The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is tracking hundreds of reports involving compounded weight-loss medicines and unapproved peptide products that are being widely sold online, according to a recent report.
Health experts say some of these products are being marketed for weight loss, muscle building, and recovery, but have not been approved for human use and may carry serious risks.
Rising use of weight-loss drugs and peptides
In recent years, demand for GLP-1 drugs — used to treat diabetes and obesity — has increased sharply. Medicines such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are among the approved treatments used under medical supervision.
Alongside this growth, there has been a rise in “compounded” versions of these drugs and other peptide-based products. Compounded medicines are prepared by pharmacies for individual patients but are not reviewed or approved by the FDA for safety and effectiveness.
Some peptides are also being sold online with labels such as “research use only” or “not for human consumption,” but are still being promoted for weight loss and muscle growth.
Hundreds of adverse reports under review
The FDA has received hundreds of adverse event reports linked to compounded GLP-1 drugs. These include nearly 990 reports involving compounded semaglutide and more than 730 involving compounded tirzepatide, according to figures cited in the report.
The agency says these reports do not prove the drugs directly caused all the problems, but warns that some cases have involved dosing errors and hospitalisations.
Officials also say the true number of incidents may be higher, as not all cases are reported.
Experts warn of safety and legal risks
Health specialists say the growing availability of unregulated products is creating confusion among consumers.
Shabbir Imber Safdar, executive director of Partnerships for Safe Medicines, warned that some consumers are being misled by online advertising.
He said that products such as certain peptides and experimental compounds are not legally approved for distribution for human use in many cases, despite being widely marketed.
Experts also caution that short online consultations or quick prescriptions may not provide enough medical oversight for powerful weight-loss medications.
Advice to consumers
Health authorities are urging people to be cautious before using compounded drugs or peptide products.
They recommend checking:
- why a compounded version is being prescribed
- which pharmacy is producing the medicine
- whether the product is approved for human use
- and whether proper medical supervision is in place
Experts say patients should consult qualified healthcare professionals and avoid products marketed without clear regulatory approval.