Prescription weight loss medication can kickstart your weight loss journey. Learn how to get safe and affordable weight loss medication online.
Weight loss medication can help people with overweight and obesity lose a significant amount of weight. And thanks to the budding world of telehealth, you can now easily find weight loss medication online.
Medications like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Zepbound® can be prescribed and ordered through telehealth platforms, and delivered to your door — no doctor’s office, waiting room, or pants required.
Here’s an overview of your options for getting weight loss medication online.
Brand | Weight Loss Drugs Offered | Cost | Other Weight Loss Services Offered |
|---|---|---|---|
Hers | GLP-1 agonist injections:
Weight loss pills:
| Compounded semaglutide:
Weight loss pills:
Brand name medication:
*no membership or consultation fees |
|
Ro |
| $99 for the initial consultation Compounded semaglutide:
+
Brand name medication:
+
|
|
Henry Meds |
| Compounded semaglutide:
Other compounded GLP-1s:
Other weight loss pills:
|
|
WW |
| $49 consultation fee Compounded semaglutide:
+
Brand name injections:
Weight loss pills:
|
|
*Information is (to the best of our knowledge) accurate at the time of publishing but is subject to change.
Getting weight loss medication online sounds pretty simple — and, for the most part, it is. But there are a few things you’ll want to consider before choosing a telehealth platform. Among the most important are costs, safety, and what additional services are included.
The first decision you’ll want to make is whether you’re interested in brand-name or compounded weight loss medication. The price differences between the two are quite significant.
Compounded medications use the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, but they haven’t been FDA-approved like their brand-name counterparts. They’re usually more affordable and accessible than the FDA-approved versions, and they’re sometimes tweaked to suit individual needs, such as adjusting the dose or ingredients.
Weight loss drugs work in different ways, but most work by curbing your cravings, reducing your appetite, and helping you feel full longer, so you eat fewer calories.
The healthcare provider you connect with can let you know which weight loss medications are suitable for you. But it’s always good to have an idea of your options.
There are many types of online weight loss prescription medications, including weight loss injections and weight loss pills.
Here’s a quick overview:
Semaglutide. This includes brand-name Ozempic and Wegovy and compounded semaglutide, which uses the same active ingredient. These forms of semaglutide come in weekly injections. You can also get a daily semaglutide tablet.
Tirzepatide. This includes brand-name Mounjaro® and Zepbound, as well as compounded tirzepatide. These are typically weekly injections.
Metformin. You might know it as a diabetes drug that helps lower blood sugar, but metformin can also be used off-label as a weight loss pill, taken once daily.
Saxenda® (liraglutide), Contrave® (bupropion and naltrexone), Xenical® (orlistat) — the list of weight loss drugs could go on and on. Check out our guide to weight loss medications to learn more.
Beyond which weight loss drug you might take, there are a few other things to keep in mind.
There are certain requirements you’ll need to hit to qualify for weight loss drugs. Getting a weight loss prescription online doesn’t change that fact.
Requirements vary from medication to medication, but for most injectable weight loss meds, you’ll need to have a BMI above a certain number or a weight-related health condition like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), or high cholesterol.
Our guide on how to get prescribed Ozempic for weight loss goes into more detail about this popular treatment.
Common side effects of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy include nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Other potential side effects of drugs used to support weight loss include:
Diarrhea
Stomach cramping
Fatigue
Anxiety
Changes in food preferences
Just like with medication you get in person, don’t be afraid to reach out for support if you’re experiencing prolonged or severe side effects.
Unfortunately, insurance providers rarely cover the cost of weight loss drugs. Unless you have type 2 diabetes, you’ll most likely have to pay for the cost of medication yourself.
You’ll see that some companies offer insurance concierge services that claim to help you navigate the world of insurance coverage for GLP-1s. This may be worth a shot for folks who have obesity and a weight-related health condition (like high blood pressure), but it’s likely fruitless for others.
Insurance companies currently classify weight loss as a cosmetic concern rather than a medical necessity — which is, of course, completely ridiculous given the innumerable health risks associated with obesity.
Many companies, including Hers, offer ongoing access to your healthcare team. You can ask questions, discuss side effects, and get medication adjustments if needed — all online. Ongoing care is crucial, so make the most of this service!
Whatever weight loss drug you choose, you can’t just add these meds to your online shopping cart. You’ll need a prescription first. This is where telehealth platforms come in.
Before your first consultation, be sure to have all the info you need on hand. This includes knowing your current weight, any medications you’re taking, and any health conditions you have. You may also need to verify your identity.
It can also help to know your body mass index (BMI) in advance, since this number can affect which medications you qualify for.
Don’t know your BMI? No problem. Just plug your height and weight into the Hers BMI Calculator.
The process may differ slightly depending on where you get your medication from, but generally, these are the steps involved.
Don’t worry, no pop quizzes here. You’ll be asked some basic questions about your lifestyle and health. They may ask about your:
Current weight
Past experience with weight loss
Medical history
Eating habits
Activity level
Weight loss goals
Typically, you submit this info online or through an app. But some platforms may require you to speak with a healthcare provider over the phone or through a video call.
Remember, this is a judgment-free zone. It’s important to be honest when answering questions about your lifestyle, like your eating patterns and activity level. This will help ensure you get the best treatment for you.
Next, a healthcare provider will review your answers and determine whether weight loss medications are right for you — and if so, which ones would be the best fit.
In some cases, you may need to do an in-person visit or get lab testing, but this isn’t usually necessary.
If you’re eligible, your provider will write you a prescription for one or more weight loss medications. For example, Hers offers oral weight loss kits containing several medications used to support weight loss.
Once you have a weight loss prescription, you’re good to go. You can order your medication online and, depending on where you order it from, get it delivered to your local pharmacy or straight to your door.
Et voila!
You’ll get instructions for how to take your weight loss medication — whether that’s with a weekly or daily injection or a once-a-day pill.
Most reputable companies offering weight loss drugs also offer ongoing access to healthcare providers who can help you out with issues like side effects, dose changes, and prescription refills.
Depending on the company you go with, these follow-ups may require an online appointment or they may take place via secure online messaging.
Now that you know the who, what, and how of getting weight loss medication online, it’s time for a few tips to make things easier:
Remember, it’s not all about the medication. Many telehealth platforms offer holistic online weight loss programs. This can include things like:
Weight loss tips and tricks
Fitness guides and videos
Recipes, nutritional info, and meal plans
Tools for tracking calories, protein, water intake, and weight loss progress
Guides and videos to help you build healthy habits
Expert coaching and advice
These services can come at an additional cost (a monthly membership fee), but not at Hers. Hers Weight Loss subscribers get full access to the tools and resources in our app at no additional cost. They can help you reach your goals and get the most out of your treatment.
Just because you’re getting weight loss medication online doesn’t mean you need to go it alone. Reach out for medical advice if you have questions about how to use your medication, you’re experiencing side effects, or you need a dose adjustment. Some platforms offer free ongoing online support.
Weight loss medications aren’t a silver bullet. Alongside medication, you’ll want to make lifestyle changes, like eating a healthy diet and getting more exercise. Drinking more water, eating plenty of protein, and prioritizing sleep are also key steps for weight loss. You can get guided support building these habits with Hers.
Getting weight loss medication online — or any prescription drugs — can be a little nerve-wracking. I mean, it feels a little shady, right? But don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you visit some overseas pharmacy of dubious legality. (Seriously, please don’t do that!)
So, how do you make sure you’re getting your medication from a safe source?
Here are our top tips to make it happen.
This goes for any online medical weight loss treatments — but especially compounded drugs, as they’re not FDA-approved. Look for well-known companies with a demonstrated history of safety and transparency.
Cue the shameless plug. Hims and Hers has been in the compounding game for years. Since our inception, we have helped countless men and women access custom medications designed to treat conditions like erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and depression.
The compounded semaglutide available on our platform is made with ingredients from FDA-regulated manufacturers, and each batch of medication is quality-tested. You can even view the Certificate of Analysis for your batch of medication.
Whether you buy compounded semaglutide or a brand-name weight loss drug, it’s still important to get it from a safe and reliable pharmacy. The FDA has found counterfeit Ozempic marketed in the U.S. Counterfeit medications, which are hard to recognize, can contain the wrong ingredients or be the wrong strength.
If you’re using an online pharmacy to fill your prescription, the FDA has tips for assessing their safety. Look for ones that require prescriptions and are U.S.-based and state-licensed, or buy through a company like Hers that partners with FDA-regulated compounding pharmacies.
If a website offers to sell you a prescription drug without a prescription, run — or click — away as fast as you can. None of the weight loss medications we’ve covered here today should ever be available without a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
But what about over-the-counter (OTC) weight loss supplements and treatments? (We’re looking at you Kourtney Kardashian.) For the most part, these unregulated treatments have little to no legitimate research to support their efficacy. And they’re most certainly not going to pack the same punch as prescription weight loss drugs.
Want a deep dive on weight loss supplements? We’ve got your Guide to Weight Loss Gummies.
Traffic, waiting rooms, human interaction — who has the time?
We’re kidding (kinda). But getting weight loss meds online means you can avoid face-to-face healthcare visits and even leaving the house.
But know that weight loss drugs aren’t the only way to reach a healthy weight. Before you get started, think about whether lifestyle interventions or even non-GLP-1 medications could be an option for you.
If you’re interested in online weight loss medication, take our online assessment. After connecting with a licensed healthcare provider, you can get a prescription (if suitable) and a personalized treatment plan.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!