How to administer GLP-1s

Key takeaways

• Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists come in injectable and oral forms. Injectable GLP-1s are given subcutaneously under the skin in areas like the thigh, upper arm, or abdomen, and you should rotate injection sites with every dose to avoid pain, bruising, or skin thickening.
• To inject a GLP-1, pinch the skin, insert the needle at a 90-degree angle, and deliver the full dose. With prefilled pens, hold the dose button down until the counter shows 0 and keep the needle in place for at least 6 seconds.
• Oral GLP-1s like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus should be taken on an empty stomach with no more than 4 ounces of water, at least 30 minutes before eating or taking other medications. However, Foundayo can be taken at any time, with or without food.

Overview

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) come in different forms. Some are injectable, whereas others are available as an oral pill. Each GLP-1 has its own guidance on how to administer or take it.

Administering a GLP-1 medication can be nerve-wracking. Let’s take a look at the correct ways to administer your medications to help support successful treatment.

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How to administer injectable GLP-1s

Injectable GLP-1s, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, typically come in prefilled pens or syringes that are given subcutaneously, which means they’re injected under the skin. You can give these to yourself, or a caregiver may inject them for you.

There are three main areas where you can inject GLP-1s:

• the front or outer thigh
• the back or side of the upper arm
• the abdomen, at least 2 inches away in any direction from the belly button

These areas are perfect for injection because of the amount of fatty tissue below the skin in these locations. They’re also easy to access when giving yourself an injection.

Experts also recommend that you rotate injection sites with every dose, meaning you should avoid injecting into the same site twice in a row. Repeatedly injecting into the same site can cause pain and bruising. It can also lead to skin thickening and the development of fatty tissue under the skin, called lipohypertrophy.

Pro tip: There is no single best place for a GLP-1 injection. As long as you inject it correctly, the drug should have the same effect regardless of location. The best injection site is the one that is most comfortable for you.

Step 1: Preparation

Firstly, you need to prepare for the injection:

• Gather your supplies, including the medication, an alcohol swab, a cotton pad, and a sharps disposal container.
• Check that the medication is clear and colorless, and check that the expiration date hasn’t passed.
• Wash your hands thoroughly.
• Choose where you’re going to inject the medication.
• Clean the injection site with the alcohol swab.
• Settle into a place where you feel relaxed.

Step 2: Injecting the medication

The next step is actually injecting the medication:

• Pinch a fold of skin at your chosen injection site to create a raised area.
• Hold the needle at a 90-degree angle to the skin and insert it in a quick, confident motion.
• Inject the medication.
• With a syringe, slowly and steadily push the plunger down until the syringe is empty.
• With a prefilled pen, press and hold the dose button down until the dose counter shows “0”. Keep the needle in place for at least 6 seconds to ensure the full dose is delivered.

Step 3: After the injection

After the injection, you can follow these steps:

• Carefully remove the needle at the same angle at which you inserted it.
• Don’t worry if you notice a small amount of blood — this is common. You can wipe it away with a cotton pad.
• If the injection site is tender, consider applying a cool compress to reduce any pain or swelling.
• Dispose of the pen, vial, or syringe in a sharps container that follows Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines.

How to take oral GLP-1s

Taking an oral GLP-1 may be preferable or more convenient for you, especially if you don’t want to use needles. However, oral GLP-1s have their own rules for administration.

There are currently four oral GLP-1s available: Foundayo, Wegovy, Osempic, and Rybelsus. The rules for these medications are slightly different.

Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus pills

Take your tablet whole. Do not split, crush, or chew the tablet. 

Healthcare professionals typically recommend taking these pills:

• as soon as you wake up in the morning
• on an empty stomach
• at least 30 minutes before eating or taking other medications
• with a maximum of 4 ounces of water

Taking these medications with more water, other liquids, or food will affect how your body absorbs the medication, making it less effective.

Foundayo

Foundayo works differently from other GLP-1s. Oral semaglutide must be taken on an empty stomach because it relies on a special chemical to help it get absorbed through the stomach lining. Food or too much water can interfere with this process, causing the body to absorb much less of the medication.

Foundayo, on the other hand, is a small-molecule drug that isn’t digested in the same way as other medications. This means it can be taken at whatever time is convenient for you, with or without food.

Online care for GLP-1s

If a doctor has prescribed a GLP-1, it’s important to take the medication as directed for as long as your doctor recommends. However, some people might face barriers to accessing GLP-1s, including high costs and access to healthcare appointments.

With Optum Perks Online Care, you can request a new weight loss prescription, get a refill, or get help with an existing prescription. There’s no monthly membership needed — all you’ll pay is $29 for the appointment plus the cost of the medication.

With this service, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your condition, and a licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after, without the need to make an in-person appointment.

Summary

Administering GLP-1s may cause some nervousness, especially if you’re not used to injecting medications. Even oral GLP-1s come with their own rules for how to take them.

However, injecting a GLP-1 is straightforward if you follow the correct steps. You can also reach out to a healthcare professional for guidance.

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