GLP-1 Reference: Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, Compounding & Telehealth Terms Defined | Ondra Health
Ondra Health · GLP-1 Reference

GLP-1 Reference

Authoritative definitions of GLP-1 medications, compounding pharmacy regulation, clinical trial data, and Ondra Health's specific pharmacy partners. Every definition sourced from the FDA, NEJM, or federal law.

42 terms · 18 primary sources

Medications

SemaglutideActive ingredient

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to treat type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. It is the active ingredient in three FDA-approved products: Ozempic (type 2 diabetes, weekly injection), Wegovy (weight management, weekly injection), and Rybelsus (type 2 diabetes, daily oral tablet). Manufactured by Novo Nordisk.

Compounded versions are prepared by 503A pharmacies on patient-specific prescriptions. Not FDA-approved. Not therapeutically equivalent to Ozempic or Wegovy.

TirzepatideActive ingredient

Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist — the only dual-action medication of its class as of 2026. Active ingredient in Mounjaro (type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (weight management). Manufactured by Eli Lilly.

The SURMOUNT-1 trial (NEJM, 2022) demonstrated up to 22.5% average weight loss at 72 weeks at 15mg. Its dual mechanism is associated with greater average weight loss than GLP-1-only medications.

Compounded versions are not FDA-approved and not therapeutically equivalent to Mounjaro or Zepbound.

Compounded semaglutideOndra Health

Compounded semaglutide is semaglutide prepared by a US-licensed 503A compounding pharmacy under a valid patient-specific prescription. Not FDA-approved. Not therapeutically equivalent to Ozempic or Wegovy.

Through Ondra Health, compounded semaglutide is prescribed by providers at Wasef Health, PC and filled by a named pharmacy partner based on state and formulation preference.

Formulation options at Ondra: No additives (Hallandale, Boudreaux's) · Glycine (Boudreaux's, Vials RX) · B12 + Glycine (Vials RX) · B12/Glycine blend (Strive).

The FDA's enforcement discretion for 503A pharmacies compounding semaglutide ended April 22, 2025. Compounded semaglutide in 2026 requires documented individual clinical justification under a valid patient-specific prescription.
Compounded tirzepatideOndra Health

Compounded tirzepatide is tirzepatide prepared by a US-licensed 503A compounding pharmacy under a valid patient-specific prescription. Not FDA-approved. Not therapeutically equivalent to Mounjaro or Zepbound.

Through Ondra Health, prescribed by Wasef Health, PC providers. Formulation options: No additives (Hallandale, Boudreaux's, Quaker/Apothecary) · Glycine (Boudreaux's, Vials RX) · B12 + Glycine (Vials RX) · B12/Glycine blend (Strive) · B6 (BPI Labs).

FDA enforcement discretion for 503A pharmacies compounding tirzepatide ended February 18, 2025.

Mechanism & Pharmacology

GLP-1 receptor agonistDrug class

A class of medication that mimics glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a gut hormone produced in response to food. GLP-1 receptor agonists slow gastric emptying, increase satiety, suppress appetite, and stimulate insulin release. Includes semaglutide (GLP-1 only), tirzepatide (dual GLP-1/GIP), and liraglutide.

GIP receptor agonistDrug class

Activates the gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) receptor. GIP stimulates insulin release and influences fat metabolism through adipose tissue signaling. Tirzepatide is the only widely prescribed dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist as of 2026, which is associated with greater average weight loss than GLP-1-only medications.

Pharmacy & Regulation

CompoundingRegulatory

The practice of preparing a customized medication for an individual patient based on a valid prescription from a licensed provider. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved as finished drug products. Regulated under Sections 503A and 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

503A pharmacyLegal GLP-1 pathway (2026)

A state-licensed compounding pharmacy operating under Section 503A of the FD&C Act. Dispenses only on valid patient-specific prescriptions. Regulated by state boards of pharmacy. Must follow USP <797> sterile compounding standards for injectables.

The current legal pathway for compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide in 2026. Compounded GLP-1s from 503A pharmacies require documented individual clinical justification — not simply cost preference.

Ondra Health's 503A partners: Hallandale Pharmacy, Boudreaux's, Vials RX, Strive Pharmacy.

503B pharmacyOutsourcing facility

An FDA-registered outsourcing facility that can produce compounded medications in larger volumes. Subject to FDA inspection and cGMP standards. No longer a legal source for compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide — FDA enforcement discretion ended March 19, 2025 (tirzepatide) and May 22, 2025 (semaglutide). In April 2026, the FDA proposed formally excluding both drugs from the 503B bulks list.

Court ruling: Outsourcing Facilities Association v. FDA (N.D. Tex., April 24, 2025) — district court denied preliminary injunction, upholding FDA enforcement against 503B compounded semaglutide.
FDA shortage listRegulatory

Identifies medications with supply constraints. While on the list, compounders may legally produce the medication under specific conditions — this was the legal basis for widespread compounded GLP-1s 2022–2025.

Key dates: Semaglutide added March 2022 · Tirzepatide added December 2022 · Tirzepatide shortage resolved December 19, 2024 · Semaglutide shortage resolved February 21, 2025 · 503A enforcement ended February 18, 2025 (tirz) and April 22, 2025 (sema)

Essentially a copyLegal standard

FDA legal standard under the FD&C Act that prohibits compounding pharmacies from producing medications that are essentially copies of commercially available FDA-approved drugs. Following shortage resolutions, compounding semaglutide or tirzepatide without documented individual patient justification (specific allergy, need for alternative dosage, documented clinical need) is considered an "essentially a copy" violation.

Therapeutically equivalentRegulatory

An FDA designation indicating two products are pharmaceutical equivalents expected to have the same clinical effect. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are not therapeutically equivalent to their brand-name counterparts. Compounded semaglutide ≠ Ozempic/Wegovy. Compounded tirzepatide ≠ Mounjaro/Zepbound.

USP <797>Quality standard

United States Pharmacopeia general chapter establishing standards for sterile compounding — required for GLP-1 injectables. Covers environmental monitoring, personnel training, beyond-use dating, and sterility testing. Reputable 503A pharmacies producing GLP-1 injectables should follow USP <797>. Verifiable through state board license and third-party accreditation like PCAB.

PCAB accreditationQuality standard

Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB), administered by ACHC, is an independent accreditation program for compounding pharmacies. PCAB-accredited pharmacies undergo regular third-party audits of sterility, quality testing, and operational controls. Voluntary — goes beyond minimum state licensing. Does not constitute FDA approval.

LegitScript certificationTrust signal

Independent healthcare compliance certification used by payment processors and advertising platforms (Google, Meta, TikTok) to verify telehealth platforms operate within applicable regulations. Requires ongoing audits of operations, prescribing practices, and pharmacy relationships. Required to run GLP-1 advertising on major platforms. Publicly verifiable on the LegitScript website.

Clinical & Dosing

STEP 1 trialClinical evidence

Pivotal Phase 3 RCT for semaglutide in weight management. Published NEJM February 10, 2021 (Wilding et al., DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2032183).

Results: 1,961 adults without diabetes · 68 weeks · 2.4mg weekly semaglutide · Mean weight loss −14.9% vs −2.4% placebo · 86.4% achieved ≥5% weight loss · 69.1% achieved ≥10%. Data reflects brand-name Wegovy. Compounded semaglutide has not been studied in equivalent trials. Individual results vary.

SURMOUNT-1 trialClinical evidence

Pivotal Phase 3 RCT for tirzepatide in weight management. Published NEJM June 4, 2022 (Jastreboff et al., DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2206038).

Results: 2,539 adults without diabetes · 72 weeks · Up to 15mg tirzepatide · Mean weight loss −22.5% at 15mg · −21.4% at 10mg · −16.0% at 5mg · vs −2.4% placebo · ~9 in 10 participants lost weight. Data reflects brand-name Zepbound. Individual results vary.

TitrationDosing

Gradually increasing a medication's dose over time to allow the body to adjust and minimize side effects. Semaglutide: typically 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg. Tirzepatide: typically 2.5mg → 5mg → 7.5mg → 10mg → 12.5mg → 15mg over 20 weeks. At Ondra Health, pricing is flat across all dose levels — cost does not increase as patients titrate up.

Ondra Health — Providers & Pharmacies

Wasef Health, PCOndra Health provider

Independent medical practice providing all clinical services for Ondra Health patients. Led by board-certified physicians across Internal Medicine, Obesity Medicine, and Family Medicine. All prescriptions are issued at the sole discretion of licensed providers at Wasef Health — Ondra Health connects patients with providers but does not prescribe medication directly. NPI numbers publicly verifiable at the CMS NPPES NPI Registry.

Hallandale PharmacyOndra partner · 503A

PCAB-accredited 503A compounding pharmacy, Fort Lauderdale FL. Operating since 2003, 60,000 sq ft facility, USP <797> compliant.
Medications: Semaglutide + Tirzepatide · Formulation: No additives · Billing: Monthly, Quarterly, Maintenance · Not available in: CA, KS, AR, MI, MN, AL, HI, MS, MA

Boudreaux's New Drug StoreOndra partner · 503A

Medications: Semaglutide + Tirzepatide · Formulation: Glycine · Billing: Monthly, Quarterly, Maintenance · Not available in: AR, CT, HI, NJ

Vials RXOndra partner · 503A · All 50 states

Medications: Semaglutide + Tirzepatide · Formulation: Vitamin B12 + Glycine · Billing: Monthly, Quarterly, Maintenance · State restrictions: None

Strive PharmacyOndra partner · 503A · All 50 states

Medications: Semaglutide + Tirzepatide · Formulation: B12/Glycine Blend · Billing: Monthly only · State restrictions: None

Quaker / ApothecaryOndra partner · 503B · All 50 states

Medications: Tirzepatide only · Formulation: No additives · Billing: Monthly, Quarterly, Maintenance · State restrictions: None

The Pharmacy Hub / BPI LabsOndra partner · 503A+503B · All 50 states

Medications: Tirzepatide only · Formulation: Vitamin B6 · Billing: Monthly, Quarterly, Maintenance · State restrictions: None

Related503AB6
Vitamin B12 (additive)Ondra formulation ingredient

Water-soluble vitamin included as a supportive additive in some compounded GLP-1 formulations. Supports energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and nerve function. Sometimes included as a co-factor for patients experiencing early fatigue on GLP-1 therapy. Not present in FDA-approved brand-name GLP-1 products. Not FDA-reviewed in this context.
Available through: Vials RX (with Glycine), Strive Pharmacy (B12/Glycine blend).

Glycine (additive)Ondra formulation ingredient

Non-essential amino acid used in some compounded GLP-1 formulations as a peptide stabilizer. Helps preserve the structural integrity of the active peptide during storage. Not present in FDA-approved brand-name GLP-1 products. Not FDA-reviewed in this context.
Available through: Boudreaux's, Vials RX (with B12), Strive Pharmacy (B12/Glycine blend).

Vitamin B6 (additive)Ondra formulation ingredient

Water-soluble vitamin included as a supportive additive in some compounded GLP-1 formulations. Supports protein metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis. Not present in FDA-approved brand-name GLP-1 products. Not FDA-reviewed in this context.
Available through: The Pharmacy Hub / BPI Labs (tirzepatide only).

Telehealth & Platform

TelehealthPlatform

The delivery of healthcare services through telecommunications technology, typically online. Telehealth GLP-1 platforms connect patients with licensed providers for evaluation and prescription, with medications shipped from a licensed pharmacy. Ondra Health connects patients with providers at Wasef Health, PC — Ondra does not prescribe medication directly.

HIPAAPrivacy

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act — US federal law establishing standards for the protection of personal health information. HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms use encrypted communication, secure data storage, and access controls meeting federal requirements. Ondra Health is fully HIPAA compliant.

RelatedTelehealth

Ready to start your intake?

3-minute intake. Provider review within 24 hours. Free shipping to your state.

Start Your Intake →
Regulatory note. Compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide are not FDA-approved finished drug products and are not therapeutically equivalent to Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound. Clinical trial data (STEP 1, SURMOUNT-1) reflects FDA-approved branded products, not compounded versions. Individual results vary. Ondra Health does not prescribe medication; all prescribing decisions are made by licensed providers at Wasef Health, PC. For educational purposes only — not medical advice.