Are the compound GLP-1 weight loss drugs safe and legal?

Juliana Simonetti, MD, co -director of the full weight management program at UTA University in Salt Lake City, says it is an “absolute madness” that insurance companies so often deny the coverage of injection weight loss drugs to people under control. She understands what pushes people to look for alternatives.

But, she says, there is no way of knowing with certainty that the conditions under which compound drugs are created, adding that whoever bought aggravated drugs to a dubious source covers the risk of using drugs that have safety risks and may not be sterile.

“I am very clear by telling my patients not to obtain composed versions. I feel their pain and despair, but I tell them not to do it because they are dangerous practices, “she said.

Andrew Kraftson, MD, director of the Michigan Medicine weight navigation program in Ann Arbor, firmly believes in the value of drugs such as semaglutide and understands why people rush to get medication. He stresses that obesity is very stigmatized and subcontracted.

“There is this feeling of urgency that pushes people to make reckless decisions,” he says. “They have the impression:” It’s there now. I should have been there yesterday. »»

But unattended by the FDA, says Dr. Kraftson, the compound versions are too risky. “It is problematic that there is this inherent conflict of interest,” he said about providers who may be willing to compromise security in search of profit.

In addition, he says, people who buy cheap weight loss drugs generally do not obtain nutritional advice to ensure that they remain healthy when they considerably cut calories.

“Food as medicine is an important element here,” says Kraftson. “Anyone could lose weight on 800 calories per day in the form of Twinkies, but that doesn’t mean they should.”