The Tirzepatide is a medication that acts on the GIP and GLP-1 receptors; Zepbound is an FDA-approved brand, and compounded tirzepatide is not FDA approved. Compounded tirzepatide is a separate product, made by a state-licensed pharmacy for one patient on a prescription, and it is not FDA approved. BrightSide offers both Zepbound and compounded tirzepatide.
How does tirzepatide apply to compounded GLP-1 treatment?
Tirzepatide is one of the two medications prescribed in compounded GLP-1 treatment at BrightSide, and it is on our shelf in two forms. Zepbound is the FDA-approved injection from Eli Lilly. Compounded tirzepatide is made by a state-licensed pharmacy for one named patient, after a provider reviews that patient's health history. The differences are who makes it, whether FDA has approved it and what it costs. FDA does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are marketed. It says a compounded drug might be appropriate if a patient's medical need cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug, or the FDA-approved drug is not commercially available. A provider decides whether to prescribe, which product and at what dose. If you take tirzepatide from another provider now, tell us your dose, and our providers can match it if it's right for you. Both products are on our pricing page.
What does the FDA-approved label say about tirzepatide?
The Zepbound label describes tirzepatide as a GIP receptor and GLP-1 receptor agonist. It selectively binds to and activates both receptors, which are the targets for the body's own GIP and GLP-1, and it contains a fatty acid chain that binds to albumin and prolongs its half-life. Zepbound is injected under the skin once a week. The starting dosage is 2.5 mg for four weeks, the maintenance dosages for weight reduction are 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg, and the maximum is 15 mg. The label carries a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rats. It says Zepbound is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma and in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. It also says that taking Zepbound with other tirzepatide-containing products, or with any GLP-1 receptor agonist, is not recommended. That label was written for Zepbound. Compounded tirzepatide has no FDA-approved label.
What does tirzepatide mean at the pharmacy?
At the pharmacy, tirzepatide is either a manufactured brand-name product or a prescription compounded for one patient. Zepbound comes in single-dose pens, single-dose vials, multi-dose vials and a single-patient-use pen, each in six strengths. FDA is aware that compounded GLP-1 medications can be dispensed in vials that hold multiple doses for a patient to self-administer. It recommends discarding such a vial 28 days after the first use, and it recommends not using an injectable GLP-1 drug that arrives warm or with insufficient refrigeration. FDA also encourages patients to ask their provider or compounder how to measure the intended dose. Our pharmacy network page covers how we choose pharmacies. For Washington and Oregon patients, our Washington page names Nordic Pharmacy in Poulsbo, Washington, and links to compounded tirzepatide for Washington.
| Zepbound | Compounded tirzepatide | |
|---|---|---|
| FDA approved | Yes | No |
| FDA reviews safety, effectiveness and quality before marketing | Yes | No |
| Who makes it | Eli Lilly | A state-licensed pharmacy, for one patient, on a prescription |
| How it is supplied | Single-dose pens and vials, multi-dose vials and a single-patient-use pen, in six strengths | Varies by compounder; FDA notes vials that hold multiple doses |
| Where the dosing instructions are | The FDA-approved label | The prescription and the pharmacy label |
Common questions
Is compounded tirzepatide the same as Zepbound or Mounjaro?
No. Zepbound and Mounjaro are FDA-approved tirzepatide drugs. Compounded tirzepatide is made by a state-licensed pharmacy for one patient, from a prescription. It is not FDA approved, and FDA does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness or quality. FDA lists a company claiming that a compounded drug matches an FDA-approved drug among its telehealth red flags.
How is tirzepatide different from semaglutide?
Tirzepatide acts on two receptors, GIP and GLP-1. Semaglutide acts on one, GLP-1. They are different medications with different dose ranges, and the doses do not convert one to one. If you are switching from one to the other, your provider works out your starting dose with you.
Related terms
- GLP-1: one of the two hormones whose receptors tirzepatide acts on.
- Zepbound: an FDA-approved brand of tirzepatide.
- Semaglutide: the other medication prescribed in GLP-1 treatment.
- Compounded medication: what compounded tirzepatide is.
Sources
- Zepbound (tirzepatide) prescribing information, Eli Lilly, revised 8/2026, on DailyMed: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=487cd7e7-434c-4925-99fa-aa80b1cc776b
- FDA, FDA approves new medication for chronic weight management, November 8, 2023: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-medication-chronic-weight-management
- FDA, FDA's concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss, content current as of October 1, 2026: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-alerts-and-statements/fdas-concerns-unapproved-glp-1-drugs-used-weight-loss
Compounded medications are not FDA approved. They are prescribed by a licensed clinician and filled by a licensed 503A pharmacy.
