FDA Bans Compounded GLP-1s: How Americans Can Still Access Affordable Mounjaro and Ozempic

FDA Bans Compounded GLP-1s: How Americans Can Still Access Affordable Mounjaro and Ozempic

The FDA has officially put an end to the availability of compounded GLP-1 medications in the United States, including popular drugs like compounded semaglutide (Ozempic) and compounded tirzepatide (Mounjaro). This crackdown affects many Americans who relied on more affordable, custom-mixed versions of these drugs for weight loss and type 2 diabetes.

If you’ve been using a compounded GLP-1 due to the high out-of-pocket costs of the brand-name options, this change may leave you searching for alternatives. But there is good news: You can still access affordable GLP-1s by ordering from Canada—and no insurance is required.

Here’s what you need to know.

Why Did the FDA Ban Compounded Semaglutide and Tirzepatide?

In May 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clarified that compounded versions of Ozempic and Mounjaro are no longer permitted. These medications are no longer listed on the FDA drug shortage list, which had previously allowed compounding pharmacies to produce copies under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The ban was driven by:

  • The resolution of national shortages, according to the FDA.

  • Safety concerns due to inconsistent ingredients and unapproved salt forms being used in compounded semaglutide.

  • Legal pressure from pharmaceutical manufacturers who hold patents on the brand-name drugs.

For many patients, this abrupt change is causing anxiety. If your clinic or telehealth provider has informed you that you can no longer refill your compounded GLP-1, you’re not alone.

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Canada Offers a Safer, More Affordable Alternative

The good news is that Canada still provides access to the original, brand-name GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro and Ozempic—at a fraction of the U.S. cost.

Unlike in the U.S., Canada:

  • Enforces price controls to keep drug costs affordable.

  • Offers semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) directly from the manufacturers (Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly).

  • Does not require you to have Canadian insurance or a Canadian prescription (US prescription needed)

Americans can legally import up to a 90-day supply of medications for personal use from Canada. This means you can continue your treatment safely and affordably—without compounded substitutes.

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How to Order Mounjaro or Ozempic from Canada

Online prescription referral services like Over the Border Meds make the process easy for U.S. patients.

Here’s how it works:

1. Get a valid U.S. prescription from your healthcare provider.

2. Visit Over the Border Meds and place your order for Mounjaro or Ozempic.

3. Upload your prescription or have your clinic fax it.

4. The referral service will connect you to a licensed Canadian pharmacy to fill and ship your medication.

Delivery typically takes 1-3 business days, with expedited options now available.

What Are the Cost Savings for Americans?

The price difference is substantial. Here’s a comparison of approximate costs:

MedicationU.S. Price (Without Insurance)Canadian Price (via Over the Border Meds)
Mounjaro (any strength)$1,200+$569-799 USD
Ozempic 0.25–1 mg pens$900+$419.99 USD

You save hundreds by ordering the brand-name medication from Canada—and you receive the original product, not a compounded version. Many patients can save over $5,000 per year by making this switch.

Why Ordering from Canada Is a Better Long-Term Strategy

Many Americans turned to compounded GLP-1s because brand-name medications were out of reach. But compounded drugs came with major concerns:

  • Quality inconsistency

  • Incorrect salt forms

  • No manufacturer oversight

  • Limited clinical trial safety

With the FDA’s new ban, it’s clear the safest and most cost-effective option moving forward is to buy GLP-1s directly from Canada through a prescription referral service.

Over the Border Meds has helped thousands of U.S. patients get access to Health Canada-approved medications, including semaglutide and tirzepatide. You don’t need to worry about fake or substandard compounds—and our pharmacists are available to support you with dosing questions, click-counting for microdosing, and more.

What’s Next for Patients Losing Access to Compounded GLP-1s?

If you’ve been told that your compounded tirzepatide or semaglutide will no longer be available, here are your next steps:

  • Ask your provider for a new prescription for Mounjaro or Ozempic.

  • Contact Over the Border Meds to start your order and upload your prescription.

  • Explore coupon codes and microdosing strategies to save even more.

  • Get help from our pharmacy team if you’re unsure how to transition.

You don’t need to stop your treatment—you just need a new path forward.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let the Ban Disrupt Your Care

The FDA ban on compounded GLP-1s is real and already affecting thousands of Americans. But this doesn’t mean your access to semaglutide or tirzepatide has to end.

Ordering from Canada is not only safe—it’s one of the smartest ways to continue your treatment at a sustainable cost. With help from Over the Border Meds, you can switch from compounded products to brand-name Mounjaro or Ozempic, without paying U.S. pharmacy prices.