How to Find Semaglutide Near You

Published

Dec 28, 2023

Get strategies to find semaglutide.

Woman sitting looking at phone
Woman sitting looking at phone
Woman sitting looking at phone

Lifting weights, running on the treadmill, low-carb foods, fad diets — you've tried it all. And for the 41.9% of Americans that have been affected by obesity¹, it can be difficult to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. A body mass index (BMI) that is considered overweight and obese is also an early predictor of diabetes, which affects 14.7% of the adult US population.² Insulin resistance and issues with insulin production can make it even harder to lose weight and get healthy.

Amid a maze of medications, semaglutide has gained attention for its effectiveness in helping people manage their Type 2 Diabetes and make impressive strides in losing weight. But finding it can be a challenge, especially since there is a national shortage.³ This guide will discuss how to find semaglutide at an affordable cost and how this prescription medication can positively help your personal weight management journey.

GLP-1 Bottle

What Is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas.⁴ It helps lower blood sugar in diabetic patients while also helping combat food cravings.

Most semaglutide prescriptions come in two different forms: subcutaneous injectables and oral pills.⁵ Both forms of semaglutide show significant reductions in blood sugar levels. Oral semaglutide is taken once a day and has strict administration guidelines⁶, while injectable semaglutide is taken once a week but can be challenging for people who have a fear of needles.⁶

Doctor holding stethoscope.

How Does Semaglutide Work?

To understand how semaglutide works, it’s important to have some background information on the importance of insulin production within the body. When food is consumed, our digestive tract works diligently to break the food down and absorb any nutrients from the meal.⁷ 

Glucose (sugar) is one of those nutrients. Insulin is released by the body when glucose is consumed to balance the level of sugar in the bloodstream. Too much glucose within the bloodstream, known as hyperglycemia, can cause major problems. Issues like heart disease, obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, and nerve damage to important organs can occur when the body maintains high blood sugar levels over a long period of time.⁸ 

GLP-1 medications like semaglutide help prevent hyperglycemia by boosting insulin release. Here’s a detailed breakdown describing the process: 

  1. Insulin Release: Semaglutide assists the pancreas in releasing the appropriate amount of insulin, particularly when sugar is present in the bloodstream. Insulin helps with the absorption of glucose, moving the sugar from the blood and into the cells. This will ensure that the body has available energy to function properly.⁹

  2. Blood Sugar Regulation: As insulin helps with the absorption of the glucose by the cells, the amount of sugar present within the bloodstream starts to decrease. Semaglutide treatment helps ensure that the body has enough insulin to avoid spikes in blood sugar levels.⁶

  3. Stomach Emptying: Some meals, like foods that are high in carbohydrates, move through the gastrointestinal tract quicker than others. This results in higher concentrations of glucose within the bloodstream. Semaglutide slows down the stomach’s emptying process which releases glucose over a longer period of time and helps maintain consistent blood sugar levels.⁴

Side Effects and Considerations for Using Semaglutide

Like other drugs in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, semaglutide can be accompanied by the following adverse reactions:¹⁰

  • Nausea

  • Diarrhea

  • Vomiting

  • Pancreatitis 

  • Diabetic retinopathy

  • Hypoglycemia

Individuals with a family history of thyroid cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, and medullary thyroid carcinoma should not take semaglutide.¹⁰ 

Healthcare Professional Prescribing Semaglutide

Where to Find Semaglutide Near You

Semaglutide injections are currently in shortage as reported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).³ This supply shortage has caused numerous disruptions in the healthcare field:

  • Diabetic Patients: Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes rely on semaglutide to help manage their blood sugar levels and avoid adverse side effects from untreated hyperglycemia. If they are unable to obtain their medication, the consequences can be life-threatening.

  • Medical Professionals: Healthcare providers who prescribe semaglutide are faced with a unique challenge: find a new medication with similar health benefits for their patients or explore compounding pharmacies.

  • Economic Implications: From an economic standpoint, drug shortages often drive up prices. Without insurance, semaglutide has a steep price tag, and subsequent cost increases can cause patients to go without their medication.

If you are interested in taking semaglutide for weight management, you might struggle to find a prescribing healthcare provider and pharmacy. This is where Compounded Semaglutide and compounding pharmacies step in. 

How Compounding Pharmacies Can Help You Get Semaglutide Near You

Compounding pharmacies are a viable solution to navigate the semaglutide shortage. These pharmacies possess the unique capability to produce medicines that are the same as semaglutide chemically, ensuring these alternatives are just as effective and safe as the original drug.

Compounding pharmacies not only address the immediate need for drugs that are currently in shortage, but might also pave the way for more consistent drug supply chains in the future. By making use of alternative sources of production, the risk of shortages could be avoided.

While the semaglutide shortage is undeniably challenging, it also highlights the critical role of compounding pharmacies. By offering Compounded Semaglutide, Henry Meds stands ready to bridge the gap, ensuring that patients continue to receive the essential medications they need. 

As the medical community navigates this shortage, it's reassuring to know that such solutions exist, aiming to uphold patient health and well-being.

Steps to find Semaglutide using Henry Meds

How to Get Semaglutide

In today's digital age, obtaining medication might seem as simple as a few clicks. But it's crucial to be cautious in your approach. Here's a step-by-step guide on finding semaglutide safely and efficiently.

1. Consult with a Healthcare Professional

Before considering any medication, it's paramount to consult with a healthcare professional. They will evaluate your medical history to determine if semaglutide medication is appropriate for you.

During this initial appointment, the doctor will also review any potential side effects and discuss administration guidelines, including dosage amounts. Many patients who take semaglutide start with the smallest dosage and gradually increase over time. 

2. Obtain a Prescription

If you and your healthcare professional determine semaglutide is a suitable treatment for you, they will provide a prescription tailored to your specific needs. 

When you choose one of the providers at Henry Meds as your source for Compounded Semaglutide, you’ll skip steps 3 and 4 entirely. Once you’ve been approved, your prescription medication will be delivered straight to your door. 

No worrying about selecting a pharmacy or verifying the authenticity of your semaglutide medication — all of our medications are made in pharmacies licensed by the State Board of Pharmacy and FDA-licensed facilities. 

3. Choose a Pharmacy

Select a reputable compounding pharmacy, preferably one that you've used before or can vouch for. Trustworthy compounding pharmacies ensure the medications they stock are genuine and are prepared under appropriate conditions.

If you're considering procuring semaglutide online, be sure to choose licensed online compounding pharmacies. Many have safeguards in place to ensure they are FDA-compliant. Before purchasing, look for certifications or licensing details, and avoid platforms that sell medications without requiring a prescription.

Pharmacists discussing medication at compounding pharmacy

4. Ensure Authenticity and Safety

Semaglutide's popularity, combined with its high cost, has unfortunately made it a target for malpractice. Because it's in such high demand and expensive¹¹, it's hard to find in many countries, including the US.³

This surge in demand and the steep price of this medication has paved the way for Compounded Semaglutide to enter the market, which can help alleviate the current shortage. However, individuals need to be careful to avoid receiving dangerous and counterfeit drugs. 

You should never purchase any form of semaglutide from an unlicensed agency. Compounding pharmacies go through rigorous standards to ensure their medication meets high standards and delivers the same health benefits as the branded semaglutide medication. 

Remember when purchasing semaglutide, always prioritize safety over cost. Avoid deals that seem too good to be true, and stay wary of sellers who do not ask for a prescription. Trustworthy providers and state Boards of Pharmacy agencies producing compounded medications will always be forthcoming about their procedures and safety measures.

Treatment Outcomes and Financial Protections

By always beginning with a professional consultation before obtaining semaglutide, you're ensuring that your treatment is personalized. This approach not only maximizes the medication's benefits but also minimizes potential side effects, ensuring optimal health outcomes.

Navigating the financial landscape of medications can be tricky. If you are using semaglutide for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes, your personal insurance company may cover some of your medication bills. 

However, getting your insurance company to approve semaglutide injections for weight loss can be tough. While the Affordable Care Act covers some obesity-related services, weight management medication coverage can vary by state and your personal insurance plan.¹²

That’s why the providers on the Henry Meds platform strive to deliver affordable Compounded Semaglutide for patients looking to jumpstart their weight loss journey. 

Get Compounded Semaglutide Near You With Henry Meds

When you speak to one of the providers on the Henry Meds platform, finding semaglutide near you is as easy as 1–2–3. Start by completing a medical history form and schedule a telehealth appointment with a licensed professional. 

Once you’ve been approved for treatment, you’ll pay $297 a month and receive your supply of Compounded Semaglutide delivered to your front door. It’s that simple! 

Don’t get bogged down trying to find a weight management treatment on your own. Henry Meds is here to help you achieve your weight loss goals!

To help you trust the information we provide, every article written by Henry relies on peer-reviewed studies and medically-reviewed facts. We ensure that data, ideas, and figures cited are reliable, current, and accurate. Our team of medical reviewers aim to help you cut through the noise with clear and authoritative primary and secondary sources.

Sources

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, May 17). Adult obesity facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html 

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, November 14). National Diabetes Statistics Report. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/index.html 

  3. FDA drug shortages. FDA Drug Shortages. (n.d.). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/dsp_ActiveIngredientDetails.cfm?AI=Semaglutide+Injection&st=c 

  4. Shaefer, C. F., Jr, Kushner, P., & Aguilar, R. (2015). User's guide to mechanism of action and clinical use of GLP-1 receptor agonists. Postgraduate medicine, 127(8), 818–826. https://doi.org/10.1080/00325481.2015.1090295 

  5. Meier J. J. (2021). Efficacy of Semaglutide in a Subcutaneous and an Oral Formulation. Frontiers in endocrinology, 12, 645617. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.645617 

  6. Hughes, S., & Neumiller, J. J. (2020). Oral Semaglutide. Clinical diabetes : a publication of the American Diabetes Association, 38(1), 109–111. https://doi.org/10.2337/cd19-0079 

  7. Ogobuiro, I., Gonzales, J., Shumway, K. R., & Tuma, F. (2023). Physiology, Gastrointestinal. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537103/

  8. Mouri, M., & Badireddy, M. (2023). Hyperglycemia. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430900/

  9. Mahapatra, M. K., Karuppasamy, M., & Sahoo, B. M. (2022). Semaglutide, a glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonist with cardiovascular benefits for management of type 2 diabetes. Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, 23(3), 521–539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-021-09699-1  

  10. Smits, M. M., & Van Raalte, D. H. (2021). Safety of Semaglutide. Frontiers in endocrinology, 12, 645563. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.645563 

  11. Singh, G., Krauthamer, M., & Bjalme-Evans, M. (2022). Wegovy (Semaglutide): A New Weight Loss Drug for Chronic Weight Management. Journal of Investigative Medicine, 70(1), 5-13. https://doi.org/10.1136/jim-2021-001952

  12. Olson, S. (2018). Payment Considerations. In The challenge of treating obesity and overweight proceedings of a workshop. essay, National Academies Press. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK475871/.

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