§ Glossary
Telehealth & Medication Glossary
Plain-English definitions for the medical, regulatory, and pricing terms you encounter when shopping for telehealth care.
Fact-checked 12 May 202635+ TermsIndependent Reference
GLP-1 & Weight Loss
- Semaglutide
- A GLP-1 receptor agonist used for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic, Rybelsus) and weight management (Wegovy).
- Tirzepatide
- A dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist (Mounjaro, Zepbound) with the largest randomized weight-loss results to date.
- Compounded Semaglutide
- A non-FDA-approved version of semaglutide prepared by a state-licensed compounding pharmacy.
- Compounded Tirzepatide
- A non-FDA-approved compounded version of tirzepatide; legally available only under specific compounding rules.
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
- A class of medications that mimic the gut hormone GLP-1 to slow gastric emptying and reduce appetite.
- Titration
- The gradual stepping-up of a medication dose, usually to manage side effects.
- STEP 1
- The pivotal randomized trial of semaglutide 2.4 mg for chronic weight management (NEJM, 2021).
- SURMOUNT-1
- The pivotal randomized trial of tirzepatide for chronic weight management (NEJM, 2022).
Hormones & TRT
- TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy)
- Medical treatment that restores serum testosterone in men diagnosed with hypogonadism.
- Hypogonadism
- A clinical condition where the body produces inadequate testosterone, typically diagnosed below ~300 ng/dL.
- Estradiol (in TRT)
- An estrogen produced when testosterone is aromatized; monitored on TRT to manage side effects.
- hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)
- An ancillary medication sometimes prescribed alongside TRT to preserve testicular function and fertility.
- Menopausal HRT
- Hormone replacement therapy for perimenopausal and menopausal women, typically estrogen ± progesterone.
Regulatory & Safety
- FDA-Approved
- A medication reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for safety, efficacy, and manufacturing quality.
- Compounding Pharmacy
- A pharmacy that creates customized medication formulations, regulated under 503A or 503B rules.
- FDA Shortage List
- An FDA-maintained list of drugs in short supply; compounded versions are legal only while a drug is on this list.
- Controlled Substance
- A medication regulated by the DEA under one of five schedules based on abuse potential.
- 503A vs. 503B Pharmacy
- Two regulatory categories of compounding pharmacies with materially different oversight.
Pricing & Plans
- Program Fee
- The clinic's membership or service charge — separate from medication cost.
- Compound-Only Plan
- A telehealth plan that prescribes only compounded medications, not FDA-approved brand-name drugs.
- Dose-Tier Pricing
- A pricing model where the monthly cost rises as the prescribed dose increases.
- Auto-Renewal
- An arrangement where a subscription continues to bill and ship until you actively cancel.
- Concierge Tier
- A premium service tier offering more direct clinician access, faster responses, or personalized coaching.
Telehealth Basics
- Telehealth
- The delivery of healthcare services via video, phone, or asynchronous messaging.
- Asynchronous Care
- A telehealth model where patients submit information and receive clinician decisions without a live call.
- Informed Consent
- The process by which a patient acknowledges the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a treatment before starting.
- Off-Label Prescribing
- Prescribing an FDA-approved drug for a condition or population not on its approved label.
- Primary Care (in Telehealth)
- Comprehensive routine and preventive care delivered virtually, typically by a family-medicine clinician.
- Medication Therapy Management (MTM)
- A clinical service in which a pharmacist reviews a patient's full medication list to optimize regimen and safety.
- Finasteride
- A 5-alpha reductase inhibitor used at 1 mg/day for male pattern hair loss and 5 mg/day for BPH.
- Minoxidil
- A vasodilator used topically (and sometimes orally at low doses) for hair regrowth.
- Tadalafil
- A PDE5 inhibitor (Cialis) used for erectile dysfunction and BPH; longer-acting than sildenafil.
- Sildenafil
- A PDE5 inhibitor (Viagra) used for erectile dysfunction; the prototype of the class.
- NAD+ Therapy
- A cellular cofactor (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) marketed for longevity and cognitive support.
- Peptide Therapy
- Short chains of amino acids (e.g., BPC-157, CJC-1295) marketed for recovery, performance, and longevity.