Keep warning signs close to hand

Pause over these claims during signup

Federal law bars handing over a drug that needs a prescription without that order; this record is dated September 26, 2026.

Compounded means a pharmacy, doctor or registered facility mixes or prepares the medicine separately. That medicine has no FDA approval.

FDA warns against claims that a compounded drug is approved or a generic of an approved drug.

Claims that it is proven to give the same results are also flagged.

A very low price is a clue to weigh with other signs; real offers can also cost far less than list price.

Ask who will see you, which pharmacy sends the medicine and what the terms say. Get a clear answer to each point.

Know the label’s main cautions

In Wegovy (semaglutide) injection trials for weight treatment, 44% on the drug felt sick to their stomach, against 16% on a dummy treatment.

Loose stools, throwing up and trouble passing stools were also common in those trials.

Belly pain that is severe or lasts can be a sign of pancreatitis, an inflamed pancreas, according to the label.

Its strongest warning is about thyroid tumours in rats and mice. Whether the drug causes these tumours in people is unknown.

The label rules out use after a rare thyroid cancer named medullary thyroid cancer, also called MTC. The same restriction applies if someone in the family has had that cancer.

If a relative had thyroid cancer but you do not know the type, ask the clinician to help check the diagnosis in the records.

A rare illness passed down in families also rules out use; its name in medical records is MEN 2. A past serious allergy to semaglutide or another ingredient rules out use too.

Bring the names of any known family illnesses and ask the clinician to check whether MEN 2 is among them. There is no need to guess what a family diagnosis means.

Ask how the label applies to your health and how to get help with symptoms.

When allergy signs need emergency help

A severe allergy can threaten life and can start in seconds or minutes, says MedlinePlus.

During a severe reaction, the tongue or face may swell and breathing or swallowing can become hard.

For severe symptoms of this allergy, MedlinePlus gives the emergency routes: call 911 or use the nearest emergency room.