The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against using compounded semaglutide for treating diabetes or obesity. Compounded drugs are custom-made by mixing or altering ingredients to meet individual patient needs, often due to shortages of FDA-approved medications like Wegovy and Ozempic. However, the FDA has raised concerns about potential side effects from compounded semaglutide, which may contain different forms of the active ingredient, such as semaglutide sodium or semaglutide acetate. These forms have not been proven safe or effective. The FDA has received reports of adverse events from patients using compounded semaglutide but has not specified the number or types of side effects. High sodium levels in the body, a potential risk from these compounds, can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Medical experts also caution against using these compounded forms due to the lack of rigorous clinical trials and quality control. Instead, patients struggling to obtain semaglutide should consider alternative FDA-approved medications for weight loss or diabetes management. Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists, which help with weight loss and diabetes management by mimicking a hormone that curbs hunger and regulates blood sugar. Other FDA-approved GLP-1 agonists include liraglutide (Victoza) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro). Patients should only obtain semaglutide with a prescription from a licensed pharmacy and avoid unregulated online sources to ensure safety and quality.