Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication used to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. The compounded version is made by a specialty pharmacy and can be customized to specific doses. It works by acting like a hormone called GLP-1 to stimulate the release of insulin when blood sugar levels are high.
Semaglutide compounded can provide more flexibility in dosing compared to the commercially available Ozempic. It also may be covered under more health insurance plans. The compound pharmacy can formulate semaglutide into various doses and concentrations based on an individual's needs.
How effective is semaglutide in managing diabetes?
Research has shown that semaglutide is highly effective for managing type 2 diabetes. In clinical trials, 59-82% of people treated with semaglutide achieved an A1c level below 7% - the target for good diabetes control. People taking semaglutide also lost on average 4.3 to 13 lbs over the course of treatment.
The flexibility of compounded semaglutide allows fine-tuning of the dosage, making it potentially more effective than standardized doses. Working closely with a health provider enables customization of treatment to achieve glycemic targets. Overall evidence supports semaglutide as a highly efficacious medication for managing type 2 diabetes.
What are the potential side effects of taking semaglutide?
The most common side effects of semaglutide are gastrointestinal in nature. Up to 20% of people may experience temporary nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain or decreased appetite. These tend to be mild-to-moderate and resolve within days to weeks of continued treatment.
Rare but serious side effects include inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), diabetic retinopathy complications, kidney problems and hypersensitivity reactions. Alert your health provider if you develop severe abdominal pain, vomiting, dizziness, or swelling while taking this medication.
Following prescribed dosing schedules and titrating doses slowly under medical guidance can help minimize adverse effects. Staying well-hydrated and modifying diet around the timing of semaglutide doses may also prevent gastrointestinal issues.
How much does compounded semaglutide cost?
The out-of-pocket cost for compounded semaglutide varies depending on your dose, quantity supplied, insurance coverage and the compounding pharmacy fees. Expect to pay $100-300 or more per month without insurance.
Many commercial health plans do cover compounded medications, but this differs between policies. Verify your specific medical and prescription benefits to determine the exact copay or coinsurance you may owe for compounded semaglutide. Talk to your pharmacist about available discounts or copay assistance programs that could reduce your costs.
Over the long-term, optimized diabetes treatment with semaglutide may lower other health expenses related to uncontrolled blood sugars. Discuss the value of this investment in your health with your treatment team.
Is semaglutide right for me?
Semaglutide may be a good option if you have struggled to reach target A1c levels with other antidiabetic medications such as metformin or insulin. It could also benefit those experiencing side effects or weight gain on their current regimen.
Talk to your doctor about whether switching to or adding on semaglutide makes sense based on your medical history, lab results and lifestyle factors. They can submit a prescription specific to your needs to a compounding pharmacy, getting you started on more personalized diabetes care.
Monitoring blood work and side effects closely, adhering to compounding instructions, and reporting back on how you feel on semaglutide treatment will help determine if it is the right fit for your diabetes management.
