How to Read Prescription Labels for Compounded Medications

Why Are There Different Measurements?

Your prescription is written in milligrams (mg) because this is the most precise way to describe the amount of active ingredient in your medication. However, when it comes to injecting your dose, the syringes are calibrated in Units for easier measurement.

Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing Up Your Dose

Follow these steps to ensure you’re administering the correct amount:

1. Check Your Prescription Label

Your label will list the amount of medication you need in Units. For example, it might say, “Inject 20 Units weekly.”

2. Understand Your Medication Concentration

Compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide typically comes with a specific concentration, such as 5 mg/mL. This means every 1 milliliter (mL) of the liquid contains 5 milligrams (mg) of medication. Your pharmacy or provider will help you understand your exact dose.

3. Match Your Syringe to the Units

Using the syringe provided, draw up the number of Units prescribed. Syringes are calibrated to help you measure the exact dose needed for your medication.

Why Units May Stay the Same or Decrease as mg Increases

At first glance, it might seem logical that as the dose in milligrams (mg) increases, the corresponding Units would also increase. However, this isn’t always the case due to changes in the concentration of your medication.

Here’s why:

• Higher Concentration: Your pharmacy may provide a stronger concentration of the medication. For example, an initial dose may be 5 mg/mL, but a higher dose may be prepared at 10 mg/mL. Since the medication is more concentrated, fewer Units are needed to deliver the same dose.
• Customized Compounding: Compounded medications are tailored to your specific needs. Pharmacies adjust the concentration to make dosing easier and more convenient, which can result in fewer Units required for higher mg doses.
• Prescribing Adjustments: Your provider may adjust both the dosage and the formulation to optimize your treatment. This might involve increasing the mg while reducing the injection volume (and, consequently, the Units).

For example:

If your initial dose is 5 mg, drawn as 50 Units with a concentration of 5 mg/mL, doubling the dose to 10 mg may only require 50 Units if the concentration is increased to 10 mg/mL.

It’s important to always verify your prescription label and speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions about changes in dosing instructions.

Helpful Visuals

Example of a Prescription Label

This label shows a weekly dose in Units, making it easier to measure using your syringe.

Syringe Markings

Syringes calibrated in Units make it simple to draw up the prescribed amount of medication.

Common Errors with Compounded GLP-1 Medications

Compounded GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide are highly effective but can lead to issues if not used correctly. Here are the five most common errors:

1. Dosing Errors: Patients may administer incorrect doses due to confusion between mg and Units, or misreading syringe markings.
   Learn more.
2. Variability in Medication Concentration: Compounded medications can vary in concentration, making dosing inconsistent.
   Learn more.
3. Use of Non-Standard Ingredients: Some compounded versions may contain unapproved forms of semaglutide, such as semaglutide sodium.
   Learn more.
4. Lack of FDA Approval: Compounded medications do not undergo FDA’s rigorous premarket review for safety and quality.
   Learn more.
5. Inadequate Patient Education: Patients may not receive sufficient guidance on how to properly measure and administer their medications.
   Learn more.

Conclusion

Understanding how to read your prescription label and measure your dose is an important part of your weight loss journey. At Life IV Weight Loss, we’re committed to helping you every step of the way. If you have questions, give us a call or ask during your next visit.