Compounded Semaglutide Injections for Weight Loss

Compounded semaglutide is prescribed to manage blood sugar in people with diabetes and as a weight loss medication.¹

Always follow the specific instructions of your prescriber and use as directed. General information to know about using semaglutide injections include:²

• The medicine is given in a shot under the skin in your abdomen, thighs or upper arms.

• Rotate the injection to a different spot each time.

• Use a new needle for each injection.

• Liquid compound should be clear. Do not use if cloudy or colored.

• Medicine should be administered the same day each week at the same time of day.

Compounded semaglutide is legal. The FDA audits compounding pharmacies to ensure health and safety compliance.³

Dosages can vary from person to person. A common course of dosages for semaglutide for weight loss is:⁴ 

• 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: 1.7 mg once a week

• Week 17 and onward: 2.4 mg once a week

RedBox Rx offers flat-rate pricing for semaglutide injections with no cost increase based on dosage.

Weight loss can vary among patients. Some notice weight loss right away, others can take one month or more. Consistency is important. Continue to take as directed and your provider will adjust your dose as needed to promote optimal weight loss tailored to your clinical needs. On average, 1-2 pounds per week (or 6-8 pounds per month) of weight loss is typically considered safe. That said, individual targets may vary and should be discussed with your weight management clinician.

Compounded semaglutide injections require a prescription from a licensed provider. RedBox Rx offers semaglutide prescriptions for eligible candidates. Start an online assessment to see if you qualify.

Through RedBox Rx, compounded semaglutide injections are $189 per month with a 6 month subscription – no intro pricing and no cost increase based on dosage. This includes everything – your monthly medication and injection supplies, as well as unlimited provider follow-ups through messaging or video. No insurance required.

With a prescription from RedBox Rx, you will get everything you need – your monthly medication, injection supplies and unlimited provider follow-ups through messaging or video – for $189 per month with a 6 month subscription. Your subscription also includes one comprehensive metabolic panel (to be completed in the first two months) and one 30-minute one-on-one dietitian discovery session through our parent company Hy-Vee’s dietitian services.

Compounded semaglutide contains the same active ingredient and works similarly to name brands. The most noticeable difference is that compounded semaglutide comes in a vial and the user must measure each dose. The name brands come in an autopen with premeasured dosages.^5,6

Compounded semaglutide injections are more bioavailable than oral semaglutide. Because of the breakdown that can happen to the oral tablet in the digestive system, the optimal time to take oral compounded semaglutide is 30 minutes before the first food or drink of the day.⁷

In clinical trials, both semaglutide injections and oral tablets caused significant weight loss compared to other weight loss drugs and placebo. Semaglutide injections resulted in slightly more weight loss than oral tablets. However, oral tablets can be an attractive option for users who can’t or don’t want to use injections.⁸ 

With RedBox Rx, one comprehensive metabolic panel to be completed at a Quest Diagnostics lab location is included with the monthly prescription costs. During your first consultation, your provider will order one metabolic panel for you. The test needs to be completed within 60 days to avoid disruption in eligibility for the program.

If done ahead of your first refill visit, you may be eligible to receive a stronger dose. Your provider will customize your medication plan based on the lab results. If there is a need for a separate lab facility, please let your clinician know. If you’ve had labs done previously, you can submit them to the clinician. For any questions related to labs, please contact our customer service team at (979) 315-1012.

RedBox Rx can prescribe compounded semaglutide injections in 48 states. Our compounded GLP-1 weight loss medications are not available in Louisiana or Mississippi due to state regulations.

Eligibility for a semaglutide injection prescription is determined by licensed providers with RedBox Rx.

General requirements for patients include:

• Are 18-75 years of age. 

• Have BMI greater than 27 if not already taking a GLP-1 medication.

• Are not pregnant or currently breastfeeding.

As part of program eligibility, the patient’s health history is an important factor in qualifying for this program. Patients will be asked to complete an online intake assessment that will be reviewed by a medical provider to ultimately determine program eligibility.

Compounded semaglutide is a weekly subcutaneous injection that goes under the skin. It should be injected into the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. Each week, the injection should be administered on the same day and same time of day with rotating injection sites.⁹ 

Only take compounded semaglutide that is prescribed by a licensed provider. In addition, there are a few precautions to consider:¹⁰

• Low blood sugar can occur if you miss meals, drink alcohol or exercise more than normal. Signs of low blood sugar include anxiety, behavior change similar to being drunk, blurred vision, cold sweats, confusion, pale skin, difficulty with thinking, drowsiness, excessive hunger, fast heartbeat, headache, nausea, nervousness, nightmares, restless sleep, shakiness, slurred speech, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

• If symptoms of low blood sugar occur, eat or drink something high in sugar like glucose tablets, corn syrup, honey, sugar cubes, fruit juice, nondiet soda or sugar dissolved in water to relieve the symptoms.

• Do not take any additional medications unless you have discussed them with your provider. This includes nonprescription pain relievers and cold medicines.

There are no specific foods you must avoid or eat while taking semaglutide. There are a few dietary guidelines you can follow to avoid negative side effects and better achieve weight loss goals:¹¹

• Eat smaller meals and eat slowly.

• Avoid fatty foods, fried foods, unhealthy fast-foods and foods high in sugar.

• Avoid or limit alcohol consumption.

• Stay hydrated with plenty of water.

• Limit excess sugar intake.

In studies, users regained an average of two-thirds of the prior weight lost one year after stopping semaglutide. Hunger cues and cravings for certain foods could return after stopping semaglutide injections.¹² 

Common side effects of semaglutide include:¹³ 

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Diarrhea.

• Abdominal pain.

• Constipation.

• Heartburn.

• Burping.

Contact your provider if side effects become too bothersome.

Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of reach of children. Store it away from light and heat, with the needle cap on.

Store unused semaglutide in the refrigerator (36°F-46°F [2°C-8°C]) but do not place them near the refrigerator cooling element. Once semaglutide is in use, you can store it at room temperature (59°F-86°F [15°C-30°C]) or in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Do not use semaglutide if it has been frozen. When traveling, vials that are in use can be stored at room temperature (59°F-86°F [15°C-30°C]) (not in a car glove compartment or other hot place). Make a note of the date you first used a semaglutide vial, and dispose of the vial after 56 days, even if there is some solution left in the vial.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.¹⁴

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.¹⁵

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.¹⁶

Compounded semaglutide does not have a brand name. However, semaglutide injections are sold under the brand names of Ozempic and Wegovy.¹⁷ 

Semaglutide injection may increase the risk that you will develop tumors of the thyroid gland, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC; a type of thyroid cancer). Laboratory animals who were given semaglutide developed tumors, but it is not known if this medication increases the risk of tumors in humans. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had MTC or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2; condition that causes tumors in more than one gland in the body). If so, your doctor will probably tell you not to use semaglutide injection. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: a lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing or shortness of breath.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain tests to check your body's response to semaglutide injection.

Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with semaglutide injection and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) or the manufacturer's website to obtain the Medication Guide.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of using semaglutide injection.

1. FDA

2. Mayo Clinic

3. FDA

4. Drugs.com

5. Drugs.com

6. Wegovy

7. National Library of Medicine

8. National Library of Medicine

9. Mayo Clinic

10. Mayo Clinic

11. Drugs.com

12. National Library of Medicine

13. National Library of Medicine

14. National Library of Medicine

15. National Library of Medicine

16. National Library of Medicine

17. FDA