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Study · Not a test of the peptide alone · 2025

5 results

Compounded glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight loss: the direct-to-consumer market in Colorado.

DiStefano MJ, Dardouri M, Moore GD, Saseen JJ, Nair KV

Journal of pharmaceutical policy and practice24 Dec 2024Cited by 7 (Europe PMC)

PMID39776466 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC11703442 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1080/20523211.2024.2441220 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-39776466
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Summary

BackgroundHigh prices and other access barriers have contributed to the rise of a market for compounded glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight loss in the United States. This market has not been systematically studied. We conducted a pilot study to assess the prevalence, characteristics, and advertising content of direct-to-consumer providers of compounded glucagon-like peptide-1 products for weight loss in Colorado.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of websites advertising compounded glucagon-like peptide-1 products for weight loss in Colorado. Websites were identified using Google searches focused on census-defined statistical areas. Searches were conducted between March 21 and April 12, 2024. Data collected from websites included physical addresses, business type, highest reported staff credential, advertised glucagon-like peptide-1 products, whether businesses referred to Food and Drug Administration approval when describing products, and whether businesses referred to products as 'generic'.ResultsWe identified 93 business websites advertising compounded glucagon-like peptide-1 products for weight loss corresponding to 188 physical locations throughout Colorado. Most businesses were self-categorized as medical/health spas (33/93) or weight loss services (26/93). Advertised products included semaglutide (92/93), tirzepatide (40/93), liraglutide (2/93), and retatrutide (1/93). Advertised combination products included B vitamins (8/93), levocarnitine (1/93), mannitol (1/93), BPC-157 (1/93), and glycine (1/93). Seven websites advertised oral formulations. Additionally, 41/93 websites referred to Food and Drug Administration approval in their descriptions of compounded products and 5/93 referred to products as 'generic'.ConclusionThis study identified several instances of unapproved glucagon-like peptide-1 products being compounded and advertised in Colorado. Additionally, 1 product was advertised as compounded with BPC-157, a substance determined by the Food and Drug Administration to be unsafe for compounding. This study also identified numerous examples of misleading claims regarding the regulatory status of compounded glucagon-like peptide-1 products. Regulatory action is needed to ensure the benefits of compounded GLP-1 products outweigh the risks.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study5

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone5

In this study, the peptide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking the peptide.

  1. 01HumanNot a test of Retatrutide aloneObservational studyOther

    Among 93 Colorado business websites advertising compounded GLP-1 products for weight loss, 1 advertised retatrutide.

    In plain wordsAmong 93 Colorado websites selling compounded weight-loss drugs, 1 advertised retatrutide.

    Peptide
    Retatrutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableWebsites advertising retatrutide
    Study

    n = 93

    Outcome group
    Product quality and purity · Pharmacology

    Measurements

    Websites advertising retatrutide
    1 of 93 websites
    Colorado

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Advertised products included semaglutide (92/93), tirzepatide (40/93), liraglutide (2/93), and retatrutide (1/93).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We conducted a cross-sectional study of websites advertising compounded glucagon-like peptide-1 products for weight loss in Colorado.

    In this study, Retatrutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Retatrutide.

  2. 02HumanNot a test of BPC-157 aloneObservational studyOther

    Among 93 Colorado business websites advertising compounded GLP-1 products for weight loss, 1 advertised a combination product that contained BPC‑157.

    In plain wordsAmong 93 Colorado websites selling compounded weight-loss drugs, 1 advertised a product mixed with BPC‑157.

    Peptide
    BPC-157
    Outcome
    Not applicableWebsites advertising a compounded product with BPC-157
    Study

    n = 93

    Outcome group
    Product quality and purity · Pharmacology

    Measurements

    Websites advertising BPC-157 combination
    1 of 93 websites
    Colorado

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Advertised combination products included B vitamins (8/93), levocarnitine (1/93), mannitol (1/93), BPC-157 (1/93), and glycine (1/93).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    1 product was advertised as compounded with BPC-157, a substance determined by the Food and Drug Administration to be unsafe for compounding.
    Summary · context
    We conducted a cross-sectional study of websites advertising compounded glucagon-like peptide-1 products for weight loss in Colorado.

    In this study, BPC-157 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking BPC-157.

  3. 03HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneObservational studyOther

    In a survey of 93 Colorado business websites, 92 advertised compounded semaglutide for weight loss.

    In plain wordsIn a survey of 93 Colorado business websites, 92 advertised compounded semaglutide for weight loss.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableAdvertisement of compounded product
    Study

    n = 93

    Outcome group
    Product quality and purity · Whole body

    Measurements

    websites advertising semaglutide
    92 of 93
    Colorado websites

    Source sentences

    Summary
    semaglutide (92/93)
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We conducted a cross-sectional study of websites advertising compounded glucagon-like peptide-1 products for weight loss in Colorado.

    In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.

  4. 04HumanNot a test of Tirzepatide aloneObservational studyOther

    In a survey of 93 Colorado business websites, 40 advertised compounded tirzepatide for weight loss.

    In plain wordsIn a survey of 93 Colorado business websites, 40 advertised compounded tirzepatide for weight loss.

    Peptide
    Tirzepatide
    Outcome
    Not applicableAdvertisement of compounded product
    Study

    n = 93

    Outcome group
    Product quality and purity · Whole body

    Measurements

    websites advertising tirzepatide
    40 of 93
    Colorado websites

    Source sentences

    Summary
    tirzepatide (40/93)
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We conducted a cross-sectional study of websites advertising compounded glucagon-like peptide-1 products for weight loss in Colorado.

    In this study, Tirzepatide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Tirzepatide.

  5. 05HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneObservational studyOther

    In a survey of 93 Colorado business websites, 2 advertised compounded liraglutide for weight loss.

    In plain wordsIn a survey of 93 Colorado business websites, 2 advertised compounded liraglutide for weight loss.

    Peptide
    Liraglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableAdvertisement of compounded product
    Study

    n = 93

    Outcome group
    Product quality and purity · Whole body

    Measurements

    websites advertising liraglutide
    2 of 93
    Colorado websites

    Source sentences

    Summary
    liraglutide (2/93)
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We conducted a cross-sectional study of websites advertising compounded glucagon-like peptide-1 products for weight loss in Colorado.

    In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 7Current

    10 Oct 2026, 08:19 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Versions 2 to 6

    9 Oct 2026, 03:07 UTC

    The same notice was added 5 times, first on 9 Oct 2026, 03:03 UTC. The status did not change between them.

    Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC

  3. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 02:56 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

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