Glossary

82 plain-English definitions of telehealth terms we use across the site. Search by term or definition, or browse A-Z.

5

503A pharmacy: A traditional compounding pharmacy that makes drugs for individual patient prescriptions.; 503A pharmacies are licensed at the state level. They can compound a drug for a specific patient who has a valid prescription. They cannot mass-produce drugs in advance.
503A vs 503B: 503A: traditional pharmacy compounding per prescription. 503B: outsourcing facility, FDA-registered, bulk.; 503A pharmacies compound drugs for specific patients with specific prescriptions. Licensed at state level. 503B outsourcing facilities are FDA-registered, can produce in bulk for clinics, must meet stricter cGMP standards. 503B is generally more reliable for quality but is fewer in number.
503B bulks list: FDA list of drugs outsourcing facilities may compound from bulk substance. Semaglutide proposed for removal April 2026.; 503B outsourcing facilities can only compound from bulk drug substances on this FDA list (or facing shortage). On April 30, 2026 the FDA proposed permanently removing semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide, finding no clinical need. If finalized, large-scale compounded GLP-1s end.
503B outsourcing facility: Federally-registered compounding facility that can produce drugs in bulk for healthcare settings.; 503B outsourcing facilities are registered with the FDA and can produce compounded drugs in larger quantities without patient-specific prescriptions. Stricter standards than 503A. Used by some telehealth weight programs.

A

Anti-obesity medication (AOM): Drugs FDA-approved specifically for chronic weight management, like Wegovy and Zepbound.; AOMs are approved for weight management at BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with a comorbidity. Wegovy and Zepbound are the leading GLP-1 AOMs. US Medicare is legally barred from covering AOMs, a key coverage gap.
Asynchronous care: Care delivered without a live appointment, you submit forms/photos, a clinician reviews on their own time.; Asynchronous (async) telehealth means there's no live appointment. You fill out a medical questionnaire, sometimes upload photos, and a licensed clinician reviews when they can. Faster and cheaper than video; less personal.
Azelaic acid: Topical for acne and rosacea. Reduces inflammation and pigmentation. Safe in pregnancy.; 10-20% topical for inflammatory acne, rosacea, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Gentler than tretinoin. Safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding (unlike tretinoin). Often compounded with tretinoin or niacinamide for combo therapy.

B

BMI: Body Mass Index. Weight in kg divided by height in meters squared. Screening tool.; BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)². Categories: <18.5 underweight, 18.5-24.9 healthy, 25-29.9 overweight, 30+ obese. Imperfect — doesn't distinguish muscle from fat, doesn't account for body composition. Still the primary eligibility metric for GLP-1 programs (≥27 with comorbidity, ≥30 alone).
Boxed warning: The FDA's strongest warning. GLP-1s carry one for thyroid C-cell tumor risk.; A boxed (black-box) warning is the FDA's most serious label warning. All GLP-1s carry one for thyroid C-cell tumor risk seen in rodents; they're contraindicated in people with personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2.

C

Clomid (clomiphene): Older ovulation induction drug. Second-line after letrozole.; Selective estrogen receptor modulator. 50-150mg days 3-7 of cycle. Now generally second-line behind letrozole for PCOS-related anovulation. Side effects: hot flashes, mood changes, multiple pregnancy risk ~8%.
Compounded GLP-1: A custom version of semaglutide or tirzepatide made by a 503A/503B pharmacy, not FDA-approved.; When a brand-name drug is on the FDA shortage list, compounding pharmacies can legally make custom versions. These are NOT FDA-approved drugs and may vary in purity and concentration. They tend to be cheaper. The legal landscape shifts frequently, what's available today may not be tomorrow.
Continuous glucose monitor (CGM): A wearable that tracks blood glucose. Sometimes paired with GLP-1 programs for T2D.; A CGM is a small skin sensor that reports glucose continuously. Some diabetes-focused telehealth programs bundle CGM access alongside GLP-1 therapy to track glycemic response.

D

DEA telehealth rule (2025): Federal rule narrowing telehealth controlled-substance prescribing after the COVID-era flexibilities expired.; Effective November 2025. Allows 30-day controlled-substance prescriptions via telehealth-only. Anything beyond 30 days requires one in-person visit within the prior 6 months. Impacts ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, and buprenorphine telehealth prescribing.
DHT: Dihydrotestosterone. The androgen that miniaturizes hair follicles in male-pattern baldness.; DHT is converted from testosterone by 5-alpha reductase. In genetically susceptible scalps, DHT binds to follicle receptors and shrinks them over years. Finasteride and dutasteride block this conversion. Minoxidil works on a different mechanism (blood flow).
Dutasteride: Off-label hair-loss drug. Blocks DHT more completely than finasteride.; FDA-approved for benign prostatic hyperplasia at 0.5mg/day, used off-label for male-pattern hair loss. Blocks both isoforms of 5-alpha reductase (finasteride blocks only one). Suppresses DHT ~90% vs ~70% for finasteride. Stronger effect but smaller evidence base; consider after finasteride trial.

E

EPC: Earnings per click. How affiliate programs measure the value of traffic they receive.; EPC (earnings per click) is the average revenue an affiliate site earns from each click sent to a partner. EPC = total commission ÷ total clicks. It's how we rank brands by quality of payout, though we never let EPC override editorial judgment.
Estrogen: Female sex hormone. Main HRT component for menopause symptoms.; Estradiol is the form prescribed in HRT. Transdermal (patch, gel, spray) bypasses the liver — lower clot risk than oral. Doses individualized to symptom relief. Vaginal estrogen (cream, tablet, ring) for genitourinary symptoms is very low-dose, very safe — usable even by some breast cancer survivors with oncology approval.

F

FDA shortage list: FDA's official list of drugs currently in shortage. Drives compounding eligibility.; When a drug is on the FDA shortage list, compounding pharmacies can legally produce essentially-equivalent versions per 503A/503B rules. When the FDA declares the shortage resolved, compounding must stop (within a grace period). Semaglutide and tirzepatide were both on the list during 2022-2024; semaglutide came off in late 2024.
Finasteride: Oral pill that blocks DHT, the hormone driving male-pattern hair loss.; Finasteride is an FDA-approved oral medication for male-pattern hair loss. It blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT, the androgen that miniaturizes hair follicles. Effects take 3-6 months. Side-effect profile is well-studied, discuss with a clinician.
Formulary: The list of drugs an insurance plan covers, organized into cost tiers.; Each plan's formulary determines whether a GLP-1 is covered and at what copay tier. The same molecule may be on-formulary for diabetes (Ozempic) but excluded for weight loss (Wegovy). Always confirm the weight-management indication specifically.

G

GIP: Glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide. The second hormone tirzepatide hits.; GIP is a gut hormone like GLP-1 but with different receptors. Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist — hitting both pathways explains the stronger weight-loss results than semaglutide alone.
GLP-1: A gut hormone that triggers insulin release and slows stomach emptying. Drug names imitate this hormone.; GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone your gut releases when you eat. It tells your pancreas to release insulin, slows down how fast food leaves your stomach, and reduces appetite. Drugs in the GLP-1 class (semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide) imitate this signal, which is why they reduce hunger and produce weight loss.
GLP-1 microdosing: Using sub-therapeutic GLP-1 doses, often marketed by compounders. Limited evidence.; Microdosing means using doses below the trial-validated therapeutic range, sometimes marketed as gentler or cheaper. Evidence for efficacy at microdoses is limited; trial weight-loss figures come from full titrated doses.
Gastric emptying: How fast food leaves the stomach. GLP-1s slow it, driving fullness and nausea.; GLP-1 medications slow gastric emptying, which prolongs fullness (a key weight-loss mechanism) but also causes the nausea, reflux, and the oral-contraceptive absorption concerns associated with the class. The effect is strongest during dose escalation.

H

HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy): Estrogen ± progesterone to treat menopause symptoms. Transdermal preferred over oral.; Estrogen treats hot flashes, vaginal dryness, bone loss. Progesterone added if uterus present (to protect lining). Transdermal (patch, gel) is safer than oral (lower clot risk). Most women in perimenopause through age 60 benefit; risk-benefit shifts after 60. Start within 10 years of menopause for cardiovascular benefit.

I

Incretin: Class of gut hormones that boost insulin after meals. GLP-1 and GIP are the two main incretins.; Incretin hormones are released by gut cells after eating and signal the pancreas to release insulin. GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) are the two main incretins. Most modern weight/diabetes drugs target these pathways.
Isotretinoin (Accutane): Oral retinoid for severe acne. Highly effective, requires monthly monitoring + iPLEDGE.; 20-week course for severe nodulocystic acne. ~80% remission rate. Requires monthly blood work (LFTs, lipids), iPLEDGE program enrollment, and strict pregnancy prevention. Most telehealth platforms have stopped offering isotretinoin post-2024 due to monitoring complexity.

L

Lean mass: Non-fat body weight (mostly muscle). 20-40% of GLP-1 weight loss can be lean mass.; Rapid weight loss of any kind costs some lean mass. Trial substudies estimate 20-40% of GLP-1 weight loss is lean tissue. Resistance training plus 80-100g daily protein is the evidence-backed countermeasure to preserve it.
Letrozole: Aromatase inhibitor. First-line ovulation induction for PCOS-related infertility.; Originally a breast cancer drug, now off-label first-line for ovulation induction. Better live-birth rates than clomid in PCOS trials. 2.5-7.5mg days 3-7 of cycle. Lower multiple-pregnancy risk than clomid. Standard telehealth fertility prescribing.
LillyDirect: Eli Lilly's direct-to-consumer cash-pay channel for Zepbound, Mounjaro, and orforglipron.; A manufacturer direct-pay channel that sells branded GLP-1s to cash-pay patients, bypassing pharmacy and PBM markup. Zepbound vials from $349-549/mo, orforglipron $149/mo. Still routes the prescription through a licensed clinician.
Liraglutide: Daily-injection GLP-1 (Saxenda, Victoza). Older than semaglutide, weaker, less popular.; Liraglutide is a daily-injection GLP-1 receptor agonist. Branded as Saxenda for weight loss and Victoza for diabetes. Most patients moved to once-weekly semaglutide or tirzepatide. Still useful for patients who titrate slowly or can't tolerate weekly dosing.

M

MASH (formerly NASH): Inflammatory fatty liver disease tied to obesity. GLP-1s show histologic benefit.; Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis is the inflammatory form of fatty liver disease, renamed from NASH in 2023. Weight loss is the most evidence-supported intervention, and GLP-1s show histologic improvement in trials.
Maintenance dose: The steady target dose after titration (e.g. Wegovy 2.4mg, Zepbound up to 15mg weekly).; After weeks of dose escalation to manage side effects, patients reach a maintenance dose taken ongoing. Stopping the medication typically leads to weight regain, so GLP-1s are framed as chronic, not short-course, therapy.
Manufacturer savings card: A copay card from the drug maker that lowers cost for commercially-insured patients.; Commercial-insurance savings cards can drop a covered GLP-1 copay toward $0-25/mo. They do not stack with government insurance (Medicare, Medicaid). Self-pay savings programs (NovoCare, LillyDirect) are separate and serve cash-pay patients.
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC): A thyroid cancer type. Personal/family history contraindicates GLP-1 use.; MTC is a thyroid cancer arising from C-cells. Because GLP-1s caused C-cell tumors in rodent studies, a personal or family history of MTC, or MEN 2 syndrome, is a contraindication to the entire GLP-1 class.
Metformin: Oral diabetes drug. Used in PCOS for insulin resistance and (off-label) weight.; First-line for type 2 diabetes. Off-label for PCOS, prediabetes, and weight management. 500-2000mg daily, titrate slowly to reduce GI side effects. Cheap ($5-10/month generic). Considered safe long-term; B12 monitoring recommended after 5+ years of use.
Minoxidil: Topical (or oral) drug that increases blood flow to hair follicles.; Minoxidil is available OTC as a topical (Rogaine) and via prescription as a low-dose oral pill. It widens blood vessels around hair follicles. Works for both men and women; effects begin after 3-6 months.
Mounjaro: Branded tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes.; Mounjaro is tirzepatide for diabetes management. Same active as Zepbound. Off-label weight-loss use is common where Zepbound is supply-constrained.
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2): An inherited syndrome raising MTC risk. Contraindicates GLP-1 use.; MEN 2 is a hereditary syndrome predisposing to medullary thyroid carcinoma and other endocrine tumors. Like a personal/family MTC history, it contraindicates GLP-1 receptor agonists.

N

NDT (Natural Desiccated Thyroid): Thyroid hormone replacement derived from porcine thyroid. Contains both T4 and T3.; Armour Thyroid, NP Thyroid, WP Thyroid. Provides both T4 (levothyroxine) and T3 (liothyronine) — synthetic levothyroxine alone is the standard, but some patients feel better on NDT. Evidence is mixed; mainstream endocrinology generally prefers levothyroxine.
Niacinamide: Vitamin B3 topical. Reduces redness, oil, pigmentation. Pairs with almost everything.; 4-10% niacinamide reduces erythema, sebum, hyperpigmentation, fine lines. One of the safest, best-tolerated actives. Combines well with tretinoin, vitamin C, AHAs. Available OTC (The Ordinary, Paula's Choice) and in compounded prescription skincare.
NovoCare: Novo Nordisk's direct-pay self-pay program for Wegovy and other branded GLP-1s.; The Novo Nordisk equivalent of LillyDirect: a self-pay channel offering Wegovy from about $499/mo for eligible cash-pay patients, plus savings-card support for the insured.

O

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): Airway collapse during sleep, linked to obesity. Zepbound gained an OSA indication in 2024.; OSA is repetitive airway collapse during sleep, strongly tied to obesity. Tirzepatide (Zepbound) received an FDA OSA indication for adults with obesity in 2024 based on the SURMOUNT-OSA trial.
Off-label use: Prescribing an FDA-approved drug for a use not on its label. Legal and common.; Off-label prescribing (e.g. Ozempic or Mounjaro for weight loss, when only their diabetes indication is FDA-approved) is legal and common, based on clinician judgment. Insurance typically won't cover off-label weight-loss use, however.
Orforglipron: First once-daily oral non-peptide GLP-1. Brand-only, launched via LillyDirect at $149/mo in 2026.; A small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist that survives digestion, so it works as a simple daily pill without the fasting-and-water rules oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) requires. Reached its FDA decision date April 10, 2026. No compounded versions exist because it's a novel patented molecule.
Ozempic: Branded semaglutide for type 2 diabetes (also widely used off-label for weight).; Ozempic is semaglutide 0.25-2mg weekly, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Same active as Wegovy but typically lower max dose. Off-label weight-loss use is widespread (and partially responsible for Wegovy shortages).

P

PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome. Combination of insulin resistance, androgen excess, irregular cycles.; PCOS affects ~10% of reproductive-age women. Diagnostic criteria: 2 of 3 — irregular ovulation, androgen excess (acne, hirsutism), polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. Treatment: metformin (insulin), oral contraceptives (cycle + androgens), spironolactone (acne), GLP-1 (weight + insulin), letrozole (ovulation).
PDE5 inhibitor: Drug class for ED. Sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil. Blocks an enzyme to maintain erection.; PDE5 inhibitors block phosphodiesterase-5, an enzyme that breaks down cGMP. With cGMP preserved, blood vessels in the penis relax and erection is maintained when sexually stimulated. Don't combine with nitrates (severe hypotension risk).
Pharmacy benefit manager (PBM): Middlemen who manage drug benefits for insurers and negotiate pharmacy pricing.; PBMs sit between insurers, pharmacies, and manufacturers, setting formularies and negotiating rebates. Their markup is part of why manufacturer direct-pay channels (LillyDirect, NovoCare) can undercut pharmacy cash prices.
Prior authorization (PA): Insurer requirement that a prescriber justify a drug before coverage applies.; Most plans covering GLP-1s require prior authorization: the prescriber submits clinical justification (BMI, comorbidity) and the insurer reviews. Programs with an insurance concierge file the PA for you, which raises approval rates. A denial can be appealed.
Progesterone: Added to estrogen-based HRT for women with intact uterus to prevent endometrial cancer.; Micronized progesterone (Prometrium) is preferred over synthetic progestins (medroxyprogesterone) — better mood profile, lower breast cancer signal. Taken nightly (sedating). Not needed for women who've had hysterectomy.

R

REMS: An FDA risk-management program some drugs require. GLP-1s do not have one.; A Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy is an FDA-required safety program for certain high-risk drugs (e.g. isotretinoin's iPLEDGE). GLP-1s do not carry a REMS, though they do carry a boxed warning.
Retinol: Over-the-counter vitamin A derivative. ~10-100x weaker than prescription tretinoin.; Retinol must be converted by skin enzymes to retinoic acid (the active form). Tretinoin is already retinoic acid — no conversion needed. So retinol takes longer for the same effect at lower strength. Useful for sensitive skin or as a stepping stone to tretinoin.
Rybelsus: Oral semaglutide pill for diabetes. The only oral GLP-1 currently FDA-approved.; Rybelsus is oral semaglutide 3-14mg daily, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Weight-loss effect exists but smaller than the injectable forms. Useful for needle-averse patients with diabetes; rarely used off-label for weight alone due to weaker effect.

S

SELECT trial: Landmark trial showing semaglutide cut cardiovascular events in obesity without diabetes.; The SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial showed semaglutide reduced major adverse cardiovascular events by ~20% in adults with obesity and established cardiovascular disease but without diabetes, supporting Wegovy's 2024 cardiovascular indication.
SNRI: Antidepressant class that boosts both serotonin and norepinephrine. Often used when SSRIs don't work.; Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), duloxetine, venlafaxine, work on two neurotransmitters instead of one. Often a second-line choice for depression and anxiety, and a first-line choice for some chronic pain conditions.
SSRI: A class of antidepressants that boost serotonin signaling. First-line for depression and anxiety.; Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most-prescribed class of antidepressants. Examples: sertraline, escitalopram, fluoxetine. They take 4-6 weeks for full effect. Side-effect profile varies by drug.
SSRI vs SNRI: SSRIs boost serotonin only. SNRIs boost both serotonin and norepinephrine.; Both classes treat depression and anxiety. SSRIs (sertraline, escitalopram, fluoxetine) are first-line — well-studied, broad effectiveness, fewer interactions. SNRIs (duloxetine, venlafaxine) are second-line, often added when SSRIs fail or when chronic pain coexists. SNRIs may have a slight edge for severe depression but with more side effects (sweating, BP changes).
STEP trials: Semaglutide weight-management trial program. STEP 1 showed ~15% mean weight loss.; The STEP program established semaglutide 2.4mg (Wegovy) for weight management. STEP 1 showed about 15% mean body-weight reduction at 68 weeks versus 2.4% for placebo plus lifestyle.
SURMOUNT trials: Tirzepatide obesity trial program. SURMOUNT-1 showed ~21% mean weight loss.; The SURMOUNT program established tirzepatide (Zepbound) for obesity. SURMOUNT-1 showed about 21% mean body-weight reduction at 72 weeks on the 15mg dose; SURMOUNT-5 was a head-to-head win over semaglutide.
Sarcopenia: Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. A reason to protect lean mass on GLP-1s.; Sarcopenia is progressive muscle loss with age. It raises the stakes of GLP-1 lean-mass loss for adults over 50, making resistance training and adequate protein especially important during weight loss.
Scheduled substance: DEA-classified controlled drug. Schedule I (illegal) to V (least restricted).; Schedule II (Adderall, oxycodone, fentanyl) is highest medical restriction. Schedule III (testosterone, ketamine). Schedule IV (Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien). Schedule V (low-dose codeine). Telehealth rules vary by schedule under the 2025 DEA rule.
Semaglutide: Active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. A GLP-1 receptor agonist.; Semaglutide is the active drug in three brand-name products: Ozempic (diabetes), Wegovy (weight loss), and Rybelsus (oral diabetes pill). It's also the most common active in compounded GLP-1s sold through telehealth.
Sermorelin: Synthetic peptide that stimulates the body's own growth hormone production.; GHRH (growth hormone-releasing hormone) analog. Stimulates pituitary to release growth hormone naturally vs direct GH injection. Marketed for anti-aging, lean body mass, sleep. Evidence is modest. Not FDA-approved for anti-aging use. Compounded by various telehealth peptide platforms.
Sildenafil (Viagra): PDE5 inhibitor. 30-60 min onset, 4-6 hour duration. Generic available, cheap.; First PDE5 inhibitor approved (1998). Generic since 2017, very cheap ($1-3/tablet OTC outside US). 25-100mg dosing. Side effects: headache, flushing, nasal congestion, mild visual blue tint.
Spironolactone: Oral anti-androgen for adult hormonal acne in women. 50-100mg daily.; Originally a potassium-sparing diuretic, used off-label for hormonal acne in women (and for hirsutism). 50-100mg daily takes 3 months for full effect. Side effects: increased urination, low blood pressure, breast tenderness. Requires periodic potassium and creatinine monitoring.
Step therapy: Insurer rule requiring you to try a cheaper drug first before a costlier one is covered.; Also called 'fail first'. Some plans require documented failure of an older, cheaper anti-obesity drug before they'll cover a GLP-1. Your prescriber can request an exception with clinical justification.
Subcutaneous injection: An injection into the fat layer under the skin. How most GLP-1 pens deliver the drug.; GLP-1 pens deliver the drug subcutaneously, into the fat just under the skin (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm), using a short fine needle. This is simpler and less painful than intramuscular or intravenous routes.
Synchronous care: Live appointment with a clinician, video or phone, at a scheduled time.; Synchronous care is what people picture when they hear 'telemedicine': a live video or phone call with a clinician. Slower to book, more thorough, and required by some states for prescribing certain drugs.

T

TRT: Testosterone replacement therapy. For men with clinically low testosterone confirmed on bloodwork.; Eligibility: total testosterone <300 ng/dL on two morning blood draws + symptoms. Delivery: IM injections (most common, cheapest), subcutaneous, topical gel, pellets. Requires baseline labs (T, free T, LH, FSH, estradiol, CBC, PSA) and monitoring every 6-12 months. Suppresses sperm production — discuss fertility before starting.
TSH: Thyroid-stimulating hormone. The blood test that diagnoses thyroid problems.; Pituitary hormone that tells the thyroid to make more T4/T3. High TSH = underactive thyroid (pituitary screaming). Low TSH = overactive thyroid (pituitary muted). Target range for treated hypothyroidism: 0.5-2.5 mIU/L.
Tadalafil (Cialis): Long-acting PDE5 inhibitor. 24-36 hour duration. Daily low-dose option for spontaneity.; PDE5 inhibitor with extended duration vs sildenafil. As-needed 10-20mg or daily 2.5-5mg. Daily low-dose is popular — allows spontaneous activity, also treats BPH. Side effects: back pain, muscle aches (slightly more than sildenafil).
Telehealth: Medical care delivered over video, phone, or messaging, without an in-person visit.; Telehealth covers any remote medical interaction: video calls with a clinician, async text consultations, even photo-based dermatology. Whether a specific telehealth provider can prescribe in your state depends on state law and the clinician's license.
Thyroid: Butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that produces hormones regulating metabolism.; The thyroid produces T4 and T3 hormones. Hypothyroidism (underactive) is common, especially in women — treated with levothyroxine. Hyperthyroidism (overactive) requires endocrinology referral. Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism (autoimmune).
Tirzepatide: Active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound. Hits two hormone receptors (GLP-1 + GIP).; Tirzepatide is newer than semaglutide and works on two pathways instead of one, both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. Clinical trials have shown larger average weight loss than semaglutide in head-to-head comparisons.
Titration: The schedule of gradually increasing a medication dose to reach a target.; GLP-1 dose titration typically starts at a low dose (semaglutide 0.25mg, tirzepatide 2.5mg) and increases every 4 weeks to reduce side effects. Many patients can't tolerate the full dose; slow titration improves adherence and reduces nausea.
Topical finasteride: Compounded liquid finasteride applied to the scalp. Less systemic absorption than oral.; Compounded topical finasteride (alone or with minoxidil) gives similar hair benefit to oral finasteride with theoretically lower systemic side effects. Evidence is growing but smaller than oral. Available via most telehealth dermatology platforms.
Tretinoin: Prescription-strength vitamin A derivative. Gold standard for anti-aging and acne.; Tretinoin (Retin-A) is a topical retinoid used for acne and photoaging. Stronger than over-the-counter retinol. Causes initial irritation (the 'retinization' period). Effects on fine lines and texture take months.

W

Wegovy: Branded high-dose semaglutide for weight loss (Novo Nordisk).; Wegovy is semaglutide 2.4mg weekly, the FDA-approved weight-loss formulation. Same active as Ozempic at a higher max dose. ~15% body-weight loss in trials. List price ~$1,350/month; patient-assistance programs bring it to $200-500.
Weight regain: Weight returning after stopping a GLP-1. Trials show ~two-thirds regained within a year.; When patients stop a GLP-1, appetite returns and weight tends to come back, with trials showing a substantial fraction of lost weight regained within a year. This drives interest in maintenance planning and behavioral support that survives medication exit.
Weight-related comorbidity: A weight-linked condition (T2D, hypertension, sleep apnea) that lowers the BMI threshold to 27.; FDA labels allow GLP-1 weight-loss treatment at BMI ≥27 if you have a weight-related comorbidity: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, or prediabetes. Documenting one is central to insurance approval.

Z

Zepbound: Branded tirzepatide for weight loss (Eli Lilly).; Zepbound is tirzepatide 2.5-15mg weekly, FDA-approved for weight loss. Same active as Mounjaro at a different label. ~20% body-weight loss in trials — strongest weight-loss drug currently on market. List price ~$1,000-1,300/month.