Handling and getting help
Ask for help when instructions are unclear.
Get instructions for the medicine you receive. Find out how to reach your pharmacist, the person treating you, or urgent care when you need help.
Severe allergic symptoms need urgent help
MedlinePlus is a health guide from the US National Library of Medicine.
It warns that a severe allergic reaction may be life-threatening and requires urgent help.
Possible signs include trouble with breathing or swallowing, or swelling of the face or tongue.
For severe signs of a suspected allergic reaction, that guide says to go to the nearest emergency room or call emergency services.
Clarify the medicine instructions
Unclear measuring instructions need a human answer
FDA reports reviewed in September 2026 describe errors with compounded semaglutide injections that led to problems, including hospital stays.
Ask the pharmacist who supplies your medicine to explain any unclear instructions for that product. A web worksheet cannot resolve measuring instructions.
Storage depends on the actual medicine
Storage rules vary by product: some peptide medicines require refrigeration, while others are stored at room temperature.
Ask the pharmacist which label and instructions apply to the medicine you receive.
As a hormone, GLP-1 carries a body signal related to blood sugar and appetite.
FDA guidance reviewed in September 2026 advises against using GLP-1 injections that arrive warm or have not had enough refrigeration.
Pregnancy information is specific to the product
The semaglutide (Ozempic) label, reviewed in September 2026, says women must stop the medicine two months or more before a pregnancy they plan.
The tirzepatide (Zepbound) label reviewed in September 2026 instead says to stop the medicine when pregnancy is recognized.
These describe label wording. Bring pregnancy, breastfeeding, and future pregnancy questions to the person treating you for a personal plan.
A report helps record a problem
MedWatch is FDA’s free reporting service for medical-product problems; patients can submit reports themselves.
A report alone cannot prove that the medicine caused the problem.
Open handling, urgent-help, and reporting sources