Why Fake Semaglutide Is A Growing Safety Concern

Taking a GLP-1 medication like semaglutide is a major step in your weight-loss journey. It can be anxiety-inducing to start any new medication, especially an injection! 

One worry comes to many people’s minds when they start semaglutide: How do you know that you’re getting the real deal when you purchase semaglutide?

Common Signs of Fake or Unsafe Semaglutide Products

Semaglutide Without a Prescription

Both compounded semaglutide and brand-name semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) are available by prescription only. They always require a doctor or nurse practitioner’s approval to access. Semaglutide is a powerful medication that can make a huge difference in people’s lives, and like many other powerful medications, it requires the supervision of a healthcare provider. 

If someone claims to have semaglutide available without a prescription, it’s very likely to be fake medication, and may be dangerous.

Semaglutide Sold as a Powder or DIY Injection

Legitimate semaglutide is typically available in a liquid form for injection or a pill form to take orally. Semaglutide in a powdered form is either not medication at all, or it is a lower-grade version for use in research. This research-grade powdered semaglutide is not intended for medical treatment. It is not tested to the same standards of quality and safety as pharmaceutical-grade semaglutide.

If you see a powder claiming to be semaglutide, it’s not real prescription-quality medication.

Products Containing Semaglutide Salts

Real pharmaceutical semaglutide is the base form of the medication. This base form has gone through rigorous testing in clinical trials to confirm safety and efficacy. The salt form of semaglutide is different, because the chemical makeup of it includes different elements. Semaglutide sodium and semaglutide acetate are examples of semaglutide salts. These salt forms have not been tested for safety or effectiveness and should not be used. 

If it’s not the base form of semaglutide, it’s not legitimate and may not be safe or effective.

Sellers That Avoid Medical Oversight or Transparency

Your obesity medicine provider is one part of your healthcare team. Other members of that team may include your primary care provider, an endocrinologist (hormone specialist), a dietitian, a mental health provider, a surgeon, or a pharmacist. Collaboration is very important in medical care. If the provider of your semaglutide tells you to keep members of your healthcare team in the dark about the source of your medication, that’s a major red flag! 

If the source of your semaglutide tells you to hide information about where you get the medication, it may be fake semaglutide!

What to do if your Semaglutide is fake

If you believe you’ve been given counterfeit or unsafe semaglutide, do not continue to take the medication. Instead, speak to your healthcare provider about what you’ve been taking, where you got it, and any symptoms you may have experienced. They can help you safely transition to a prescription medication, and they can help you address any potential side effects or health concerns. You can also report counterfeit or unsafe products to the FDA through their MedWatch program. The most important thing is your safety, and there are safe and legitimate options out there for you.

How To Spot Fake Semaglutide: Key Takeaways

Fake or unsafe semaglutide is a growing problem, but knowing the warning signs can help protect you. Real semaglutide always requires a prescription, comes in liquid or oral form (never a powder), and uses the base form of the medication, not a salt like semaglutide sodium or semaglutide acetate. Legitimate providers will always encourage transparency with your full healthcare team. If something feels off about where or how you're getting your medication, trust your instincts and consult a qualified healthcare provider. You deserve safe, effective care.

How Legitimate Semaglutide Treatment Should Work

At Mochi, we recognize that each patient is an individual, and every body has unique needs. Your Mochi provider and nutritionist will work with you to tailor treatment to your life and your goals. We partner with a network of reputable compounding pharmacies to ensure you have access to safe, effective, individualized weight loss medications at affordable prices. You’re not alone in this journey! 

Talk to your doctor about the options before trying any new medications or supplements. It's important to share your medical history with your healthcare provider, so they can suggest a safe and effective option for you.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or treatment plan.

References:

1. Ashraf AR, Mackey TK, Schmidt J, et al. Safety and Risk Assessment of No-Prescription Online Semaglutide Purchases. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(8):e2428280. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.28280

2. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. (2024). RogueRx Activity Report: Injectable Weight Loss Drugs: How Illegal Online Drug Sellers Are Taking Advantage of Patients. RogueRx. https://nabp.pharmacy/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/RogueRx-Activity-Report-Injectable-Weight-Loss-Drugs-2024.pdf 

3. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2025, September 25). FDA’s concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/fdas-concerns-unapproved-glp-1-drugs-used-weight-loss  

4. Foster D, Sanchez-Collins S, Cheskin LJ. Multidisciplinary Team-Based Obesity Treatment in Patients With Diabetes: Current Practices and the State of the Science. Diabetes Spectr. 2017 Nov;30(4):244-249. doi: 10.2337/ds17-0045. Erratum in: Diabetes Spectr. 2018 Feb;31(1):119. doi: 10.2337/ds18-er01. PMID: 29151714; PMCID: PMC5687103.