Beyond the Feds: Ohio Cracks Down on 14 Med Spas for Misleading Semaglutide Claims

What’s happening in Ohio?

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sent stern letters on April 16, 2025 to 14 med spas across the state, ordering them to stop implying their compounded versions of semaglutide and tirzepatide are FDA‑approved or just as safe and effective as Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Zepbound® and Mounjaro® (“the brand‑names”) .

This isn’t just a friendly heads‑up—Yost reminded spas,

“People deserve clear and accurate information about the medications they’re putting in their bodies. Being truthful isn’t just a good business practice—it’s the law.”

The 14 med spas named:

• Beneficial Health

• Docere Medical and Aesthetic Center

• Glow Medispa

• Jiva Med Spa

• Limelight Laser and Medical Spa

• Live Well Chiropractic & Medical

• New Pathways Clinic

• Ohio Weight Loss & Wellness Clinic

• Personalized Vitality Clinic

• Restore Hyper Wellness OH

• Summit MedAesthetics

• TrueForm Health and Wellness

• Youngstown Medical Weight Loss

• Zinni Family Practice

Why semaglutide compounds aren’t equal to brand‑names

1. No FDA stamp of approval. Compounded drugs aren’t tested by the FDA for safety or efficacy.
2. They’re not generics. Unlike generics, compounded meds bypass the rigorous standards applied to brand‑name equivalents.
3. Variable quality. Made in individual pharmacies, compounded versions can have inconsistent potency and purity.

While compounding can save patients who can’t tolerate, get approved for, or afford the brand‑name injection, misleading marketing undermines trust—and now it could trigger legal trouble.

What med spas should do right now

If your website still boasts “FDA‑approved” semaglutide, it’s time for an emergency Ctrl+Z. Follow these steps to get ahead of regulators and protect your reputation:

Audit your site copy. Search for any mention of “FDA‑approved,” “as safe as Ozempic,” or similar claims.

Add clear disclaimers. State explicitly that compounded semaglutide is not FDA‑approved and differs from the brand‑name formula.

Educate your team. Share Ohio AG Yost’s bulletin internally so your front‑desk and marketing folks know the rules.

Link to authoritative sources. Provide a link to the FDA’s guidance on compounding and to the official prescribing information for Ozempic® and Wegovy®.

Review weekly. Make “legal‑ready” content checks part of your weekly social‑media or blog calendar—because one sneaky line can land you in hot water.