What Color Is Semaglutide?
Brand-name semaglutide pens, like Ozempic and Wegovy, are filled with liquid that is completely clear and colorless and should not be cloudy or have any debris floating around inside of it. According to the official instructions that are enclosed in the box with the medication, if the solution in your pen appears cloudy, discolored, or has particles, you should not use it.
FDA-approved, prefilled injection pens of Wegovy and Ozempic should always contain liquid that is completely clear; it should not be red or pink. If your pen window shows anything besides crystal clear liquid, stop and call your doctor for assistance.
Compounded Semaglutide
Compounded semaglutide is prepared by a special pharmacy called a compounding pharmacy, which should be a state-regulated facility. The FDA has warned that some compounders have used salt forms of semaglutide that are not the same as the FDA-approved ingredient, so it is important to use a reputable compounding pharmacy to ensure safety and effectiveness.
A compounding pharmacy can make a customized version of a medication if your doctor determines that the usual formulation will not work best for you. Unlike the name-brand pens, compounded versions usually come in small vials or prefilled syringes.
What Color Is Compounded Semaglutide?
We get questions like, “Is semaglutide red or clear?” or “Can semaglutide be different colors?” The answer depends on the type of semaglutide you are using and the way it is packaged. When you are using prefilled pens directly from the manufacturer, the answer is the semaglutide is clear and has no color at all, but compounded semaglutide can look different.
Prescription semaglutide is a clear solution that has no distinct color, but compounded semaglutide injections can look different if the pharmacy formulates them with additional ingredients. The color and clarity can change based on what is added, how it is diluted, or due to improper storage conditions.
Semaglutide and Vitamin B12
One advantage when getting compounded semaglutide is that you can add ingredients that can help mitigate the side effects of the medication. Some individuals can benefit from having vitamin B12 added, because it helps boost their energy level and also supports the production of new red blood cells. B12 can lessen the feelings of fatigue that are common during a weight loss journey, and make it easier for you to stay active, so you can increase the number of calories you burn. It may also just be more convenient to add vitamin B12 to your semaglutide formulation, so you do not have to take two separate shots.
What Color Is Compounded Semaglutide With B12?
People often want to know, “What color are B12 injections?” Vitamin B12 solutions, like cyanocobalamin, are naturally red, so if a pharmacy combines semaglutide with B12 in the same vial, the liquid can look pink or red because the B12 adds color to the otherwise clear solution. This is the most common reason you would find a vial of semaglutide pink in color or semaglutide red in color.
If your label says semaglutide with B12 and the liquid looks light pink to red, this would be normal and due to the addition of the B12. If the label on your semaglutide does not have vitamin B12 listed, but the liquid is pink or red, contact the pharmacy and talk with them about the ingredients before using the medication.
Proper Storage Of Semaglutide
If semaglutide is not stored properly, it can be damaged, which can affect its safety and efficacy. Things like temperature, exposure to the sun or bright light, and how long it has been stored can affect the appearance of the liquid. For example:
- If it gets too warm, like being left in a hot car or near a heater, semaglutide can break down and cause it to change color or become cloudy.
- If it is frozen, ice crystals can form and damage the structure of the drug, which can make it cloudy and ineffective once thawed.
- Direct sunlight can sometimes fade or alter certain added ingredients.
- Long storage times past the expiration date can lead to changes in the stability of the medication, which might cause floating particles or cloudiness.
Since compounded semaglutide contains other ingredients like vitamin B12, improper storage can cause more noticeable changes in its color, clarity, and possibly separation.
Ozempic and Wegovy pens are best stored in the refrigerator, but you can keep a pen at room temperature for up to 28 days after it has been opened. Always keep the cap on when not using the pen.
Safety Tips For Compounded Semaglutide
If you qualify for a compounded formulation of semaglutide, make sure to vet the pharmacy or source to ensure it is licensed and reputable. Ensure that your medication is clearly labeled semaglutide (not semaglutide sodium or semaglutide acetate). You can speak to the pharmacist about the ingredients in the formulation, how best to store it, and what the liquid should look like.
MySlimMed works only with pharmacies that source their ingredients from state-regulated facilities and have a long track record of delivering the highest quality.
When to Contact Your Doctor or Pharmacy
If any of these conditions are present, you should contact your pharmacy or the prescribing doctor before using the medication.
- The solution looks cloudy, dark, milky, or has particles floating around in it.
- The color changed from what you were told to expect.
- The vial or pen was frozen, left in a hot car, or stored outside of the recommended temperature range.
- The label does not match what the liquid looks like in the syringe or the pen window.
Where Can I Find Semaglutide That I Can Trust?
Dr. Angelina Postoev and her professional team at MySlimMed offer prescriptions for weight loss injections and give you access to expertise you can depend on. As a triple board-certified surgeon and expert in weight management, she and the team at MySlimMed can provide you with the tools and guidance you need to help you reach your weight loss goals.
If you require a custom formulation, you can be certain you will be getting only the highest quality medications because they partner only with trusted, licensed compounding pharmacies.
If you would like to learn more about weight loss injections or have questions about using prescription weight loss drugs or what color semaglutide should be, set up a personal consultation today. The MySlimMed team is here to help you successfully attain sustainable weight loss and improve your health.
