Store compounded GLP-1 exactly the way your pharmacy label says. For most compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide, that means keeping it in the refrigerator at 36 to 46°F (2 to 8°C), never freezing it, keeping it away from light, and using it before the beyond-use date on the label.
Your label is the rule. Different pharmacies prepare medication in different ways, so the instructions for your vial may not match a friend's or what you read online. This guide covers the basics and what to do when something goes wrong.
What does the pharmacy label tell me?
If a licensed clinician prescribes a compounded GLP-1, a licensed US pharmacy prepares it for you and ships it to your home. The label on your medication is written for that specific preparation. Look for:
- Storage temperature: usually refrigerated
- Beyond-use date: the date after which you should not use it
- Light: whether to keep it in its box or out of light
- Concentration and directions: which you need to know when you inject
Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, and they do not have the same labeling as brand-name products. That is another reason to go by your own label rather than brand-name instructions. Learn more about compounded medications.
How do I keep it in the fridge?
- Put it in the refrigerator as soon as your package arrives.
- Keep it in the main part of the fridge, not the freezer and not right against the back wall or cooling vent, where it can freeze.
- Keep it in its box or a closed container to protect it from light.
- Store it where children and pets can't reach it.
- Keep it away from food that could spill on it, and put it back in the fridge right after each use.
If your fridge loses power or stops cooling, check how long the medication was out of the recommended temperature range and ask your clinician before your next dose.
If you are away when your delivery arrives, check the package when you get home. If it feels warm or the cold packs have melted, message your clinician before you use it.
What is a beyond-use date?
A beyond-use date is the last date you should use a compounded preparation. It is printed on the pharmacy label. Check it before each dose. Do not use medication after that date, even if there is some left in the vial. If you think you will run out of time before your next refill, let your clinician know through your My VevaMD page.
What if it got too hot or froze?
Do not use it until you ask. Heat and freezing can affect the medication. Message your clinician, tell them what happened and roughly how long, and follow their instructions. Also do not use a vial if the liquid looks different from usual, unless your clinician or pharmacy tells you it is fine.
If you already injected medication you are unsure about and feel unwell, message your clinician. Call 911 or go to an emergency room for signs of a serious allergic reaction (like swelling of your face or throat, or trouble breathing), severe stomach pain that won't go away, especially if it spreads to your back, or signs of severe dehydration such as being unable to keep fluids down. You can read more in what if I have GLP-1 side effects?
How do I travel with it?
- Use an insulated cooler with cold packs. Wrap the vial so it does not touch the ice packs directly, since that can freeze it.
- Keep it with you. Do not leave it in a hot car, and do not pack it in checked luggage.
- Bring what you need to inject, a sharps container, and the pharmacy label.
- Put it back in a fridge as soon as you arrive.
If a trip means you will miss a dose or be away from a fridge for a long stretch, ask your clinician before you go. For injection basics, see how to inject compounded GLP-1.
Who do I ask about storage?
Ask your clinician through your My VevaMD page, or contact the pharmacy on your label. VevaMD is a technology company, not a medical provider or a pharmacy, so we can't give instructions for your specific medication. For account or shipping-update questions, call +1 (888) 275-1703 or email info@vevamd.com.
Next step
If you have not started yet, the free online assessment takes a few minutes. A licensed clinician in your state reviews it and decides whether treatment is appropriate. A prescription is never guaranteed.
VevaMD is a technology platform, not a medical provider. Educational content only, not medical advice. All prescriptions are written by independent licensed clinicians. Individual results vary.