Frequently asked questions
How does LUZ work?
1.
Your provider
will determine if you are a candidate and send a prescription to us if so
2.
You fill out
short patient questionnaire
3.
Receive your
medication in 2-3 business days
How do I take LUZ?
Shake bottle well before drawing
up dose in oral syringe. Place dose under the tongue and hold for at least 90
sec. Wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking. Store at room temperature/avoid
excess heat. Keep out of reach of children.
What are the benefits
of LUZ?
-
No injections
o No weekly appointments save you time
o Don’t have to worry about bruising from injections
-
Cost savings
o Less spent on food and alcohol due to potential
decreased consumption
o Save on gas due to no weekly injection appointments
-
Convenience
o Shipped directly to your door
How much weight can I
expect to lose?
Healthy weight loss is
often considered to be 1-2lbs per week. Weight loss is dependent on several
factors and the most successful patients also make diet and lifestyle changes.
Your healthcare provider will work with you to get you to an ideal dose for appropriate
weight loss.
What are the most
common side effects?
The most common side
effects may include nausea, stomach (abdominal) pain, diarrhea, decreased
appetite, vomiting, and constipation. Make sure to talk with your healthcare
provider if you have any questions about side effects.
What can I do if I
experience nausea?
Speak with your healthcare
provider if you experience nausea or have any questions about side effects.
Here are some general
nausea tips that may be helpful:
·
Eat bland,
low-fat foods, like crackers, toast, and rice
·
Eat foods that
contain water, like soups and gelatin
·
Avoid fried,
greasy, or sweet foods
·
Avoid lying down
after you eat
·
Go outdoors for
fresh air
·
Eat more slowly
·
Drink clear or
ice-cold drinks
Who can’t take LUZ?
-
History of
anaphylaxis or angioedema to GLP-1 receptor agonists
-
<18 years old
or >75 years old
-
Personal
or family history of certain types of thyroid
cancer, specifically thyroid C-cell
tumors such as medullary thyroid
carcinoma (MTC), or in patients with multiple
endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
-
Pregnant or breastfeeding
Can I take LUZ while
I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
It is not known if LUZ
will harm your unborn baby. Women should stop taking LUZ 2 months before
they plan to become pregnant. It is not known if LUZ passes into breast milk,
therefore breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with LUZ.
Talk to your
healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, are
breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Clinical Pharmacology – Contraindications/Precautions
Caution in patients with a history of anaphylaxis or
angioedema to other GLP-1 receptor agonists
Semaglutide is contraindicated in patients with a personal
or family history of certain types of thyroid
cancer, specifically thyroid C-cell
tumors such as medullary thyroid
carcinoma (MTC), or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN
2
Semaglutide should not be used for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Hypoglycemia should
be monitored for by the patient and clinician when semaglutide treatment is
initiated and continued for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and when used for
weight reduction and maintenance. In clinical trials of semaglutide injection
for T2DM (Ozempic), hypoglycemia was increased when semaglutide was used in
combination with a sulfonylurea; patients receiving semaglutide in combination
with an insulin secretagogue (e.g., sulfonylurea) or insulin may have an
increased risk of hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia.
If pancreatitis is suspected, discontinue semaglutide; if
pancreatitis is confirmed, do not resume semaglutide. Acute pancreatitis,
including fatal and non-fatal hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis, has been
observed in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, including
semaglutide. Incretin-based therapies should be avoided in patients with prior
or current pancreatitis; otherwise, there are insufficient data to recommend
withholding them for weight loss due to concerns of pancreatitis.
Use semaglutide with caution in patients with known gallbladder disease or a history of cholelithiasis. If cholelithiasis or
cholecystitis are suspected in a patient taking semaglutide, gallbladder
studies are indicated.
During semaglutide therapy, patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy should be closely
monitored. There is an increased risk for diabetic retinopathy complications in
patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy at baseline compared to
patients without a known history of diabetic retinopathy
Use caution during treatment with semaglutide in patients
with renal impairment or end-stage renal
disease (renal failure); however, no
dose adjustments are needed based on renal function.
Suicidal behavior and ideation have been reported in
clinical trials with other incretin mimetics indicated for weight management.
Therefore, administer semaglutide with caution in patients with depression and avoid use in patients with a
history of suicide attempts or active suicidal
ideation; monitor patients for the emergence or worsening of depression,
suicidal thoughts or behavior, and any unusual changes in moods or behaviors.
Semaglutide for the treatment of obesity or weight
management should not be used during pregnancy
because weight loss offers no potential benefit to a pregnant woman and may
result in fetal harm due to the potential hazard of maternal weight loss to the
fetus.
Semaglutide may be associated with reproductive risk and preconceptual planning
is recommended; females of childbearing potential should discontinue
semaglutide at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy due to the drug's long
washout period.
Use injectable semaglutide with caution during lactation;
oral semaglutide therapy is not recommended during breast-feeding.