ATLANTA — It’s a popular drug that millions of people take to lose weight, but the federal government and doctors are warning users about some versions. It’s about a drug called Ozempic.
The FDA says improperly mixed drugs can have serious consequences.
channel 2 action news I visited several weight loss clinics across metro Atlanta that said they sell compounded versions of the drug.
She said taking the compounded version is a risk she’s willing to take to reach her goal weight.
“I am taking semaglutideOzempic,” Ivanna Parra said.
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“It was great. I lost 15 pounds,” Parra said.
She is like countless others who have tried dieting and exercising. She said her next best option was to go to a weight loss clinic and get a combination of Ozempic.
“I wanted to lose weight,” Parra said.
made by a pharmacy Contains Ozempic By combining two or more drugs.
The FDA has allowed this because Ozempic is in short supply, but it has not approved the combination version.
“The problem with someone buying a random mix of Ozempic is that they are injecting it into their body without knowing the hygiene,” said Shabir Safdar, the nonprofit’s executive director. To tell. Partnership for safe medicines.
He said the problem could be with the ingredients used by pharmacies.
“The FDA has warned that many compounding pharmacies are actually formulating compounds using unapproved starting ingredients,” Safdar said.
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The FDA said it has received reports that some compounders are using a different salt form of the drug than the FDA-approved drug.
“In fact, we are seeing Americans go into hypoglycemic shock and comas in some cases,” Safdar said.
we, channel 2 action news Producers went to four different weight loss clinics in metro Atlanta to see if they offered compounded medications.
“So do you guys actually have Ozempic?” the producer asked the receptionist at a weight loss clinic in Douglasville.
“Yes, that’s Ozempic. It’s just a compounded version,” the worker said. “I’ll put four of these in a Ziploc bag, write the lot number and your name, and send it to you.”
“Okay, that’s great. OK, so I didn’t say Ozempic either,” the producer said.
Our producer had a similar experience at a weight loss center in Fayetteville.
“Is that a compound called Ozempic?” our producer asked the worker.
The worker nodded, “Yes.”
“Okay, so is it FDA approved?” the producer asked.
The worker nodded, “Yes.”
“Okay, you’re right,” said the producer.
channel 2 action news We contacted all four clinics for comment on this story, and only First Doctors Weight Loss responded:
“All of our drug sources are fully licensed by the State of Georgia and comply with the state’s pharmacy laws. Additionally, First Doctors Weight Loss sends all medications to an outside, independent laboratory prior to dispensing. We exceed our requirements by proving the purity of our products.”
“Well, you can do it safely. It’s not the recommended route,” Safdar said.
The FDA said the salt form of the drug does not meet compounding standards. If you use an online pharmacy, the FDA says you can verify that it is legal by: Please click here.
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