Complete Detailed Guide To Semaglutide prescribing information
This little guide only tells you some things about your semaglutide medicine. It’s just a quick look to ensure this medicine is right for you and used safely. But remember, this isn’t the same as getting advice from your doctor, who knows exactly what you need. So, always chat with your doctor to get the full story on how this medicine helps with weight loss and if it’s a good fit for you.
WHAT IS COMPOUNDED SEMAGLUTIDE?
Semaglutide is like a particular helper medicine for people who need to lose weight because it’s not healthy for them to be too heavy. Sometimes, it’s also used for a sugar problem called diabetes. The kind you’re getting is mixed up just for you to match what your body needs.
What It’s For:
Doctors give you this medicine to work with your exercise, the foods you eat less of, and the new healthy habits you’re starting. It’s there to help people who weigh more than is suitable for their health. Staying at a healthier weight is excellent because it can help you not get sick with things like heart trouble or diabetes and enables you to live a longer, more fun life. This medicine works like your body already makes to help you stay healthy.
IF YOU HAVE OR ARE TAKING A G1P-1 MEDICATION
If you already have a prescription for another semaglutide medicine or a similar one, don’t use that with your new medicine simultaneously. Using two medications that are alike can cause considerable side effects, and that’s not safe. Always use only one, okay?
Here’s how you use your once-a-week medicine shot:
You get a syringe and needle with your medicine, and you use them to give yourself a shot. You can do it in your tummy, but not close to your belly button, upper leg, or arm. There are step-by-step instructions to show you how, or you can ask your doctor or nurse for help if you need more clarification. You can have the shot whether you’ve eaten or not.
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use, and they’ll start you with a little bit to ensure it’s okay for your stomach. Then, they might tell you to use a bit more, slowly over time, as long as it’s going well.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF COMPOUNDED SEMAGLUTIDE?
When you start taking your medicine, you might feel some things like an upset tummy, feeling like you want to throw up, or a headache, but these usually don’t last too long and go away after a few weeks. Sometimes, the place you got your shot might get puffy, red, or itchy. Also, the big bosses at the FDA who make sure medicines are safe have a super-important warning that drugs like this could be linked to a specific lump in your neck, but this is very rare.
Look at the ADMINISTRATION GUIDE HERE to take your medicine the right way. There’s even a video that shows you all the steps!
WHEN YOUR MEDICATION GETS DROPPED OFF:
Put your medicine in the fridge right after getting it to ensure it stays good. It’s packed uniquely so that it’s okay for up to two days without being cold, but it’s best to chill it fast if you forget and don’t put it in the fridge within two days, message INFO@AKTW.LIFE for help on what to do next.
HOW TO STORE YOUR MEDICATION:
As soon as you get your medicine, put it in the fridge, just like a snack that needs to stay calm. Keep the bottle inside its particular medicine container. The refrigerator should be not too cold or warm, just right—like the cool part of a playground slide. If you haven’t used all the medicine after 28 days, or if the ‘use by’ date on the bottle has gone by, it’s time to throw it away, like an old lunch you forgot in your backpack.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A PREVIOUS PRESCRIPTION
If you already have some medicine like semaglutide at home, and you get a new kind that’s mixed just for you, don’t use both at the same time. You should throw away the old medicine because using both could make you feel sick with some intense side effects. Always stick to what your doctor says is okay to use.
When to Take Your Medicine:
Once every week, pick a day to take your medicine. It doesn’t matter what time or whether you’ve eaten; take it the same day each week.
Get your needle, medicine bottle, and alcohol wipes ready.
- Filling the Syringe:
- Push the needle through the squishy top of the medicine bottle and push the plunger down to blow air inside. This helps get the medicine ready for you.
- Flip the bottle upside down with the needle still in the bottle. Make sure the needle’s tip is in the liquid, and pull the plunger back a little past the mark for your dose to get the right amount of medicine.
- Flick the syringe with your finger to send any bubbles up and away.
- Press the plunger down to the line for your dose. If you’re supposed to take ten units, stop at the ten-unit mark.
Flip the bottle back over and take the needle out.
- Don’t put the cap back on the needle. Just lay it down without letting the needle touch anything.
- Seal the bottle with a new sticker to keep everything clean.
And that’s how you get your medicine for your weekly dose!
ADMINISTERING THE INJECTION:
Here’s how to get ready for your medicine shot, kind of like setting up your gear for a mini adventure:
- Prepping the Spot:
First, grab an alcohol wipe and clean the spot on your body where you’ll get the shot. Make sure it’s dry before you start. Good places for the shot are your tummy (but not too close to your belly button), the top of your leg, or your upper arm.
Remember to switch up the exact spot each time you get a shot. Think of it like not wanting to put a sticker in the same place on your notebook every time. You can give the shot in the same general area but not the same spot as last time, so move it over a bit.
What the Medicine Does:
The medicine acts like a signal in your body that helps you feel full so you won’t want to snack too much. It’s like having a secret code that tells you when you’ve had enough to eat.
HOW DOES SEMAGLUTIDE WORK?
What Semaglutide Does:
Semaglutide is like a helper that does the same job as a particular thing in your body, controlling how much sugar is in your blood and how hungry you feel. It works slowly to help you not always feel so hungry, which can help you stay at a good weight for your body.
A Heads-Up About a Rare Side Effect:
There’s a scarce chance that this medicine can cause a type of neck lump called medullary thyroid carcinoma, but that’s primarily been in mice or rats in science experiments. The doctors aren’t sure if it can happen to people too. Your treatment plan has more information on this and other rare side effects.
Stuff in Your Medicine Kit:
- One bottle of your medicine
- One clean, never-used-before syringe with a needle.
- Use two alcohol wipes to clean the skin where you’ll use the needle.
- One sticker to seal your medicine bottle after you use it
- A rigid plastic container that you can close tight to throw away used needles and syringes safely
Why You Should Change Your Injection Spot:
Don’t use the needle in the same place on your body every time. Move it around a little bit each time you take your medicine. This helps you avoid getting any hard lumps under your skin, which can also make the medicine not work.
Prepping Your Syringe:
Hold your syringe up high like a rocket about to blast off to the moon, with the needle pointing to the ceiling. Gently push the plunger until you see a tiny drop at the tip of the needle.
How Your Medicine Works:
This medicine is a power-up that makes your stomach send messages to your brain saying you’re full quicker and for a longer time. So, you will feel like snacking only a little because you’ll feel complete with less food.
Teaming Up with Healthy Habits:
Mixing this medicine with good eating and some fun, active play like soccer or tag helps you stay at a healthy weight, which is excellent for playing more and feeling fantastic.
HOW IS COMPOUNDED SEMAGLUTIDE PRESCRIBED?
Compounded. semaglutide typically starts at a low dose and gradually increases over time.
The typical dosing schedule of compounded semaglutide is:
- Weeks 1–4: 0.25 mg once a week
- Weeks 5–8: 0.5 mg once a week
- Weeks 9–12: 1 mg once a week
- Weeks 13–16: 2 mg once a week
Once you have reached a dose of 2 mg once a week for at least four weeks, you may remain at that dose or may transition to a higher dose of brand-name semaglutide, if available.
Follow the dosing instructions from your provider, as they may personalize.
Heads Up About Your Medicine:
This medicine helped some lab animals, like rats and mice, but it also made them get lumps in their thyroid, a gland in the neck. Doctors are still determining if it will do the same thing to people. Suppose you or someone in your family has had a specific neck lump cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma or a particular condition passed down in families called MEN 2. In that case, you shouldn’t use this medicine.
When taking this medicine
if you feel a lump in your neck, have difficulty swallowing, or find breathing challenging, or your voice sounds funny for a long time, tell your doctor super-fast. Alright, here’s how to get started with your medicine, just like you’re learning a new level in a video game:
Getting Ready to Use Your Medicine:
Before you even start, read the easy-to-understand guide with your medicine every time you get more of it. It’s like the instructions for a new game level. If something needs clarification, ask your doctor or the pharmacist, like asking a teacher for help with homework.
Use Each Syringe Only Once:
Each syringe and needle is like a disposable lunch box – use it once and then throw it away. Never use them more than once because it’s not safe.
Clean Hands, Check Your Gear:
Before you do anything, wash your hands with soap and water, like scrubbing away sticky candy. Then, look at your medicine bottle. It should tell you how much medicine to take and when it goes out of date, like checking a milk carton’s expiration date. The medicine should be as transparent as water. If it looks weird or you’re unsure about something, stop and ask your doctor what to do next. Here’s how you get your medicine ready and use it, kind of like prepping for a science project:
- Shake Up the Magic Potion:
Take off the plastic top if it’s your first time using this potion bottle (vial). If you’ve used it before, peel off the sticker you put on last time. Wipe the top with a little alcohol pad to make it super clean.
- Prepare Your Tool (Syringe):
Now, you need to get your syringe ready. It’s like a little water gun, but just for your medicine. Please remove the caps, but don’t touch the needle because it must stay clean.
- Measure Your Dose:
While holding your syringe with the needle pointing up to the sky, pull the plunger back to the number your doctor told you. If your doctor said to use 0.25 mg, pull back to where it says “10” on the syringe.
- Get Ready for a Tiny Poke:
Find a spot on your skin where you will inject the medicine. Pinch that spot with your other hand.
- The Quick Poke:
With the syringe aiming straight at the pinched skin, give a quick push so the needle goes in. Then, press the plunger down slowly to send the medicine in.
- All Done:
Gently pull the needle out and wipe the spot with an alcohol pad. If you see a tiny bit of blood, that’s okay; press on it with a clean tissue for a little bit.
And that’s it! You’ve just learned how to take your medicine like a pro.
DISCARDING THE SYRINGE:
Discard the syringe in a sharps container or a heavy plastic container with a tight-fitting lid, like an empty detergent bottle. Do not throw away the syringe in your household trash.
Follow your provider’s instructions carefully. Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to lessen injury under the skin. Do not inject in an area that is tender, bruised, red, complex, or has scars or stretch marks. Use this medication at the dosing schedule prescribed by your provider to get the most benefit from it.
To help you remember, use it on the same day and time each week. It may help mark your calendar with a reminder. Carefully follow the meal plan and exercise program your provider has recommended.
SIDE EFFECTS:
See also the Warning section. Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, tiredness, dizziness, or constipation may occur. Nausea usually lessens as you continue to use semaglutide. Tell your provider or pharmacist promptly if these effects last or
worsen. Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your provider has judged that the benefit outweighs the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Vomiting/diarrhea that doesn’t stop may result in dehydration. Contact your provider promptly if you notice any symptoms of dehydration, such as unusual dry mouth/thirst or dizziness/ lightheadedness. Tell your provider right away if you have any severe side effects, including signs of kidney problems (such as a change in the amount of urine), vision changes (such as decreased/blurred vision), fast heartbeat,
mental/mood changes (such as depression, thoughts of suicide), signs of low blood sugar (sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, tingling hands/feet).
Get medical help right away if you have any severe side effects, including signs of pancreas or gallbladder disease (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn’t stop or severe stomach/abdominal pain).
A severe allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help immediately if you notice any symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, including rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.
This is a partial list of possible side effects. Contact your provider or pharmacist if you notice other effects not listed above.
In the US – Call your provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
PRECAUTIONS: See also the Warning section. Before using semaglutide, tell your provider or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your provider or pharmacist your medical history, especially of kidney disease, gallbladder disease, disease of the pancreas (pancreatitis), a specific eye problem (diabetic retinopathy), mental/ mood disorders (such as depression, thoughts of suicide), specific stomach/ intestinal disorders (gastroparesis, problems digesting food).
If you have diabetes, this product may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your provider. Tell your provider immediately if you have low blood sugar symptoms (see Side Effects section). Your provider may need to adjust your diabetes medication(s), exercise program, or diet. This drug may make you dizzy.
Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis)can make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely.
Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your provider if you are using marijuana (cannabis). Before having surgery, tell your provider or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Tell your provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It would be best if you did not become pregnant while using semaglutide and for two months after the last dose. Semaglutide may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, talk to your provider right away about the risks and benefits of this medication. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your provider before breastfeeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all your products (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your provider and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your provider’s approval.
Do not use this medication with other semaglutide products or similar medicines (such as exenatide or dulaglutide).
OVERDOSE:
If someone has overdosed and has severe symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center
at 1-800-222-1222. Symptoms of overdose may include severe nausea/ vomiting.
NOTES:
Do not share this medication with others. Lab and medical tests (such as kidney function, blood glucose, heartbeat, and weight) should be done using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your provider for more details.
MISSED DOSE:
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose (less than 48 hours away), skip the missed dose. Use your next dose regularly. Do not double the dose to catch up. If you miss more than two doses in a row, ask your provider if you should restart the medication with a lower dose to reduce your chance of side effects.
STORAGE: How to store your medication
Refrigerate your medication as soon as it arrives. Store the vial of the drug in the prescription bottle in which it came. Keep it in your refrigerator at 36º–46º F (2º–8º C). Discard unused medication 28 days after using the vial or when the expiration date has passed, whichever comes first.
Do not freeze. Please keep it in the original container to protect it from light. Keep all.
Medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Under certain circumstances, chemical degradation of drugs may occur. Information last revised March 2024.
You may also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088