Dr.AddMedPHL said:

Compounded has been just as effective for me.

Price comparison for compounded supply across sources I've used:

I use the 503B option — best balance of quality, cost, and legality. The brand price is insane but insurance can help if you qualify.

A1cHero_PHX said:

Agreed, and the enforcement dates were staggered by category — 503A first, 503B a few weeks later — because outsourcing facilities have manufactured…

Thank you — that is the clearest version of this I have read, and I have read a lot of them. Sending this to two other people who asked me the same thing last week.

Dr.AddMedPHL said:

Compounded has been just as effective for me.

For compounded supply users considering compounded for the first time: here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Get a prescription from your doctor (telehealth counts)
2. Research 503B compounding pharmacies with good community reviews
3. Verify their FDA registration and inspection history
4. Request a COA for your specific compound before ordering
5. Start with a 1-month supply to test
6. Consider sending a sample to Janoshik for independent verification
7. Track your response compared to brand (if you were on it previously)

PharmHunterJen said:

Two pharmacies quoted me last year, one describing itself as 503A and one as 503B, and I assumed 503B just meant bigger until both stopped within…

Regarding compounded supply compounding legality: compounding pharmacies can legally produce semaglutide and tirzepatide while these drugs remain on the FDA shortage list. If/when the shortage resolves, the legal landscape may change.

Stay informed. The FDA shortage list is updated regularly. Current status as of my last check: semaglutide still in shortage, tirzepatide removed from shortage list. This directly impacts compounding availability.

Moderator note: the sourcing question belongs in the vendor section and has been split out. Thread quality here is what the rules are for. Keep it up.