What a “microdose” GLP-1 plan means
By the Next You Health team · Updated · 4 min read
Medical review pending. This guide has not yet been reviewed by our medical director.
The short answer
“Microdose” isn't a medical or regulatory term. It usually describes a plan that keeps a GLP-1 medication at a lower dose than the maintenance doses in the FDA-approved labels. There is no FDA-approved microdose regimen, and lower doses have not been shown to deliver the results seen in the brands' clinical trials.
Where the term comes from
The FDA-approved labels for semaglutide and tirzepatide describe starting doses and maintenance doses. Some people and some clinicians prefer to stay at a lower dose, for example to limit side effects or because a lower dose seems to be enough for them. Telehealth companies began calling these plans “microdosing.”
What the evidence does and doesn't show
The weight-loss results reported for Wegovy and Zepbound come from trials at their approved maintenance doses. Those results can't be assumed for lower doses or for compounded products. If a lower-dose plan is right for you, your clinician should explain why and how progress will be measured.
Microdose plans at Next You Health
- Semaglutide microdose: from $149 (injection with B12), $139 (injection with glycine) or $129 (sublingual), billed every 28 days.
- Tirzepatide microdose: from $199 (injection with B12 or glycine) or $189 (sublingual), billed every 28 days.
A licensed clinician decides whether any GLP-1 plan, standard or lower-dose, is appropriate for you.
General education, not medical advice. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
Sources
- FDA prescribing information: Wegovy (semaglutide)
- FDA news release: Zepbound (tirzepatide) approval
- FDA: Concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss
This guide is general education and is not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own situation. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.