication is prescription-only: a licensed clinician has to decide it is appropriate, and it is not a fit for everyone. Side effects are possible, and they tend to show up in the first few weeks while your body adapts.
Results are usually best when the medication is paired with simple daily habits, such as balanced meals and regular movement.
For both safety and lasting progress, pick a provider that screens you properly before prescribing and keeps following up once treatment starts.
How much less does compounded semaglutide cost?
The price gap is the biggest difference:
For many patients, this difference is what makes treatment affordable at all. See our full cost comparison.
| Option | Monthly price |
|---|---|
| Brand Wegovy (retail) | $1,300-$1,400 |
| Brand Ozempic (retail) | $900-$1,000 |
| Compounded semaglutide (telehealth, verified) | $49-$199, often with consultations and delivery |
Semaglutide plans and prices by provider
Each provider's published semaglutide plan, sorted from lowest price, with the terms listed under every price.
Should you choose compounded or brand-name semaglutide?
If your insurance covers Wegovy or Ozempic, the brand-name drug may be the simpler route. If you pay out of pocket, as most weight loss patients do, compounded semaglutide from a reputable provider gives you the same active ingredient for a fraction of the price.
Compare providers that offer compounded options, or take our quiz to match your budget.
Compare providers that offer compounded options, or take our quiz to match your budget.
How are compounding pharmacies regulated?
Compounding pharmacies fall under FDA oversight in two categories:
- 503A: smaller pharmacies that compound for individual patients.
- 503B: larger, manufacturing-scale facilities that follow current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) standards close to those of traditional drug makers.
How much does your choice of provider affect quality?
A lot. The quality of compounded semaglutide depends heavily on the provider and the pharmacy behind it.
Reputable telehealth providers work only with licensed, inspected pharmacies and are open about their sources; avoid any that will not name theirs. Our guide to choosing the right provider covers what else to check.
Is compounded tirzepatide the same story?
Yes. Compounded tirzepatide works on the same principle: the same active ingredient as Mounjaro and Zepbound, made by licensed compounding pharmacies, at a lower price ($89-$299/month verified vs $1,000+).
More telehealth providers are adding it. See our Mounjaro vs Ozempic comparison and our tirzepatide provider list.