A common assumption
Are all peptides the same kind of care?
Peptides are short chains of the pieces that form proteins. Insulin belongs to that group.
The name “peptide” gives no assurance about safety or approval. A
A common assumption
What does an approved medicine mean?
FDA reviews medicines for specific uses; the initials stand for Food and Drug Administration.
Among semaglutide products with FDA approval, Ozempic treats type 2 diabetes; Wegovy is used for weight loss.
Tirzepatide has FDA-approved products, including Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss. B
Ask whether the medicine is a pill or an injection, and what health problem it would treat. Ask why that product fits your needs.
A common assumption
Is a custom medicine an approved copy?
A compounded medicine is prepared to order; it does not arrive as a finished factory product.
A compounded medicine has not had the FDA’s review of its safety, results or quality before sale. A
A generic is an approved counterpart to a medicine that has a brand name.
No generic form of either semaglutide or tirzepatide had full US marketing approval at the September 26, 2026 check. B
A common assumption
What about a “research use only” label?
FDA cautions against research-labelled weight-loss products offered to people for treatment. These products may cause harm, and their quality remains unknown. C
Write the product’s full name in your notes. Ask the clinician to explain its status in words you can repeat back.