📋 About Your Medication
Bliv offers both compounded GLP-1 medications prepared by licensed compounding pharmacies, and access to branded GLP-1 medications manufactured by Novo Nordisk (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) and Eli Lilly (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®). Your prescription will specify which type you have been prescribed. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved finished drug products, though they are prepared under federal standards by licensed pharmacies. Branded medications are FDA-approved. If you have questions about which medication you are receiving, please check your prescription label or contact your Bliv provider.

Starting GLP-1 therapy is a meaningful step. The first few weeks are when patients have the most questions — about their medication, how to inject, what to expect, and what to do if something feels off. This guide covers everything you need to know to start confidently.

When your shipment arrives, remove the vial from the outer packaging and place it in the refrigerator immediately. GLP-1 medication must be kept refrigerated at all times when not in use. Do not freeze it. Check your prescription label to confirm the storage temperature and beyond-use date (BUD).

Your personalized dosing plan was sent to you by email when your prescription was filled and is also available in your patient portal at app.joinbliv.com/login. It contains your starting dose in both milligrams (mg) and syringe units, your escalation schedule, and how many doses your vial contains. Read it fully before your first injection. Your dosing plan — not this article — is your source of truth for specific numbers.

GLP-1 medications are administered as subcutaneous (under the skin) injections, typically into the abdomen, outer thigh, or upper arm. You can inject straight from the refrigerator or let the vial sit at room temperature for 15–30 minutes first — either is fine. Follow the step-by-step injection guide in the article How to Read Your Syringe & Dosing Units for the full process.

Choose a consistent day of the week for your injection and stick to it. Consistency helps maintain stable medication levels and makes it easier to build the habit.

Nausea is the most common side effect in the first few weeks, particularly after your first one or two injections. This is normal and typically resolves as your body adjusts to the medication. Other common early side effects include mild fatigue, reduced appetite, and occasional digestive changes.

Strategies that help most patients:

For a complete list of side effects and how to manage them, see the article Side Effects & Safety Information.

All Bliv patients have access to a complimentary nurse follow-up call. We strongly recommend booking this after your first or second injection. Your nurse can walk through your dosing plan, answer questions, address any early side effects, and help you feel confident about your treatment from the start.

Your dosing plan includes an estimated end date for your current vial. Log into your patient portal to submit a reorder before you reach the end of your supply — not after. Processing and shipping take time, and running out of medication interrupts your treatment cycle.

Most patients notice meaningful appetite reduction within the first 1–2 weeks. Weight loss typically becomes visible by weeks 3–4. Side effects, if present, usually diminish significantly after the first 2–3 injections as your body adjusts. Progress is not always linear — if you plateau early, that is normal and does not mean the medication is not working.

Contact our support team for any order, shipping, or billing question at [email protected]. For clinical questions, book a nurse call. For emergencies — severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, or signs of a serious allergic reaction — call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. See the article When to Contact Your Provider vs. Call 911 for the full guidance.