Safety
Important Safety Information
Key safety information for treatments offered through DripVitals. This page is educational and does not replace the guidance of your licensed provider or the full labeling for your medication.
General
Before Starting Any Treatment
Every treatment offered through DripVitals is prescription-only and is dispensed only if a licensed provider determines it is appropriate for you after reviewing your health history. Not everyone qualifies. To keep your care safe:
- Give your provider a complete and accurate health history, including all prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take.
- Tell your provider about allergies, pregnancy, plans to become pregnant, or breastfeeding — many treatments are not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Use medications exactly as prescribed. Never change your dose, share medication, or use medication prescribed for someone else.
- Store medications as directed, including refrigeration where required, and keep them out of reach of children.
- Report new or worsening symptoms to your provider promptly through your account.
Weight loss
GLP-1 Medications (Semaglutide and Tirzepatide)
This applies to GLP-1 receptor agonist treatments including semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy® and Ozempic®), tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Zepbound® and Mounjaro®), and compounded and oral formulations of these molecules. See each treatment page and the FDA-approved labeling for product-specific details, or compare options on our GLP-1 treatments page.
Boxed warning: thyroid C-cell tumors
Semaglutide and tirzepatide caused thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents; it is unknown whether they cause these tumors in humans. Do not use these medications if you or a family member has had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Tell your provider if you develop a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath.
Who should not use GLP-1 medications
- Anyone with a personal or family history of MTC or MEN 2.
- Anyone with a prior serious hypersensitivity reaction to the medication.
- Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
- People with a history of pancreatitis, severe gastrointestinal disease such as gastroparesis, or certain other conditions your provider will review.
Common side effects
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion, and injection-site reactions are the most common, particularly when starting or increasing the dose, and often improve as your body adjusts. Stay hydrated — ongoing vomiting or diarrhea can lead to dehydration and kidney problems.
Serious risks
- Pancreatitis: stop use and seek care for severe, persistent abdominal pain that may radiate to your back, with or without vomiting.
- Gallbladder problems: including gallstones and cholecystitis; report pain in the upper right abdomen, fever, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- Hypoglycemia: risk is higher when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas; know the signs (shakiness, sweating, confusion, rapid heartbeat).
- Kidney injury: usually related to dehydration from GI side effects.
- Serious allergic reactions: seek immediate care for swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing.
- Vision changes in people with diabetic retinopathy, and mood changes: report depression or thoughts of self-harm to your provider right away.
- Pulmonary aspiration: because GLP-1 medications slow stomach emptying, tell your provider and anesthesia team before any surgery, procedure, general anesthesia, or deep sedation — rare cases of pulmonary aspiration have been reported during such procedures.
Semaglutide-specific notes
In addition to the class information above: semaglutide (Wegovy®, Ozempic®, and compounded or oral semaglutide) has been associated with worsening of diabetic retinopathy in some patients with a history of the condition — report any vision changes; and, per FDA labeling for Wegovy®, discontinue at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy. Ozempic® is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss; any use for weight management is determined by your Provider.
Tirzepatide-specific notes
Tirzepatide (Zepbound®, Mounjaro®, and compounded or oral tirzepatide) is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist; the boxed warning, contraindications, and serious risks above apply. Tirzepatide may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives — use a barrier or non-oral method for 4 weeks after starting and after each dose escalation. Mounjaro® is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss; any use for weight management is determined by your Provider.
Regulatory
Compounded Medications
Some treatments offered through DripVitals are compounded by licensed compounding pharmacies to fill an individual prescription. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, and the FDA does not review compounded medications for safety, effectiveness, or quality before they are marketed. Compounded preparations are not established as equivalent to FDA-approved branded products. The FDA has warned about dosing errors reported with compounded injectable semaglutide, fraudulent GLP-1 products sold outside legitimate pharmacies, and salt forms such as semaglutide sodium or semaglutide acetate that differ from the active ingredient in FDA-approved products. Follow your provider’s dosing instructions exactly, use only the supplies provided, and contact your provider or pharmacist before injecting if anything about your dose is unclear.
Other therapies
Peptide, NAD+, and Other Injection Therapies
Peptide therapies (such as sermorelin), NAD+ therapies, lipotropic injections, and similar wellness treatments offered through DripVitals are prescription therapies, many of which are compounded and not FDA-approved for the marketed use. Evidence for specific outcomes is still evolving, and individual results vary. Common considerations include injection-site reactions (redness, swelling, discomfort), headache, flushing, or nausea depending on the therapy. These treatments are not appropriate for everyone — including during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with active cancer, or with certain endocrine conditions — and a licensed provider reviews your history before any prescription is issued. Review the treatment-specific page and your pharmacy materials for details relevant to your therapy.
Urgent
When to Seek Immediate Help
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for signs of a severe allergic reaction (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing), severe persistent abdominal pain, chest pain, signs of severe hypoglycemia, or thoughts of harming yourself. For non-emergency side effects, message your provider through your account. You can also report side effects to the FDA MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at fda.gov/medwatch.
Trust
Medically Reviewed
Medically reviewed by
ABAARM · FAAMM · DABOM
Hormone OptimizationObesity & Metabolic MedicineLongevity-Focused CareFunctional Medicine
Last medically reviewed:
This page was reviewed for medical accuracy. Treatment decisions are made by a licensed provider after reviewing each patient’s medical history.
Education & certifications
- American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine (ABAARM)
- Anti-Aging Metabolic Medicine, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine
- American Board of Obesity Medicine (DABOM)
- American Board of Internal Medicine
- The Institute for Functional Medicine
- Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy certified
- Peptide Certification / Member, International Peptide Society
- Integrative Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Cardiology & Neurology Certification, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Member, The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M)
- Member, American College of Physicians
Disclaimer
This page summarizes key safety information and is not a substitute for the full FDA-approved labeling of any medication or for the advice of a licensed healthcare provider. Treatments are available only if prescribed after an online consultation with a licensed provider. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, and statements on this website regarding compounded products have not been evaluated by the FDA. Wegovy® and Ozempic® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk; Zepbound® and Mounjaro® are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. DripVitals is not affiliated with or endorsed by those companies. If you notice any side effects while using a treatment, contact your healthcare provider immediately.