Medication Guides

Medication Instructions

A step-by-step guide to using your GLP-1 medication safely and consistently — including how to inject, how your dosing schedule works, what to do if you miss a dose, and when to reach out for help.

Before you begin your medication:

Review these steps when your medication shipment arrives and before your first injection.

Check your shipment:

  • Confirm the medication name (Semaglutide or Tirzepatide) matches your FMC prescription.
  • Verify the dose strength printed on the label.
  • Ensure vials or pens are intact, not cracked, and not leaking.
  • Cold items should arrive cool to the touch with cold packs (if applicable).

Gather your supplies:

  • Your medication vial or pen.
  • Syringes (if using vials), alcohol swabs, and cotton or a small bandage.
  • An approved sharps container or a heavy plastic container with a screw-top lid.

Storage basics:

  • Refrigerate 36–46°F (2–8°C), unless your instructions say otherwise.
  • Do not freeze. If medication has been frozen, do not use it.
  • Keep in original packaging to protect from light.
  • Always store out of reach of children and pets.
More on storage & travel

When traveling, use an insulated bag with a cold pack and avoid placing your medication directly on ice. Keep it in your carry-on luggage, not in checked bags, and bring enough supplies for your full trip plus a little extra.

How to give yourself an injection:

GLP-1 medication is given as a once-weekly injection under the skin (subcutaneous).

Choose your injection site:

  • Abdomen: at least 2 inches away from the belly button.
  • Outer thigh: front or side of the upper leg.
  • Back of upper arm: if someone can assist you.

Rotate sites each week (for example, left abdomen → right abdomen → thigh) to reduce irritation and improve comfort.

Step-by-step guide: (vial and syringe)

  • Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them well.
  • Clean the site with an alcohol swab and let it air-dry completely.
  • Draw up the exact dose prescribed by your FMC clinician.
  • Pinch a fold of skin at the cleaned site.
  • Insert the needle at a 90° angle into the pinched skin.
  • Inject slowly until the syringe is empty.
  • Remove the needle and gently press with cotton or gauze; do not rub.
  • Dispose of the syringe in your sharps container without recapping.
Using a prefilled syringe instead of vials

If you receive a prefilled syringe, follow the instructions provided with the syringe for priming, and injecting. Your FMC care team can walk you through the process or share a short training video if needed.

Your dosing schedule:

Doses increase gradually so your body can adjust and side effects stay manageable.

Your exact schedule is tailored by your FMC clinician. In most cases, your dose is increased every few weeks until you reach a maintenance dose that balances comfort and results.

Example: Tirzepatide

  • Weeks 1–4: starting dose (e.g., 2.5 mg once weekly)
  • Weeks 5–8: 5 mg once weekly
  • Weeks 9–12: dose increases as needed and tolerated
  • Then: maintenance dose set by your clinician

Example: Semaglutide

  • Weeks 1–4: starting dose (e.g., 0.25 mg once weekly)
  • Weeks 5–8: 0.5 mg once weekly
  • Weeks 9–12: higher dose as tolerated
  • Then: long-term maintenance dose set by your clinician

If side effects are uncomfortable, your clinician may keep you at the same dose longer or temporarily lower the dose. This is common and helps many patients stay on track.

If you miss a dose:

Missing a dose occasionally happens. The key is what you do next.

If it has been less than 4 days:

  • Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
  • Use that new day as your weekly injection day going forward.

If it has been more than 4 days:

  • Skip the missed dose.
  • Take your next dose on your regularly scheduled day.

Do not inject two doses on the same day and do not “double up” to catch up. If you are unsure what to do, reach out to your FMC care team before injecting.

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Common questions:

A few quick answers to things patients ask most often.

Do I need to take my injection with food?

Injections do not need to be timed to meals. Many patients choose a consistent day and time each week (for example, Sunday evening) and stick to it.

Can I change my injection day?

You may be able to adjust your injection day, but you should not inject more often than once every 7 days. Contact FMC before making changes to your schedule.

Can I drink alcohol while on GLP-1 medication?

Light or moderate alcohol may be acceptable for some patients, but it can worsen nausea, dehydration, and low blood sugar in certain situations. Your FMC clinician can give you personalized guidance.

What if the liquid looks cloudy or discolored?

Do not use medication that has changed color, contains particles, or has been frozen. Contact FMC for instructions and possible replacement.

When to contact FMC:

Please reach out to your FMC care team if you experience any of the following:

  • Persistent nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea.
  • Difficulty tolerating a dose increase or feeling “worse” after dose changes.
  • Questions about how to inject, where to inject, or how much to take.
  • Concerns about your weight-loss progress or plateaus.
  • Questions about storage, travel, or refills.

You can contact FMC by phone, WhatsApp, or secure message in your patient portal.

When to seek urgent or emergency care:

Stop the medication and seek immediate medical attention (call 911 or your local emergency number) if you experience:

  • Severe or worsening stomach pain, especially with vomiting or pain that moves to your back.
  • Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or a severe rash.
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or pale stools.
  • Any symptom that feels severe, sudden, or life-threatening.

These events are rare, but it is important to act quickly. After you receive care, notify FMC so your clinician can review your treatment plan.

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