My compounded semaglutide provider shut down. Where should I move my treatment?

That's a frustrating situation, but thankfully there are many reputable options available for compounded semaglutide. The key is to find a provider that emphasizes safety, proper medical oversight, and uses a legitimate compounding pharmacy.

Here are some specific brands and services to consider, broken down by type:

Telehealth Platforms (Often Most Convenient)

These platforms connect you with licensed medical providers who can prescribe compounded semaglutide, and then arrange for it to be shipped directly to you from a partnered compounding pharmacy.

1. Mochi Health:

   • Why: Known for being comprehensive and medically supervised. They have board-certified obesity medicine doctors and offer a more holistic approach with labs, personalized plans, and ongoing support. While potentially slightly pricier than some, their medical rigor is a strong point.

2. Henry Meds:

   • Why: Often praised for competitive pricing and a straightforward process. They work with legitimate compounding pharmacies and aim to make treatment accessible. They offer medical consultations and ongoing care.

3. Lavender Sky:

   • Why: Similar to Henry Meds, Lavender Sky provides a telehealth model with competitive pricing for compounded GLP-1s. They emphasize convenience and medical oversight, offering a simple process from consultation to delivery.

4. Push Health / Sesame Care:

   • Why: These are broader telehealth platforms where you can find individual providers (doctors, PAs, NPs) who specifically offer compounded semaglutide prescriptions. You might have more control over choosing a specific provider and their fees, potentially leading to good value. You'd then get the prescription filled at a compounding pharmacy they recommend or one of your choosing (if they send to it).

Local Medical Clinics & Practices

If you prefer in-person consultations or want to integrate this treatment with a local doctor, consider these options:

1. Your Primary Care Physician (PCP):

   • Why: Your PCP has your full medical history and can integrate semaglutide into your overall health plan. While not all PCPs are comfortable prescribing compounded medications, it's worth asking if they are or if they can refer you to a local colleague or weight management clinic that does.

2. Local Weight Loss Clinics or Medical Spas:

   • Why: Many of these specialized clinics are now offering compounded semaglutide as part of their weight management programs. They often have experienced staff, offer in-person support, and can perform necessary labs and measurements. Search online for "medical weight loss [your city]" or "semaglutide clinic [your city]".

3. Endocrinologists:

   • Why: If you have underlying metabolic conditions (like pre-diabetes, PCOS, or other endocrine issues), an endocrinologist is a specialist who can provide expert oversight and integrate semaglutide into a broader treatment plan.

---

Very Important Considerations When Choosing a New Provider:

1. Source of Semaglutide:

   • Crucial Safety Point: The FDA has warned against compounded semaglutide using semaglutide sodium or semaglutide acetate, as these are not the active ingredient in FDA-approved Wegovy/Ozempic and their safety and efficacy are unknown. Ensure your new provider uses semaglutide base which is the active pharmaceutical ingredient found in the brand-name drugs.
   • Ask Directly: When you consult with a new provider, explicitly ask "Are you prescribing semaglutide base or semaglutide salt forms like sodium or acetate?" If they say sodium or acetate, look elsewhere.

2. Compounding Pharmacy Legitimacy:

   • 503A vs. 503B: Ensure the compounding pharmacy they use is a 503A pharmacy (which makes patient-specific prescriptions) or a 503B outsourcing facility (which makes larger batches under stricter manufacturing guidelines). Both are legitimate but have different regulatory oversight. Your provider should be transparent about which pharmacy they use and its accreditation.

3. Medical Oversight:

   • Consultation & Labs: A reputable provider will require a thorough medical history, an initial consultation (virtual or in-person), and may request recent lab work (e.g., A1C, kidney function, thyroid).
   • Monitoring: They should offer ongoing support and monitoring, especially as you titrate doses.

4. Pricing Transparency:

   • Understand all costs involved: consultation fees, medication costs, and any shipping fees. Compounded semaglutide is generally not covered by insurance.

5. State Licensing:

   • Ensure the provider is licensed to practice in your state.

By asking these questions and doing a bit of research, you should be able to find a safe and reliable new provider for your compounded semaglutide treatment. Good luck!