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Weight loss with GLP-1 medicines
Semaglutide and tirzepatide by prescription, after an evaluation, with a plan for eating and activity and a re-check at least every three months. Most visits happen by video.
How it works
Four steps. A physician-led team is with you at each one.
Request a visit
Tell us how to reach you. It takes about a minute.
Your evaluation
By video or in the office: your history, your measurements, your medicines, and lab work if it is needed.
A prescription and a plan
If a GLP-1 medicine fits you, your prescription goes to a licensed pharmacy. You leave with a plan for eating and activity too.
Regular re-checks
We see you at least every three months and adjust the dose and the plan.
What is in a GLP-1 bought online?
These medicines are sold all over the internet with no prescription. Here is what researchers and the FDA found.
What a lab found
Semaglutide, a peptide medicine, bought online with no prescription.
| Checked | Should be | Lab found |
|---|---|---|
| Orders that arrived | 6 of 6 | 3 of 6. The other three sellers asked for $650 to $1,200 more and sent nothing. |
| Purity | 99%, as advertised | 7% to 14% |
| Amount of drug | The amount on the label | 29% to 39% more than the label |
| Endotoxin, a toxin from bacteria | Low | Elevated in 1 of 3 samples, a sign of possible contamination |
Ashraf AR, Mackey TK, Schmidt J, et al. Safety and Risk Assessment of No-Prescription Online Semaglutide Purchases. JAMA Network Open. 2024;7(8):e2428280. Six test purchases from sellers that asked for no prescription.
Sold as “research,” with dosing instructions.
The FDA has warned companies that sold semaglutide, tirzepatide and retatrutide labeled “for research purposes” or “not for human consumption” straight to consumers, with instructions for dosing.
FDA, updated October 2026Counterfeit pens are out there.
The FDA says counterfeit Ozempic has been marketed in the United States. A counterfeit can hold the wrong ingredient, too little, too much, or none at all.
FDA, updated October 2026“Reta” is not a medicine yet.
Retatrutide is sold on research websites. It is not part of any FDA-approved drug, and federal law does not allow pharmacies to compound it.
FDA, updated October 2026
Who these medicines are for
GLP-1 medicines are for adults with a body mass index of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol.
They are prescribed alongside changes in how you eat and how active you are, not in place of them. Your evaluation covers your history, your current medicines and what you want to get back to.
What we prescribe
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are the two most widely used GLP-1 medicines for weight management. Wegovy and Zepbound are their FDA-approved brands.
Your prescription is filled by a licensed pharmacy, with your name on the label. That can be an FDA-approved medicine, or, when your prescriber decides you need one, a compounded medicine from a state-licensed 503A pharmacy we verify. Your dose is set by your prescriber, and we show you how to take it.
What to know before you start
- Stomach side effects are common. Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation are the ones people report most, especially when starting.
- They are not for everyone. People with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, or with MEN 2, should not take them. Tell us about any history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease or kidney problems.
- Muscle matters. Losing weight by any method can cost muscle along with fat. We talk through protein and strength work to help protect it.
- It is a long-term plan. Weight can return when the medicine stops, so we plan the long term with you from the start.
What Florida requires, and what we do
Florida sets standards for prescribing weight-loss medicine.
- An evaluation first: history, exam and any testing you need, before a prescription.
- Written consent that covers the benefits and the risks.
- A re-check at least every three months.
- Florida’s Weight-Loss Consumer Bill of Rights, given to you in writing.
Why a joint practice offers this
Body weight is one of the loads a worn knee or hip carries with every step. For some patients, weight loss belongs in the joint plan, alongside therapy, injections or surgery. We can look at both together.
Common questions
Can I do this by telehealth?
Yes, for patients in Florida. The evaluation, the prescription and the re-checks can happen by video. If your provider needs to see you in person, we will tell you.
Do I qualify?
These medicines are for adults with a body mass index of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol. Your evaluation settles it.
Which medicine will I get?
That is decided in your visit. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are the two most widely used. Wegovy and Zepbound are their FDA-approved brands for weight management.
Where does the medicine come from?
A licensed pharmacy, with your name on the label. That can be an FDA-approved medicine such as Wegovy or Zepbound, or, when your prescriber decides you need one, a compounded medicine from a state-licensed 503A pharmacy we verify.
Do I still need to change how I eat and exercise?
Yes. These medicines are prescribed alongside changes in how you eat and how active you are. We build that plan with you.
How often will you check on me?
At least every three months, and sooner when your dose changes or something does not feel right.
Does insurance cover it?
Coverage varies by plan and by medicine. We go over costs with you before anything starts.
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA’s Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss. Updated October 1, 2026.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Zepbound prescribing information.
- Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine. Rule 64B15-14.004, Standards for the Prescription of Drugs to Treat Obesity.
- Ashraf AR, Mackey TK, Schmidt J, et al. Safety and Risk Assessment of No-Prescription Online Semaglutide Purchases. JAMA Network Open. 2024;7(8):e2428280.
Individual results vary. Your provider reviews the risks and the alternatives with you before you start.