Explainer
Why GLP-1s start low and step up slowly
By the TreatmentMD editorial team
Key takeaways
- Every GLP-1 starts on a small dose and steps up about once a month, which helps your stomach get used to it.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
- The best dose is the one that works for you and feels comfortable, and it isn't always the highest.2American Diabetes AssociationSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182.Open the source All sources
- Your clinician sets the pace with you, and a step can wait if you need more time.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources3BMJ Open Diabetes Research & CareSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Obesity. Pharmacologic treatment of obesity in adults: Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2026;13(Suppl 1):e005729.Open the source All sources
By the TreatmentMD editorial team
If you're starting a GLP-1, your first dose will be small, maybe smaller than you'd expect. That's on purpose.
Starting low and stepping up slowly, called titration, is how these medicines are designed to be taken. Here's why it works, what the steps look like, and how to make them easy on yourself.
01The short answer
Why do GLP-1s start at a low dose?
To give your body time to get used to them. Each step up lets your stomach adjust, which keeps side effects like nausea gentler.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
It's built into every label, and it's how the medicines were developed: when researchers tried faster ramps, more people stopped, so the gentler schedules won out.4U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Clinical review of Zepbound® (tirzepatide), NDA 217806. November 2023.Open the source All sources5U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Clinical review of Wegovy® (semaglutide), NDA 215256. June 2021.Open the source All sources
02How it works
What does titration mean?
It just means adjusting a dose step by step. With a GLP-1, you start low and move up about once a month until you reach the dose that suits you.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
Each step lasts at least four weeks for the weekly shots, and about 30 days for the pills.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
And that first dose isn't a waste: in the main studies, people were already losing a little weight in the first month.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
03The steps
What do the steps look like?
Here's how each weight-loss medicine steps up, straight from its label:
| Starts at | Steps up | Long-term dose | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy® shot | 0.25 mg a week | Every 4 weeks: 0.5, 1, then 1.7 mg | 2.4 mg or 1.7 mg, or 7.2 mg with Wegovy® HD |
| Wegovy® pill | 1.5 mg a day | Every 30 days: 4, then 9 mg | 25 mg |
| Zepbound® shot | 2.5 mg a week | Every 4 weeks or more, by 2.5 mg | 5, 10 or 15 mg |
| Foundayo™ pill | 0.8 mg a day | Every 30 days or more: 2.5, 5.5, then up to 17.2 mg | Set with your clinician |
Ozempic® and Mounjaro®, approved for type 2 diabetes, step up in a similar way, guided by blood sugar.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
Dose numbers don't carry over between medicines, either: 2.4 mg of semaglutide and 15 mg of tirzepatide are different medicines, so the numbers don't compare.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
Pills use their own numbers too. The Wegovy® pill's 25 mg is the match for the 2.4 mg shot, so a bigger number doesn't mean a stronger dose.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
04Side effects
Why do side effects show up after a step up?
Side effects tend to follow the steps. They show up in the days after an increase, peak as you reach your dose, then ease as your body adjusts.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources4U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Clinical review of Zepbound® (tirzepatide), NDA 217806. November 2023.Open the source All sources5U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Clinical review of Wegovy® (semaglutide), NDA 215256. June 2021.Open the source All sources
In the studies, stomach side effects were busiest in the first four or five months, while people were stepping up, and settled after that.4U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Clinical review of Zepbound® (tirzepatide), NDA 217806. November 2023.Open the source All sources5U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Clinical review of Wegovy® (semaglutide), NDA 215256. June 2021.Open the source All sources
Even at the busiest point, fewer than 1 in 5 people on Wegovy® had nausea in any given week, and a typical bout lasted about a week.5U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Clinical review of Wegovy® (semaglutide), NDA 215256. June 2021.Open the source All sources6Diabetes, Obesity and MetabolismRandomized trial · 2022STEP 1 to 3Stomach side effects were mostly mild to moderate and short-lived (a typical bout of nausea lasted about 8 days), and weight loss was similar with or without them.68 weeks. People in the STEP 1, 2 and 3 trials. Funded by Novo Nordisk.Gastrointestinal tolerability of once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg in adults with overweight or obesity, and the relationship between gastrointestinal adverse events and weight loss. Wharton S, et al., 2022.Read the study All sources
And feeling queasy isn't a sign it's working: people lost about the same weight with or without nausea.6Diabetes, Obesity and MetabolismRandomized trial · 2022STEP 1 to 3Stomach side effects were mostly mild to moderate and short-lived (a typical bout of nausea lasted about 8 days), and weight loss was similar with or without them.68 weeks. People in the STEP 1, 2 and 3 trials. Funded by Novo Nordisk.Gastrointestinal tolerability of once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg in adults with overweight or obesity, and the relationship between gastrointestinal adverse events and weight loss. Wharton S, et al., 2022.Read the study All sources7Diabetes, Obesity and MetabolismRandomized trial · 2025SURMOUNT-1 to -4Stomach side effects were mostly mild to moderate and came mainly while doses were rising, and weight loss was similar with or without nausea.People in the four SURMOUNT trials, with and without type 2 diabetes. Funded by Eli Lilly.Gastrointestinal tolerability and weight reduction associated with tirzepatide in adults with obesity or overweight with and without type 2 diabetes in the SURMOUNT-1 to -4 trials. Rubino DM, et al., 2025.Read the study All sources
Our side effects article has easy habits for those first weeks.
05The right dose
Do you have to reach the highest dose?
Not necessarily, which is good news. Doctors' guidelines say the best dose balances your results and how you feel, and it may not be the highest.2American Diabetes AssociationSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182.Open the source All sources
That's why Zepbound® has three long-term doses, Wegovy® two (plus Wegovy® HD for some adults), and Foundayo™ moves up as your results and comfort guide.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
Higher doses did bring more weight loss on average. In Zepbound®'s main study, people lost about 15% on 5 mg and about 21% on 15 mg.8The New England Journal of MedicineRandomized trial · 2022SURMOUNT-1Mean body weight fell 20.9 percent at the 15 mg dose against 3.1 percent on placebo over 72 weeks.2,539 people · 72 weeks. Adults with BMI 30 or above, or 27 or above with at least one weight-related complication, without diabetes.Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. Jastreboff AM, et al., 2022.Read the study All sources
In everyday practice, many people step up more slowly than in the studies and still do well.3BMJ Open Diabetes Research & CareSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Obesity. Pharmacologic treatment of obesity in adults: Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2026;13(Suppl 1):e005729.Open the source All sources
06Going slower
Can you take it slower?
Often, yes. If a step feels rough, your clinician may keep you there a little longer, or settle on a lower long-term dose.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources3BMJ Open Diabetes Research & CareSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Obesity. Pharmacologic treatment of obesity in adults: Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2026;13(Suppl 1):e005729.Open the source All sources
There's no prize for rushing, though. Each step lasts at least four weeks, and faster ramps mostly just bring more side effects.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources4U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Clinical review of Zepbound® (tirzepatide), NDA 217806. November 2023.Open the source All sources
So tell your clinician how each step feels before the next one. That's exactly what the check-ins are for.2American Diabetes AssociationSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182.Open the source All sources
07Missed doses
What if you miss a dose?
It happens to everyone. Each medicine has its own simple rule:
| If you miss one | |
|---|---|
| Wegovy® shot | Take it if your next dose is more than 2 days away. Otherwise, skip it. |
| Zepbound® shot | Take it within 4 days. Otherwise, skip it. |
| Wegovy® pill | Skip it, and take your next one the following day. |
| Foundayo™ pill | Take it when you remember, but never two at once. |
After a longer break, like two or more missed weeks of Wegovy® or seven or more days of Foundayo™, check in with your clinician first. You'll usually restart at a lower dose, so your stomach can ease back in.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
The same goes for Zepbound® after a longer gap: your clinician will help you pick where to restart.
If you move your shot day, keep doses at least 2 days apart for Wegovy®, or 3 days for Zepbound®.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
08Compounded
How does dosing work with compounded GLP-1s?
Your clinician sets your dose and pace, and the pharmacy's label tells you how much to take.9U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss. Content current as of October 1, 2026.Open the source All sources
Compounded medicines often come in a vial you draw from with a syringe. The marks on a syringe are units, not milligrams, and how much medicine each unit holds depends on your vial, so ask how many units make your dose, and ask to be shown how to draw it.9U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss. Content current as of October 1, 2026.Open the source All sources10U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. FDA alerts health care providers, compounders and patients of dosing errors associated with compounded injectable semaglutide products. July 26, 2024.Open the source All sources
Use a new needle and syringe each time, and use a vial within 28 days of first opening it.9U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss. Content current as of October 1, 2026.Open the source All sources
Our compounded explainer covers how they work.
09Easy habits
How can you make the steps easier?
A few small habits make the ramp smoother:
Pick a shot day
Same day each week, any time, with or without food. A phone reminder helps.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
Check in at each step
Tell your clinician how a step feels before the next one.2American Diabetes AssociationSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182.Open the source All sources
Eat a little smaller
Smaller meals, stopping when you're full, and going easy on rich or spicy food all help after a step up.2American Diabetes AssociationSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182.Open the source All sources
Sip fluids
Especially on queasy days.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
Birth control pills
On Zepbound® or Foundayo™, use a backup method for about a month after you start and after each step up.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
Other diabetes medicines
If you take insulin or a sulfonylurea, your clinician may lower those doses as you start.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources2American Diabetes AssociationSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182.Open the source All sources
10Getting started
Ready to get started?
A good program starts you low, checks in at each step and adjusts with you. Our ranking compares the programs we rank, and our guide to getting a GLP-1 online safely shows what good looks like.
Frequently asked questions.
Can I stay on the starting dose?
Usually not for good.
Zepbound®'s 2.5 mg and Wegovy®'s 0.25 mg are starting doses.
If a step is hard, though, your clinician may give you more time before the next one.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources3BMJ Open Diabetes Research & CareSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Obesity. Pharmacologic treatment of obesity in adults: Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2026;13(Suppl 1):e005729.Open the source All sources
Will a higher dose mean more side effects?
Often a little, mostly in the days after the step up, which is why the steps are gentle.
They tend to ease as your body adjusts.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
Why is my clinician keeping me on the same dose?
Often because it's working and you feel well on it.
The best dose is the one that suits you.2American Diabetes AssociationSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182.Open the source All sources
What if I'm not losing much weight yet?
Give each step time, since the early doses are a warm-up.
If you're not seeing much change after a few months, your clinician may step you up or look at other options with you.2American Diabetes AssociationSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182.Open the source All sources3BMJ Open Diabetes Research & CareSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Obesity. Pharmacologic treatment of obesity in adults: Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2026;13(Suppl 1):e005729.Open the source All sources
Can I use what's left in my KwikPen?
No. A KwikPen holds four weekly doses, so start a new pen after your fourth, even if a little medicine is left.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
Are the pills' schedules different?
They step up about every 30 days, and you take them daily.
The Wegovy® pill needs a morning routine: an empty stomach, a small glass of water and a 30-minute wait before eating.
Foundayo™ can be taken with or without food.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
Should I take extra if I've missed a few days?
No, never double up.
Follow your medicine's missed-dose rule, and check in if you've missed more than a week or two.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.All sources
The bottom line
Starting low and stepping up slowly is how GLP-1s are meant to be taken: it gives your body time to adjust and keeps side effects gentler.
The best dose is the one that suits you, and your clinician sets the pace with you.
When you're ready, compare programs on our ranking to find one that fits.
By the TreatmentMD editorial team
Medical disclaimerThis content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any weight-loss program or medication. Individual results may vary.
Sources
- 1FDA prescribing information, Medication Guides and Instructions for Use for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Clinical Studies.
- 2American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Obesity. Pharmacologic treatment of obesity in adults: Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2026;13(Suppl 1):e005729. doi.org
- 4FDA. Clinical review of Zepbound® (tirzepatide), NDA 217806. November 2023. fda.gov
- 5FDA. Clinical review of Wegovy® (semaglutide), NDA 215256. June 2021. fda.gov
- 6Wharton S, Calanna S, Davies M, et al. Gastrointestinal tolerability of once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg in adults with overweight or obesity, and the relationship between gastrointestinal adverse events and weight loss. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022;24(1):94-105. doi.org
- 7Rubino DM, Pedersen SD, Connery L, et al. Gastrointestinal tolerability and weight reduction associated with tirzepatide in adults with obesity or overweight with and without type 2 diabetes in the SURMOUNT-1 to -4 trials. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025;27(4):1826-1835. doi.org
- 8Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(3):205-216. doi.org
- 9FDA. FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss. Content current as of October 1, 2026. fda.gov
- 10FDA. FDA alerts health care providers, compounders and patients of dosing errors associated with compounded injectable semaglutide products. July 26, 2024. fda.gov
Product information
- Zepbound® (tirzepatide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or adults with overweight who have at least one weight-related medical condition. It is also approved for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, and should be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- Ozempic® (semaglutide) is a prescription-only injectable medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss; however, weight reduction has been observed in some individuals with type 2 diabetes using the medication.
- Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss; however, weight reduction has been observed in some individuals using the medication.
- Wegovy® (semaglutide) is a prescription-only injectable or oral medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related medical condition, when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- All medications require a medical evaluation and prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Individual results may vary.
Important safety information
- Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are prepared by state-licensed pharmacies and are not FDA approved. The FDA does not review their safety, effectiveness or quality, and clinical trial results for brand-name drugs do not carry over to them.
- Semaglutide and tirzepatide carry a boxed warning for a risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, based on animal studies, and are not for anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN2, or who is pregnant. Other warnings include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and a higher risk of low blood sugar when combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea. The most common side effects are digestive, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.
- This is a high-level summary, not a complete list. A licensed clinician will review your health history to decide whether a GLP-1 medication is right for you.
