What needs a check before treatment?

Start with what is already happening.

FDA is short for Food and Drug Administration; it is the U.S. drug agency.

• Bring a list of medicines and supplements.
• Name allergies and past reactions.
• Mention pregnancy, breastfeeding, or plans for pregnancy.
• Ask which parts of your history change the choice.

The product needs its own checks.

The medicine’s active ingredient is the part intended to produce its effect.

Poor compounding can let germs into a medicine or leave the wrong amount of its active ingredient, FDA explains.

Storage depends on the product; a blanket rule that every peptide needs a fridge is wrong.

• Who made it, and what does the label say?
• What written storage instructions apply to this product?
• Who answers a question about an unclear label?

Do not work out an unclear instruction alone.

As of September 2026, reports to FDA described measuring errors with injections of compounded semaglutide; some of these reports mentioned hospital care.

An unapproved medicine has no FDA-reviewed label explaining its use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as of September 2026.

• Ask the pharmacist and whoever wrote the prescription to clear up instructions that disagree.
• Ask about pregnancy and breastfeeding before agreeing to a plan.
• Ask who handles a problem between visits.

When does a problem need urgent help?

Trouble breathing, fainting, or a swollen face or tongue may point to a severe allergic reaction.

MedlinePlus, the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s patient guide, calls for emergency care for severe allergic symptoms.

• Get emergency medical help for severe allergic symptoms.
• Do not wait for a routine follow-up to raise them.

Where can a medicine problem be reported?

MedWatch is FDA’s public service for reports about medicine problems; patients can send reports themselves.

• Keep the label and details of what happened.
• Ask the health professional treating you about the problem.
• Use the FDA reporting page to leave a report.