Skip to content
Stetwright
Try free

Can I say it?

Can I say “compounded semaglutide, FDA approved” in a telehealth ad?

Usually no. 5 rules fired across 3 sample sentences, and the checker's own text explains why.

The short answer

Usually no. The checker blocks the bare phrase in this setting. The first rule it hits is CG-REG-007. Its reason: FDA has sent warning letters to telehealth and online sellers over marketing of compounded GLP-1 drugs and unapproved peptides. Compounded drugs are not FDA approved, and these products raise misbranding and unapproved-drug issues.

Source the rule cites: FDCA 503A and 503B; FDA warning letters to telehealth firms on compounded GLP-1 marketing

Checked as an ad promoting a clinical service.

A clear result is not an all-clear. The checker flags wording for review and does not know your evidence, your state or your platform's review. Read the limitations.

Sample wording, run through the checker

These are sentences written to contain the phrase, not real claims. Each ran through the real engine and the shipped rule-set when this site was built.

Sample 1 · actual checker output4 rules fired

Compounded semaglutide, FDA approved.

  • BlockingCG-REG-007Regulatory status. Matched: “Compounded semaglutide”
  • WarningCG-PLT-011Platform policy. Matched: “semaglutide”
  • WarningCG-PLT-034Platform policy. Matched: “semaglutide”
  • WarningCG-REG-001Regulatory status. Matched: “FDA approved”
Sample 2 · actual checker output5 rules fired

Our compounded tirzepatide is FDA approved.

  • BlockingCG-REG-007Regulatory status. Matched: “compounded tirzepatide”
  • WarningCG-TRC-001Regulatory status. Matched: “compounded tirzepatide is FDA approved”
  • WarningCG-PLT-011Platform policy. Matched: “tirzepatide”
  • WarningCG-PLT-034Platform policy. Matched: “tirzepatide”
  • WarningCG-REG-001Regulatory status. Matched: “FDA approved”
Sample 3 · actual checker output5 rules fired

FDA approved compounded semaglutide, shipped to your door.

  • BlockingCG-REG-007Regulatory status. Matched: “compounded semaglutide”
  • WarningCG-TRC-001Regulatory status. Matched: “FDA approved compounded”
  • WarningCG-PLT-011Platform policy. Matched: “semaglutide”
  • WarningCG-PLT-034Platform policy. Matched: “semaglutide”
  • WarningCG-REG-001Regulatory status. Matched: “FDA approved”

What to say instead

This version came back with no rule fired:

We offer weight management visits with a licensed clinician. Ask us what medicines we prescribe and what they are made from.

Actual checker output: no rule fired. It still has to be true for your business.

What the rules themselves suggest:

  • CG-REG-007 If you offer a compounded drug, say it is compounded and not FDA approved, that a licensed clinician decides if it is appropriate, and have counsel review the claims and the pharmacy relationship.
  • CG-TRC-001 Do not use FDA registered, certified or exempt as a quality claim. Say exactly what FDA has cleared or approved, for which use, or say nothing about FDA.
  • CG-PLT-011 Get the platform's written approval first, then run the ad only on the platform that approved it, with the approved audience and age limits. Otherwise advertise the clinical service without naming the drug.

The rules behind this answer

Reason, source and citation for each rule that fired, in the checker's own words. Blocking rules come first.

  1. CG-REG-007 · Blocks approval · Citation checked against stored text

    FDA has sent warning letters to telehealth and online sellers over marketing of compounded GLP-1 drugs and unapproved peptides. Compounded drugs are not FDA approved, and these products raise misbranding and unapproved-drug issues.

    Source: FDCA 503A and 503B; FDA warning letters to telehealth firms on compounded GLP-1 marketing

    Safer wording: If you offer a compounded drug, say it is compounded and not FDA approved, that a licensed clinician decides if it is appropriate, and have counsel review the claims and the pharmacy relationship.

    FDCA 503A · Needs counsel review

  2. CG-TRC-001 · Warns · Citation checked against stored text

    FDA registration, certification, inspection or exemption does not mean a product is approved, safe or effective, and approval claims for stem cell, exosome, pellet, compounded or device products are usually false.

    Source: FDCA section 301 and 21 CFR 807.39 (registration does not denote approval); FTC Act section 5 deception; FDA guidance on regenerative medicine and compounding

    Safer wording: Do not use FDA registered, certified or exempt as a quality claim. Say exactly what FDA has cleared or approved, for which use, or say nothing about FDA.

    21 CFR 807.39 · Needs counsel review

  3. CG-PLT-011 · Warns · Citation checked against stored text

    A named prescription drug in an ad triggers advance approval on most platforms. Pinterest allows prescription drug ads only with prior permission and GLP-1 ads only from approved healthcare advertisers in the US and Canada, Snap requires prescription advertisers to be pre-approved, and TikTok requires proof of regulator approval and 18+ targeting in the US. Meta requires LegitScript certification or its own review, Meta authorization, a licensed-professional disclaimer and 18+ targeting in the US, Canada or New Zealand. LinkedIn requires prior authorization, US or Canada only, no under-18 targeting. Reddit, X, Microsoft, Amazon and Nextdoor require pre-approval, a sales representative or case-by-case review, and Yahoo accepts FDA-approved prescription drug ads in the US only.

    Source: Pinterest Advertising Guidelines (healthcare products and services, weight loss products and services); Snap Ads Category Requirements, Health (prescription medicines); TikTok Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals ad policy (United States, prescription medicine); Meta Advertising Standards, Drugs and pharmaceuticals; LinkedIn Advertising Policies; X Ads healthcare policy; Reddit Ads Healthcare Products and Services policy; Microsoft Advertising Healthcare and Pharmaceutical policy; Amazon Ads Healthcare products and services policy; Nextdoor Ads Policy; Yahoo Ad Policy, Prescription drugs; Spotify Advertising Policies

    Safer wording: Get the platform's written approval first, then run the ad only on the platform that approved it, with the approved audience and age limits. Otherwise advertise the clinical service without naming the drug.

    Meta Advertising Standards, Drugs and pharmaceuticals, Nextdoor Ads Policy, Yahoo Ad Policy, Prescription drugs, Spotify Advertising Policies, Microsoft Advertising Healthcare and Pharmaceutical policy, Reddit Ads Healthcare Products and Services policy, Amazon Ads Healthcare products and services policy, TikTok Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals ad policy, Snap Ads Category Requirements, Health, Pinterest Advertising Guidelines, LinkedIn Advertising Policies, X Ads healthcare policy

  4. CG-PLT-034 · Warns · Citation checked against stored text

    Quora restricts healthcare advertising, including prescription and over the counter medication, GLP-1 medications, online and offline pharmacies, and clinical trial recruitment. These need Quora's approval before the ad runs. This is platform policy, not law, and an ad can be rejected without it.

    Source: Quora Advertising Policies ("We restrict the promotion of healthcare-related content."; "We restrict GLP-1 medications.")

    Safer wording: Ask Quora for approval with your company name, the product or service and the landing page before you run the ad. Appointment booking sites, basic medical supplies and online therapy apps do not need prior approval.

    Quora Advertising Policies

  5. CG-REG-001 · Blocks approval

    Dietary supplements and most services cannot be FDA approved. For a drug or device the claim must be true, specific to the product and use, and sourced.

    Source: FDCA 505 (drug approval) and 510(k)/PMA (devices); FDA promotional labeling and advertising rules; FTC Act section 5

    Safer wording: For an approved drug or cleared device, name the product, the cleared use and the FDA record number. For a supplement, remove it.

    See source text · Needs counsel review

Background: Off-label promotion in the glossary.

Questions

Which rule covers FDA claims on compounded drugs?

Rule CG-REG-007. It cites FDCA 503A. The rule's reason: FDA has sent warning letters to telehealth and online sellers over marketing of compounded GLP-1 drugs and unapproved peptides. Compounded drugs are not FDA approved, and these products raise misbranding and unapproved-drug issues.

What should I write instead?

The rule's own suggestion for rule CG-REG-007: If you offer a compounded drug, say it is compounded and not FDA approved, that a licensed clinician decides if it is appropriate, and have counsel review the claims and the pharmacy relationship.

If the checker shows nothing, can I publish?

No. A clean result means none of the checker's rules matched. It does not weigh your evidence, your state or your platform's review, and it is not legal advice. Read the limitations page for what it misses.

Next step

Check your own wording

Paste your copy into the free checker. Every flag names its rule and its source.

Open the checkerHow it works