# Semaglutide and tirzepatide with B12 or glycine: what the add-ins are Canonical page: https://bodienvi.com/blog/semaglutide-tirzepatide-with-b12-glycine Published October 19, 2026. Updated October 19, 2026. By Bodi Envi Clinical Content Team. Why some compounded GLP-1 formulations list vitamin B12 or glycine, what each ingredient is, what the approved labels contain, and what has been studied. ## Two names you will see on a compounded prescription Personalized Compounded Semaglutide and Personalized Compounded Tirzepatide from Bodi Envi's pharmacy partner are prepared in formulations that include either cyanocobalamin, which is vitamin B12, or glycine, an amino acid. The medication name on the vial says which one. Neither ingredient is part of the FDA-approved products. Wegovy® lists semaglutide with disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol and water for injection. Zepbound® lists tirzepatide with sodium chloride, sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate and water for injection. This article explains what the two add-ins are, why a compounding pharmacy includes them, and what is known about them, which is less than the marketing around them suggests. Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations. At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies. ## What vitamin B12 is Cyanocobalamin is the most common synthetic form of vitamin B12, a water-soluble vitamin the body needs for red blood cell formation, nerve function and DNA synthesis. B12 assists in red blood cell formation, supports myelin sheath that insulate nerve fibers, synthesizes serotonin and dopamine which can help lower anxiety and depression. B12 supports bone density and heart health. What the fact sheet does not say is that B12 reduces nausea, increases energy in people who are not deficient, or changes weight. No trial has tested B12 combined with semaglutide or tirzepatide for any of those outcomes, and this article makes no such claim. Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations. At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies. ## What glycine is Glycine is the simplest amino acid. The body makes it, it is present in protein foods, and pharmaceutical manufacturers use it as a buffer or stabilizer in a number of injectable products, which is why it appears in the FDA's Inactive Ingredient Database. In a compounded GLP-1 formulation it is included as part of the pharmacy's formulation. Glycine can help with regulating the metabolism, calming brain activity, improve restfulness, supports healthy skin, increases collagen, and supplies energy to muscles. As with B12, no trial has tested whether glycine changes side effects or results when combined with these medications. Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations. At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies. ## Why a compounding pharmacy includes them Under federal law a licensed pharmacy may compound a medication for an individual patient from a prescription, and the FDA has said it will act against compounded products that are essentially copies of a commercially available drug unless the prescriber documents a difference that matters for that patient. A formulation that includes an additional ingredient is one of the ways a compounded product differs from the approved one. The decision to prescribe a formulation with B12 or with glycine, and at what strength, belongs to the licensed provider, informed by the patient's history. Bodi Envi's published price is the same whichever formulation the provider selects. ## What this means for you If you take a B12 supplement, have a history of B12 deficiency or pernicious anemia, follow a vegan diet, take metformin, or have any allergy to cobalt or cobalamin, tell your provider, because it is relevant to the formulation choice. If a vial you receive names an ingredient you were not expecting, ask the pharmacy or your care team before injecting. The FDA's page on unapproved GLP-1 products describes dosing errors and other reports it has received about compounded medications, and the safest practice is to use only what was prescribed, exactly as prescribed, from a pharmacy that is licensed in your state. This is general information and not medical advice. The labels describe Wegovy® and Zepbound®, the branded products. Personalized compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved, were not studied and are not equivalent to the branded products. Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations. At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies. ## Frequently asked questions ### Does B12 help with nausea from semaglutide or tirzepatide? There is no trial evidence for that. The approved labels describe nausea as the most common side effect and the dose escalation schedule as the way it is managed. Ask your provider about symptoms rather than relying on an add-in. Some patients have claimed to feel less nausea even without clinical evidence for this claim. Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations. At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies. ### Is the B12 dose in a compounded vial enough to treat a deficiency? That depends on the formulation and on you. Deficiency is a diagnosis made with a blood test, and it is treated on its own plan. Raise it with your provider. Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations. At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies. ### Can I take a B12 supplement as well? B12 has no established upper intake limit according to the NIH, but tell your provider what you take so they have the full picture. Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations. At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies. ### Why does one vial say glycine and another say B12? Because they are different formulations from the pharmacy and the provider chose one for you. The price at Bodi Envi is the same for both. Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations. At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies. ### Do Wegovy® or Zepbound® contain B12 or glycine? No. Their labels list the active ingredient with a small set of inactive ingredients, none of which is a vitamin or an amino acid add-in. Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations. At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies. ### Are these formulations FDA-approved? No compounded medication is FDA-approved. The FDA does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are marketed, and compounding pharmacies are regulated by state boards of pharmacy. Personalized compounded medications differ from commercially available brand-name products in formulation, concentration, excipients, preparation methods, and other characteristics. Accordingly, clinical data from studies involving brand-name products should not be assumed to apply to personalized compounded formulations. At this time, the studies referenced above have not evaluated the specific personalized compounded formulations being provided. Therefore, no claims of equivalence in safety, efficacy, quality, or clinical outcomes should be inferred from these studies. ## Sources - Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection prescribing information, description and ingredients, DailyMed: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ee06186f-2aa3-4990-a760-757579d8f77b (checked October 2026) - Zepbound® (tirzepatide) injection prescribing information, description and ingredients, DailyMed: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=487cd7e7-434c-4925-99fa-aa80b1cc776b (checked October 2026) - NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin B12 fact sheet for health professionals: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/ (checked October 2026) - FDA, Inactive Ingredient Database: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/inactive-ingredients-database-download (checked October 2026) - FDA, FDA's concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/fdas-concerns-unapproved-glp-1-drugs-used-weight-loss (checked October 2026) - FDA, Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/compounding-and-fda-questions-and-answers (checked October 2026)