Updated 2026-09-29 · Reviewed for accuracy by the EKO Labs team. Educational only; not medical advice.
A brand-name (or FDA-approved generic) medicine has been reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality. A compounded medicine is prepared by a pharmacy for a specific patient or need. Compounded drugs can be useful, but they are not FDA-approved.
Two kinds of compounding pharmacies
- 503A pharmacies compound for individual patients based on a prescription.
- 503B outsourcing facilities compound in larger volumes and are registered with and inspected by the FDA.
What changed for compounded GLP-1s
During the national shortages of semaglutide and tirzepatide, pharmacies were allowed to compound them more widely. The FDA declared the tirzepatide shortage resolved in late 2024 and the semaglutide shortage resolved in early 2025. In April 2026 the FDA also proposed excluding semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide from the 503B bulk-substance list. Rules for compounded versions keep changing, which is why decisions should be made with a doctor and a licensed pharmacy.
How EKO Labs handles this
We list FDA-approved medicines on this site. Whether a brand-name product or another option is appropriate is decided by your doctor and the licensed pharmacy, following current rules.
Talk to our team. A licensed doctor makes every medical decision.
