Is Compounded Tirzepatide Safe?

Before we dive into how to safely use compounded tirzepatide, let’s shed some light on compounded medications and, specifically, what tirzepatide is.

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What is drug compounding?

Compounding drugs fulfill an important purpose. When a drug is in shortage, compounding pharmacies can legally create a compounded version of a drug if they meet certain conditions under section 503A in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act.

Drug compounding is an established and well-accepted practice in the United States, performed by licensed pharmacists and other healthcare providers. Drug compounding is the process of combining ingredients to create a medication specific to the needs of an individual patient. 

LookMeds weight loss prescription drugs use the same active ingredients as name brands such as Mounjaro and Zepbound.  LookMeds uses American-licensed compounding pharmacies that can legally prepare compounded medications while adhering to guidelines from the FDA, their State Board of Pharmacy, and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. †

LookMeds available weight loss drugs (compounded products) include compounded semaglutide* and compounded tirzepatide*.

What is compounded tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide is an injectable prescription medicine used with diet and exercise to manage weight in overweight or obese adults who also have at least one weight-related medical condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea, or heart problems.

Compounded Tirzepatide contains the active ingredient that binds to and activates GIP and GLP-1 receptors, regulating appetite and caloric intake. It’s an effective therapeutic choice for patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.  

It’s administered as weekly injections or in tablet form and may:

• Help adults with obesity, or some adults who are overweight and also have weight-related medical problems, to help them lose excess body weight and keep the weight off.

• Help to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as death, heart attack, or stroke in adults with known heart disease and with either obesity or overweight.

What are the possible side effects of tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide may cause side effects ranging from mild to serious, so it’s important to review all important safety information before you begin taking your medication.

Common Tirzepatide Side Effects

Since GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic the action of a peptide produced in the GI tract, the most reported side effects are gastrointestinal (GI), including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

The GI side effects may be dose-dependent, and increasing the dosage should be done slowly. It’s important to know that this drug slows gastric emptying, and there may be a feeling of early satiety. Attempting to eat when you’re already full can cause nausea.

Although classified as low risk, weight loss drugs can be associated with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) with no clinically significant difference in incidence among agents like Ozempic* (semaglutide).

Other common side effects of tirzepatide and other weight loss drugs

Gastrointestinal symptoms — nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation — are by far the most common side effects of GLP-1 drugs. Here are some tips for managing other common side effects you might experience:

• Nausea can be managed by avoiding strong smells and eating crackers, mint, ginger-based foods, or drinks about a half hour after taking a GLP-1 drug. You can also speak with your healthcare provider about getting an anti-nausea prescription.
• Vomiting can be managed by having more frequent meals in smaller amounts and staying well hydrated.
• Diarrhea can be managed by drinking plenty of water and avoiding dairy products and high-fiber foods until symptoms go away.
• Constipation can be managed through a fiber-rich diet and drinking plenty of water.

To help avoid gastrointestinal side effects of GLP-1 drugs:

• Eat slowly and stop when full.
• Have smaller portions.
• Avoid being too active immediately after eating.

Less common but more serious side effects of tirzepatide and GLP-1 receptor agonists

• Pancreatitis - an inflammation of the pancreas that causes abdominal pain.
• Gastroparesis - a condition where the normal movement of food out of the stomach is slowed or stopped.
• Bowel obstruction - a blockage that keeps food from passing through the intestines.
• Increased risk of low blood sugar - (hypoglycemia), especially for those who also take medicines for diabetes, such as insulin or sulfonylureas.‍
• Kidney problems - (kidney failure) may get worse when coupled with diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, which cause a loss of fluids (dehydration).

Other important side effects to seek medical attention

Most side effects of GLP-1 drugs are not serious. You should seek medical attention if you have:

• Severe vomiting and diarrhea
• Severe pain or tenderness in your belly
• Inability to pass gas or move your bowels.
• Jaundice (yellow skin color).

This is not a complete list of side effects. Talk to your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Other drugs may affect tirzepatide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

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Compounded Tirzepatide Safety Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What other drugs will affect tirzepatide?

Compounded tirzepatide can slow the digestive process, and it may take longer for your body to absorb other medicines you take by mouth. 

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially insulin or oral diabetes medicine (like Metformin and Glucotrol).

While using tirzepatide, you may experience depression and thoughts of suicide. Immediately inform your doctor if you have any sudden changes in mood, behavior or thoughts about suicide.

Who should NOT use tirzepatide?

A contraindication is a specific situation where a medicine, procedure, or surgery should not be used because it may harm the person. Contraindications to utilizing tirzepatide and other GLP-1 agonists include:

• Hypersensitivity (severe allergic reaction).
• Pregnancy. 
• Patients with severe GI diseases such as gastroparesis and inflammatory bowel disease should also avoid GLP-1 analogs.

What is the most important information I should know about tirzepatide?

Call your doctor at once if you have signs of a thyroid tumor, such as swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or shortness of breath.

You should not use this medicine if you or anyone in your family have or have ever had thyroid cancer or a condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome.

What happens if I overdose on tirzepatide?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.  Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help.

What happens if I miss a tirzepatide dose?

Use the medicine as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if you are more than four days (96 hours) late for the dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What should I avoid while using tirzepatide?

Never share an injection pen or prefilled syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed. Sharing needles can allow infections or diseases to pass from one person to another.

Where can I get more information?

Your LookMeds doctor can provide more information about compounded tirzepatide.  You can also refer to our compounded medication information page for more details.

Bottom Line

Tirzepatide and other GLP-1 receptor agonists are an effective therapeutic choice for patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes. There is ample evidence from clinical practice to show that tirzepatide and GLP-1 receptor agonists promote weight loss, reduce HbA1c levels, and improve cardiovascular outcomes.

LookMeds utilizes an interprofessional team comprised of a Medical Director, licensed MDs, DOs, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and licensed pharmacists. Our Care Team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for support whenever needed.

Communication between you and your healthcare team is of utmost priority. After reviewing your medications and laboratory results, LookMeds uses a patient-centered, holistic approach to determine who would benefit from a GLP-1 receptor agonist and works as a team to optimize patient outcomes. 

LookMeds healthcare professionals conduct routine follow-ups to monitor weight, kidney function, complete blood count, and blood glucose levels. As brand-name tirzepatide medications are in short supply and expensive, LookMeds eliminates this barrier by providing affordable compounded alternatives.

Explore how compounded tirzepatide can help you achieve your health goals through a personalized consultation with a trusted LookMeds licensed clinician.

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†_{Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, and the agency does not verify the safety or effectiveness of compounded drugs.}

*_{Approved drugs & manufacturers:} 

_{WegovyⓇ and OzempicⓇ (Semaglutide) - Novo Nordisk}

_{ZepboundⓇ and MounjaroⓇ (Tirzepatide) - Eli Lilly}