Telehealth Medication FAQ

GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone naturally produced in your intestines that regulates appetite, blood sugar, and digestion. GLP-1 receptor agonist medications — including semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) — mimic this hormone to slow gastric emptying, reduce cravings, and improve insulin sensitivity. Clinical trials show patients losing 15-20% of body weight over 12-16 months.

Semaglutide (brand names: Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) targets GLP-1 receptors only. Tirzepatide (brand names: Mounjaro, Zepbound) is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, targeting two pathways simultaneously. In head-to-head trials, tirzepatide showed slightly greater weight loss (up to 22.5% vs 15-17% for semaglutide). However, tirzepatide is typically 40-70% more expensive. Both are available as compounded versions through telehealth providers at significantly lower prices than brand-name.

Compounded semaglutide pricing varies significantly by provider and plan type. Monthly plans range from $118-$497/month depending on dosage and provider. 3-month starter plans for new patients can be as low as $75/month to $133/month. Bulk plans (3-12 months prepaid) offer the best per-month pricing, starting around $89/month. GLPHQ tracks real-time pricing across 40+ telehealth providers so you can find the cheapest option for your dosage.

Compounded tirzepatide is more expensive than semaglutide, typically ranging from $179-$599/month for monthly plans. The lowest monthly tirzepatide pricing we've tracked is around $179/month at select providers. Bulk and starter plans can bring costs down to $133-$200/month. Since tirzepatide requires higher doses for similar effects, always compare at your specific dosage level using our provider comparison tool.

Brand-name GLP-1s (Ozempic at ~$900/month, Wegovy at ~$1,350/month, Mounjaro at ~$1,000/month) are manufactured by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly with full FDA approval. Compounded versions use the same active ingredients (semaglutide or tirzepatide) made by FDA-registered 503A or 503B compounding pharmacies at 70-90% lower cost. Compounded medications are legal under FDA compounding regulations but have not been individually reviewed by the FDA. Most telehealth providers listed on GLPHQ prescribe compounded versions.

Monthly plans are pay-as-you-go with no commitment — most flexible but most expensive per month. Starter plans are discounted introductory packages (typically 3 months) designed for new patients beginning at lower doses, often 30-50% cheaper than monthly. Bulk plans (3, 6, or 12 months prepaid) offer the lowest per-month cost but require upfront payment. A provider charging $299/month may offer the same medication at $150/month on a 12-month plan. Use GLPHQ's plan type filter to compare across all options.

Most telehealth providers require a BMI of 27+ with a weight-related health condition (diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, PCOS) or BMI of 30+ (clinical obesity). Some providers have more flexible criteria. The consultation process typically includes a medical questionnaire, provider review, and sometimes lab work. If you don't qualify with one provider, another may have different criteria — compare eligibility requirements on GLPHQ.

The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea (20-44% of patients), diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and stomach pain. These are usually mild-to-moderate and improve within 4-8 weeks as your body adjusts. Starting at a low dose and titrating slowly minimizes side effects. Serious but rare side effects include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and thyroid concerns. Always work with a licensed provider who monitors your progress.

Most patients notice appetite suppression within 1-2 weeks. Measurable weight loss typically begins by week 4-6. Average weight loss trajectories: 5% body weight by month 3, 10% by month 6, and 15-20% by month 12. Results vary based on dosage, diet, exercise, starting weight, and individual metabolism. The dose titration schedule (starting low and increasing gradually) means full therapeutic doses aren't reached until month 3-4 for semaglutide and month 2-3 for tirzepatide.

Yes, many patients switch between GLP-1 medications. Common reasons include plateauing weight loss, side effects, cost optimization, or wanting to try a dual-agonist (tirzepatide). Your telehealth provider will help determine appropriate dosing when switching. There's typically no washout period required, but dose equivalence isn't 1:1 — your provider will adjust accordingly. Compare pricing for both medications on GLPHQ before deciding.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a medical treatment for men with clinically low testosterone levels (hypogonadism). TRT restores testosterone to normal physiological ranges, improving symptoms like fatigue, low libido, muscle loss, brain fog, depression, and reduced bone density. Available as injections (testosterone cypionate or enanthate), topical gels/creams, pellets, or patches. Most telehealth TRT providers prescribe injectable testosterone cypionate as the most cost-effective option.

Online TRT through telehealth typically costs $100-$300/month all-in, including provider consultations, lab monitoring, and medication. Injectable testosterone cypionate is the most affordable option ($30-$50/month for medication alone). Some providers bundle everything into a monthly subscription while others charge separately for labs and consultations. Prices vary by provider, treatment protocol, and whether ancillary medications (anastrozole, HCG) are included.

Most providers consider total testosterone below 300 ng/dL as low, though some use thresholds of 250 or 350 ng/dL. Symptoms matter as much as numbers — some men experience hypogonadal symptoms at 350-400 ng/dL. Initial lab work typically includes total testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG, estradiol, CBC, metabolic panel, and PSA. Many telehealth TRT providers include initial lab work in their onboarding process.

Common TRT side effects include acne, oily skin, increased hemoglobin/hematocrit (thicker blood), fluid retention, and potential mood changes. Estrogen-related side effects (gynecomastia, water retention) can occur if testosterone converts to estradiol — managed with anastrozole if needed. Long-term considerations include potential impact on fertility (TRT suppresses natural production), cardiovascular health, and prostate monitoring. Regular lab work every 3-6 months is essential.

TRT uses the same hormone (testosterone) but at physiological replacement doses (typically 100-200mg/week) to restore levels to normal range (600-900 ng/dL). Anabolic steroid abuse involves supraphysiological doses (often 500-2000mg+/week) for performance enhancement. Medically supervised TRT with regular monitoring is a legitimate medical treatment recognized by the Endocrine Society and American Urological Association.

Yes, many telehealth providers now offer TRT programs with home lab work, virtual consultations, and medication delivered to your door. Providers like Hims, Ro, Marek Health, Peter Uncaged MD, and others offer complete TRT programs online. Requirements typically include lab work showing low testosterone and a medical evaluation. GLPHQ tracks TRT providers and pricing alongside GLP-1 and other verticals.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) replaces hormones that decline during menopause (estrogen, progesterone) or andropause (testosterone). For women, HRT alleviates hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, and bone density loss. Available as pills, patches, creams, pellets, or injections. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses hormones chemically identical to those your body produces, available through compounding pharmacies.

Telehealth HRT programs typically range from $99-$350/month depending on the hormones prescribed, delivery method, and provider. Bioidentical hormone pellet therapy may cost $300-$500 per insertion (every 3-6 months). Many providers bundle consultations, labs, and medications into monthly subscriptions. Compounded BHRT creams and troches are often more affordable than brand-name patches or pills.

Traditional HRT uses synthetic or animal-derived hormones (like Premarin from horse urine), while bioidentical HRT (BHRT) uses hormones molecularly identical to human hormones, typically made by compounding pharmacies. Both are effective for menopausal symptoms. BHRT allows customized dosing tailored to individual lab results. Some FDA-approved products (Estrace, Prometrium) are also bioidentical. The choice depends on your provider's assessment and your preferences.

Modern HRT is considered safe for most women when started within 10 years of menopause onset (the "timing hypothesis"). The Women's Health Initiative study that raised concerns in 2002 has been reanalyzed — risks were overstated for younger menopausal women. Benefits include reduced cardiovascular risk, bone protection, and significant quality-of-life improvement. Risks vary by type, dose, and individual factors. Work with a provider who specializes in hormone optimization.

NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a coenzyme present in every cell of your body, essential for energy metabolism, DNA repair, gene expression, and cellular signaling. NAD+ levels decline 50% by age 40-60, contributing to aging, fatigue, cognitive decline, and metabolic dysfunction. NAD+ therapy aims to restore these levels through supplementation, potentially slowing cellular aging and improving overall function.

Reported benefits of NAD+ therapy include increased energy and reduced fatigue, improved mental clarity and cognitive function, better exercise recovery, enhanced cellular repair and metabolism, potential anti-aging effects, improved mood and reduced anxiety, support for addiction recovery (NAD+ IV therapy originated in addiction medicine), and better sleep quality. Research is ongoing, but many patients report significant improvements in energy and cognition.

NAD+ pricing varies by delivery method: subcutaneous injections ($150-$400/month through telehealth), nasal spray ($100-$250/month), oral supplements ($30-$80/month for NMN/NR precursors), and IV infusions ($250-$1,000+ per session, typically in-clinic). Telehealth providers offering injectable NAD+ provide the best balance of bioavailability and cost. Some GLP-1 providers also offer NAD+ as an add-on service.

IV NAD+ infusions offer the highest bioavailability (100%) but require clinic visits and cost $250-$1,000+ per session. Subcutaneous injections (self-administered at home) provide 80-90% bioavailability at $150-$400/month through telehealth. Nasal spray offers moderate absorption at lower cost. Oral precursors (NMN, NR) have the lowest bioavailability (10-30%) but are the most accessible and affordable. Many patients start with injections and maintain with a combination approach.

Sermorelin is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that stimulates your pituitary gland to produce and release more natural human growth hormone (HGH). Benefits include improved body composition (reduced fat, increased lean muscle), better sleep quality, enhanced skin elasticity, improved energy and recovery, and potential anti-aging effects. Unlike synthetic HGH, sermorelin works with your body's natural feedback mechanisms, making it safer for long-term use.

Sermorelin through telehealth providers typically costs $200-$450/month including medication, consultation, and monitoring. Some providers offer sermorelin/ipamorelin combination therapy at $250-$500/month. Prices vary based on dosage, whether it's combined with other peptides, and the provider's pricing model. Compounding pharmacy pricing for sermorelin alone is typically $100-$200/month for the medication.

Sermorelin stimulates your body to produce its own growth hormone naturally, while synthetic HGH (somatropin) directly replaces it. Key differences: sermorelin maintains natural pulsatile release patterns and feedback loops, has a better safety profile for long-term use, is significantly less expensive ($200-$400/month vs $600-$2,000+/month for HGH), and is legal to prescribe for anti-aging purposes (HGH is restricted to specific FDA-approved conditions). Sermorelin is preferred by most anti-aging telehealth providers.

Yes, sermorelin is commonly combined with other growth hormone secretagogues for enhanced effects. Popular combinations include sermorelin/ipamorelin (synergistic GH release), sermorelin/CJC-1295 (extended half-life), and triple stacks with ipamorelin/CJC-1295/sermorelin. Many telehealth providers offer these combination protocols. Always work with a licensed provider who monitors your IGF-1 levels and adjusts dosing based on lab results.

BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a synthetic peptide derived from a protein found in gastric juice. Research suggests it accelerates healing of tendons, ligaments, muscles, and the GI tract. Benefits reported include faster injury recovery, reduced inflammation, gut healing (leaky gut, IBS), protection against NSAID-induced damage, and improved joint health. Available as subcutaneous injections or oral capsules through telehealth providers, typically $100-$300/month.

Glutathione is your body's master antioxidant, critical for detoxification, immune function, and cellular protection. Levels decline with age, stress, poor diet, and toxin exposure. Benefits of glutathione supplementation include enhanced detoxification, improved skin complexion and brightness, better immune function, reduced oxidative stress, liver support, and potential anti-aging effects. Available as IV infusions, subcutaneous injections ($150-$350/month), oral/liposomal supplements, and nebulized inhalation.

Peptide therapies use short chains of amino acids that act as signaling molecules in your body. Common therapeutic peptides include BPC-157 (healing), sermorelin/ipamorelin (growth hormone), CJC-1295 (growth hormone), PT-141 (sexual health), and thymosin alpha-1 (immune). When prescribed by a licensed provider and sourced from FDA-registered compounding pharmacies, peptide therapies have a strong safety profile. The FDA has increased regulation of certain peptides, so always use a legitimate telehealth provider.

Peptide therapy pricing through telehealth varies by peptide and provider: BPC-157 ($100-$300/month), sermorelin ($200-$450/month), ipamorelin/CJC-1295 ($250-$500/month), PT-141 ($100-$250/month), glutathione injections ($150-$350/month), thymosin alpha-1 ($200-$400/month). Many providers offer peptide bundles or combination protocols at discounted rates. Prices typically include consultation, medication, and supplies.

Telehealth ED treatment has expanded significantly, with providers offering PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil/tadalafil), combination therapies (trimix injections), PT-141 peptide, and comprehensive men's health programs. Generic sildenafil starts around $2-$5/dose through telehealth, while tadalafil (daily low-dose) runs $30-$90/month. Providers like Hims, Ro, BlueChew, and others offer discreet online consultations and home delivery. Some GLP-1 providers bundle ED medications as add-on services.

PT-141 (bremelanotide, brand name Vyleesi) is a peptide that works through melanocortin receptors in the brain to improve sexual arousal and desire — unlike PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra/Cialis) which work on blood flow. FDA-approved for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in women, it's also prescribed off-label for men. Available as subcutaneous injection through telehealth providers at $100-$250/month. It works on-demand (administered 45 minutes before activity).

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