Important Safety Information Before Starting Compounded Semaglutide

Compounded drugs are prescribed under federal law but are not FDA-approved and do not undergo safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing review. Your OhmyOlivia-affiliated provider may recommend specific doses of compounded semaglutide based on your medical evaluation.

Warning: Risk of Thyroid C-Cell Tumors

  • In studies with mice and rats, semaglutide (the active ingredient in leading brand name drugs) caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if semaglutide will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people. Tell your provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. 
  • Do not use semaglutide if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

What is semaglutide used for?

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist for chronic weight management, along with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity, for people with an initial body mass index (BMI) of:

  • A body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater which indicates obesity

          or

  • A body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m2 or greater indicates overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia).

Limitations of Use:

  • Semaglutide should not be used in combination with other semaglutide-containing products or any other GLP-1 receptor agonist
  • The safety and efficacy of coadministration with other products for weight loss have not been established
  • Semaglutide has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis

Who should not use semaglutide?

Do not use semaglutide if:

  • You or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
  • You have a known allergic reaction to semaglutide (the active ingredient in leading brand name drugs).

How should semaglutide be administered?

Injections

You can take semaglutide with or without food. The medication is self-administered as a subcutaneous injection in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm once a week on the same day every week. For detailed instructions on how to administer your dose, refer to your treatment plan or reach out to your OhmyOlivia-affiliated provider. They will guide you on a treatment regimen that may include an increase in dose every four weeks.

Oral Semaglutide

For best results with oral semaglutide, take it at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking any other medication. Place it under your tongue and hold it there for 20 seconds. After it has dissolved, wait at least 30 minutes before eating to ensure proper absorption.

What should I tell my OhmyOlivia-affiliated provider before using semaglutide?

Semaglutide has specific drug interactions. Tell your OhmyOlivia-affiliated provider about all the medications you are currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal and dietary supplements. 

Some medications to watch out for include:

  • Medications used to treat type 1 or type 2 diabetes, including insulin or sulfonylureas (such as Amaryl or Glucotrol XL)
  • Semaglutide delays gastric emptying, so it has the potential to impact the absorption of medications taken by mouth simultaneously. Your provider can guide you on how to schedule your medications.
  • Other medications in the same drug class.
  • If you’re using other products for weight loss, including dietary supplements

It’s important to share your entire medical history with your provider. In particular, tell your provider if you have or have a history of:

  • Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Pancreatitis
  • Kidney disease
  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Depression
  • Suicidal thoughts or behavior
  • Ileus

Tell your provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. 

  • If you are pregnant: Semaglutide should not be used during pregnancy. Based on animal studies, there may be potential risks to an unborn baby from exposure to semaglutide during pregnancy. There is no benefit to weight loss during pregnancy, and it may cause harm to the unborn baby.
  • If you are a female or male of reproductive potential: Discontinue semaglutide at least two months before a planned pregnancy since the drug can stay in the bloodstream for a long time.
  • If you are breastfeeding: Semaglutide was found in the milk of lactating rats. Tell your Ro-affiliated provider if you are breastfeeding before you start semaglutide.

Withholding or providing inaccurate information about your health and medical history in order to obtain treatment may result in harm, including, in some cases, death.

What are the most severe side effects that I should monitor for when taking semaglutide?

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention.

Semaglutide can cause these serious side effects. You or a caregiver should carefully monitor for them, especially at the beginning of treatment and with dose changes.

  • Thyroid C-Cell Tumors: In mice and rats, semaglutide (the active ingredient in leading brand name drugs) caused an increase in thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). It is unknown whether semaglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors in humans. There were cases of MTC reported in patients who took liraglutide (the active ingredient in Victoza and Saxenda) after the drug was put on the market. Semaglutide should not be used if you have a family history of MTC or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Tell your provider immediately if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. 
  • Inflammation of Pancreas (Acute Pancreatitis): Monitor for signs of acute pancreatitis, including severe abdominal pain that does not go away, sometimes radiating to the back, with or without vomiting.
  • Acute Gallbladder Disease: Semaglutide may cause gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Some gallbladder problems require surgery. Tell your provider immediately if you have pain in your upper stomach, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), fever, or clay-colored stools.
  • Low Blood Sugar (hypoglycemia): Semaglutide lowers blood glucose. It can cause too low blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes who also take another glucose control medication. Monitor your blood sugar and watch out for signs of too low blood sugar, such as dizziness, blurred vision, mood changes, sweating, or fast heartbeat.
  • Acute Kidney Injury: In people with kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause fluid loss (dehydration), which can worsen kidney problems. It is important to drink plenty of water to help reduce the chance of dehydration.
  • Serious Allergic Reactions: Stop using semaglutide right away if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, severe rash or itching, very rapid heartbeat, problems breathing or swallowing, or fainting or feeling dizzy.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: If you have type 2 diabetes, tell your provider right away if you experience changes in vision.
  • Increase in Heart Rate: Tell your provider right away if you have a racing heartbeat while at rest. 
  • Suicidal Behavior and Ideation: You should pay attention to any mental health changes, especially sudden changes in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you.
  • Never Share Needles or Syringes: Sharing needles or syringes poses a risk of infection. 
What are the most common side effects of semaglutide?
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal pain
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Dyspepsia
  • Dizziness
  • Abdominal distension
  • Eructation
  • Hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes
  • Flatulence
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription products:

This information is not comprehensive. Please see the full Consumer Medical  Information for complete safety information.