Patient Shares Surprising Differences Between Compounded and Brand-Name GLP-1 Medications

A recent online video by content creator Jersey Justyna sheds light on the varying experiences individuals may have with compounded GLP-1 medications compared to their brand-name counterparts. Justyna, who has personally used both compounded tirzepatide and semaglutide, as well as brand-name Mounjaro and Zepbound, shared her observations on their effectiveness and side effects. According to Justyna, the 'beyond use date' (BUD) of compounded medications significantly impacted their longevity and efficacy. She noted that a compounded medication with a 30-day BUD only lasted about five days for her, while a nine-month BUD version provided longer-lasting effects. She also detailed different side effects: Mounjaro caused dry mouth, sulfur burps, and constipation, whereas compounded semaglutide led to what she described as 'food noise,' resulting in overeating and weight gain. She even conducted a self-experiment with a saline placebo, which confirmed the return of intense food noise and rapid weight gain. Justyna emphasized that not all compounded pharmacies are the same and suggested that individuals experiencing a 'stall' in their progress or adverse effects might consider trying a different compounding pharmacy. She also highlighted the importance of the injection site, noting that injecting above her belly button yielded the best appetite suppression for her. Her experience underscores the individual variability in response to these medications and the potential differences between compounded and brand-name formulations.