Users turn to compounding pharmacies for cheaper weight loss drugs.

The high cost of weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy, which can run more than $1,000 a month without insurance coverage, is leading some users to turn to compounding pharmacies for cheaper off-brand versions. However, medical experts warn of the risks associated with getting semaglutide or tirzepatide through that route because the compounds can be altered and it's not clear in many cases from where the drugs are sourced. Insurance coverage for the medications varies, and they are not covered for weight loss under most Medicare and Medicaid programs. Eli Lilly, the maker of Mounjaro, expects the medication could be approved by the FDA for weight loss as early as the end of the year.