The high price of Ozempic is pushing many to unregulated, copycat drugs for weight loss

Compounding pharmacies mix and alter drug ingredients to create medications tailored to specific patient needs.

Some people are seeking alternatives to the brand name medications Ozempic and Wegovy, both of which contain the active ingredient semaglutide.

Compounding drugs are not themselves approved by the FDA, meaning they are not regulated, monitored or tested.

Compounding pharmacies are offering semaglutide as a form of weight loss drug.

Compounding may not be thoroughly evaluated by FDA, McGowan says.

Patients should be "very careful" when considering any form of compounded medication, he says.

The FDA says the ingredients they are using may not have been thoroughly evaluated.