§ 01 — COMPARISON Compare every GLP-1 provider.
We tested fourteen telehealth providers as real patients during March and April 2026, paying out-of-pocket and tracking clinician response time, pharmacy sourcing, and total all-in monthly cost. Pricing in the table revalidates every six hours. [1]
| Provider | Price | Shipping | Meds | Telehealth | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian Rx 🏆 Editor's Choice | $0 /month | 0 3 days | | Free Included | 9.4 /10 | Visit |
| ClearPath Health 💰 Best Value | $0 /month | 0 3 days | | Free Included | 9.1 /10 | Visit |
| Northbeam Clinic 🩺 Best Access | $0 /month | 0 3 days | | Free Included | 8.6 /10 | Visit |
| Kindred Med | $0 /month | 0 3 days | | Free Included | 8.1 /10 | Visit |
| Sagewell | $0 /month | 0 3 days | | Free Included | 7.9 /10 | Visit |
| Haven Compounding | $0 /month | 0 3 days | | Free Included | 7.5 /10 | Visit |
§ 02 — TOP PICKS Editor's picks for 2026.
Two programs rose to the top of our scoring after intake testing, pharmacy verification, and 90 days of follow-up. Both are reviewed quarterly.
Meridian Rx
- Board-certified prescribers, avg. 14 min response time
- 503B outsourcing facility, cGMP-audited
- Free 2-day overnight shipping, included
- Sema, Tirz and oral GLP-1 on a single program
Strengths
- Transparent sourcing
- Coaching included
- Easy taper plan
Trade-offs
- Higher monthly than budget tier
- No insurance billing
We may earn a commission if you enroll through this link. This does not affect our scoring or editorial independence. Reviewed 2026.
ClearPath Health
- $149/mo all-in including telehealth visits
- Insurance-friendly intake (HSA/FSA accepted)
- Dose escalation handled by NP team
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Strengths
- Transparent sourcing
- Coaching included
- Easy taper plan
Trade-offs
- Slower shipping (3-5 day)
- No retatrutide option
We may earn a commission if you enroll through this link. This does not affect our scoring or editorial independence. Reviewed 2026.
§ 03 — MEDICATIONS The molecules, in plain English.
Four medications dominate the conversation in 2026. Here's the unhurried tour — what each one does, who it's appropriate for, and where the data is genuinely strong vs. early.
Semaglutide
FDA-approvedGLP-1 receptor agonist with the longest real-world dataset in the class. Once-weekly subcutaneous; oral form (Rybelsus) for type-2 only.
- Avg. weight loss
- 12–15%
- Dose range
- 0.25–2.4 mg
- Cadence
- Weekly
Tirzepatide
FDA-approvedDual GIP/GLP-1 agonist. Higher mean weight loss than semaglutide in head-to-head SURMOUNT data; stronger GI titration considerations.
- Avg. weight loss
- 18–22%
- Dose range
- 2.5–15 mg
- Cadence
- Weekly
Retatrutide
Phase 3Triple agonist (GLP-1 / GIP / glucagon). Phase 2 readouts showed ~24% weight loss at 48 weeks. Compounded availability is regulatory grey-zone.
- Avg. weight loss
- ~24% (Ph2)
- Dose range
- TBD
- Cadence
- Weekly
Compounded Sema/Tirz
CompoundedCustom-formulated copies legal under FDA shortage rules and patient-specific prescriptions. Quality varies — pharmacy vetting matters.
- Avg. weight loss
- Varies
- Dose range
- Custom
- Cadence
- Weekly
How they actually work
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone your gut releases after eating. Pharmaceutical GLP-1 agonists mimic that signal at much higher doses, slowing gastric emptying, increasing satiety, and improving glycemic control.[2]
Why tirzepatide outperforms semaglutide
Tirzepatide is a dual agonist — it activates both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors. The GIP arm appears to amplify the satiety effect and reduce nausea relative to GLP-1 alone, which is part of why mean weight loss in SURMOUNT-1 was meaningfully higher than in STEP-1 trials.[3]
In our practice, the modal patient on tirzepatide loses ~18% of body weight by month 9. The same patient on semaglutide tends to plateau closer to 12%. The trade-off is a steeper titration curve. — Dr. Anika Reyes, MD · Reviewing clinician
§ 04 — BUYER'S GUIDE How to actually choose a program.
The provider you pick matters more than the molecule. Here are the four questions to answer before you sign up — in this order.
Eligibility & screening
Who qualifies in 2026
Most reputable telehealth providers will write a GLP-1 prescription for adults with BMI ≥ 30, or BMI ≥ 27 with at least one weight-related comorbidity (hypertension, type-2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, MASH).
Red flags during intake
- No video visit, ever — only async forms
- No pharmacy named on the prescription confirmation
- Refusal to share a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) on request
- Auto-escalation of dose without clinician review
Cost, insurance & coupons
Compounded programs typically run $129–$279/mo all-in, depending on whether the price includes telehealth visits, supplies, and shipping. Brand-name through telehealth, with no insurance coverage, runs $1,000–$1,400/mo.4
HSA/FSA cards work at most providers we tested. Insurance coverage for brand-name has tightened in 2026 — fewer plans are covering Wegovy/Zepbound for non-diabetic indications.
Side effects & titration
Most GI side effects (nausea, constipation, reflux) are titration-related, not dose-related at steady state. Slower titration in the first 8 weeks reduces drop-out by roughly 35% in our member survey (n=1,204).
The first-month checklist
- Hydration target: 90 oz/day, electrolytes if low-carb
- Protein floor: 1.2 g/kg ideal body weight
- Fiber: 25-30 g/day to manage transit time
- Anti-nausea: ginger or ondansetron PRN, cleared by clinician
Vetting a compounding pharmacy
The single highest-leverage thing you can do is verify the pharmacy. Ask for: state board licensure, 503A vs 503B status, and a recent CoA for your lot. Reputable pharmacies provide all three without friction.5
§ 05 — E-E-A-T Who reviews this site.
Every clinical claim, dose range, and warning on goglp1.com is reviewed by a board-certified clinician and a registered dietitian before publication. Both reviewers are listed on every page they touched.
§ 05 — E-E-A-T
Every clinical claim on goglp1.com is reviewed by board-certified clinicians before publication. Our reviewers have no commercial affiliations with any provider listed on this site.
Dr. Reyes is a board-certified obesity medicine physician practicing in Austin, TX. She reviews every clinical claim, dose range, and side-effect callout on goglp1.com before publication. No commercial affiliations with any provider listed.
Jordan reviews nutrition, side-effect mitigation, and behavior-change content. She authored our taper protocol and the GI side-effect playbook used across the site.
§ 06 — METHOD How we evaluate providers.
The same four-step protocol is applied to every provider before they're listed and re-applied every 90 days afterwards.
§ 06 — METHOD
Every provider in our database goes through the same four-step protocol. We re-evaluate quarterly to keep rankings and pricing current.
Mystery-shopper intake
We complete every provider's intake as a real patient, paying out-of-pocket. No press accounts.
Pharmacy verification
We confirm 503A/503B licensure, request CoAs, and verify cGMP audit status before listing.
Clinician review
Every clinical claim, dose, and warning is reviewed by an ABOM-certified physician before publication.
Quarterly re-audit
Pricing is revalidated monthly; full provider review is repeated every 90 days.
§ 07 — FAQ
What is a GLP-1 receptor agonist?
GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of medications that mimic the glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone, helping regulate blood sugar, reduce appetite, and promote weight loss. Common examples include semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound).
How much does GLP-1 medication cost?
Costs vary by medication, dosage, and provider. Brand-name GLP-1s range from $800–$1,400/month without insurance. Compounded versions through telehealth providers typically cost $150–$400/month. Our comparison table shows current pricing from top providers.
Are compounded GLP-1 medications safe?
Compounded GLP-1 medications are produced by licensed compounding pharmacies during FDA drug shortages. They must meet USP standards. We recommend using 503B-certified pharmacies and providers with clinician oversight. Always verify your source.
Do I need a prescription for GLP-1 medications?
Yes. All GLP-1 receptor agonists — including compounded versions — require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. The telehealth providers we review offer online consultations with licensed clinicians who can prescribe if appropriate.
What is the difference between semaglutide and tirzepatide?
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, while tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. Clinical trials show tirzepatide achieves greater average weight loss (up to 22.5% vs ~15% for semaglutide), but individual results vary. Both are effective options.
How do I choose the right GLP-1 provider?
Consider cost, medication availability, clinician access, shipping speed, and customer support. Our reviews evaluate each provider across these dimensions. For most people starting GLP-1 therapy, we recommend providers that include clinician consultations and dose-titration support.
What are common side effects of GLP-1 medications?
Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Most side effects are mild and decrease over time as the body adjusts. Serious side effects are rare but can include pancreatitis and thyroid tumors. Consult your healthcare provider.
Is goglp1.com affiliated with any GLP-1 provider?
goglp1.com may earn affiliate commissions from some providers featured on this site. This does not affect our editorial ratings or reviews. Our methodology prioritizes evidence-based evaluation. See our disclosures page for full details.