Reference
Microdose GLP-1 glossary
Dose concepts, formulation, pharmacy, and pricing terms — defined precisely.
This glossary defines the dose concepts, formulation terms, pharmacy classifications, and pricing terms used across the site, so a 'microdose' is never confused with a starter dose, and 'units' are never confused with milligrams. Definitions reflect FDA usage and standard pharmacy practice.
- FDA-labeled starter dose
- The specific low initial dose in an FDA-approved product's prescribing information, used at treatment initiation to improve tolerability before titration.
- Lower-than-maintenance dose
- Any dose below a product's labeled maintenance dose, whether during titration or deliberately held below maintenance.
- Reduced maintenance dose
- A maintenance dose intentionally set below the maximum studied/labeled maintenance dose after a response is achieved.
- Slower titration
- Extending the time spent at each dose step during dose escalation, usually to manage side effects.
- Less-frequent dosing
- Administering a dose at longer intervals than labeled (e.g., beyond weekly for a weekly product).
- Tapering / off-ramping
- Gradually reducing dose or frequency when discontinuing, as opposed to abrupt stopping.
- Provider-defined 'microdose'
- A marketing/program term used by a telehealth provider for a low-dose plan; definitions vary by provider and are not standardized.
- Compounded individualized dose
- A patient-specific dose prepared by a compounding pharmacy under a prescription; not an FDA-approved product.
- Oral, sublingual, buccal, ODT, or troche product
- Non-injectable formulations. One approved oral semaglutide exists (Rybelsus); compounded oral/sublingual/ODT products are separate and unproven.
- Standard compounded injection
- A compounded injectable at a conventional (non-reduced) dose; not FDA approved.
- FDA-approved branded product
- A manufactured, FDA-approved GLP-1 (e.g., Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, Mounjaro, Rybelsus) with reviewed manufacturing and labeling.
- 503A pharmacy
- A state-licensed pharmacy compounding patient-specific prescriptions; not FDA-approved manufacturing.
- 503B outsourcing facility
- An FDA-registered facility that may compound in larger batches under CGMP; registration is not product approval.
- Beyond-use date (BUD)
- The date after which a compounded preparation should not be used; usually much shorter than a manufactured drug's expiration.
- Units vs milligrams
- Insulin-syringe 'units' measure volume, not drug quantity; the milligrams delivered depend on the concentration.
- Effective monthly cost
- Total mandatory spend (medication, membership, fees, shipping) divided across the months supplied — the comparable cost figure.
Not medical advice. This page is consumer education, not medical advice, and does not recommend a dose, product, or provider. Compounded medications are not FDA approved. Talk with a licensed clinician about your situation.