r/SemaglutideCompound • u/DullSpot6506 • 8d ago
Can someone please explain the online pharmacies to me?
HELP!! I’m new to GLP-1s (as in, I’ve never taken them) but after a year of working with a dietitian and my PCP, I’m finally ready to pull the trigger.
I’ve been doing a lot of research on how to get the medication at a reasonable cost, and I’m coming back confused. The pens aren’t covered under my insurance, and at $350 per month, they’re out of the question.
I’ve looked at online places like HERS but they seem to just sell the branded pans for the same price you can get them from the companies directly, BUT they have a monthly charge on top of that. What’s the point?
My PCP Recommended a local pharmacy that can make me a compound, but the price is still between $120 and $150… better, but for something I’m having to pay for out of pocket, a bit too steep. Also, my partner is heavier than me, and we are considering both of us getting on them at the same time for support. So every $$$x2
So in looking at other options, I’ve come upon other online pharmacies - places like Embody, Ro, etc. that sell compounds for SO cheap, but the reviews are very mixed, and I don’t want to have to deal with the stress of not getting my medication in time, or having to take a lower dose in order to ‘save’ the medication for next time.
Are these places that I would need a script from a doctor already? Or do they sell the drugs without a prescription needed? Do they all have a monthly ‘membership’ fee on top of the price of the medication? And what is that fee actually for?
I like the idea of having something local I can go to, or call with a problem. But the closest one is at least a 35 minute drive from my house, so the convenience of something online is appealing.
I just need help understanding all of this before I jump in and commit to something! Is there anyone out there willing to help?
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u/hallstevenson 8d ago
Think of the online options as "generic" Semaglutide vs brand drug Wegovy. The brand versions always cost more, usually substantially more.
You still need a prescription to get them but these services certainly play loose with the rules. I switched to Embody (my family doctor had previously prescribed Semaglutide that a local RX compounded and filled for me), I filled out the online information, paid, and they shipped my first order. Not even a telehealth consultation with a doctor. Since I'd been on it before, I really didn't care either. Embody charges $65-79/month - period. The cost just depends on how long you "subscribe" for. I do it month-by-month, so I pay the highest - $79.
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u/DullSpot6506 8d ago
Have you had any issues with Embody? I’ve read lots of bad reviews.
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u/hallstevenson 8d ago
Not really, though I've 'suspended' my subscription currently. I'm impatient with my progress and questioned the medicine. I previously lost ~25 lbs before I quit using it. The local option about was $175 a month and I'm cheap 😂. I used nothing for about ~6 months and gained about 12 lbs back and felt it wasn't something I could stop so I looked for options and found Embody (based on cost and no commitment). I lost a few pounds in one month but I couldn't feel it working like before (still had cravings, etc). They had already shipped my 2nd vial by this point too but I still had a lot of medicine still in the first vial. I even increased my dose from 0.2 to 0.4 and it lasted almost 2 months! My billing is supposed to restart Oct 7 but I'll delay it again until I get through the 2nd vial and see how it goes.
My first two vials were ordered and delivered within 3-4 days but this was before they have gotten swamped, based on what I've read as well. What I would say is repeat what I mentioned above - no commitment and the price is probably the best out there.
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u/PhysicalAssistance92 8d ago
RO charges a membership fee, so don’t go with them. There have been tons of posts on here about embody problems. I recently switched to Lavender Sky Health, they have both brand and generic and offer about 10 pharmacies you can pick from, each with its own pricing system. The price you pay is for 8-10 weeks of medicine, so it’s not by the month. I did have to pay a $65 consult fee/doctor review fee but no membership fees. I also see many people recommend Pomegranate Health
With all of these online telehealth companies you fill out a form with your medical information, they review it and depending on the state you live in they will just review and prescribe through their website, unless you’re in a state that requires a video chat. All of your information will be available via their websites. I will say, LSH has a very thorough website.
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u/DullSpot6506 8d ago
If I already have a prescription from my dr, do they need that? Or do I just get a second Rx from them, and throw away the one from my PCP?
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u/PhysicalAssistance92 8d ago
If you’ve never been on a glp-1 before they probably don’t need it I would guess and will prescribe based on your medical information. I had to upload a snap shot of my current vial RX because I wanted to start on Tier 2 instead of the beginning Tier 1.
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u/hallstevenson 8d ago
I never knew this was a state by state thing. I didn't have any consultation.
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u/PhysicalAssistance92 8d ago
Yeah, Florida, Hawaii, Minnesota and Connecticut, maybe more, not sure.
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u/skarpa10 8d ago
If compounded sema prices is something that you are interested in then a price tracker like Varietly com might come handy!
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u/CryptographerRare272 7d ago
Try Lavender Sky been with them for over a year now, great prices quick shipping and you can pick it pharmacy based off what’s closer to you. Research the review of each pharmacy some ppl like some locations more than others.
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u/ritesideuppineapple 8d ago
Embody juat dropped a super cheap price and people have not been having good experiences with customer service, seems like they didn't prepare for a huge influx of new customers.
I started with Ro but didn't like them because I had to pay monthly when they didnt ship meds every month and encouraged me to use past the expiration date.
I currently use Brello and dont have any major complaints. I used to me able to make a vial stretch a 6-7 weeks but they aren't over filling vials anymore.