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Important Safety Information

Last updated: August 24, 2026

This page summarizes important safety information for the GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist medications prescribed through DocSearch, including semaglutide and tirzepatide. It is a summary. It does not replace the full FDA-approved Prescribing Information, the Medication Guide that comes with your prescription, or the advice of the licensed clinician treating you.

If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911.

About compounded medications

Some medications prescribed through DocSearch are compounded. Compounded medications are prepared by a licensed pharmacy for an individual patient based on a prescription from a licensed clinician.

Compounded medications are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA does not review compounded medications for safety, effectiveness, or quality before they are dispensed.

Compounded drugs are not generic versions of, and have not been shown to be therapeutically equivalent to, FDA-approved products. Availability depends on state law and on an individual clinical determination by your clinician. Compounded medications are not available in all states.

Boxed Warning

Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors

In rodents, semaglutide and tirzepatide cause dose-dependent and treatment-duration-dependent thyroid C-cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures. It is unknown whether these medications cause thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans, because the human relevance of the rodent findings has not been determined.

Do not use these medications if you or any of your family members have ever had MTC, or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Tell your clinician right away if you develop a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer.

Do not use these medications if you

  • Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
  • Have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
  • Have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide, to tirzepatide, or to any of the ingredients in these medications.

Tell your clinician before you start if you

  • Have or have had problems with your pancreas or your kidneys.
  • Have type 2 diabetes, especially with a history of diabetic retinopathy.
  • Have severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of the stomach (gastroparesis), or problems digesting food.
  • Have a history of depression, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health conditions.
  • Have a surgery or procedure planned that requires general anesthesia or deep sedation.
  • Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. These medications are not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
  • Take any other medicines, including insulin or sulfonylureas, other GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines, or any other prescription or over-the-counter medicine, vitamin, or herbal supplement.

Never share an injection pen or syringe between patients, even if the needle is changed. Sharing carries a risk of transmitting blood-borne infections.

Serious risks

The FDA-approved labeling for these medications describes the following risks. This list is not exhaustive.

  • Inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis). Stop taking the medication and contact your clinician immediately if you have severe pain in your stomach area that will not go away, with or without vomiting.
  • Gallbladder problems (acute gallbladder disease). Tell your clinician if you have pain in your upper stomach, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or clay-colored stools.
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), particularly if you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea.
  • Kidney injury from dehydration. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can cause a loss of fluids, which can worsen kidney function.
  • Severe gastrointestinal reactions. Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported.
  • Serious allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you have swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing or swallowing; a severe rash or itching; fainting or dizziness; or a very rapid heartbeat.
  • Changes in vision in people with type 2 diabetes (diabetic retinopathy complications).
  • Increase in heart rate.
  • Depression, suicidal thoughts, or behavior. Contact your clinician immediately if you experience new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.
  • Food or liquid entering the lungs during general anesthesia or deep sedation (pulmonary aspiration). Tell every clinician involved in a planned procedure that you are taking this medication.

Most common side effects

Semaglutide. In clinical trials, side effects reported by 5% or more of patients were nausea (44%), diarrhea (30%), vomiting (24%), constipation (24%), abdominal pain (20%), headache (14%), fatigue (11%), indigestion (9%), dizziness (8%), and abdominal bloating (7%).

Tirzepatide. In clinical trials, side effects reported by 5% or more of patients were nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion, injection site reactions, fatigue, allergic reactions, belching, hair loss, and heartburn.

Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting were most frequent when the dose was increased, and generally decreased over time. These are not all of the possible side effects. Talk to your clinician about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Results are not guaranteed

These medications are intended to be used together with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Individual results vary. Clinical trial results were obtained with FDA-approved products under trial conditions and do not predict the result any individual patient will experience. DocSearch does not promise any specific amount of weight loss, and no clinician on the DocSearch platform will do so.

These medications are not for everyone

Treatment through DocSearch requires a consultation with a licensed clinician, who decides whether treatment is appropriate for you. A prescription is not guaranteed. Not all treatments are available in all states.

How to report a side effect

Contact your DocSearch clinician about any side effect. For a medical emergency, call 911.

You may also report side effects to the FDA directly at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at fda.gov/medwatch.

Full Prescribing Information

For the complete FDA-approved Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for the FDA-approved products containing these active ingredients:

Wegovy® and Ozempic® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Zepbound® and Mounjaro® are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. DocSearch is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Novo Nordisk or Eli Lilly. The compounded medications prescribed through DocSearch are not these products.

This page is provided for general information and does not constitute medical advice. Always speak with a licensed clinician about your individual circumstances.