Quick Rules
Keep compounded vials refrigerated at 36 to 46°F (2 to 8°C). Do not freeze. Keep away from heat and sunlight.
Store in the original carton or amber vial to protect from light.
Inspect before each use. Solution should be clear and colorless to slightly yellow. Do not use if cloudy, discolored, or has particles.
Use a new sterile needle and syringe every time. Never share vials or needles. Dispose of sharps in an FDA‑cleared container.
How to Store Your Compounded GLP‑1 Vial
Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are sterile, multi‐dose vials. At home, keep them in the refrigerator between 36 and 46°F (2 to 8°C). Do not place vials near freezer vents, do not freeze, and avoid direct sunlight or hot cars. These temperature and light precautions are consistent with GLP‐1 labeling and help maintain potency. If the vial is unpunctured, GLP-1 medications can remain stable for up to 60 days at room temperature without compromising their efficacy. However, refrigeration is required once the vial is punctured.
Keep vials in their original carton or an amber container to limit light exposure. Return the vial to the fridge immediately after each dose.
Safe Handling to Prevent Contamination and Errors
Before each draw, clean the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab and let it dry. Use a brand‑new sterile syringe and needle for every injection. Write the date you first punctured the vial on the label. These simple steps lower the risk of contaminating multi‑dose vials.
Draw up doses exactly as instructed by your clinician. Compounded vials come in different concentrations, and dosing errors have been reported when patients guess or convert units on their own. If the numbers on your syringe or the concentration on your label do not match the plan you were given, stop and contact us.
Put used needles immediately in an FDA‑cleared sharps container. If you do not have one, use a heavy‑duty plastic household container with a tight, puncture‑resistant lid until you can obtain a proper sharps container. Follow local rules for disposal.
Multi-Dose Vial Safety (What is the 28-day puncture rule?)
While manufacturers typically test multi-dose vials for sterility up to 28 days, pharmacies can extend this timeframe based on their own rigorous safety testing for specific medications. When you receive a multi-month supply in one vial, the pharmacy has verified it remains safe and effective for the entire treatment period.
Travel and Temperature Excursions
When you travel, carry vials in your hand luggage with gel ice packs to keep them cold but not frozen. TSA allows medically necessary liquids, medications, needles, and gel ice packs in carry‑on bags. Tell officers you are carrying medication and separate it for screening.
If a vial was left unrefrigerated or exposed to heat, do not assume it is safe. GLP-1 medications can generally remain stable for up to 60 days unpunctured at room temperature, 30 days at room temperature during cold chain breaks, 15 days at 95°F (35°C), or 5 days at 104°F (40°C). Protecting from freezing, heat, and light is essential for peptide stability.
When to Contact Us
You see cloudiness, discoloration, or particles.
The vial was frozen, left in a hot car, or sat out of the fridge and you are unsure how long.
The label is damaged, or the concentration does not match your instructions.
You need a travel letter, sharps container, or replacement supplies.
Need help now?
You can reach us anytime through the Messenger widget in the right hand corner of our website or the patient portal support chat.
Our patient care team will verify your compounded GLP-1 storage plan, confirm dosing, and make sure your GLP‑1 vial handling is safe and simple.
Medication Stability During Shipping Temperature-sensitive medications are packed with appropriate cold storage materials to ensure safe transit. They are designed to remain stable under specific conditions: Pharmacy testing confirms that most medications can remain stable at room temperature for up to 60 days before puncturing the vial. If the cold chain is interrupted, these are the documented stability ranges: at room temperature for up to 30 days, at 95°F (35°C) for up to 15 days, and at 104°F (40°C) for up to 5 days without compromising their potency. This ensures protection even during unavoidable shipping delays. Once a vial is punctured, it must be refrigerated to maintain its integrity.
Recommended Storage Upon Delivery
Immediate Storage: Upon receiving your medication, refrigerate it promptly following the storage instructions provided on its label. Proper refrigeration is essential for maintaining the medication’s quality before use.
Pre-Use Storage: If you receive your medication before you need it, you can safely store it in the refrigerator. Temperature-sensitive medication typically has a beyond-use date (BUD) of six months from dispensing, ensuring it remains effective during that period.For medications dispensed by Belle, tirzepatide typically has a BUD of 9–12 months while semaglutide has a BUD of 3–6 months, depending on the batch.
If Your Package Arrives Warm If your medication arrives at a warm temperature or if you suspect that temperature-controlled shipping conditions may have been compromised, it is critical to:
Immediately contact the dispensing pharmacy to report the issue.
The pharmacy will assess whether the medication’s integrity has been affected and assist in replacing the medication if necessary. Medications are typically shipped with robust cold chain systems, but extreme delays or external conditions may still impact their quality.Additional inspection guidelines include checking for a temperature indicator on the package to confirm the contents stayed within the prescribed range and verifying the appearance of the medication for discoloration or sedimentation.
When Your Medication is Delivered While You’re Away In the event that your package is delivered during your absence, take the following steps:
If possible, arrange for someone to bring the package indoors and store it in the refrigerator.
If immediate refrigeration is not feasible, GLP-1 medications are stable for up to 60 days at room temperature if the vial is unpunctured. For punctured vials, refrigeration is a must to ensure efficacy. Medications may tolerate short exposures to higher temperatures: stable up to 30 days at room temperature, 15 days at 95°F (35°C), or 5 days at 104°F (40°C). Ensuring prompt refrigeration is necessary for optimal potency.