Quick answer
A small glass container holding one dose of medication, typically drawn into a syringe by the patient or pharmacist. Compounded GLP-1s are usually dispensed in multi-dose vials, not autoinjector pens.
Full definition
A single-dose vial (SDV) contains one dose of injectable medication, usually preservative-free. In GLP-1 contexts, compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide from 503A and 503B pharmacies are often dispensed in multi-dose vials (MDVs, 30-day supply) that the patient draws into an insulin syringe. This requires more user dexterity than an autoinjector. Brand-name Zepbound also became available in single-dose vial form in 2024 at a lower direct-pay price through LillyDirect (the so-called 'vial program' for cash-pay patients).
Deep dive
Single-Dose Vial: complete reference
A single-dose vial is a small glass container holding one dose of medication intended for one-time use by one patient — distinguished from multi-dose vials (intended для multiple doses over time) and prefilled pens/syringes (delivery device + drug combined). For GLP-1 medications, single-dose vials are the format Eli Lilly uses for LillyDirect Zepbound at $349-499/month — patient draws the dose from vial into a separate syringe and injects subcutaneously. This format differs from the autoinjector pens used для most retail-pharmacy-dispensed GLP-1s. Trade-offs: single-dose vials offer lower cost (less packaging + manufacturing overhead) and direct manufacturer control, but require slightly more dexterity (drawing from vial vs autoinjector activation) and proper sharps disposal of separate syringe. Patients new to injection may find autoinjector pens easier; experienced injectors often prefer vials для cost savings. USP <797> dictates beyond-use dating for compounded sterile preparations stored в single-dose vials.
- In practice
- LillyDirect Zepbound ships single-dose vials. You draw 2.5mg from vial into a syringe, inject in your thigh, then dispose syringe + empty vial в sharps container.
- Clinical context
- Single-dose vials offer cost savings but require injection-from-vial skill. Autoinjector pens easier для beginners.
Medications
Single-Dose Vial is most directly relevant to the following GLP-1 medications:
Related terms
- Autoinjector — A pre-filled, single-use pen device that delivers a fixed dose of medication with the push of a butt…
- Compounded Semaglutide — A non-FDA-approved version of semaglutide prepared by a licensed compounding pharmacy. Was permitted…
- Compounded Tirzepatide — A non-FDA-approved version of tirzepatide prepared by a compounding pharmacy. The FDA shortage was r…
- LillyDirect — Eli Lilly's direct-to-patient pharmacy and telehealth platform launched in 2024, offering cash-pay Z…
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GLP1Zoom glossary is educational reference. Definitions are summary interpretations of clinical sources and not a substitute for prescribing-information detail. Full disclaimer.
References
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists: Mechanisms и Clinical Use (Drucker, Cell Metabolism)(2018)
Tirzepatide GIP/GLP-1 Dual Agonism: Mechanism Review (Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology)(2021)
GLP-1 Effects on Gastric Emptying: Pharmacology Review (American J Physiology)(2020)
Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline: Pharmacological Management of Obesity(2015)
STEP-1 trial: Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (Wilding et al., NEJM)(2021)
SURMOUNT-1 trial: Tirzepatide Once Weekly для Treatment of Obesity (Jastreboff et al., NEJM)(2022)
SUSTAIN-6 trial: Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes (Marso et al., NEJM)(2016)
SURPASS-2 trial: Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide в Type 2 Diabetes (Frias et al., NEJM)(2021)
LEADER trial: Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes в T2D (Marso et al., NEJM)(2016)