Which exact product is being discussed?
Approval is tied to the product and its use.
As of September 2026, US-approved drugs include semaglutide (brands: Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (brands: Mounjaro and Zepbound). [A]
These examples are for diabetes or weight-related care and other named uses; their approval is not a general claim about building strength. [A]
Check the name behind a strength claim.
As of September 2026, no US-approved drug product exists for BPC-157 or ipamorelin. [B]
Sermorelin (Geref) had US approval in the past; those approvals ended in 2009 and the products were discontinued. [C]
A sermorelin prescription in September 2026 is for a medicine made to order, rather than a currently approved drug. [C]
Its old approval does not establish whether a pharmacy may legally make sermorelin for you now. [C]
A medicine made to order needs a reason.
FDA, short for Food and Drug Administration, is the US agency that reviews drug products.
Compounding prepares medicine to order instead of providing a finished drug with approval. A licensed pharmacist or doctor, or a medicine-making business registered with FDA, can do this. [D]
As of September 2026, state pharmacy boards oversee licensed pharmacies; FDA oversees the registered medicine-making businesses. [D]
As of September 2026, FDA has not approved medicines that are made to order. FDA does not check their quality, how well they work or their safety before they are sold. [D]
An approved drug may leave a need unmet; compounding can address that need within legal conditions. [D]
“Research use only” is not proof a product is fit for care.
As of September 2026, FDA has warned that research-labelled chemicals marketed for human treatment may be unapproved drugs sold in breach of federal law. [E]
FDA considers the seller’s claims about what a product will do for people. Calling it “research” does not override claims that it treats people. [E]
FDA has also urged consumers to avoid research-labelled weight-drug products of unknown quality because they may cause harm. [E]
Ask different questions about each kind of medicine.
| Medicine offered | Ask the person treating you |
|---|---|
| Approved product | Can you show me its approval entry in the Drugs@FDA search and its official label? What is it approved to treat, and why discuss it for my strength goal? |
| Made-to-order medicine | Why do I need a medicine made to order? Which rule allows this ingredient, and who will make the medicine? |
| Research-labelled chemical | Why is a research chemical being offered for my treatment? Is there an approved medicine or another care option we can discuss? |
Source notes for this page
- [A]FDA: search approved medicines
As of September 2026, each approved medicine has its own approved uses. Check the exact pill, shot or other version being offered.
- [B]FDA: check approval for the named medicine
As of September 2026, BPC-157 and ipamorelin have no approved US drug products. That alone does not tell you whether a pharmacy may legally make them.
- [C]FDA: the former sermorelin products
Sermorelin approvals ended in 2009. As of September 2026, the old approval does not establish whether a pharmacy can legally make it now.
- [D]FDA: compounding and its limits
As of September 2026, preparing medicine to order can address needs an approved drug leaves unmet, within legal limits. FDA does not approve these preparations.
- [E]FDA: unapproved weight-drug concerns
As of September 2026, these FDA warnings concern particular sellers. A warning states the agency’s concerns; it is not a court ruling.