GLP-1 Agonist Weight Loss Program
Telehealth Options are Available!
What are GLP-1 agonists?
GLP-1 agonists are medications used to support weight loss by helping control appetite and food intake. They work by mimicking a natural hormone in the body called GLP-1, which affects areas of the brain that regulate hunger and fullness. This helps reduce cravings, decrease overall food consumption, and make it easier to feel satisfied with smaller portions. Additionally, GLP-1 agonists slow the rate at which food leaves the stomach, leading to prolonged feelings of fullness after eating. They are typically taken as a once-weekly injection or a daily pill, depending on the prescribed form. When combined with a healthy diet and regular physical activity, they can be an effective tool for sustained weight loss.
Virginia Preventive Medicine and Wellness prescribes compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide. We do not currently prescribe brand name Wegovy/Ozempic or Mounjaro/Zepbound manufactured by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, respectively.
Compounding pharmacies are regulated and inspected by state’s Boards of Pharmacy, and not by the FDA. Therefore they are not FDA-approved and have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, efficacy, or quality. However, compounding pharmacies are required to use pharmaceutical grade ingredients procured from FDA-registered faciilities. They must meet the safety standards defined by the Board of Pharmacy. They must also adhere to the strict compounding protocols outlined in the Compounding Quality Act of 2013.
Because the clinical trials that evaluated the safety and efficacy of semaglutide and tirzepatide were using brand name medications manufactured by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, compounded versions cannot claim to provide the same results.
Of note, both Wegovy/Ozempic and Mounjaro/Zepbound have been removed from the FDA’s shortage list. The manufacturers claim that demand no longer exceeds supply and these medications are now readily available to the public from a supply standpoint. Thus, if you have been using compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide due to the shortage, it may be possible now to have your regular doctor prescribe the name brand medication and submit the prescription through your insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
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- Semaglutide (not the salt form)
- Sodium Bibasic Phosphate (a salt commonly used in injectable medications to increase absorption and decrease injection site discomfort).
- Benzoyl alcohol (a preservative commonly used in multi-use vials).
- Sterile water.
You can send us a message or give us a call at 804-655-0893. Once your appointment is scheduled, we will send you a link to an intake form. The intake form will include a clinical questionnaire and the consent forms. If you do not see your intake form, please check your junk mail.
Please note: The intake forms and consent forms must be filled out, signed, and submitted 24 hours prior to your appointment so that we can prepare your chart. If the intake form is not received by that time then the appointment will automatically be cancelled and opened up for those who are on the waitlist for an expedited consultation. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions to this policy. Remember, your signature on the consent forms is not a commitment to treatment. You are only signing that you have received the information within the consent forms.
The price of the 12 week semaglutide program is $575. This includes the semaglutide medication, overnight shipping on ice, injection supplies, and follow-up visits. Of course, you may continue the program after the 12 weeks and order refills. Refill orders include the cost of the medication, injection supplies, and follow-up visits.
Currently, the price of a refill is $455 for a 3mL vial and $675 for a 5mL vial. This is subject to change without notice.
If you are injecting 1.0mg (40 units) weekly, a 3mL vial will last 7.5 weeks. A 5mL vial will last 12.5 weeks.
No, we will not attempt to bill your insurance, medicare, or medicaid for this program.
Yes. Thyroid levels are required. Specifically a TSH. If you have had your thyroid levels checked recently we can use these labs. Otherwise, state law requires thyroid labs to be checked prior to starting a weight loss medication. The cost for this is $10. Labs can be drawn at any Labcorp “Patient Service Center” near you.
The first follow-up visit is typically at 3-4 weeks after starting treatment. The second follow-up is at around 10 weeks. These follow-ups can be through telehealth but we do require a blood pressure and pulse be checked. This can be done at home with your own blood pressure cuff, at your primary care doctor’s office, or at a local pharmacy that has a cuff available for use. A photo of the reading is required.
Semaglutide must be kept refrigerated. It is a once weekly injection. You will receive a vial and insulin syringes and will be responsible for administering your own injection. Instructions for these injections are given at the consultation.
Dosing is based on the Wegovy recommended dosing schedule. For example, 10 units (0.25mg) are injected once weekly for the first 4 weeks. Then the dose doubles to 20 units (0.5mg) weekly for 4 weeks. The dose is doubled again to 40 units (1.0mg) weekly for the final 4 weeks and this completes the 12 week program.
There is no known or recommended time limit to taking semaglutide at this time. If you do not meet your weight loss goal within the first 12 weeks then more semaglutide can be prescribed to you. Currently, the price of a refill is $455 for a 3mL vial and $675 for a 5mL vial. This is subject to change without notice.
No. Let’s say you continue the medication after the initial 12 weeks. At that point you will typically be taking 40 units and about to increase to 68 units. If you want to stay at 40 units because you are losing weight and doing so without side effects, and you want to make this second vial last longer than it would if you increased the dose to 68 units, then you may stay at 40 units.
Yes, you can. However, the Wegovy dosing schedule is designed the way it is to minimize side effects. If you choose to increase your dose faster than what is recommended by Wegovy then your vial will not last the entire 12 weeks. You also increase the risk of unwanted side effects (nausea, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, etc).
Side effects vary significantly per individual. Some experience no side effects, but most will see some degree of the potential side effects. These are generally GI related and can include nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, belching, abdominal pain, fatigue, and headaches.
- Gallstones or gallbladder disease is a possible risk with any weight loss plan.
- Acute pancreatitis was observed in some studies but not in others
- Thyroid C-cell tumors have been observed in rodent studies. So far this risk has not been observed in any human studies but should still be considered as a possible risk.
- Elevated heart rate
- Acute kidney injury from dehydration if significant vomiting or diarrhea occurs
- Worsening of diabetic retinopathy
- Hypersensitivity/allergic reactions
- Some weight loss medications may increase risk of depression or suicidal ideation.
Patients on insulin or insulin secretagogues/sulfonylureas like glimeperide or glyburide are at risk for hypoglycemia when taking semaglutide. Dose adjustments of these medications may need to be made when taken with semaglutide.
Once consent forms are received and the invoice is paid, it will typically take 4-7 days to receive your medication. This can vary based on how quickly the pharmacy can process your prescription. Some orders go out within 2 days, but sometimes when the pharmacy is processing large numbers of prescriptions it can take 10-14 days.
The semaglutide we prescribe will last the full 12 weeks with a little leftover to account for accidental spillage. You will receive 3mL of semaglutide. However it comes in a 10mL vial, so while it appears the vial is mostly empty, you have received the correct amount.
Patients with a personal or family history of Medullary Thyroid Cancer or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type II should not take semaglutide.
You should not take this medication if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, and should take all necessary precautions to avoid becoming pregnant if you plan on using semaglutide. If you do become pregnant while taking it stop immediately and call Dr Mimier. Mothers who are breastfeeding should also avoid this medication. Use with caution if you have a history of depression or suicidal ideation.

Set up your consultation appointment today to see how we can help restore your hormone balance.

Hours of Operation
Monday: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 8:00am – 10:00am
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday: 9am – 1pm
Sunday: Closed