What the End of Compounded GLP-1s Means

The Storm is Shifting

If you’ve been paying attention to the headlines (or your inbox), you’ve probably heard: the days of compounded GLP-1 medications are coming to an end. For a lot of people, this is going to feel abrupt—maybe even a little scary. But for our patients? This news changes very little.

That’s because, from day one, we’ve been committed to doing things the right way.

We’ve never prescribed compounded GLP-1s. Not because we’re anti-pharmacy or anti-innovation. But because when we treat a chronic disease like obesity, we follow science, not trends. We don’t cut corners. And we don’t jump on bandwagons that put profit over safety.

Let’s talk about what’s really going on here.

Over the past couple of years, the conversation around GLP-1 medications (like semaglutide and tirzepatide) has drifted away from healthcare and into beauty clinics, med spas, and direct-to-consumer companies. Somewhere along the way, we stopped talking about obesity as a disease and started talking about it like a problem to fix outside the healthcare system—something that could be smoothed over, tucked away, or targeted with a quick injection.

But obesity isn’t a cosmetic issue. It’s a complex, chronic disease with roots in biochemistry, hormones, behavior, environment, and more. Treating it with a medication alone—especially without clinical oversight or comprehensive support—is like putting a bucket under a leak instead of fixing the roof.

As the compounded medication market unravels, we’re now hearing from a lot of people who are left in the lurch. They’re calling to ask about “our program,” or whether “medication is included” in the fee. And while we welcome the calls and are happy to help, it’s worth noting that these aren’t questions people typically ask when making an appointment with a cardiologist or endocrinologist. That shift in mindset? It’s not your fault. It’s the result of a system that turned a medical treatment into a consumer product.

So, let’s reset the narrative.

At Heartland Weight Loss, we’ve been working with GLP-1s since long before the compounding craze. We understand the power of these medications—but we also understand their limitations. Meds alone don’t fix metabolism. They don’t teach sustainable habits. They don’t untangle years of hormonal disruption or emotional eating. That’s why we offer care rooted in all four pillars of obesity treatment: nutrition, movement, medication, and psychology.

And yes, for those worried about cost—we get it. Most FDA-approved GLP-1s are expensive and insurance coverage is a mess. But we’ve got options. We work with vetted international pharmacies to get FDA-approved medications for less than what you’d pay at a U.S. pharmacy. We’ve helped patients stay on track without compromising quality or safety.

So if you’re facing a cutoff from compounded meds—or if you’re just realizing that the place you trusted wasn’t really practicing medicine—we’re here. We’ve always been here. And we’re not going anywhere.

There’s a storm coming, but we built this place to weather it.