Patients scramble as cheaper obesity drug alternatives disappear

[StopCraving_12]

Some minor BS in this article:

"Some people are talking online about buying the active ingredient from China and mixing the obesity drugs in their homes. They call it the 'gray market.' Zepbound and the compounded alternatives have to be sterile for injection, so a homemade version would be challenging to make safely."

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/03/19/nx-s1-5333230/zepbound-tirzepatide-compounding-fda

 

[Mykrodot]

I know, my daughter could have successfully reconstituted at ten. But what a sad situation, folks are desperate and scrambling because of losing access to the first thing ever that helped them manage their obesity. That was depressing.

 

[AndyPanda]

Some minor BS in this article:

"Some people are talking online about buying the active ingredient from China and mixing the obesity drugs in their homes. They call it the 'gray market.' Zepbound and the compounded alternatives have to be sterile for injection, so a homemade version would be challenging to make safely."

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/03/19/nx-s1-5333230/zepbound-tirzepatide-compounding-fda

Fear mongering. I’m tired of it from every side of every aisle.

 

[cldfront]

I read a FB comment this morning where this person was shame blasting anyone taking Ozempic pills because there's a shortage and diabetics are dying without their pills that all the fatties are scooping up. Also, we're all going to die from sides very soon.

 

[Yankeegurl_LQJ]

WTF! They make is sound like we are cooking up dope in our kitchens with Pyrex, baking soda and a microwave.

 

[raw_oyster_eater]

i don't think sterility is that big a deal. i've injected liquified powers from capsules and such.

 

[Yankeegurl_LQJ]

I use to be a opioid/heroin addict. I can damn sure promise that I or anyone else I know has never sent our dope off to be tested before using. I've never had a problem. No sores. I still have all of my limbs, fingers, toes. Apparently I am still alive. After all I have seen it makes me laugh when people go so overboard about sterility.

 

[Vicki]

I think the fearmongering is slightly justified. Based on what I've seen on reddit, a lot of people probably shouldn't self medicate. They should be paying a doctor to hold their hand.

 

[Skidude]

I use to be a opioid/heroin addict. I can damn sure promise that I or anyone else I know has never sent our dope off to be tested before using. I've never had a problem. No sores. I still have all of my limbs, fingers, toes. Apparently I am still alive. After all I have seen it makes me laugh when people go so overboard about sterility.

I love the memes about the non-gmo/vegan/organic people but doing lines on the weekend..lol
I agree, it is quite the contrast from much of the risks/health issues we deal with day to day.

My strategy is stay with the pack and buy from those with the most to lose from reputational damage. It is obviously not fool proof, but I think it mitigates the danger if the seller has more to lose.