Important safety
information
Important Safety Information for Wegovy® (semaglutide) Injection
Warning: Risk of Thyroid C-Cell Tumors
Studies in rodents have shown that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy®, can lead to thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is unknown if Wegovy® can cause thyroid tumors or medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in humans. Notify your healthcare provider if you experience symptoms such as a new lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath, as these could indicate thyroid cancer.
Who Should Avoid Using Wegovy®
Do not use Wegovy® if you or your family members have a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Additionally, avoid Wegovy® if you are allergic to semaglutide.
Wegovy® should not be used with other products containing semaglutide or any other GLP-1 receptor agonists and has not been studied for safety and effectiveness in children under the age of 12.
Avoid using Wegovy® during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is unclear whether Wegovy® could harm an unborn baby or pass into breast milk. Discontinue Wegovy® at least two months before planning to conceive.
FDA-Approved Use of Wegovy®
Wegovy® is FDA-approved for:
Weight management (in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet and exercise) in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of
- 30 kg/m2 or more (obesity)
- 27 kg/m2 or more (overweight) with at least one weight-related medical condition (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol)
Reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with known heart disease who are obese or overweight.
Before using Wegovy®, tell your healthcare provider about
All of your medical conditions. Provide your complete medical history, particularly if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, have any planned surgeries or procedures, or if you have a history of diabetes, thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, ileus, kidney disease, gallstones, diabetic eye disease, depression, or suicidal thoughts.
All medications you are taking. Wegovy® causes a delay in stomach emptying, which can impact the absorption of some medications in the stomach. Inform your healthcare provider about all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take, especially any diabetes treatments such as insulin or sulfonylureas.
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Potential thyroid tumors, including cancer. Notify your healthcare provider if you notice a new lump or swelling in your neck, experience hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath. These symptoms may indicate thyroid cancer.
- Inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis). Stop using Wegovy® and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience severe, persistent abdominal pain with or without vomiting, often radiating to the back.
- Serious allergic reactions. Stop Wegovy® use immediately and seek medical assistance if you experience symptoms like swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; shortness of breath, wheezing or swallowing difficulties; severe rash or itching; fainting or dizziness; or rapid resting heartbeat.
- Kidney problems (kidney failure). In individuals with existing kidney issues, dehydration from diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting may worsen kidney function. It is extremely important to maintain adequate fluid intake to reduce dehydration risk.
- Gallbladder problems. Some individuals using Wegovy® have reported gallbladder issues, including gallstones, which may require surgery. Notify your healthcare provider right away if you experience symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or pale-colored stools.
- Vision changes. Notify your healthcare provider if you notice changes in your vision while using Wegovy®, particularly if you have type 2 diabetes.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk of hypoglycemia may increase if you use Wegovy® with other medications that lower blood sugar, such as sulfonylureas or insulin. Symptoms may include dizziness, blurred vision, anxiety, sweating, confusion, shakiness, weakness, headache, rapid resting heartbeat, and jitteriness.
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior. Notify your healthcare provider if you experience sudden changes in your mental health or suicidal thoughts.
- Food or liquid getting to the lungs during surgery. Notify your healthcare provider that you are taking Wegovy® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures.
Common side effects of Wegovy® include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, upset stomach, heartburn, bloating, gas, belching, dizziness, low blood sugar (specifically in people with type 2 diabetes), and runny nose or sore throat.
Consult the complete prescribing information for more details about the safety of Wegovy®. If you experience side effects from prescription medications, please report them to FDA MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Important Safety Information for Ozempic® (semaglutide) Injection
Warning: Risk of Thyroid C-Cell Tumors
Studies in rodents have shown that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic®, can lead to thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is unknown if Ozempic® can cause thyroid tumors or medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in humans. Notify your healthcare provider if you experience symptoms such as a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath, as these could indicate thyroid cancer.
Who Should Avoid Using Ozempic®
Do not use Ozempic® if you or your family members have a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Additionally, avoid Ozempic® if you are allergic to semaglutide.
Avoid using Ozempic® during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is unclear whether Ozempic® could harm an unborn baby or pass into breast milk. Discontinue Ozempic® at least two months before planning to conceive.
Ozempic® has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis or children under the age of 18 and is not intended for treating type 1 diabetes mellitus.
FDA-Approved Use of Ozempic®
Ozempic® is FDA-approved as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used:
- Alongside diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) levels in adults with type 2 diabetes
- To lower the risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease.
Before using Ozempic®, tell your healthcare provider about
All of your medical conditions. Provide your complete medical history, particularly if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, have any planned surgeries or procedures, or if you have a history of diabetes, thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, ileus, kidney disease, gallstones, diabetic eye disease, depression, or suicidal thoughts.
All medications you are taking. Inform your healthcare provider about all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take, especially any diabetes treatments such as insulin or sulfonylureas.
Ozempic® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Potential thyroid tumors, including cancer. Notify your healthcare provider if you notice a new lump or swelling in your neck, experience hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath. These symptoms may indicate thyroid cancer.
- Inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis). Stop using Ozempic® and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience severe, persistent abdominal pain with or without vomiting, often radiating to the back.
- Serious allergic reactions. Stop Ozempic® use immediately and seek medical assistance if you experience symptoms like swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; shortness of breath, wheezing or swallowing difficulties; severe rash or itching; fainting or dizziness; or rapid resting heartbeat.
- Kidney problems (kidney failure). In individuals with existing kidney issues, dehydration from diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting may worsen kidney function. It is extremely important to maintain adequate fluid intake to reduce dehydration risk.
- Gallbladder problems. Some individuals using Ozempic® have reported gallbladder issues. Notify your healthcare provider right away if you experience symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or pale-colored stools.
- Vision changes. Notify your healthcare provider if you notice changes in your vision while using Ozempic®.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk of hypoglycemia may increase if you use Ozempic® with other medications that lower blood sugar, such as sulfonylureas or insulin. Symptoms may include dizziness, blurred vision, anxiety, sweating, confusion, shakiness, weakness, headache, rapid heartbeat, and jitteriness.
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior. Notify your healthcare provider if you experience sudden changes in your mental health or suicidal thoughts.
- Infection. Do not share your Ozempic® pen with others, even if the needle has been changed. Doing so could lead to serious infections.
- Food or liquid getting to the lungs during surgery. Notify your healthcare provider that you are taking Ozempic® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures.
Common side effects of Ozempic® may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and constipation.
Consult the complete prescribing information for more details about the safety of Ozempic®. If you experience side effects from prescription medications, please report them to FDA MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Important Safety Information for Compounded Semaglutide Injection
Warning: Risk of Thyroid C-Cell Tumors
Studies in rodents have shown that semaglutide can lead to thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is unknown if semaglutide can cause thyroid tumors or medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in humans. Notify your healthcare provider if you experience symptoms such as a new lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath, as these could indicate thyroid cancer.
Who Should Avoid Using Semaglutide
Do not use semaglutide if you or your family members have a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Additionally, avoid compounded semaglutide if you have had a previous allergic reaction to a semaglutide product.
Semaglutide should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, due to potential fetal harm. Discontinue semaglutide at least two months before planning to conceive.
Semaglutide should not be used with other products containing semaglutide or any other GLP-1 receptor agonists, and it has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis.
Uses of Semaglutide
Compounded semaglutide is legally permitted under federal law but has not been FDA-approved and does not undergo review for safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing standards.
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist prescribed for weight management (in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet and exercise) in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of:
- 30 kg/m2 or more (obesity)
- 27 kg/m2 or more (overweight) with at least one weight-related medical condition (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or high cholesterol)
Healthcare providers may prescribe specific doses of compounded semaglutide based on your medical assessment.
Before using Semaglutide, tell your healthcare provider about
All of your medical conditions. Provide your complete medical history, particularly if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, have any planned surgeries or procedures, or if you have a history of diabetes, thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, ileus, kidney disease, gallstones, diabetic eye disease, depression, or suicidal thoughts.
All medications you are taking. Semaglutide causes a delay in stomach emptying, which can impact the absorption of some medications in the stomach. Inform your healthcare provider about all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take, especially any diabetes treatments such as insulin or sulfonylureas.
Semaglutide may cause serious side effects, including:
- Potential thyroid tumors, including cancer. Notify your healthcare provider if you notice a new lump or swelling in your neck, experience hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath. These symptoms may indicate thyroid cancer.
- Inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis). Stop using semaglutide and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience severe, persistent abdominal pain with or without vomiting, often radiating to the back.
- Serious allergic reactions. Stop semaglutide use immediately and seek medical assistance if you experience symptoms like swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; shortness of breath, wheezing or swallowing difficulties; severe rash or itching; fainting or dizziness; or rapid resting heartbeat.
- Kidney problems (kidney failure). In individuals with existing kidney issues, dehydration from diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting may worsen kidney function. It is extremely important to maintain adequate fluid intake to reduce dehydration risk.
- Gallbladder problems. Some individuals using semaglutide have reported gallbladder issues, including gallstones, which may require surgery. Notify your healthcare provider right away if you experience symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or pale-colored stools.
- Vision changes. Notify your healthcare provider if you notice changes in your vision while using semaglutide, particularly if you have type 2 diabetes.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk of hypoglycemia may increase if you use semaglutide with other medications that lower blood sugar, such as sulfonylureas or insulin. Symptoms may include dizziness, blurred vision, anxiety, sweating, confusion, shakiness, weakness, headache, rapid heartbeat, and jitteriness.
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior. Notify your healthcare provider if you experience sudden changes in your mental health or suicidal thoughts.
- Infection. Do not reuse needles or share your prescription medication or multi dose vial with others, even when using a different needle for injection and following proper injection technique. Doing so could lead to serious infections.
- Food or liquid getting to the lungs during surgery. Notify your healthcare provider that you are taking compounded semaglutide before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures.
Common side effects of semaglutide may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, upset stomach, heartburn, bloating, gas, belching, dizziness, and low blood sugar (specifically in people with type 2 diabetes).
If you experience side effects from prescription medications, please report them to FDA MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit www.fda.gov/medwatch.