Compounded Semaglutide

The following medication overview provides an overview of compounded semaglutide, and how to effectively and safely use it to lose weight. With any treatment, make sure to tell your provider about anything relating to your current health status and your health history. Also share with your provider all of the medications you take including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements.

Instructions

Drawing Up and Dosing: Using the provided insulin syringe and needle, carefully measure out the dose prescribed by your healthcare provider. Use semaglutide exactly as your healthcare provider says.

  • Semaglutide is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm.
  • Take Semaglutide once a week, on the same day every week, exactly as prescribed by your provider
  • You can take Semaglutide with or without food
  • You may change the day of the week you take your Semaglutide as long as your last dose was taken 2 or more days before

Follow Up Instructions

When you need a refill of your medication you will need to contact your BIOVERSE provider

How to Administer GLP-1 Medications

Preparing your injection

  • Gather all supplies (including vial, syringe, alcohol swabs, and bandage, if needed).
  • Wipe the vial top with an alcohol swab.
  • Remove the cap from the plunger end of the syringe and the cap from the needle.
  • Puncture the top of the vial and tilt while pulling back on the plunger to draw up the prescribed amount of medication.
  • If not ready to immediately inject, slide the needle into an open cap to reduce needle stick risk, and refrigerate.

Administering yor injection

  • Choose a subcutaneous site (abdominal wall fat, thigh, or back of the upper arm).
  • Clean the area up to two times with an alcohol swab. Sanitize by starting from the middle of the injection site and going outward in a circular motion.
  • Remove the cap from the tip of the syringe. Grab a large area of skin between your thumb and fingers. Insert the needle, pull back on the syringe to ensure you are not in a blood vessel and then push the plunger to inject the medication.
  • Discard the syringe immediately into a sharps container. Wipe with an alcohol swab over the injection site in case of bleeding, and then apply a bandage.
  • Make sure to place medication vial back into the refrigerator.

Tip: We recommend rotating injection sites each week.

FAQs

What is compounded semaglutide?

Compounded semaglutide refers to a semaglutide-based medication compounded by our partner pharmacies. It addresses the shortage of Wegovy® and ensures continuity of treatment for those who cannot access semaglutide-based medications while they remain on the FDA’s Drug Shortage List.

How does compounded semaglutide work?

Compounded semaglutide operates within the category of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). This medication mimics the GLP-1 hormone, reducing glucose delivery into the bloodstream and stimulating insulin production. GLP-1 RAs also influence the digestive system, delaying gastric emptying and moderating brain activity to suppress appetite.

What are the most common side effects of compounded semaglutide?

Compounded semaglutide, containing semaglutide, shares common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and constipation. Typically, these side effects subside within a few days or up to 2-3 weeks. For some people, side effects may linger, but should still be mild to moderate. Depending on the side effect, over-the-counter medications can be effective in managing these symptoms. Please contact your Bioverse provider for further guidance. Medication should be discontinued in the instance of severe or intolerable side effects. Please report to your nearest emergency department or urgent care for immediate medical attention.

Can I travel with compounded semaglutide?

Yes, you can safely travel with compounded semaglutide if you adhere to proper storage guidelines. Refrigerate the vials before use, and if your trip extends beyond 28 days, consider bringing a refrigerated travel case to store the vials.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a scheduled dose of compounded semaglutide, you can still take it within 5 days of the missed dose. Resume your normal dosing schedule thereafter. If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take it on your next scheduled day. Avoid doubling up on doses.

Is compounded semaglutide permitted to be prescribed under federal law?

Compounded drugs are permitted to be prescribed under federal law but are not FDA-approved and do not undergo safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing review; approval for treatment is not guaranteed. The prescriber will assess your overall health profile to determine eligibility and approval.

What if I do not tolerate a specific dose?

If you do not tolerate a specific dose, resume the previous dose for two weeks and then attempt to increase the dose. If you do not tolerate the starting dose, please message a Bioverse provider by logging into your secure portal.

When should I stop increasing my dose?

When you see steady weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week on average.

When will I start seeing results?

With consistent use maximum benefit is usually seen around month 4-6. 

How much weight loss can I expect from semaglutide versus tirzepatide?

Semaglutide tends to help people lose about 15% of their body weight whereas tirzepatide is about 20%.

Important Safety Information

Compounded drugs are permitted to be prescribed under federal law. Semaglutide should be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity. These injections contain semaglutide and should not be used concurrently with other GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines or any products containing semaglutide. The safety and effectiveness of using this drug in combination with other weight loss products have not been established.

This drug has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis. Common side effects associated with Semaglutide include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, dyspepsia, dizziness, abdominal distension, eructation, hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes, flatulence, gastroenteritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Please note that this is a summary, and for a comprehensive list of potential side effects and essential safety information, please contact your BIOVERSE provider.

Compounded drugs are permitted to be prescribed under federal law, but are not FDA-approved and do not undergo safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing review; approval for treatment is not guaranteed. The prescriber will assess your overall health profile to determine eligibility and approval. Avoid using semaglutide if you are allergic to semaglutide or any of its components, if you are currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding.

Additionally, refrain from using semaglutide if you or your family has a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have a condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Inform your healthcare provider about all the medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Semaglutide may impact the effectiveness of certain medications, and some medications may affect how semaglutide works. Specifically, disclose if you are taking other diabetes medications such as sulfonylureas or insulin.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription products: Contact FDA MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit www.fda.gov/medwatch

The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Risks

Accurate Information
Your BIOVERSE team will evaluate the health information you provide to make a treatment recommendation. If you do not provide full and accurate information about your current health and your health history it could lead to failure of a diagnosis or an incorrect diagnosis. This could impact your treatment recommendations. Please contact your provider with any health updates as they come up.

Treatment Failure
This medication is not 100% effective. There is a possibility it may only partially resolve the condition or not work for the condition at all. Should you find the treatment to not be working or you notice new or worsening symptoms or side effects we urge you to reach out to your provider. If there is an emergency situation, call 911 or seek immediate in-person medical attention.

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
As with an in-person doctor, there is a possibility for misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose a condition you may have. This can impact the treatment recommendation from your provider. Our BIOVERSE providers practice using evidence based guidelines to make informed clinical decisions.

Accepting or Declining Our Recommendation
Your healthcare is your decision. Our providers will provide thoughtful evidence based recommendations from the information you provide and the potential benefits and risks associated with the treatment. You should make an evaluation based on our information, relevant input from other providers in your care team and any other important information related to your health to make an informed decision. You are by no means required to follow our recommendation, but keep in mind there can also be risks associated with no treatment.

Alternative Treatment
The recommendation of your BIOVERSE provider is based upon your specific situation, however in some cases there may be alternative treatments available that could work for you. These alternative treatments may vary in how effective they are or require an in-person exam that we are unable to provide. Please message us with any questions or concerns you have regarding your treatment.