The polymers used in their preparation can be natural, such as gelatin, chitosan, silk fibroin, zein, and collagen, or synthetic, such as poly(-caprolactone), polyglycolide, and polylactic acid [166, 167]
When semaglutide or tirzepatide is on this list, compounding pharmacies have clear legal authority to produce these medications
Common reasons include: metabolic adaptation as the body becomes more efficient reduced calorie deficit as weight decreases appetite hormones adjusting over time changes in body composition lifestyle factors such as sleep and stress When progress slows, adjusting treatment may help support continued results
But as demand soared, so did compounded versions of these drugs from pharmacies and online providers who offered cheaper alternatives with little clinical oversight