Compounded Tirzepatide: Clinical Insights, Side Effects, and Cost

Tirzepatide is a highly effective medication that leads to up to 25% of weight loss in certain adults with obesity.

Medically Reviewed By Mostafa Elhennawy MS, Pharm D

Tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, is an injectable prescription medicine FDA approved for Type 2 diabetes treatment (Mounjaro) and weight management (Zepbound).

Compounded Tirzepatide, if it is made to be “essentially a copy”, has the same efficacy and side effects as a commercial counterpart for a fraction of the cost.

In this article we will discuss Compounded Tirzepatide dosage and administration, potential side effects, safety and legality and how to choose a reliable Compounding pharmacy.

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Compounded Tirzepatide Dosage and Administration

Compounded Tirzepatide follows a stepped dosing schedule:

  1. Compounded Tirzepatide doses can be adjusted based on a doctor’s advice. The starting dose typically is 2.5 mg a week. It increases by 2.5 mg every 4 weeks until the maintenance dose is reached (5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg). 
  2. Compounded Tirzepatide is administered as a subcutaneous injection in the upper arm, abdomen or thigh. The injection site has to be rotated with each dose. 
  3. Tirzepatide injections should be administered on the same day of the week each week.

Benefits of using Compounded Tirzepatide are:

  • Compounded Tirzepade’s strength can be adjusted compared to standard formulation in order to suit an individual patient’s needs.
  • Certain ingredients can be removed, or added, to avoid allergies or ease side effects.

 

Weight Loss Reviews

Potential Side Effects

Most people taking Tirzepatide experience mild side effects which improve over time as the body adjusts to the medicine. 

The most common side effects are:

  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Dyspepsia
  • Fatigue
  • Hair loss
  • Vomiting
  • Injection site reactions.

Serious side effects are:

  • Allergic reaction
  • Pancreatitis or gallbladder disease
  • Kidney problems
  • Vision changes
  • Signs of a thyroid tumor
  • Hypoglycemia.

Healthcare providers can help with alleviating some of the mild side effects, but certainly must be contacted in case of severe, life threatening side effects.

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Is Compounded Tirzepatide Safe?

Combining Compounded Tirzepatide with other ingredients can drastically change its safety, efficacy and tolerability. Compounded Tirzepatide doesn’t undergo the FDA investigation for safety, quality or effectiveness. Once compounding pharmacies create a product they send their formulation for testing in an independent lab that follows similar standards. Compounding pharmacies must keep a log of the sources of their raw ingredients and the process used to make a drug.

Common safety concerns specific to compounded medications are:

  • Potency and Quality: Using different forms of Tirzepatide which are not the same active ingredients found in FDA- approved drugs will compromize efficacy of the compounded medicine.
  • Sterility and Safety: Since Compounded Tirzepatide is an injectable drug it must be free from any sort of contamination otherwise consequences can be fatal.

Are Compounded Semaglutide and Tirzepatide Legal?

The production of Compounded Semaglutide and Tirzepatide is legal since the patented drug is on the FDA’s shortage list. On the federal level, Compounding pharmacies and outsourcing facilities are regulated by Section 503A and Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Compounding pharmacies are regulated at the state level through state boards of pharmacy.

Repercussions of short supply of GLP-1 agonists all over the world are:

How to Choose a Reliable Compounding Pharmacy for Tirzepatide

Criteria to pay attention to when selecting a compounding pharmacy are:

  • Accreditation
  • Reviews
  • Expertise in endocrinology-related compounds.

Patients can find legitimate local compounding pharmacies using Alliance for Compounding Pharmacy and BeSafeRx for reliable online pharmacies, medical spas or other sellers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tirzepatide Available in Standard Pharmacies or Only Through Compounding?

Tirzepatide is available in standard pharmacies, while compounded pharmacies are allowed to produce and distribute it when there are supply shortages.

How Does Tirzepatide Compare to Standard Weight Loss Medications in Terms of Effectiveness?

Tirzepatide is a highly effective medication that leads to up to 25% of weight loss in certain adults with obesity (on average 20.9% loss of initial body weight), in comparison with 10-15% weight loss by other mainstream treatments.

Is Compound Tirzepatide Similar to Zepbound and Mounjaro?

Yes, most of the Compounded Tirzepatide users are reporting overall positive experience

Key Takeaways

Compounded Tirzepatide is invaluable during periods of drug shortages due to the high demand or when a patient can’t tolerate certain ingredients in a brand name medication. 

Compounded Tirzepatide is a bespoke drug formulated by 503A compounding pharmacies and 503B outsourcing facilities

Compounded drugs are not FDA approved, but all Compounding pharmacies and pharmacists are closely monitored by federal and state authorities which should ensure high quality and safety.

 

When considering compounded medication it is essential to consult doctors as they can tailor treatment to the unique needs of each patient based on a medical history, current conditions and allergies.

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