A peptide links tiny parts into a short chain, much like beads threaded on a string.
Proteins contain those same tiny parts; a familiar peptide medicine is insulin.
“Peptide therapy” does not name one treatment; ask which medicine is being offered.
An approved medicine
The Food and Drug Administration, known as FDA, reviews each drug product for its stated uses.
As of September 26, 2026, the brand determines whether a US-approved semaglutide or tirzepatide medicine is used for weight control or type 2 diabetes.
For weight control, semaglutide is sold as Wegovy; the type 2 diabetes brand is Ozempic.
Mounjaro is the tirzepatide brand for type 2 diabetes; for weight control, tirzepatide is sold as Zepbound.
Ask: Which product, and for what purpose?
A pharmacy-made medicine
A doctor or pharmacist makes medicine to order in a process called compounding.
As of September 26, 2026, compounded drugs lack FDA approval and are not checked by FDA for quality, safety or effectiveness before sale.
Ask: Why do I need medicine made to order?
A research product
As checked September 26, 2026, FDA warns against weight-loss products labelled “research use only” that sellers offer as treatments for people.
The quality of these research products is unknown, and they may harm people who use them.
Pause if a seller calls it a research product but offers it to treat you.
The exact product matters more than the phrase used to describe the offer.
Looking for care from Durham
North Carolina online-care rules, checked September 28, 2026.
If you are in North Carolina during an online visit, the person treating you generally needs a North Carolina licence.
One narrow exception covers occasional follow-up with your usual out-of-state care provider while you are visiting North Carolina.
Ask the service to explain which exception applies before relying on it.
Before an assessment or prescription, ask who will provide it: get that person’s full name and professional role. Check their licence before arranging a visit.