Compounded semaglutide’s shelf life depends on the compounding pharmacy’s Beyond-Use Date (BUD). It is usually between 30 to 90 days when stored properly. Always check with your pharmacy for the exact storage guidelines.
If you have already opened your semaglutide, it should be used within 28 days. Proper refrigeration helps maintain its stability.
Now, coming to the fridge temperature for storing compounded semaglutide. You should set the temperature to between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C). Keep it pretty steady without too many ups and downs.
- Check out What to Expect When Starting a GLP-1
Understanding Compounded Semaglutide
Compound medications are medications that can be customized.
Don’t worry; it is obviously under the supervision of a professional pharmacist. These customizations happen to meet the specific needs of patients.
This method takes place when the standard drugs don’t work the way they should. Compounding adjusts the dosages or combines ingredients.
What is Compounded Semaglutide?
FDA-approved semaglutide is used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. It works to regulate your blood sugar levels and make you feel full.
Compounded semaglutide is customized by a licensed pharmacist and is not FDA-approved. It may be formulated differently based on patient needs.
⚠️Caution: Compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved and should only be used under the supervision of a licensed provider.
This might be done to:
- To ensure the patient receives the most effective dose
- To change the delivery method
- To address allergies or sensitivities
- To make the medication more appealing to take
Uses of Semaglutide
Connection to GLP-1 Receptor Agonists:
Semaglutide is part of a group of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs help by turning on GLP-1 receptors in the body.
Why Proper Storage Matters for Compounded Medications?
Proper storage is essential for compounded medication. If it goes unnoticed or neglected, the medication can be ruined. With semaglutide, it’s the same. Without the correct environmental conditions, compounded semaglutide will lose its stability, efficacy, and safety.
The Role of Refrigeration
Many compounded medications, including semaglutide, need to be stored in the refrigerator. Most compounded semaglutide products should be stored between 2–8°C (36–46°F), but specific storage requirements may vary by pharmacy. Always follow the instructions provided by your pharmacist. [Source: Medivera]
Therefore, what the refrigerator will do is:
- It will slow down the chemical reaction
- It won’t let the heat break any of the active ingredients
- It will preserve the medication's potency
- The cool temperatures will prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and other microorganisms.
- It will stop the contamination from making the medication harmful
Risks of Improper Storage
If you don’t want to compromise with the efficiency, put your compounded semaglutide in the fridge. There are cases where semaglutide got ruined due to improper storage. Using expired or improperly stored semaglutide may reduce its effectiveness. Always follow your pharmacist’s storage instructions to maintain its integrity.
- Temperature fluctuations can degrade the active ingredients in semaglutide
- It reduces efficiency due to exposure to excessive heat
- It may contain harmful byproducts that can cause unexpected side effects
- Dergarfded semaglutide may cause serious health problems
- Exposure to extreme temperatures or humidity can cause the medication to lose its potency altogether
Make sure to follow the storage instructions your pharmacist or healthcare provider gave you for your compounded semaglutide. This is important to keep it safe and working properly.
Shelf Life of Compounded Semaglutide in the Fridge
How Long Does It Last in the Fridge?
Compounded semaglutide typically has a Beyond-Use Date (BUD) of 30 to 90 days, as determined by the compounding pharmacy. Always follow the pharmacist’s guidance for storage and disposal.
The shelf life may fluctuate based on the conditions in which you left it. Another thing that should not be missed is that the compounding formulation and technique play a part in the time frame.
However, we suggest that you talk to the pharmacist. The reason is that they may set a shorter or longer beyond-use date (BUD) based on the ingredients and compounding process.
Unlike commercially manufactured medications, compounded semaglutide does not have an expiration date. Instead, a pharmacist assigns a Beyond-Use Date (BUD) based on formulation stability, typically between 30 to 90 days.
- Expiration date: Found on commercially manufactured medications. It represents the last day the product is guaranteed to be safe for use.
- Beyond-use date (BUD): Assigned to compounded medications by the pharmacist. It represents the date after which the medication should not be used.
Factors That Affect Shelf Life
There are a couple of things that can manipulate the shelf life of compounded semaglutide, including:
What Happens If It Exceeds the Refrigeration Time?
If compounded semaglutide is kept past its expiration date, it might:
- Undergo drug breakdown: The active ingredients may deteriorate. It reduces the semaglutide effectiveness.
- Lose potency: You will see the medication become less potent. As a result, you will need a higher dose to achieve the desired effect.
- Show visual signs of degradation: Color changes, the appearance of particulates, or a foul odor are signs that your semaglutide has degraded.
Make sure to throw out any compounded semaglutide that's expired or looks off. Using old or messed-up semaglutide can be useless and might even harm you.
Compounded Semaglutide: Storage and Handling Tips
Time to take good care of the compounded semaglutide. If you're not careful, you could lose the medication's effectiveness in a few days.
We have some tips for:
- Storage
- Handling after removal from the fridge
- Safe disposable
Storing Semaglutide Safely
Compound semaglutide needs careful storage. Your main target here is to maintain its potency and safety.
Here are the things you can do:
- Store semaglutide in the refrigerator at a stable temperature between 2-8°C (36-46°F).
- Avoid placing the medication near the door of the refrigerator.
- Use a refrigerator thermometer to monitor the temperature regularly.
- Avoid keeping semaglutide in a freezer with a high cooling temperature.
- Put the vail upright to avoid any leakage or spill.
- Keep the semaglutide in its original packaging.
- Check the expiration date now and then.
- Use a cooler with ice packs to keep the medication cold during power outages.
- Do not place the refrigerator near heat sources.
Handling After Removal from the Fridge
Don’t want to expose the compound semaglutide to contamination? How about handling the medication with more care?
Here is what you can do:
- Make sure you have bought semaglutide from a reputed pharmacy with a prescription
- Talk to the pharmacists if you have any questions or concerts
- Know all about the storage procedure from top to bottom
- Look closely to find any difference before you use the semaglutide
- Take out only the amount of medication you need for one dose.
- Put the vail back into the fridge immediately after use.
- Limit the time the medication spends outside of the refrigerator.
- Follow all the steps that your pharmacist suggests you
Disposal of Expired Semaglutide
Once you’re done with the semaglutide vial, it's tempting to just throw it away. Do you know it can harm the environment? Instead, you should think about a better way to dispose of any expired or unused semaglutide.
What you can do is:
- Do not flush medications down the toilet
- Do not throw medications in the trash
- Keep it away from children and pets
- You can gather information on medication disposal programs in your area
- Many pharmacies have medication take-back programs; you can use them to dispose of your compound semaglutide.
That was all. You can consult with your compounding pharmacy anytime for specific storage and handling instructions. They will even help you with additional precautions that may be necessary.
Key Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Guidelines
Compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved. It should only be used under the supervision of a licensed provider. The regulatory guidelines for compounded semaglutide are pretty strong.
FDA Recommendations on Storage
There is not much information on storage.
However, what they do recommend a lot are:
- Store semaglutide at a controlled temperature
- Using refrigerator for better storage
- Setting the temperature in the recommended range
- Control the humidity level so that it doesn't grow microbial
- Protect the vial from excessive light
Differences in Stability for Compounded vs. Manufactured Medications:
Information from Compounding Pharmacies
Compounding pharmacies have a bigger job to do here. They have all the details of how the compound semaglutide needs to be stored. Pharmacists are responsible for assessing the stability of compounded medications. All you need to do is follow their instruction.
Instructions you will get from them are mostly:
- Instraution on storage temperature and conditions
- Details about the Beyond-use date (BUD)
- Any special handling requirements
Do not neglect the instructions you received from the pharmacist. They are more qualified than anyone to provide you with clear and concise storage instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does compounded semaglutide last in the fridge?
The compounded semaglutide can last 28 days in the fridge. You can take 30 to 90 days estimations.
What happens if I leave semaglutide outside the fridge?
If you leave the semaglutide outside the fridge, it will lose all its potential and will become less effective.
How can I tell if semaglutide has gone bad?
You may notice that the liquid has become discolored, cloudy, or has particles floating in it.
Can I refreeze semaglutide if it was left out for a short time?
You shouldn’t refreeze semaglutide that has been left out of the refrigerator for a long time.
Are there differences in shelf life between compounded and non-compounded semaglutide?
Yes, there are. Compounded semaglutide has a shorter lifespan than non-compounded ones.
Does temperature affect semaglutide?
Yes, temperature can affect semaglutide. You need to store it within the recommended temperature range to maintain its stability and effectiveness.
Disclosure: This blog is for informational purposes only. Compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved, and this blog does not constitute medical advice. Speak with a licensed healthcare provider before starting treatment.
