Important Safety Information for GLP-1 Treatment

GLP-1 treatment refers to prescription injectable medicines that work with hormone pathways involved in appetite, digestion, and blood sugar control. Some GLP-1 medicines may help people feel full sooner, reduce appetite, and support weight-management goals when used with medical supervision, nutrition changes, and regular follow-up.

GLP-1 treatment may include:

Semaglutide-containing medicines, such as Ozempic
Tirzepatide-containing medicines, such as Mounjaro

Your doctor will review your health history before recommending or approving GLP-1 treatment.

What GLP-1 treatment is used for

GLP-1 medicines are used to help regulate appetite, digestion, and blood sugar-related pathways. In a weight-care program, they may be considered when a healthcare provider determines that treatment is appropriate based on your health history, weight-related risk factors, and treatment goals.

GLP-1 treatment is not a quick fix or a substitute for medical care. It should be used only as prescribed and with ongoing follow-up.

Types of GLP-1 treatment

Ozempic (semaglutide)

Ozempic contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Its FDA label includes a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors seen in animal studies. It is not known whether Ozempic causes these tumors in humans.

Important risks listed in the Ozempic label include pancreatitis, diabetic retinopathy complications, low blood sugar when used with insulin or medicines that increase insulin, kidney injury related to dehydration, severe gastrointestinal reactions, serious allergic reactions, gallbladder disease, and possible aspiration risk during anesthesia or deep sedation.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, a medicine that acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Its FDA label includes a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors seen in animal studies. It is not known whether Mounjaro causes these tumors in humans.

Important risks listed in the Mounjaro label include pancreatitis, low blood sugar when used with insulin or medicines that increase insulin, serious allergic reactions, kidney injury related to dehydration, severe gastrointestinal reactions, diabetic retinopathy complications in people with a history of diabetic retinopathy, gallbladder disease, and possible aspiration risk during anesthesia or deep sedation. Mounjaro is not recommended for people with severe gastroparesis.

Who should not use GLP-1 treatment

You may not be eligible for GLP-1 treatment if you:

Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, a type of thyroid cancer
Have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, also called MEN 2
Have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide, tirzepatide, or any ingredient in the medicine prescribed to you
Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, unless your healthcare provider determines what is appropriate for your situation

Tell your doctor if you have a history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney problems, severe stomach or digestion problems, diabetic eye disease, or allergies to injectable medicines.

How GLP-1 treatment is used

GLP-1 medicines are usually injected under the skin on a regular schedule. Follow the exact instructions for the specific medicine prescribed to you.

General reminders:

Use the medicine only as prescribed.
Do not increase the dose unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
Use the medicine on the scheduled day.
Rotate injection sites as instructed.
Do not share injection pens, needles, or syringes with another person.
Tell healthcare providers about GLP-1 treatment before planned surgery or procedures requiring anesthesia or deep sedation.

Missed dose guide

If you miss a dose, follow the instructions for your specific medicine or contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist. The correct action may depend on which medicine you use and how much time has passed since the missed dose.

A doctor or pharmacist may advise:

Taking the missed dose if still within the allowed time window
Skipping the missed dose and taking the next dose on the regular schedule
Adjusting your schedule safely
Restarting or changing treatment if multiple doses were missed

Do not take extra doses to make up for a missed dose unless your healthcare provider tells you to.

Talk to a doctor before use

Before using GLP-1 treatment, tell your doctor if you:

Have or have had pancreas problems
Have kidney disease or dehydration risk
Have gallbladder problems
Have severe nausea, vomiting, constipation, gastroparesis, or other serious digestion problems
Have diabetic retinopathy or vision problems
Use insulin or medicines that increase insulin, such as sulfonylureas
Take oral medicines that require careful absorption or timing
Are pregnant, breastfeeding, planning pregnancy, or using oral birth control
Have any planned surgery or procedure requiring anesthesia or deep sedation

Special precautions

GLP-1 medicines can slow stomach emptying. This may affect how some oral medicines are absorbed. Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of oral hormonal contraceptives, especially after starting treatment or increasing the dose.

If you use oral hormonal birth control and are prescribed Mounjaro, your doctor may advise you to switch to a non-oral contraceptive method or add a barrier method:

For 4 weeks after starting Mounjaro
For 4 weeks after each dose increase

Vomiting, diarrhea, or not drinking enough fluids can lead to dehydration and may worsen kidney problems. Contact your healthcare provider if gastrointestinal symptoms are severe, persistent, or prevent you from staying hydrated.

Warning signs and emergency care

Seek emergency medical care immediately if you experience:

Severe stomach pain that does not go away, especially if it spreads to your back or comes with nausea or vomiting
Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing; fainting; or a severe rash
Severe dehydration, confusion, fainting, or inability to keep fluids down
Signs of gallbladder problems, such as upper-right stomach pain, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or clay-colored stools
Vision changes or sudden worsening of vision
Symptoms of very low blood sugar, such as shakiness, sweating, confusion, fast heartbeat, or loss of consciousness, especially if using insulin or similar medicines

Do not wait for an online consultation if you have emergency symptoms.

Common side effects

Common side effects may include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation
Stomach pain or discomfort
Indigestion
Decreased appetite

Contact a doctor if side effects are severe, persistent, or concerning.

Related information

Important Safety Information for Weight Care