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Updated April 2026

Compounded Semaglutide vs Compounded Tirzepatide

The two compounded GLP-1 options compared. Both available via telehealth without insurance — but they use different molecules with different outcomes.

14.9%

Avg weight loss Compounded Semaglutide

19.9%

Avg weight loss Compounded Tirzepatide

$90/mo

Monthly retail without insurance

$99

Lowest price via telehealth

Overview

What are they?

Both are compounded by licensed pharmacies and require a prescription. Compounded semaglutide uses a single GLP-1 mechanism; compounded tirzepatide adds GIP receptor activation for stronger outcomes.

Compounded Semaglutide

Type 2 Diabetes

Semaglutide compounded by licensed pharmacies under prescriber supervision. Uses the same active molecule as Ozempic and Wegovy at equivalent doses — not individually FDA-approved, but widely available via telehealth without insurance.

Maker

Licensed Pharmacies

Approved

Format

Weekly injection

Max dose

2.4 mg

Compounded Tirzepatide

Weight Management

Tirzepatide compounded by licensed pharmacies under prescriber supervision. Uses the same dual GIP/GLP-1 molecule as Mounjaro and Zepbound — not individually FDA-approved, but available via telehealth at a fraction of the branded cost.

Maker

Licensed Pharmacies

Approved

Format

Weekly injection

Max dose

15 mg

Side by side

Quick comparison

How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.

Active ingredient

Compounded Semaglutide

Semaglutide

Compounded Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide

FDA approved for

Compounded Semaglutide

Compounded / Off-Label

Compounded Tirzepatide

Compounded / Off-Label

Max dose

Compounded Semaglutide

2.4 mg

Compounded Tirzepatide

15 mg

Avg weight loss

Compounded Semaglutide

~15%

Compounded Tirzepatide

~20%

Administration

Compounded Semaglutide

Weekly injection

Compounded Tirzepatide

Weekly injection

Insurance

Compounded Semaglutide

Not covered

Compounded Tirzepatide

Not covered

Retail price/mo

Compounded Semaglutide

$99/mo

Compounded Tirzepatide

From $149/mo

Telehealth price

Compounded Semaglutide

From $99/mo

Compounded Tirzepatide

From $149/mo

18.2 lbs

2 months

Dosing schedule

How you ramp up

Both medications use a gradual dose escalation to minimize side effects.

Compounded Semaglutide

  1. 1

    0.25 mg

    Weeks 1–4

  2. 2

    0.5 mg

    Weeks 5–8

  3. 3

    1.0 mg

    Weeks 9–12

  4. 4

    1.7 mg

    Weeks 13–16

  5. 5

    2.4 mg

    Weeks 17+

    (Maintenance)

Compounded Tirzepatide

  1. 1

    2.5 mg

    Weeks 1–4

  2. 2

    5 mg

    Weeks 5–8

  3. 3

    7.5 mg

    Weeks 9–12

  4. 4

    10 mg

    Weeks 13–16

  5. 5

    12.5 mg

    Weeks 17–20

  6. 6

    15 mg

    Weeks 21+

    (Maintenance)

Cost breakdown

What you’ll pay

Real pricing — no misleading teaser rates or hidden fees.

Best value
Compounded Semaglutide

Compounded
Semaglutide

Retail (no insurance)
$99/mo
With insurance
Not covered
Telehealth (compounded)
From $99/mo
Manufacturer savings
N/A

Special offer

Save up to 30% EVERY month!

Compounded Tirzepatide

Compounded
Tirzepatide

Retail (no insurance)
From $149/mo
With insurance
Not covered
Telehealth (compounded)
From $149/mo
Manufacturer savings
N/A

Special offer

Save up to 30% EVERY month!

Weight loss result: 43.7lbs in 6 months

43.7 lbs

6 months

Real-world results

Weight loss compared

Clinical trial data showing average body weight reduction over 68 weeks.

Compounded Semaglutide (2.4 mg)

15%

Compounded Tirzepatide (15 mg)

20%

Placebo

2.4%
Side effects

What to expect

How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.

Nausea

Compounded Semaglutide

28%

Compounded Tirzepatide

26%

Diarrhoea

Compounded Semaglutide

18%

Compounded Tirzepatide

19%

Vomiting

Compounded Semaglutide

13%

Compounded Tirzepatide

16%

Constipation

Compounded Semaglutide

12%

Compounded Tirzepatide

13%

Headache

Compounded Semaglutide

8%

Compounded Tirzepatide

7%

Fatigue

Compounded Semaglutide

4%

Compounded Tirzepatide

5%

Side effects are generally most pronounced during the first 4–8 weeks and tend to subside. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Patient reviews

What people say

Verified experiences from real patients across leading telehealth platforms.

Compounded Semaglutide

4.2

5,203 reviews

Compounded Tirzepatide

4.4

2,847 reviews

Sarah M.Compounded Tirzepatide

Tried compounded semaglutide first — 20 lbs in 4 months. Switched to compounded tirzepatide. Additional 38 lbs in the next 5 months. The cost difference ($129 vs $199) is absolutely worth it.

Verified patient · 5 months on medication

James R.Compounded Semaglutide

Happy with compounded semaglutide at $129/mo. Down 35 lbs in 5 months. No need to spend more on tirzepatide when I’m seeing great results already.

Verified patient · 4 months on medication

Maria L.Compounded Tirzepatide

Both are affordable vs branded. I chose tirzepatide for the clinical data. Down 52 lbs in 7 months at $199/mo. Best cost-per-pound-lost in the market right now.

Verified patient · 7 months total

Our take

The bottom line

Same molecule, different use cases. Here’s how to think about it.

Choose based on your goal

  • Choose Compounded Semaglutide if you’re starting out and want the most affordable GLP-1 option — results are strong, risks are well understood, and costs start from $99/month.
  • Choose Compounded Tirzepatide if you’re willing to spend slightly more for the dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism — clinical data consistently shows 5–7 percentage points more weight loss vs semaglutide.
  • Either way use a licensed compounding pharmacy and a prescriber who monitors your progress with regular check-ins and dose adjustments.
Common questions

What you
need to know

Clinical data suggests tirzepatide, which targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, typically produces 5–7 percentage points more weight loss than semaglutide alone. Our comparison shows average body weight reduction of roughly 20% on compounded tirzepatide versus 15% on compounded semaglutide over 68 weeks. That said, “more effective” depends on your goals, tolerance at higher doses, and budget — a licensed provider can help weigh the trade-offs.

Both have broadly similar safety profiles when prescribed and monitored by a licensed provider. Reported side effects — nausea, digestive discomfort, headache, fatigue — are comparable across both, and tend to ease after the first 4–8 weeks as your body adjusts. Compounded versions carry the same clinical risks as their branded counterparts when dispensed by a licensed compounding pharmacy under prescriber supervision.

Compounded semaglutide typically starts around $99/month via telehealth. Compounded tirzepatide starts around $149/month. Higher dose tiers push both upward — patients at the top of the ramp report paying closer to $129/month for semaglutide and $199/month for tirzepatide. Neither is covered by insurance, since compounded preparations aren’t individually FDA-approved.

Start with compounded semaglutide if you want the most affordable entry point and a well-established side-effect profile. Consider compounded tirzepatide if you’re willing to spend slightly more for the dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism and the higher average weight loss it tends to produce. Either way, a licensed provider will match you to the right starting dose based on your health history and goals.

Yes. Both compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Compounded medications are prepared by licensed compounding pharmacies for individual patients, under medical supervision — so a consultation is required before you can start.

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