New Patient Checklist: Everything to Do Before Your First Dose

Congratulations on starting your GLP-1 program with RxVigor. Before you administer your first dose, take 10 minutes to work through this checklist. Patients who prepare in advance report fewer questions, less anxiety, and a smoother first week on therapy.

Step 1: Store Your Medication Correctly

Your compounded GLP-1 medication arrives refrigerated. As soon as it arrives, place it in your refrigerator at 36–46°F (2–8°C). Keep it in its original packaging and away from the refrigerator door (where temperatures fluctuate). Never freeze your medication — freezing permanently damages the peptide and renders it ineffective.

If your medication arrives warm (e.g., delayed shipping in summer), do not use it. Contact our care team at [email protected] for a replacement assessment.

Step 2: Watch the Injection Guide

Before your first injection, read or watch our step-by-step injection guide. Key points to review:

• Gather your supplies: vial, syringe, alcohol swabs, and a sharps container
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
• Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and let it dry for 10 seconds
• Pinch the skin lightly and insert the needle at a 45–90° angle
• Inject slowly, withdraw the needle, and apply gentle pressure — do not rub
• Dispose of the used syringe in a sharps container immediately

Approved injection sites include the abdomen (at least 2 inches from the navel), outer thigh, and back of the upper arm. Rotate sites with each injection to prevent tissue buildup.

Step 3: Confirm Your Prescription and Dosing Schedule

Log in to your patient portal to confirm your starting dose, your injection day, and your dose escalation schedule. Your physician will have specified a starting dose (typically 0.25 mg semaglutide or 2.5 mg tirzepatide) and a schedule for increasing the dose over the following weeks.

Most patients inject once per week on the same day each week. Choose a day that works consistently with your schedule — many patients prefer Sunday evening or Monday morning. Set a weekly reminder on your phone.

Step 4: Save Your Care Team Contact

Save [email protected] in your contacts before you need it. Our care team is available Monday through Friday, 9am–6pm EST. For non-urgent questions — side effect management, dosing questions, refill timing — email is the fastest channel.

For urgent medical concerns (severe abdominal pain, allergic reaction, chest pain, vision changes), call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Do not wait for an email response in a medical emergency.

Step 5: Know the Warning Signs

Most patients tolerate GLP-1 therapy well, but it is important to know which symptoms require immediate attention. Contact your care team or seek emergency care if you experience:

• Severe abdominal pain that radiates to the back (possible pancreatitis)
• Persistent vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down
• Vision changes (blurred vision, sudden vision loss)
• Signs of allergic reaction: hives, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing
• Signs of low blood sugar (if you also take insulin or sulfonylureas): shakiness, sweating, confusion

Common side effects like mild nausea, reduced appetite, and fatigue are expected and not cause for alarm. See our full side effects guide for a detailed comparison of normal vs. concerning symptoms.

You're Ready

Once you've worked through this checklist, you're prepared for a safe and successful first dose. Most patients feel confident after reviewing these materials once. If you have any remaining questions before your first injection, don't hesitate to reach out to our care team — we're here to help.