Semaglutide online prescriptions for weight loss or type 2 diabetes

Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, is the active ingredient in both Wegovy® and Ozempic®. It plays a vital role in both diabetes and weight management because it helps control hunger and regulate blood sugar.

It is available to patients with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30 kg/m² or individuals with a BMI of over 27 kg/m² alongside at least one weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea.

Combined with a healthy, low-calorie diet and exercise routine, semaglutide has shown promising results. Many patients report enhanced blood sugar control and noticeable weight loss with semaglutide. It's important to note that individual responses may vary. Lifestyle changes, including a healthy fitness plan and diet, are the cornerstones of health and wellness. Medications for weight management used without these cornerstones will only provide a temporary change and not be effective long term.

• Up to 15% body weight loss maintained over 2 years ²
• Improved blood sugar control and lower A1C
• Reduced risk of cardiovascular events in high-risk individuals ⁸
• May support metabolic conditions like high cholesterol or hypertension

PlushCare physicians may prescribe brand-name GLP-1 medications, as well as compounded semaglutide when listed as available by the FDA.

Our doctors work with you to find the best option based on availability, insurance coverage, and your personal health goals.

You may be eligible for compounded semaglutide if branded Ozempic® or Wegovy® are on the FDA shortage list ⁴.

Weight Loss Options (GLP-1s)

• Wegovy®
  • Available with insurance, if covered by your plan
  • Available for $499 without insurance through Novocare® Pharmacy

• Compounded semaglutide

• • Only available when brand names are on the FDA shortage list

Type 2 Diabetes Options (GLP-1s)

• Ozempic®

• Compounded semaglutide

• • Only available when brand names are on the FDA shortage list

If prescribed, your doctor will provide instructions on taking your semaglutide prescription. You will be measuring the amount of medication that you give yourself with sterile insulin syringes and needles.

Semaglutide is injected under the skin, no more than once weekly at any time of the day, with or without food. Inject the medication on the same day of each week. Unlike the brand name medications, compounded semaglutide is drawn from a vial using small syringes and needles. All materials needed will be provided in the prescription.

Semaglutide dosage is designed to gradually increase over time to minimize side effects. You must stay at each dose for at least four weeks. You will generally meet with your doctor monthly while you are adjusting your medication dose and developing your healthy diet and exercise routines. Your doctor will walk you through this process and be there for you every step of the way.

• Store the semaglutide in its original packaging in a refrigerator.
• Remember to label the date you opened the medication since it's only suitable for 28 days after opening.
• Use a syringe to fill the correct amount of medication from the vial.
• Position the needle at a 90-degree angle, straight up and down, and carefully insert it into the injection site (subcutaneous injections are primarily injected into the abdomen or optionally the upper/outer thigh).
• Gradually press down the plunger until it reaches the bottom and then withdraw the needle gently.
• Safely dispose of the used needle and syringe using a sharps disposal container.

For more details on administering the medication, consult your physician and review the guide from our pharmacy provider. Once the medication is prescribed, your physician will instruct you on how much medication to administer weekly. The medication is started at the lowest dose.

This section is intended exclusively for PlushCare patients who have obtained their compounded medication through our designated pharmacy partner.

Abdominal discomfort is not a typical side effect of semaglutide. Many initial side effects diminish as your body becomes accustomed to the medication. However, if your side effects persist or worsen, talk to your doctor for support.

Although rare, it’s also crucial to be aware of potential risks:

• Kidney health: Stay hydrated with 1.5-2L fluids to prevent dehydration and kidney issues.
• Gallbladder health: If you experience upper abdominal pain, discomfort on the right side, right shoulder pain, dark urine, or notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, seek immediate medical attention.
• Pancreatic health: Minimize alcohol consumption while on semaglutide to reduce the potential risks of pancreatitis.
• Thyroid concerns (rare): In the rare event of thyroid enlargement or pain, immediately follow up with your doctor to address any potential thyroid nodules. This medication may not be suitable for people who have had a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia.
• Mental health: While rare, there have been studies that showed patients who have had a history of suicidal ideations start to have recurring thoughts of self-harm while taking this class of medication (GLP-1s). If you experience this, please talk to your physician right away, or in cases of a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): This is more common in diabetic patients taking medication such as insulin or medications that increase insulin secretion (i.e., sulfonylureas like glipizide). Be aware of lightheadedness, fatigue, sweating, shakiness, rapid heartbeat, or headaches indicating low blood sugar. Keep a sugar replacement, such as fruit juice or glucose alternatives, on hand if you experience these symptoms.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding: This medication is contraindicated for people who are breastfeeding, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant within the next three months.
• Decreased oral birth control effectiveness: GLP-1 medications, including semaglutide, can decrease the effectiveness of oral contraception because the stomach does not empty as quickly. If you are using oral birth control, you should also use condoms or another form of contraception for four weeks after starting the medication and for four weeks after each dose increase. Alternatively, you can talk to your doctor about switching to non-oral contraceptive methods.

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic^® and Wegovy^®. Compounded semaglutide is an exact copy that is authorized to be produced by certain pharmacies when there is a national shortage of brand name medicines.

With our preferred compounding pharmacy, the compounded semaglutide is an exact molecular copy of the semaglutide base. An outside lab also verifies its authenticity and potency. The compounded semaglutide from our preferred pharmacy is not a salt form of semaglutide. The FDA warns the public that products containing salt formulations are not proven to be safe and effective.

Compounded semaglutide is only available as an alternative to branded Ozempic^® and Wegovy^® as long as it remains on the FDA drug shortages list. Once there is no shortage, you can ask your doctor about Ozempic^® for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy^® for weight loss, or other alternative medications.

Our preferred partner pharmacy offers individuals living in eligible states a cash-pay option of $149 per month for the 0.25mg dose and $299 per month for the 0.5, 1.0, 1.7, 2.0, and 2.4 mg doses.

If your physician prescribes you compounded semaglutide, during your appointment, you will be charged this amount to the card on file. Please make sure you have an active card on file and a current address. If there is no card on file or address, this may delay the prescription.

This is a cash-pay-only option and does not go through insurance. It will not count towards a pharmacy deductible. Patients can submit the cost for reimbursement through their HSA/FSA, but we do not currently accept these cards.

This medication usually comes in the form of a syringe and needle, unlike branded semaglutide products that come in a pen. You must fill the syringe yourself with the correct dose from the vial.

If prescribed, you should expect your semaglutide shipment to arrive within a week after being prescribed, as long as your address and credit card are up to date in your PlushCare account. Semaglutide is a long-acting medication. If your shipping is delayed for some reason, you can safely wait up to two weeks to take your next dose.

Not all compounding pharmacies create compounded semaglutide the same. Our medical directors have worked closely with the compounding pharmacy to make sure they meet quality and safety expectations. Our preferred pharmacy partner(s) complies with all federal and state laws and FDA regulations. With our preferred compounding pharmacy, the compounded semaglutide is an exact molecular copy of the semaglutide base. The compounded semaglutide from our preferred pharmacy is not a salt form of semaglutide. The authenticity and potency of the compounded semaglutide are also verified by an outside lab. The FDA warns the public that products containing salt formulations have not been shown to be safe and effective.

Your doctor will order labs for you before prescribing semaglutide to determine if semaglutide is an appropriate medication for you. These labs typically include an obesity lab panel, which measures CBC (blood count), CMP (metabolic function), lipids (cholesterol levels), A1C (diabetes), TSH (thyroid function), and insulin. Your doctor will then review the lab results with you to see if semaglutide is a recommended treatment option for you.

Our board-certified online doctors are experienced in prescribing semaglutide for both weight loss and diabetes. If your telehealth or local doctor prescribes the medication, you can have it sent to the local pharmacy of your choice. If there is a semaglutide shortage listed by the FDA, your doctor may recommend you order compounded semaglutide online or locally, which is only available by prescription.

Plushcare recommends our preferred compounding pharmacy for compounded semaglutide because an outside lab is used to verify that the compounded semaglutide is an exact molecular copy.