Semaglutide is an FDA-approved class of medications belonging to glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It acts like a hormone in your digestive system and helps regulate blood sugar levels and control appetite.
Currently, three FDA-approved semaglutide products are available: Ozempic injections, Wegovy injections, and Rybelsus tablets.
The FDA approves these three products for treating various conditions, and Alaska Premier Health offers both Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss when appropriate. However, some facilities choose to use compounded versions of these medications.
What is drug compounding, and why should you avoid it?
Drug compounding is the process of customizing medications for individual patients, but these compounded drugs are not FDA-approved. The FDA has not verified the safety and effectiveness of such practices, and using these non-approved medications has resulted in the FDA receiving adverse event reports.
At Alaska Premier Health, we prioritize your well-being and only prescribe FDA-approved medications, which include Wegovy and Ozempic. By following high medical practice standards, we can provide you with the safest and most effective weight loss and weight management treatment options.
Patients may be driven to explore facilities offering compounded medications due to factors like global shortages affecting Wegovy and Ozempic, inadequate insurance coverage, and more lenient screening practices. These factors create a situation where obtaining compounded medications becomes tempting for patients.
However, you have alternative weight loss options available through Alaska Premier Health.
Other safe and effective weight loss solutions
We’re the only clinic in Alaska that combines Wegovy or Ozempic (when appropriate) with Optifast, a medically designed meal replacement system to facilitate weight loss. In fact, Optifast can deliver tremendous success in helping patients achieve significant weight loss even without the use of medication. We also offer numerous weight loss medications apart from GLP-1 options which are all FDA-approved.
At Alaska Premier Health, we work with our patients individually to provide behavioral counseling, exercise management, and customized meal plans to create long-term weight loss success.
Your health and safety are our top priorities. Rest assured that we will guide you through the best treatment options and support you every step of the way.
