Questions to Ask Before Buying a Compounded Medication

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Before you agree

I asked my prescriber whether an FDA-approved medicine could meet my needs.FDA says compounded drugs should only be used in patients whose medical needs cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug.I understand that a compounded drug is not FDA-approved.FDA does not verify the safety, effectiveness or quality of compounded drugs before they are marketed.The prescription is from a licensed provider and written for me.I asked what is in it, why it is compounded, and what I would take if it were not available.

Check the pharmacy

I found the pharmacy in my state board of pharmacy’s license database.If an online pharmacy is not listed, FDA says not to use it. Find your stateIf a 503B outsourcing facility made it, I checked FDA’s list of registered outsourcing facilities.FDA list. See the 503A vs 503B chart.If I am buying online, I researched the pharmacy first.FDA encourages consumers to research an online pharmacy before using it.I know the seller is a pharmacy filling a prescription for me, not a website selling “research” products.A pharmacist can answer my questions, and I know how to reach one.

When it arrives

The label is readable and correctly spelled, and the pharmacy name and address are right.In its GLP-1 guidance, FDA lists spelling errors on the label, incorrect pharmacy addresses, and a pharmacy name that may be fraudulent as warning signs of a telehealth company.The name, strength and directions match my prescription.If it should stay cold, it did not arrive warm or without enough ice packs.For injectable GLP-1 drugs, FDA recommends not using a product that arrives warm or with insufficient refrigeration. For other refrigerated medicines, ask your pharmacist.

After I start

I know how to report a problem: FDA MedWatch online.FDA encourages patients to report adverse events or quality problems to MedWatch. Also tell your health care professional. MedWatch online form. FDA’s general number is 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332).I am keeping the packaging and label in case I need to report.I added it to my medication list.Free medication list template

This is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your prescriber or pharmacist about your own situation. Checked 5 November 2026 against FDA’s compounding pages (Questions and Answers, Understanding the Risks, GLP-1 concerns).

Before you agree

Check the pharmacy

When it arrives

After I start

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