Start with the distinction
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are different active ingredients. Ozempic is a brand of semaglutide manufactured by Novo Nordisk. They are not interchangeable names for the same product.
Ask about the prescribed product
Your clinician should explain the exact medicine, its intended use, benefits, risks and alternatives. Ozempic’s approved uses concern specified conditions in adults with type 2 diabetes; prescribing it for weight loss is off-label.
Understand compounded medicines
Compounded medicines are not FDA-approved and have not undergone the FDA’s review for safety, effectiveness and quality. Do not assume a compounded formulation is equivalent to an approved branded medicine.