FDA and Indian doctors flag safety risks of compounded GLP‑1 drugs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned that compounded semaglutide and other GLP‑1 weight‑loss medications may contain unapproved active ingredients, additives such as B vitamins, levocarnitine or glycine, and unsafe salt forms, raising concerns about purity, sterility and overall safety. The agency advises patients to verify that compounding pharmacies source active ingredients from FDA‑registered facilities and provide transparent testing results.

In India, dermatologists are reporting a surge in hair loss, dubbed “Ozempic Hair,” among users of GLP‑1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. Dr Gaurav Garg and Dr Neetu Bhari explain that rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies trigger telogen effluvium, causing significant shedding in roughly 40 % of patients seen in clinics. They warn that unsupervised or over‑the‑counter use of these medications, driven by social‑media trends, amplifies the problem.