At this point, we all know about Ozempic. Over the last year or so, the drug has become the go-to name in the world of weight loss. It's everywhere, and its popularity is soaring more than ever.

But this rise in fame hasn't come without significant risks.

Recently, the FDA issued warnings about compounded versions of semaglutide, the active ingredient in drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, highlighting a big problem: People are using these powerful drugs without enough medical supervision, setting the stage for potential medical malpractice.

The FDA's warnings aren't about the agency’s approved versions of semaglutide, which come in handy pre-filled injection pens or oral tablets. The trouble lies with the less expensive compounded versions that are flooding the market. These are not held to the same strict standards, making them significantly riskier.

Compounded semaglutide is easy to get — as Wired noted last month, shockingly easy. Many people opt for it because it's readily available and promises quick weight loss. But without proper medical supervision, these unregulated products can lead to serious problems, including life-threatening dosage errors.

The FDA has reported many cases of patients overdosing on compounded semaglutide. These errors happen because people aren't familiar with how to withdraw medication from vials and get confused by different units of measurement.

From where I sit, it’s time to........

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