Availability of High Doses of Wegovy in the DMV

[Anonymous]

I am using Wegovy as part of a diet and exercise program that includes 1200 calories a day, 120 grams of protein, 100 oz (3 liters) of water, strength training and biking. How about everyone else? (This is not relevant to my actual question, but is here to tame the “drugs aren’t diet and exercise” troll.

I am lucky to have filled my 1.0 mg early— before it became impossible to find, and I just started it this week. The Wegovy email and press releases say that a supply shortage is not expected in 1.7 and 2.4. But, I am seeing on social media that teledocs and PCPs and weight loss pill mills are just ignoring the titration schedule due to the shortage, and starting new patients directly on 1.7 mg or moving them from .25 to 1.7 and skipping .5 and 1.0. This was apparently not anticipated by the manufacturer (it should have been. Write the script, get paid) and that many places are now out of all strengths, including 1.7 and .4, because of the urge in demand for high doses.

My question— have people been able to get prescriptions for 1.7 filled this week in the DMV?

[Anonymous]

If doctors are purposely starting their patients at 1.7 that's so irresponsible and dangerous I don't even know what to say. It could certainly hospitalize and maybe even kill someone, and I'm not exaggerating; some people respond really strongly and an initial dose of 1.7 could leave you throwing up unable to keep anything down for a week.

[Anonymous]

Isn’t this a medicine topic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If doctors are purposely starting their patients at 1.7 that's so irresponsible and dangerous I don't even know what to say. It could certainly hospitalize and maybe even kill someone, and I'm not exaggerating; some people respond really strongly and an initial dose of 1.7 could leave you throwing up unable to keep anything down for a week.

OP here. Yep. I’m seeing a lot of people going to the ER on social media (including for dehydration induced tachycardia), and a lot vomiting for days, but unwilling to admit to their MD that they have side effects. But, there are a lot of doctors, PAs, etc getting rich of prescribing this, and I guess they don’t want to take the income hit until September. Especially since someone determined to access the drugs will doctor shop. And someone who will doctor shop may be trying to eat fried foods, dessert and drink soda before starting at 1.7 mg.

I wasn’t worried about going from 1.0 to 1.7 (and was thankful I started in early April and was able to get through the low doses). But, now I’m wondering if the reports of 1.7 shortages in this area are real, or just social media hysteria?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t this a medicine topic?

See the first paragraph Karen. I clearly am asking about people’s diet and exercise plan as they titrate up, as well as availability of various doses to titrate.

But, report to Jeff. I’m sure he’d love that.

[Anonymous]

I am on 2.4 and didn’t have any trouble getting it last week at CVS

[Anonymous]

Also 2.4 filled this week, np

[Anonymous]

I was so sick from .5mg (Ozempic) that the idea of starting at 1.0 is wild to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was so sick from .5mg (Ozempic) that the idea of starting at 1.0 is wild to me.

Are you drinking a lot of water, eating a high protein diet low in saturated fat and refined sugar, avoiding large meals, eating fiber and staying ahead of constipation? Protein shakes and water (water and more water) the 24 hours before and after your shot and avoiding refined sugar, fried foods, large meals and lots of caffeine helps a lot.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Just filled my monthly 1.7 prescription at Wegmans Fairfax. I have had no problems filling Wegovy prescriptions at that pharmacy since I started taking the medication in January.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was so sick from .5mg (Ozempic) that the idea of starting at 1.0 is wild to me.

Are you drinking a lot of water, eating a high protein diet low in saturated fat and refined sugar, avoiding large meals, eating fiber and staying ahead of constipation? Protein shakes and water (water and more water) the 24 hours before and after your shot and avoiding refined sugar, fried foods, large meals and lots of caffeine helps a lot.

I could barely even handle the brat diet for the first 36 hours after the 1.0 shot. Protein made me feel even worse. I can’t imagine how anyone can eat greasy or fried foods when taking this medication.