Wegovy then switched to a compounded formula of semaglutide

Thanks for checking in Lisa.
I've lost about 5-6 lbs total since beginning. I started out on 25mg sample of Wegovy from my PC, then moved to the compound the next month to the .50, then 1.0 the following month. This past week I started my 1.7mg dose and fortunately, still have not experienced any major side effects.
My PCP said this (1.7) dose but for sure the next dose (I believe will be 2.4 or 2.5 mg) will begin more weight loss. I'm walking 3 miles 3x p/week at a pretty good pace and drinking LOTS of water so I'm being patient. I've also noticed some consensus around the notion that the lower doses up to 2.5 are helping calibrate and prepare my body for the higher dose, and that they (lower doses) usually don't yield the best results.
Thanks again for reaching out - any thoughts to share are welcomed and appreciated.

Hi, @bhb30602 - wanted to see how you are doing and how the compounded version of semaglutide is working for you?

I was on the same and nearly died. Extreme nausea and vomiting depleting potassium and magnesium in my body. Hospitalized for a week. I would NOT do this again. I now walk five days a week.

Thank you for the tag! Mostly, I think the patient has agency and control, and if this is a direction you want to head, it really doesn't matter if it would or would not be my choice.

In general, I'm cautious about compounding -- for me, it's too unregulated, wild, wild west, especially for a drug with these kinds of potential impacts (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03412-w.epdf). I think compounding pharmacies serve a very useful purpose, especially when drugs otherwise come in a form that is incompatible with the needs of a patient, but compounding for something like this makes me nervous. I have no idea how the patient determines what the compounded drug is actually made of, the train of custody/condition of those ingredients, and the ways in which it may be different from the branded product.

Having said that, I suppose I might feel differently if I had a history of trust with a particular compounding pharmacy, and a solid medical team who also trusts the pharmacy and is prepared to address whatever happens in regard to (perhaps unusual?) side effects.

My choice has been to manage the cost and availability of the drug through click-counting/microdosing using a branded multi-pen product. But again, that's just me.

Congratulations on your weight loss, @bhb30602. Good luck on your journey, as well.

Tagging a few members who might have some thoughts on switching from semaglutide (Wegovy) to a compounded version @projfan @quinceykk @blynn9030 @dfcox3 @roch @joysmiley64 @ecmoandrrt @surftohealth88 @paulinegreen79.

Thanks for moving my post, Lisa. I wasn't sure I had posted in the right location.
I've lost 5 pounds thus far (3 weeks in at .25mg). A consistent message I see on reviews is that the .25mg dose is to get your body ready for the higher dose and to be patient. Once on a higher dose such as .50 or higher, then noticeable changes will begin.
At this time, I plan on proceeding with the compounded formula and will see how it goes. Hopefully it will work and and I won't experience any major side effects.
I wish you success in your journey!

Hi, @bhb30602 - I moved your post into its own discussion so that members could talk about specifically what you mentioned, going from brand name semaglutide (Wegovy) to a compounded version.

I took brand name semaglutide (Wegovy) personally. I lost over 50 pounds, but I was plagued by pretty severe gastrointestinal issues. So I switched to tirzepatide (Zepbound). I'm having fewer gastrointestinal issues, but still issues. I've only lost about a pound and am still going up in dosage. Trying to remain patient, especially as a friend told my husband he did not think these shots were working at all till he got to the highest dose.

How has your time on the semaglutide samples gone? Are you planning to proceed with the compounded formula?