A reading key for online peptide specialists

Defined term set

Ten terms worth keeping

Read the definition once, then return to the question or offer in front of you.

Peptide

A short chain of amino acids. It is a chemistry description, not an approval or safety rating.

FDA-approved

The FDA looked at one particular product for a stated use and judged the evidence strong enough to approve it.

Compounded medicine

A medicine mixed to order by a pharmacy, a doctor, or a larger outsourcing facility, rather than supplied as a finished drug the FDA approved. As of September 2026, compounded medicines have not been through FDA approval.

503A pharmacy

As of September 2026, you are looking at a regular pharmacy preparing custom medicine for a single named patient who holds a prescription. The name comes from section 503A of federal drug law, and its main watchdog is the state board of pharmacy.

503B outsourcing facility

As of September 2026, this is a larger business that works more like a small drug factory, making batches of sterile (germ-free) medicines such as injections. It registers with the FDA, must follow the quality rules drug factories follow, and is inspected by the FDA.

Drug shortage list

The FDA’s national record of medicines in shortage; it is not the same as one pharmacy being out of stock.

NDC number

The National Drug Code: a product ID number kept in a government list. As of September 2026, it does not mean the product is FDA-approved.

Prior authorization

A plan review that happens before the plan agrees to pay for a medicine.

Adverse event

An unwanted experience reported during use of a medical product. A report alone does not prove that the product caused it.

MedWatch

The FDA program that accepts medicine-problem reports from patients, consumers, and health professionals.

Direct source index

Open the record, not a marketing summary

Each link opens the official page itself. To check a doctor or pharmacy, open the licence links. To check a medicine claim, open the approval and compounding links. To report a problem, open the reporting links.