Finally Lose the Weight

GLP-1 medications cost $99-350 per month through online weight loss services. Ro charges $99-145/month for compounded semaglutide. Hims offers GLP-1s at $199-299/month. Numan costs $149-249/month. Brand-name Wegovy costs $1300+/month without insurance but many services offer compounded versions at 60-80% lower prices. Most services require a $49-99 initial consultation.

Yes, compounded semaglutide is safe when sourced from FDA-registered 503B pharmacies. Compounded versions contain the same active ingredient (semaglutide) as Wegovy/Ozempic but are made by compounding pharmacies instead of drug manufacturers. Services like Ro, Hims, and Numan only use FDA-registered pharmacies. Compounded semaglutide has the same effectiveness (10-15% total body weight loss) as brand-name versions.

You typically qualify for GLP-1 medications if your BMI is 30+ or BMI is 27+ with weight-related health conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol). Most online services require BMI of 27-30+ and will not prescribe if you're already at healthy weight. You must be 18+ years old. Services conduct medical screenings to ensure safety - pregnant women and people with certain conditions (pancreatitis history, thyroid cancer) cannot use GLP-1s.

Most users lose 10-15% of total body weight with GLP-1 medications over 12-18 months. Clinical studies show semaglutide (Wegovy) results in 12-15% weight loss, tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) results in 15-20% weight loss. For a 200-pound person, this means losing 20-40 pounds. Results vary - some lose more, some less. Maximum weight loss typically occurs at 60-72 weeks. Combining medication with diet/exercise improves results.

Common GLP-1 side effects include nausea (40-50% of users), vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain. Most side effects are mild-moderate and improve after 4-8 weeks as your body adjusts. Rare but serious side effects include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and thyroid tumors (in animal studies). Starting at low doses and gradually increasing reduces side effects. Most users find side effects manageable and worth the weight loss benefits.

Most insurance doesn't cover online weight loss services or compounded GLP-1s. Brand-name Wegovy/Mounjaro are covered by some insurance plans but often require prior authorization and documented weight loss attempts. Compounded semaglutide from online services is not covered because it's not FDA-approved. However, cash-pay compounded versions ($99-350/month) are often cheaper than insurance co-pays for brand names ($50-100/month co-pay after $500+ deductible).

Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) targets one hormone (GLP-1) and produces 10-15% weight loss. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) targets two hormones (GLP-1 and GIP) and produces 15-20% weight loss. Tirzepatide is newer, slightly more effective, but costs more ($250-350/month vs $99-299/month for semaglutide). Both are weekly injections with similar side effects. Tirzepatide may have fewer nausea side effects.

Most people need to stay on GLP-1 medications long-term (1+ years) to maintain weight loss. Clinical trials show 50-70% of weight returns within 1 year of stopping medication. Some users transition to maintenance doses after reaching goal weight. Think of GLP-1s like managing chronic conditions - ongoing treatment maintains results. Combining medication with sustainable lifestyle changes improves long-term success even after stopping.

No, GLP-1 medications require a prescription from a licensed physician. However, online services provide virtual consultations ($0-99) where you complete a medical questionnaire and a doctor reviews it remotely. No video calls required for most services. If approved (70-80% approval rate), medication ships to your door. This is legitimate telehealth, not a workaround - services like Ro, Hims, and Numan use board-certified physicians.

Ro offers best value at $99-145/month for compounded semaglutide with comprehensive support. Hims provides most convenience with integrated health platform at $199-299/month. Numan offers middle-ground pricing at $149-249/month with strong physician oversight. Your choice depends on priorities: lowest cost (Ro), convenience (Hims), or balanced approach (Numan). All three use FDA-registered compounding pharmacies and licensed physicians.