Due to the wordwide shortage of Wegovy (which is semaglutide), the FDA has issued an emergency decree allowing for compounding pharmacies to pick up the slack.  This allows these highly specialized pharmacies to take the generic compound semaglutide, and formulate it into an injectable solution that has similar properties to brand-name Wegovy.  This will only be allowed until the FDA removes semaglutide from the shortage list, at which time patients will only be able to use Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for diabetes treatment.

We partner with University Compounding Pharmacy in Troy, Michigan to provide our patients with a more affordable, compounded form of semaglutide which will be available during the shortage only.  This compounded semaglutide is roughly 80% cheaper than brand-name Wegovy.

After a patient is seen in the office and deemed a candidate to start the medication, we will electronically transmit a prescription to University Compounding Pharmacy.  A refrigerated shipment will arrive in 5-7 days with syringes, needles, and a vial of medication.

During the time of your treatment, we require monthly visits for the first 4 months.  The initial consultation must be a live, in-person appointment.  Following that, every 3rd visit must also be in-person but the in-between months can be virtual visits.  After the fourth visit you will need to be seen every 3 months for as long as you continue the medication.

Current pricing from University Compounding as of 6/2023 (subject to change) is:

2mg/mL semaglutide: $225 + $10 for syringes/needles+$25.97 overnight shipping=$260.97

• This will be a 6-week supply of medication.

5mg/mL semaglutide: $395 + $10 for syringes/needles+$25.97 overnight shipping=$430.97

• This will be a 6-8 week supply of medication, depending on how well the dose escalation is tolerated.
• Once the highest dosage of 2.5mg/week is achieved these vials will last 4 weeks.

This program is for patients who do not have GLP-1 coverage and are paying out of pocket for the medication (HSA’s can however be utilized).

IMPORTANT:

Compounded semaglutide injections are only to be done ONCE A WEEK!

Do not advance beyond the prescribed dose ahead of time, or you will run out of medication and we will not be able to help you!

• You will receive a 1ml vial of 2mg semaglutide/mL.
• Please watch the video below to learn how to do your injections!
• In weeks 1-4, you will inject 0.25mg once a week, which is a 0.125mL injection.
  • As one of the biggest side effects of semaglutide is nausea and vomiting, starting with a low dose will help minimize these issues and help your body get used to the medication.
  • You will draw up your medication to a volume halfway between the 10 and the 15 unit marks on your 0.5mL syringe (pictured below).

• You will still be using the 2mg semaglutide/1mL vial.
• In weeks 5-8, you will advance to 0.5mg once a week, which is a 0.25mL injection.

• You will receive a more concentrated vial of 5mg semaglutide/1mL for this month
• In weeks 9-12, you will advance to 1mg once a week, which is a 0.2mL injection.
• Even though this is a smaller volume than you injected last week, it is more concentrated so there is more medication in it!

• You will continue to use the 5mg semaglutide/1mL vial.
• In weeks 13-16, you will be increasing your dose my 0.5mg every 2 weeks (as tolerated)
  • If you are having no adverse side effects, in week 13 you will inject 0.3mL.
    • If you are having issues such as increasing nausea, vomiting, or heartburn, remain at 0.2mL for another week.
  • In week 14 you will inject 0.4mL.
    • If you are having issues such as increasing nausea, vomiting, or heartburn, remain at 0.3mL for another week.
  • In week 15 you will inject 0.5mL.
    • If you are having issues such as increasing nausea, vomiting, or heartburn, remain at 0.4mL for another week.
  • If at any time you develop new symptoms of increasing nausea, vomiting, or heartburn then decrease your dose by 0.1mL for a week and then try increasing again if those symptoms have resolved.

If you have any issues with your shipment of medication, please contact University Compounding Pharmacy directly:

6054 Livernois Road, Troy, MI 48098 | Voice: (877) 531-1147 | Fax: (866) 531-1826 | www.univrx.com

Sharps Disposal

IMPORTANT:  DO NOT DISCARD USED NEEDLES/SYRINGES DIRECTLY IN THE TRASH.  Place your used needles and syringes into a thick plastic container (such as an empty bleach bottle).  Use a sharpie to mark “SHARPS” on the bottle.  Once it is full, or when you are done with the program, use tape to secure the lid and place it in a trash receptacle.