Who qualifies for a GLP-1
- Weight management: BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related condition, per NIDDK. Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are the main options; the Wegovy pen is also approved for ages 12 and up.
- Type 2 diabetes: Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are approved to help control blood sugar.
- Other approved uses: Zepbound for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea with obesity; Wegovy to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults with heart disease and obesity or overweight.
Meeting a BMI number doesn't mean a GLP-1 is automatically right. NIDDK notes these medicines aren't for everyone with a high BMI, and a clinician may suggest a lifestyle program first.
What the visit covers
- Your weight history and goals, including height and weight for BMI.
- Health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and heart disease.
- Reasons it may be unsafe: a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2, pancreatitis, gallbladder or kidney disease, severe digestive problems, or diabetic eye disease.
- Pregnancy and birth control plans. Tirzepatide can make birth control pills less effective, and the semaglutide label says to stop it at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy.
- Current medications, especially insulin or other diabetes drugs that can raise the risk of low blood sugar.
The clinician then decides whether to prescribe, which medicine and form, and the starting dose. Your clinician decides the dose.
Near me or online: which to choose
| In person | Telehealth | |
|---|---|---|
| Who prescribes | Your primary care doctor or a local clinic | A licensed clinician reviewing you remotely |
| Good for | Ongoing care, exams, insurance paperwork | Convenience, self-pay options, fast follow-ups |
| Insurance | Often in network | Depends on the service; many are self-pay |
| What to check | Whether your plan needs prior authorization | That a real clinician reviews you and the pharmacy is state-licensed |
Why to skip sellers with no prescription
The FDA warns that GLP-1s sold without a prescription, or labeled "for research", may be counterfeit, contain harmful ingredients, or have too much, too little or no active drug. Red flags include no screening by a licensed clinician, no clinician to contact afterward, deep discounts, misspelled labels and odd packaging. A safe online pharmacy requires a prescription and is licensed by a state board of pharmacy. For the FDA's specific warnings about counterfeit and salt-form semaglutide, see how to get semaglutide online.
Get care right away for stomach pain that won't go away, signs of an allergic reaction such as facial swelling or trouble breathing, a lump or swelling in your neck, or yellowing of the skin or eyes while taking a GLP-1.
Cost and getting a prescription through Gabriel
Costs range widely by drug, dose and insurance. See GLP-1 cost, does Medicare cover GLP-1s and is a GLP-1 HSA eligible.
Through Gabriel, you send a prescription request and a licensed clinician decides. With a free account, compounded semaglutide is $89 to $116 a month and compounded tirzepatide is $135 to $225 a month, depending on the dose (semaglutide from $87 with Gabriel Core or $84 with Plus). Brand-name drugs go through the manufacturer's self-pay pharmacy.
Compounded medications aren't FDA-approved. A licensed clinician decides what's right for you.
Common questions
What BMI do you need for a GLP-1 prescription?
For weight management, generally 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. A clinician still decides whether it's right for you.
Can my regular doctor prescribe a GLP-1?
Yes. Any licensed clinician who can prescribe in your state can evaluate you, whether in person or by telehealth.
Can I get a GLP-1 prescription online?
Yes, through a telehealth service where a licensed clinician reviews your health history and decides. Avoid sites that sell GLP-1s without a prescription.
Do I need labs before starting a GLP-1?
It depends on your health and the clinician, who may ask for recent results. You can upload any lab report and Gabriel explains it in plain words.
What if I don't qualify?
Ask the clinician what would change their answer and what else could help. A lifestyle program or a different medicine may be the better first step.
Sources
- Prescription medications to treat overweight and obesity National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
- Semaglutide injection MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
- Tirzepatide injection MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
- FDA's concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Considering an online pharmacy? U.S. Food and Drug Administration (BeSafeRx)
- Wegovy Novo Nordisk
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It does not replace a visit with a licensed clinician. Gabriel membership is not health insurance.