The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning customers to not use off-brand variations of the favored weight-loss medication Ozempic and Wegovy as a result of they won't include the identical elements because the prescription merchandise and might not be secure or efficient.

Agency officers stated this week that they've obtained stories of issues after sufferers used variations of semaglutide, the lively ingredient within the brand-name medicines, which have been compounded, or blended in pharmacies. Officials didn’t say what the issues have been.

The hassle is that these variations, usually bought on-line, include a model of semaglutide that's utilized in lab analysis and has not been permitted to be used in individuals.

“Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, and the agency does not verify the safety or effectiveness of compounded drugs,” the discover stated.

Sales of semaglutide merchandise have soared prior to now few years after the drug was proven to spur quick and vital weight reduction. The medication manufactured by Novo Nordisk embody manufacturers Ozempic and Rybelsus, used to deal with diabetes, and Wegovy, permitted to deal with weight problems.

Demand for the medicines has outstripped provide. As of May, Ozempic and Wegovy stay on the FDA’s listing of drug shortages. When medication are briefly provide, compounding pharmacies are permitted to supply variations of these medicines.

Consumers ought to solely use medication containing semaglutide with a prescription from a licensed well being care supplier and obtained from a state-licensed pharmacy or different services registered with the FDA, the company stated.

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