In brief
Proteins are built from amino acids, and peptides consist of small chains of those same parts. The name alone tells you nothing about whether a treatment is safe or legal.
For a useful comparison, ask what the proposed product is and what condition it is meant to address.
A reviewed medicine
Drug reviews at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cover specific medicines and the uses proposed for them.
The FDA-approved list on September 26, 2026 included Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide) alongside Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide).
Get the product name, then ask about its form: injection, tablet or another form. Keep the drug’s general name as well as its brand name in your notes.
A preparation made to order
Compounding means preparing a patient’s medicine to order instead of supplying the manufacturer’s finished product.
As of September 26, 2026, compounded preparations had no FDA approval or check of quality, benefit and safety before reaching patients.
FDA describes a role for compounding when a person’s needs cannot be met by an approved product.
A research-labelled chemical
FDA warning letters reviewed through September 26, 2026 described sellers offering unapproved drugs for treatment even when a label said “not for human consumption” or “research use only”.
Before paying, ask: “Who will assess me, and is this an approved medicine or one made to order for a medical need?” If all you receive is a research label or an order form, pause for an explanation of the offer from your treating professional.