Compounded Semaglutide

Semaglutide can have potential side effects to be aware of. Understanding these side effects and their potential treatments is crucial for anyone considering or using this medication.

Common side effects
Common side effects of Semaglutide may include gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, particularly when starting treatment. You might also experience injection site reactions, decreased appetite, and, rarely, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). To alleviate nausea, individuals can try getting fresh air, sipping cold drinks, and consuming small, frequent meals.

If these common side effects persist, it’s essential to stay hydrated and seek guidance from a healthcare provider. Reactions around the injection site and headaches, other common side effects, can generally be managed with over-the-counter remedies. For severe or worsening symptoms, professional medical advice is recommended.

Uncommon and rare side effects
Uncommon side effects, affecting 1 in 100 individuals, may involve an increased pulse rate, a general feeling of being unwell, dehydration, gallbladder inflammation, and delayed stomach emptying. It’s important to speak to your healthcare provider about any concerns or adverse reactions.

Rare side effects, seen in fewer than 1 in 100 people, include kidney-related issues, such as reduced function and failure, with signs like a metallic taste, reduced urine volume, and easy bruising. Recognizing these symptoms and seeking prompt medical attention is essential.While serious side effects are rare, they may include severe allergic reactions or pancreatitis. Immediate medical attention is crucial if symptoms like difficulty breathing, swelling, or severe abdominal pain occur.

Compounding pharmacies may help mitigate shortages of branded medications by providing compounded alternatives. This enables more people to access the benefits of semaglutide.

Formulation and dosage: Wegovy and Ozempic are commercially available medications with standardized formulations and dosages. They use pre-filled pens containing the quantity a patient needs for 4 weeks. Compounded semaglutide comes in vials where the dosage is drawn from the vial using a syringe.

Quality control and standardization: Commercially available medications like Wegovy and Ozempic are manufactured under quality control standards to ensure consistency, purity, and potency of each dose. Equally, compounding pharmacies must meet rigorous state requirements: ZipHealth ensures an extensive quality, safety testing and monitoring process is followed for all of our compounded medication.

Availability and accessibility: Wegovy and Ozempic are in short supply, which means diabetic patients (in the case of Ozempic) may struggle to get the medication they require. Weight loss patients are therefore also likely to encounter availability issues with branded formulations. Compounded semaglutide is prepared by compounding pharmacies specifically to help alleviate this shortage and ensure people who need the branded medication can still access it.

Your treatment begins with a low dose and gradually increases every four weeks to ensure optimal results and minimize side effects. When starting compounded semaglutide, the initial dose is 0.25mg (10 units), injected once weekly for the first four weeks. After this period, the dosage will be increased every four weeks, as tolerated. To track your progress and adjust the treatment as needed, you will complete a check-in every four weeks, allowing your clinician to closely monitor your weight loss journey.

When you order compounded semaglutide for the first time, you’ll receive 1 medication vial that includes each of your 4 doses for your first 28 days of treatment. It’s important to store it in a refrigerator between 36-46°F. You’ll also receive:

• 4 syringes (One to use for every time you inject)
• An instruction leaflet
• Extra tips to help you lose weight

With each new order, you’ll receive a medication vial at the right strength for you.

When you’ve been using your treatment for 3 weeks, it’s time to think about ordering your next medication via from us. At this time, we’ll send you a reminder to log on and complete a weight loss consultation.

If you’re responding well to treatment, at the next order you can increase your dose. We’ll then send you an additional medication vial in a temperature-controlled delivery packaging. It’s important to store these in a refrigerator between 36 – 45°F. This pack will last you 28 days. After you finish your 3rd medication vial, remember to return to ZipHealth to reorder supplies so you can continue treatment uninterrupted.

The clinical team will review your weight with every order to ensure this product is working for you. When you’ve used your highest tolerated dose for 6 months, we’ll review your progress. For us to continue prescribing treatment to you, you’ll need to have lost around 5% of your initial body weight. Your health and wellbeing are our top priority, so please reach out to the ZipHealth clinical team if you have any concerns while taking your treatment.

Compounded semaglutide should be stored under 86°F or, preferably, in a fridge (36-46°F).
Don’t freeze your vial, or use it if it has been frozen.
Keep the cap on, while not in use to protect it from light.