Medical Review by Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP
Summary:
- GLP-1 medications (like semaglutide) help many people manage type 2 diabetes and achieve weight loss by mimicking natural hormones that affect your blood sugar and appetite.
- Microdosing involves taking smaller doses of a medication to get some of the benefits with a lower risk of unwanted effects. The term is usually used in reference to taking psychedelic substances.
- Attempting to microdose semaglutide by tampering with brand-name pens is unsafe and strongly discouraged.
- Using compounded semaglutide may make microdosing easier since it can be measured more accurately, but it’s still vital to talk to your healthcare provider first.
- Only your healthcare provider can tell you whether microdosing semaglutide might be appropriate for you and provide you with a plan for taking your medication safely.
Here’s what you should know about this practice before you try it:
Semaglutide medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy® have been widely recognized for their effectiveness in managing type 2 diabetes and aiding weight loss. By mimicking a natural hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and appetite, these GLP-1 medications can provide meaningful support for metabolic health challenges.
Recently, a growing trend has emerged online: microdosing semaglutide. There are several reasons why people might be curious about this practice—but if you’re tempted, it’s critical to get proper medical guidance.
Self-administering medication without professional oversight can lead to unintended consequences. In this article, we’ll explore what’s involved with microdosing semaglutide, the potential benefits, and the importance of working with your healthcare provider to lose weight responsibly.
What does microdosing GLP-1 drugs involve?
Microdosing is a practice normally associated with psychedelic substances. When you microdose, you start by taking a very small dose of a given drug and gradually increase the amount over time. Although microdosing other medications has not been extensively studied, people using this approach to take psychedelics have reported few negative effects and a range of benefits.
Since the normal recommended dose of semaglutide can often cause uncomfortable effects like nausea or vomiting, it’s easy to understand why some people might be eager to see whether the benefits of microdosing apply to this medication as well.
But, because branded semaglutide medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy® come in pre-filled single-dosage pens, you should never tamper with them. Instead, one common way to microdose semaglutide involves using a compounded version.
Using compounded semaglutide to microdose
Compounded drugs are custom-prepared versions of commercially available medications for patients with unique needs, which are also sometimes used to fill gaps when a medication is in short supply. Many compounded medications also come in a liquid form instead of tablets, capsules, or pre-filled pens—which can potentially make it easier to measure out precise amounts.
However, it’s important to note that compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved, and that miscalculating your dosage can create health risks. You should always talk to a healthcare provider before taking semaglutide, and never adjust your dosage by yourself.
Potential benefits of microdosing
While there have been no clinical studies specifically about microdosing semaglutide, it’s worth noting that some research has promising implications.
For example, one study found that taking low doses of semaglutide (1mg or less) did lead to clinically relevant weight loss—patients lost an average of 9.2% of their total body weight over six months. Patients taking a 1mg dosage of semaglutide over 12 weeks also experienced an average 4% loss of body weight, as opposed to 5% for patients taking a 2.4mg dosage over the same length of time.
Other research shows that while higher dosages of semaglutide are more effective for promoting weight loss, they are more likely to cause side effects as well. This suggests that taking lower doses of semaglutide may allow you to experience some of the benefits while facing fewer potential risks. And since side effects sometimes cause people to stop taking semaglutide, finding a balance with your healthcare provider that lets you experience enough of the benefits while reducing potential drawbacks could make it easier to stay on the medication as well.
Based on the above, it’s possible that microdosing semaglutide could provide some or all of the following benefits:
- Mitigating Side Effects: Starting with a smaller dose might reduce the likelihood of side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, if it allows patients to build tolerance more comfortably.
- Lower Risk of Discontinuation: Increasing their doses slowly might help some patients acclimate to the medication’s effects, potentially making it easier for them to stay in treatment.
- Customization: Microdosing could allow healthcare providers to tailor treatments based on each patient’s unique response—especially with compounding medications, since they can make it easier to administer precise doses under medical supervision when specialized doses are needed.
While these benefits are promising, it’s important to emphasize that you should always talk to your healthcare provider before you attempt to microdose any substance, including semaglutide. Without proper oversight, the risks may outweigh the potential advantages.
Why microdosing should be a joint decision with your provider
Microdosing GLP-1 medications, like semaglutide, is not a practice to undertake independently. Here’s why:
The risks of self-administration
Adjusting your medication dose without medical supervision can be dangerous. The FDA has warned that this can lead to measuring or administering the wrong amount of semaglutide, and that this can lead to hospitalization in some cases.
Some of the adverse effects you might experience if you take too much semaglutide include:
- Gastrointestinal effects (e.g., nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain)
- Fainting
- Headache
- Migraine
- Dehydration
- Acute kidney injury
- Acute pancreatitis
- Gallstones
The dangers of tampering with brand-name pens
Brand-name injectable semaglutide medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy® come in disposable, single-use pens. That means if you’ve been prescribed one of these medications by your healthcare provider, each injection comes with exactly the amount you’re supposed to take at once.
If you’ve ever considered breaking open a brand-name semaglutide pen to make its contents last longer, stop. Since these devices are designed for specific dosing, tampering with them can result in taking the wrong amount and expose you to risks like the ones listed above. Pre-filled pens help you avoid some of the mistakes that are common when self-injecting medication—like misunderstanding different concentrations or units of measurement.
Many semaglutide errors have involved users accidentally drawing up more medication than they intended. Reports from the FDA indicate that some users took between 5 and 20 times more semaglutide than the amount they meant to inject. In this way, trying to cut costs by measuring out smaller amounts of semaglutide can backfire and result in taking more than usual if you make a mistake.
What to discuss with your healthcare provider
If you’re considering microdosing semaglutide, it’s essential to have an open conversation with your healthcare provider. Clearly communicate your goals for weight loss or blood sugar management, be upfront if you have concerns about any potential side effects from the medication, and ask what amount they recommend you start taking (if any).
Your healthcare provider will likely ask you questions to find out if you have any conditions that could make using semaglutide inappropriate. They might also ask you to get specific tests so they can make sure semaglutide is a good fit for your needs. If it is, they’ll provide specific instructions along with your prescription, including how much of the medication you should take and how often. Always follow the directions of your healthcare provider when taking semaglutide or any other prescription medication.
Find medical guidance for losing weight with Lemonaid Health
Microdosing GLP-1 medications might seem like a reasonable way to mitigate side effects and personalize your treatment, but self-administering microdoses or tampering with injector devices can be unsafe. Instead, you should always work with your healthcare provider and follow their directions for use.
Lemonaid Health can connect you with qualified practitioners who can answer your questions about semaglutide and provide expert advice. We can also prescribe GLP-1 medications in clinically-indicated cases, including Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and compounded semaglutide. Find ongoing support for your weight loss or diabetes management journey—reach out today to take the first step toward a healthier future.
Ozempic® and Wegovy® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S.
