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Drug profile · Updated 12 May 2026

Compounded semaglutide (semaglutide): the 2026 buyer's guide

Compounded semaglutide is the same active molecule as Wegovy and Ozempic, prepared by a 503A pharmacy under prescription rather than manufactured under FDA new-drug approval. Cash-pay savings versus branded are typically 50-80%, but the regulatory environment has tightened since the FDA declared the semaglutide shortage resolved in October 2024. Below: how it works, what it costs, what's changed in 2025-2026, and which programs still offer it responsibly.

Active ingredient
semaglutide
Manufacturer
503A pharmacies (varies by program)
FDA-approved for
Not FDA-approved as a drug product. Prepared under prescription per section 503A of the FD&C Act. (n/a (compounding regulation))
Schedule
Weekly · subcutaneous injection (vial, prepared at the pharmacy)

Who it's for

Same prescribing audience as Wegovy in practice (BMI ≥30, or BMI ≥27 with comorbidity), though the prescription is for a compounded product rather than the FDA-approved branded version.

What the trials show

Compounded semaglutide's registration trial was STEP-1 (parent molecule, Wegovy) (NEJM, 2021). At 68 weeks at the maximum dose, mean weight loss was 14.9% (12.4 percentage points greater than placebo). 86.4% of patients lost at least 5% of body weight; 50.5% lost at least 15%. Real-world results vary; trial patients are typically more adherent and more closely managed than typical telehealth patients.

Dose schedule

Dose levels: 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1.0mg, 1.7mg, 2.4mg. Standard practice is to titrate up monthly, holding at any tolerated dose. Maximum dose is Typically titrated to 2.0-2.4mg weekly to mirror Wegovy; many patients reach goal weight at sub-maximum doses and stay there.

What it costs in 2026

Retail cash (no insurance, no DTC)Not sold at retail; cash-pay through telehealth programs only
Manufacturer DTC (cash-pay direct)$99-$249/mo via telehealth programs (Mochi $99, Found $159, Noom microdose $99)
With insurance + prior authorizationNot covered by insurance. Compounded medications are not eligible for insurance reimbursement as drug products.
Compounded version (503A pharmacy)Cash-pay only by definition. Pricing varies $99-$249/mo depending on program.

Telehealth programs add a membership fee on top of the medication cost (typically $40-$200/mo). For all-in monthly costs by program, see the chart.

Common side effects

The most commonly reported side effects in the registration trial:

Boxed warning: Same class warning as branded semaglutide. Compounded preparations are not subject to FDA's full new-drug-approval safety review; sterility and potency rely on the 503A pharmacy's state-board oversight and program-level quality controls.

How Compounded semaglutide differs from related drugs

Same molecule as Wegovy at typical compounded doses. Cheaper. Not FDA-approved as a drug product (the molecule is FDA-approved only as the branded versions). Insurance does not cover. Regulatory exposure has increased through 2025-2026 but compounded semaglutide supply has held up better than compounded tirzepatide.

Programs that prescribe Compounded semaglutide

These programs in our chart prescribe Compounded semaglutide (with insurance coverage where applicable, or as a cash-pay option). Ranked by overall score.

Compounded semaglutide vs other GLP-1s

Editorial disclosure

GLP Chart is an editorial comparison site. We do not dispense, prescribe, or fulfill medications. Talk to a licensed clinician about whether Compounded semaglutide is appropriate for you. Pricing reflects publicly verified rates as of 12 May 2026; verify with the manufacturer or your prescriber before committing.

Why you can trust GLP Chart Same scoring framework applied to every program. No paid placements. No removal of unfavorable information at advertiser request. Pricing is pulled from each provider's public-facing page weekly.
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