Medication Safety Information
Important Safety Information
Corivo Health connects members with licensed, independent healthcare providers who may, where clinically appropriate, prescribe GLP-1 receptor agonist medications for weight management, such as semaglutide or tirzepatide. This page summarizes important safety information about this class of medications. It is not a complete list of warnings or side effects, and it is not medical advice. Your provider and the medication's full prescribing information are the best sources for complete safety information, and your provider is the best person to help you decide whether a medication is right for you.
BOXED WARNING, RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS: In rodent studies, GLP-1 receptor agonists including semaglutide and tirzepatide caused thyroid C-cell tumors. It is not known whether these medications cause thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer), in people. Do not use these medications if you or any of your family members have ever had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Tell your provider right away if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath.
Who Should Not Take These Medications
Do not take a GLP-1 medication if any of the following applies to you. Always share your complete medical history with your provider so they can determine whether treatment is appropriate.
- You or a family member has a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
- You have had a serious allergic reaction to the medication or any of its ingredients.
- You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. These medications may harm an unborn baby, and you should stop treatment in advance of a planned pregnancy as directed by your provider.
Tell your provider before starting treatment if you have ever had inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), gallbladder disease, kidney problems, diabetic retinopathy (damage to the eyes from diabetes), severe stomach or digestive problems such as gastroparesis (slowed stomach emptying), a history of depression or suicidal thoughts, or if you take insulin or a sulfonylurea for diabetes. Also tell your provider about all medications and supplements you take, since these medications slow stomach emptying and can affect how other oral medications are absorbed.
Possible Side Effects
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach (abdominal) pain, decreased appetite, indigestion, and fatigue. These are most common when starting treatment or increasing the dose, and often lessen over time. Staying hydrated matters: vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which in some cases has caused kidney problems.
Serious side effects can occur and may include:
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop taking the medication and call your provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area that will not go away, with or without vomiting; the pain may spread to your back.
- Gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Symptoms can include pain in the upper stomach, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially if you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea. Symptoms can include shakiness, sweating, dizziness, fast heartbeat, confusion, or blurred vision.
- Kidney problems (kidney failure), including worsening of existing kidney disease, particularly with dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea.
- Severe stomach problems, including gastroparesis (slowed stomach emptying) and, rarely, blockage of the intestines (ileus).
- Serious allergic reactions. Stop taking the medication and get medical help right away if you have swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, or a rapid heartbeat.
- Changes in vision, including worsening of diabetic retinopathy in people with diabetes. Report any vision changes to your provider.
- Depression or thoughts of suicide. Pay attention to changes in your mood, behavior, or thoughts, and tell your provider right away if they occur. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911.
- Increased heart rate at rest. Tell your provider if you feel your heart racing or pounding while at rest.
Because these medications slow stomach emptying, tell any provider who is scheduling you for surgery or a procedure with anesthesia that you take a GLP-1 medication; food remaining in the stomach can increase the risk of aspiration during deep sedation. This is not a complete list of side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
Compounded vs. FDA-Approved Medications
Depending on your evaluation and your state, your provider may prescribe an FDA-approved branded medication or, where appropriate and permitted, a compounded medication prepared by a state-licensed compounding pharmacy. Compounded medications are permitted to be prescribed under federal law in certain circumstances, but they are not FDA-approved and have not been reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing quality. The appearance, formulation, and packaging of a compounded medication may differ from the branded product. Your provider is the best person to help you decide whether a compounded medication is appropriate for you, and you should review the information provided by the dispensing pharmacy for a full list of ingredients, warnings, and instructions.
Wegovy®, Ozempic®, Zepbound®, and Mounjaro® are trademarks of their respective owners. Corivo Health is not affiliated with or endorsed by Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Company, or their affiliates.
When to Contact Your Provider
Reach out to your provider through the platform if you experience side effects that concern you or do not improve, if you have severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (especially if you cannot keep fluids down), if you become pregnant or plan to become pregnant, before any scheduled surgery or procedure involving anesthesia or sedation, if you start or stop other medications (especially insulin or a sulfonylurea), or if you notice changes in your vision or mood. Never adjust your dose on your own; dosing decisions belong to your provider.
Emergency Situations
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CALL 911 OR GO TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM. DO NOT USE THE CORIVO PLATFORM FOR EMERGENCY OR CRISIS CARE.
Seek emergency care immediately for symptoms such as severe stomach pain that will not go away, signs of a serious allergic reaction (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing), symptoms of severe low blood sugar (confusion, loss of consciousness, seizure), or any other symptoms that feel life-threatening. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.
Contact
Questions about this safety information or your treatment should go to your provider through the platform. For membership and platform questions:
Corivo, LLC (d/b/a Corivo Health)
3608 Spruce Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407
support@corivohealth.com