Our Sources
Where the facts on this site come from, in the order of authority we apply them. Every page also lists its own sources with the date each link was last verified.
Last updated August 12, 2026
Sources we use, and what each is good for
| Source | What we use it for | Weight we give it |
|---|---|---|
| FDA prescribing information (via DailyMed, NIH) | Indications, boxed warnings, contraindications, adverse reactions, administration | Authoritative — this is the legally approved labeling |
| Drugs@FDA | Approval dates, approval history, which products are approved | Authoritative for regulatory status |
| FDA safety communications and compounding guidance | Warnings about unapproved, compounded, and counterfeit products | Authoritative for FDA positions and warnings |
| NIH / NIDDK / ClinicalTrials.gov | Background on obesity treatment; registered clinical trials for investigational compounds | Authoritative for trial existence and status — not for efficacy conclusions |
| CMS and Medicare.gov | Medicare and Medicaid coverage rules | Authoritative for federal coverage policy |
| Manufacturer official sites | Savings program terms, self-pay channels, current program eligibility | Authoritative for their own programs only — never for comparative or safety claims |
| Peer-reviewed research | Context on mechanism and outcomes where labeling is silent | Used carefully, with study limitations noted — never to contradict labeling |
The hierarchy we apply
When sources disagree, current FDA-approved labeling wins for anything about what a drug is approved to treat, how it is given, and what its warnings are. No secondary source overrides the label.
For regulatory status, Drugs@FDA and official FDA communications win. For federal coverage rules, CMS wins. For a manufacturer program’s own terms, the manufacturer’s official page wins — but only for that narrow purpose.
Sources we do not use for medical claims
- Press releases and news coverage of drug approvals — we go to the FDA record instead.
- Other health websites and content aggregators.
- Forums, social media, influencer content, and patient anecdotes.
- Marketing material, sponsored content, and telehealth provider claims about their own services.
- Any site selling the drug being discussed.
How we verify and date sources
Every source we cite carries the date a person last confirmed the link resolves and supports the claim attached to it. That date is displayed with the citation, so you can judge how fresh our verification is rather than trusting an undated reference.
Drug records additionally carry a source-verification date covering all the sources on that page. When FDA labeling changes materially, the record is updated and re-dated.
Reading the labeling yourself
We encourage it, and every drug page links directly to the prescribing information. Our summaries are meant to make the label approachable, not to replace it — the label is the authoritative document and it is freely available.
Not medical advice. WeightLossDrugsGuide is an independent educational publisher. We are not a pharmacy, a medical provider, or a telehealth clinic, and we do not provide personalized medical recommendations or dosing guidance. Information here summarizes official FDA labeling and other primary sources and may not reflect the most recent changes. Always talk with a licensed clinician about your own situation, and read the full prescribing information for any medication.