Your options for getting a GLP-1 prescription in the US
There are three main pathways to getting a GLP-1 medication like semaglutide or tirzepatide:
- 1Your primary care physician or endocrinologist - the most established route, but often has long wait times and strict insurance criteria
- 2Telehealth GLP-1 clinics - async or synchronous telehealth services that can evaluate and prescribe in days, often with medication shipped to your door
- 3Weight management clinics (in-person) - physician-supervised programs with in-person monitoring, often combining medication with nutritional support
Each has tradeoffs. Telehealth is fastest and most accessible. In-person programs offer more comprehensive monitoring. Your primary care physician knows your full history but may have limited capacity.
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What to expect from a legitimate consultation
A real GLP-1 consultation - whether telehealth or in-person - should include:
- Medical history review: past conditions, current medications, family history, previous weight management attempts
- Appropriate screening: GLP-1 agonists are contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). A legitimate clinic will screen for this.
- Discussion of options: semaglutide vs. tirzepatide, branded vs. compounded, dosing schedule, expected timeline
- Baseline labs: many programs require or recommend bloodwork before starting, including HbA1c, lipid panel, and thyroid markers
- Titration plan: you will start at a low dose and increase gradually over months - a clinic that wants to start you at maximum dose is a red flag
- Ongoing support: follow-up check-ins, response to questions, monitoring for side effects
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Branded vs. compounded GLP-1 medications
Branded options:
- Ozempic (semaglutide 0.5mg-2mg weekly injection) - FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes
- Wegovy (semaglutide 0.25mg-2.4mg weekly injection) - FDA-approved for chronic weight management
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide 2.5mg-15mg weekly injection) - FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes
- Zepbound (tirzepatide 2.5mg-15mg weekly injection) - FDA-approved for chronic weight management
Compounded options:
- Compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide made by a 503A pharmacy with a valid prescription
- Typically less expensive than branded medications without insurance coverage
- The FDA has tightened compounding rules as branded supply improved - check with your clinic about current availability
Insurance coverage for branded GLP-1s varies significantly. Many plans cover Ozempic for diabetes but not Wegovy for weight loss. Cost without insurance can run $900-1,400/month. Compounded alternatives, when available, are often $200-600/month.
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Red flags to watch for
As GLP-1 demand has surged, so have low-quality providers. Watch for:
- No physician consultation: any service that will send medication without a real medical evaluation is operating outside the rules
- No medical history intake: a screening questionnaire is the minimum - there are real contraindications that must be assessed
- Pressure to start at high doses: GLP-1 medications have a titration schedule for good reason. Skipping it dramatically increases side effect risk.
- No follow-up plan: ongoing monitoring is part of responsible prescribing
- Unlicensed "semaglutide" injections: some grey-market vendors sell unlicensed products with no quality control. If it does not come from a licensed 503A pharmacy with your physician's prescription, it is not pharmaceutical grade.
- No named prescribing physician: you should know exactly who is responsible for your care
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Finding a GLP-1 clinic near you
Peptide Finder lists US clinics that offer physician-supervised GLP-1 therapy. Many operate via telehealth and can serve patients nationwide.
- Find semaglutide prescribers (Ozempic / Wegovy)
- Find tirzepatide prescribers (Mounjaro / Zepbound)
- Browse all weight loss clinics
Browse by state: California - Texas - Florida - New York - Illinois - browse all states.
Related guides: Semaglutide vs. tirzepatide: which is right for you? - GLP-1 clinic near me guide - Compounded peptides: what to know