Verbatim response from Perplexity
The real difference is that Wegovy is an FDA-approved finished drug, while compounded semaglutide is a custom-made, not-FDA-approved preparation made by a compounding pharmacy.[1][3][4] They may both contain semaglutide, but they are not the same product because the formulation, oversight, and quality controls are different.[4][5]
- Wegovy is the branded semaglutide product approved for chronic weight management and manufactured under FDA-regulated commercial standards.[1][3][4]
- Compounded semaglutide is prepared by a pharmacy for an individual prescription and is not reviewed by the FDA as a product.[1][3][4]
- Evidence base: Wegovy’s safety and weight-loss effectiveness were established in clinical trials; compounded semaglutide has not been studied in the same way as a finished product.[3][4][5]
- Consistency and quality: Wegovy has fixed dosing and standardized manufacturing, while compounded products can vary by pharmacy in concentration, sterility, and exact formulation.[3][4]
- Ingredient details: Some compounded products have been made using salt forms such as semaglutide acetate or sodium, which are not the same as the semaglutide base used in Wegovy and have not been established by the FDA as safe or effective for this use.[2][4]
- Cost and access: Compounded versions are often cheaper and used when Wegovy is unavailable or unaffordable, but that lower cost comes with less regulatory assurance.[1][5][6]
If you are deciding between them, Wegovy is the more reliable, evidence-backed option, and compounded semaglutide is mainly a workaround for access or cost, not an equivalent brand substitute.[1][4][5]
If you want, I can also give you a side-by-side comparison of safety, cost, dosing, insurance coverage, and red flags to watch for in compounded products.