A printable list of questions to ask your prescriber about Wegovy, Zepbound or a compounded GLP-1, covering dosing, side effects, birth control, pregnancy and midlife.
Good care starts with good questions. Here’s a list grouped by topic. Screenshot it or print it.
Starting out
- What dose will I start on, and when will it increase?
- What results should I expect, and over what time?
- Which side effects are normal, and which should I call you about?
- Is there anything in my health history that makes this riskier for me?
Taking it
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
- Can I change my dose day?
- If I’m on a vial: what’s the strength, and how many units do I draw?
- How should I store it when I travel?
Side effects
- What can I do about nausea or constipation?
- When should I call you, and when should I go to urgent care?
- Could my tiredness, hair shedding or mood changes be related?
Birth control and pregnancy
- Does this affect my birth control?
- Do I need a backup, and for how long?
- If I want to get pregnant, when should I stop?
- What should I do if I think I’m pregnant?
Midlife and HRT
- Could my symptoms be perimenopause, my GLP-1 or both?
- Does it affect my HRT?
- Should we check anything else, like iron, thyroid or bone health?
Nutrition and strength
- How much protein should I aim for?
- Should I see a dietitian?
- What kind of exercise will help me keep muscle?
Long term
- How long will I be on this?
- What happens if I stop?
- How will we decide my maintenance dose?
A tip for the appointment
Say: “I’ve brought a few questions. Can we start with the top two?” Then write the answers down, or ask whether you can record the key points.
A real-life example
Gina, 53, used to leave appointments remembering her real question in the car park. Now she keeps a running list on her phone and picks the top three before each visit. At her last appointment she finally got an answer about her HRT and a referral to a dietitian.
How to keep a running list
- add questions the moment you think of them
- note the date and what prompted it (“nausea for 5 days after 7.5 mg”)
- before each visit, star your top three
- afterward, write the answer next to each question
Questions if you’re thinking about stopping
- What happens to my appetite and weight if I stop?
- Should I taper, or stop at once?
- If I restart later, what dose would I start at?
- Is there anything I should do to prepare?
Common questions
How many questions should I bring?
Three to five is realistic for most appointments. Put the most important first.
What if my prescriber is a telehealth service?
Ask these questions in writing through their messaging system, and save the replies.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. A second person can help remember what was said.
What if my prescriber doesn’t have time for my questions?
Ask whether you can send them in writing, or book a longer follow-up.
Should I ask about cost?
Yes. Ask about coverage, savings programs and alternatives if cost becomes a problem.