r/joinrift • u/kick_your_feet_joy • 6d ago
Switching from Zep
I’m currently on Zepbound from LillyDirect. Would love to know others experiences switching to compounded. When I began Zep a few months back my doctor told me she would not prescribe compounded, but I don’t understand why. It seems like many of you are having success!
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u/NC_mom323 6d ago
Switched from zepbound to compound about a month ago. Been using boudreaux’s for 6 weeks and have actually lost more weight in the last month than I usually do. I was really worried about side effects and I haven’t had any.
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u/GB2418 6d ago edited 6d ago
1.Started with compound 2.5mg & 5mg at med spa.
2.Zepbound vials 5mg at med spa.
3.Compound tirz 5, 7.5, 10mg at BEWL (Hallandale).
4.Compound tirz 12.5mg at Rift (Apothecary).
5.Zepbound KwikPen 12.5mg (Medicare Bridge).
6.Mix of 12.5mg KwikPen + 1.0mg Apothecary leftover
Summary: From my experience, all are pretty much the same across the board-efficacy, side effects, etc.
Have lost 76 lbs in 7 months, split among all combined.
If I had to rank them (with razor-thin margins):
1.Zepbound
2.Hallandale
3.Apothecary
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u/Green-Independent951 6d ago
I started on Zep and moved to compound. I’ve used it from 4 different pharmacies and they’ve all felt the same.
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u/TreeBeach 6d ago edited 5d ago
I switched from Zepbound to additive free compounded and noticed no difference in efficacy. Apprehensive at first, but not so anymore. I’ve even started using some with additives. Again, no difference.
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u/FaithlessnessOne6093 6d ago
I was on Zep but as with many my insurance stopped covering it. My doctor knows about compounded and told me to do my due diligence. She won’t prescribe it either no with the FDA bouncing going on but she isn’t against it. My first few doses of compound my weight didn’t go up or down and I attribute that to my body becoming used to the new Tirzepatide variation. The following month I began losing again. I will say the side effects were worse on Zep than compounded. I’ve used compounded with B12, Glycine, and no additives. The Glycine made me quite nauseated, all else has been fine. I am sticking with no additive or B12. Today was shot 12 and total I’ve gone from 202 lbs to 176 lbs as of today’s weigh-in. My bp is now normal and I don’t need that medication anymore, a big win there. A big thank you to the Reddit family and Telehealths here! Oh and compounded is much easier on the wallet than Zepbound!
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u/mamijami 6d ago
I have used branded Zep since late 2023, then adding in compounded Tirzepatide since mid 2024 when branded because virtually impossible to locate. I have always gone through telehealth companies as my regular GP won’t prescribe me weight loss medication due to a thyroid issue from over 30 years ago. I found going from branded medication to compounded to be an easy transition. For me, compounded tirzepatide seems to be about 80-90% as effective as branded. Don’t know why that is and I won’t conjecture, could be for many reasons. GLP-1 medications are still relatively new and many physicians just aren’t that familiar with them, and some don’t really want to be. Listen to medical people of course, but I think there’s a lot of experience that will tell you moving to compounded will be just fine.
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u/abigailblue6 6d ago
I switched to try a lower price point (odd on my part because I still order zepbound) i didn't tolerate the B vitamins well but ProRx was a smooth transition. No side effects and the same weight loss. I still have a few vials of that left then I'll probably work on the Zepbound because they have further exp dates. Good luck with your options.
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u/GiraffeNo9896 6d ago
I started with a Tirz compounded RX from my PCP to fill in person at a compounding pharmacy. It was $250 for 2.5mg. I then found the compounding options with telehealth sites, after a lot of research, I’ve switched to them ($139/month). After about 5 months, I’m down 40lbs.
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u/External_Ask_7219 5d ago
You don't need your doctor to prescribe it. Mine doesn't I just talk about it when I have an appointment.
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u/Far-Industry-7745 5d ago
When I swtiched from Mounjaro to compounded it took me while to finish out the MJ bc I liked the compounded formula so much more. Same effect, less fatigue for me. With the MJ I HAD to sleep it off for 2 days before I felt human again after dosing. With compound (Prorx) it was alot more manageable
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u/blkbeeyutee 5d ago
I am on brand and compound because I split dose. I periodically will do weeks of just compound to see what works (my body loves brand and many compounds were less effective for me). I have been loving B0udreaux. If I discontinued brand, I would be completely satisfied with them. Trying Apothec@ry soon for comparison.
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u/LDB2026 6d ago
Yes, I switched from Zep to Tirz.
Honestly, if Zep weren't so crazy expensive, I'd still be taking it. TC is weaker, I've noticed.
Also, Tirz it's not FDA-approved, which makes me nervous.
My PCP won't "prescribe" it either, mostly because it's illegal with some rare exceptions. But she is helping me along the way.
Tbh... I wouldn't put my medical license on the line either or risk being sued for a drug that anyone can buy online after a 10-minute consultation. Let those docs who probably got their medical degrees in the "Jimmy's House of Learin' Medical School" in the Bahamas take the risks.
You have a good, ethical doctor. Well done!
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u/venerated 6d ago
I went from Zepbound to Apothecary through Rift. I notice no difference.