With advances in science, we are learning more and more about the human body and how it functions. We now know which bodily chemicals promote weight gain and which ones promote weight loss. This has led to the discovery of some fairly exciting products that can interact with those pathways and affect someone’s amount of hunger and how the body processes the food that is eaten.
We know that diet and exercise works to promote a healthy weight. However, many people find that they do not have the time or dedication needed to reach their goal weight through diet and exercise alone. Some people may lose weight and find that they get stuck at a certain weight that they just cannot get below.
There are several compounding options available to prescribers and patients for weight loss.
Some Popular Examples:
GLP-1 Injection (AVAILABLE & READY TO COMPOUND)
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists were originally developed to treat diabetes and were found to cause weight loss in patients taking them. GLP-1 agonists have been shown to decrease food intake by slowing down gastric emptying. A GLP-1 agonist received FDA approval as a weight loss medication for overweight patients in June 2021. These should be used in addition to a diet & exercise program, not in place of a diet & exercise program.
Some GLP-1 agonists are currently on the FDA Drug Shortage list and can be compounded by compounding pharmacies. Rx is required. Your physician can order it for you or we can refer you to a physician familiar with medical weight loss that can order it for you. This is a special product. This is not a manufactured product that is sitting on the shelf ready to dispense. It is prepared to your physician’s specifications after receiving your order. There is a high demand for this product and sometimes there are supply chain issues for the powder. For these reasons, there is currently a 2-6 day turn-around after receiving your order. We make every effort to get this medicine to you quickly, but some things are out of our control. Make sure you send your refill requests in before you run out of medicine. Insurance does not cover this item. Shipping ranges from $28-$50 depending on your location in Georgia. This item must be shipped cold. The box and ice packs alone cost $15. The medication can be picked up at our store with no shipping charge.
GLP-1 Oral Transmucosal Films (CURRENTLY ON BACKORDER 1/3/24)
OTF films are a unique drug delivery system that allows many drugs and peptides to be absorbed through mucous membranes. Peptides similar in size to GLP-1 agonists have been shown to work when given as a transmucosal film. This proprietary system is easy to use. The patient simply folds the film in half and places the film between their cheek and lower gum. The film will slowly dissolve over a few minutes. The patient should refrain from eating or drinking for 30 minutes.
GLP-1 OTF films are supplied in plastic sleeves as 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg oral transmucosal films. The strawberry-bubble gum flavored films are dispensed in a metalized, moisture barrier bag. A DPP-4 inhibitor is added that has been shown to reduce the action of salivary enzymes and enhance GLP-1 production. They are dispensed in multiples of 2.
Our GLP-1 powder is sourced from an FDA licensed distributor in the United States.
GLP-1 agonists should not be prescribed to anyone with an allergy to a GLP-1 agonist. GLP-1 agonists should not be prescribed to anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). GLP-1 agonists should not be prescribed to anyone with a personal history of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Phentermine Slow-Release Capsules
Phentermine is a prescription medication approved for weight loss. It is a central nervous system stimulant that decreases hunger. It is commercially available as a 37.5 mg tablet.
Premier Drugstore offers compounded phentermine capsules formulated in a slow-release formula that releases the drug over 6-8 hours rather than dissolving all at once like the commercially-available tablets. Some people find that absorbing the tablet’s entire day’s worth of phentermine all at once causes jitters and nervousness, so their doctor orders a slow-release capsule for them. Some people have found that they do not need as much phentermine if the drug is released over a longer period of time.
Topiramate can be added to the phentermine for even more benefit. Many combinations are available.
