Medication Safety

Medication Safety at SendSlim Clinic

Medicines can be very helpful for weight loss, but they must be used carefully and safely.
This page explains how we think about medication safety at SendSlim Clinic and what we ask from you as our patient.

SendSlim provides medical weight-loss care for adults in California and Nevada by video or phone with licensed clinicians.

1. Medicines Are Just One Part of Your Plan

At SendSlim, medication is never the whole plan.

Your care may include:

  • Food and nutrition changes
  • Movement and activity goals
  • Sleep and stress support
  • Checking and treating other health problems
  • Possible weight-loss medicines – only if safe for you

Not everyone will be a good candidate for medication.
Not everyone will need it.
No specific drug is promised.

2. How We Decide if a Medicine Is Right for You

Before we talk about medicine, your clinician will:

  • Review your health history and current conditions
  • Review your current medications and allergies
  • Ask about past side effects and reactions
  • Check or order labs if needed (for example, to look at your sugar, liver, kidney, or thyroid function)
  • Talk with you about your goals, lifestyle, and concerns

Only then will we decide together whether a medicine might be a safe and useful part of your plan.

Sometimes the safest choice is no medication or a different type of treatment.

3. Important Safety Rules We Follow

Our clinicians follow these safety rules:

  • We do not prescribe medicines that we believe are unsafe for you.
  • We do not continue a medicine if it appears to be harming you or not helping at all.
  • We follow clinical guidelines, state laws, and our own best judgment as licensed providers.
  • We will not give extra medicine or larger doses just to move faster if we think it raises your risk.

If you ever feel we are saying “no” to something you want, it is because we are putting safety first.

4. Your Role in Medication Safety

You are an important part of keeping medications safe.
Please:

  • Tell us about all medicines you take
    • Prescription drugs
    • Over-the-counter medicines
    • Vitamins and herbal supplements
  • Tell us about allergies or bad reactions you have had in the past
  • Take your medicine exactly as prescribed – do not change your dose on your own
  • Do not share your medicine with anyone else
  • Let us know if you miss doses or stop a medicine
  • Tell us right away (through portal or a visit) if you notice new or worsening side effects

Never take medicine from online sellers, friends, or unknown sources.
Fake or unsafe products can cause serious harm.

5. Possible Side Effects and Risks

Every medicine has possible side effects and risks.
The exact risks depend on the specific drug, dose, and your health.

Common types of side effects for many weight-loss medicines can include:

  • Nausea, vomiting, or upset stomach
  • Changes in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea)
  • Headache or dizziness
  • Changes in appetite
  • Tiredness or trouble sleeping

Some medicines have more serious possible risks, such as:

  • Effects on heart, blood pressure, or mood
  • Effects on kidneys, liver, or pancreas
  • Rare but serious allergic reactions

At your visit, your clinician will:

  • Explain the most important possible side effects for any medicine they recommend
  • Explain what is normal and what is not normal
  • Tell you when to contact us, and when to call 911 or go to the ER

If you start a new medicine and feel something is not right, it is better to reach out early than to wait.

6. When to Call Us vs. When to Call 911

Call or message SendSlim (non-emergency)

Contact us through the patient portal or schedule a visit if you:

  • Have mild or moderate side effects that bother you (for example, nausea or mild stomach upset)
  • Feel the medicine is not helping at all
  • Have questions about how or when to take your medicine
  • Need a refill and are not out yet

We usually respond during normal business hours.
We are not a 24/7 service.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room

Call 911 or go to the ER right away if you have:

  • Chest pain or trouble breathing
  • Severe allergic reaction (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing; hives with trouble breathing)
  • Sudden, severe headache, confusion, or trouble speaking
  • Sudden weakness, numbness, or trouble moving part of your body
  • Vomiting that will not stop and you cannot keep down fluids
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or others
  • Any symptom you believe is severe, scary, or life-threatening

Do not wait for a portal reply or telehealth visit in these situations.

7. Medicines, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding

Weight-loss medicines are not safe for everyone.

You must tell us if:

  • You are pregnant
  • You are trying to become pregnant
  • You think you might be pregnant
  • You are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed

In these cases, many weight-loss medicines are not appropriate, and we may recommend a different approach.

If you become pregnant while taking any medicine from SendSlim:

  • Stop the medication (unless your clinician has told you otherwise) and
  • Contact your clinician as soon as possible
  • For concerning symptoms, call your OB/GYN or go to urgent care/emergency as needed

8. Other Health Conditions

Certain health problems may affect what medicines are safe for you, such as:

  • Heart disease or rhythm problems
  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • Kidney or liver disease
  • Pancreatitis
  • Certain types of cancers or family history of specific cancers
  • Heavy alcohol use
  • History of eating disorders
  • History of certain mental health conditions

This is why we ask so many questions in your intake forms and during visits.
The more we know, the better we can protect you.

Always keep us updated if:

  • You are diagnosed with a new medical condition
  • You see another doctor who starts, stops, or changes a medicine
  • You have surgery or are hospitalized

9. Medication Refills

To refill your medication safely:

  • Make sure you have completed your recommended follow-up visits
  • Request refills early enough so there is time to review your chart
  • Use your patient portal or pharmacy request option where available

We may sometimes need:

  • New labs
  • An updated visit
  • More information about side effects or changes

before we can safely continue a medicine.

We do not refill medicines forever without proper follow-up.

10. Honest Conversations

We understand that weight and health are emotional topics.
You can always talk honestly with us about:

  • Side effects you do not like
  • Fears about medicines
  • Times when you over- or under-took a dose
  • Financial worries about medication costs
  • When you feel like quitting or giving up

We will not judge you.
Our job is to work with you, adjust the plan, and keep you as safe as we can.

11. Questions About Medication Safety?

If you have non-urgent questions about medication safety:

  • Current patients should use the patient portal or bring questions to their next visit.
  • New patients can learn more on our Program, How It Works, and FAQs pages, then start with a New Patient visit.

For emergencies or severe side effects:

📢 Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

SendSlim Clinic is here to support your weight-loss journey with careful, respectful, and safety-first medical treatment.