§ 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 for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic, Rybelsus) and weight management (Wegovy). Compounded semaglutide is available through telehealth at
- Tirzepatide
- A dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist (Mounjaro, Zepbound) with the largest randomized weight-loss results to date. Telehealth providers offer compounded
- Compounded Semaglutide
- A non-FDA-approved semaglutide prepared by a licensed 503A or 503B compounding pharmacy. Legal only while Wegovy/Ozempic remains on the FDA drug shortage list.
- Compounded Tirzepatide
- A non-FDA-approved compounded tirzepatide; legal only while Mounjaro/Zepbound remain on the FDA shortage list. Costs $150-$400/month versus $1,000+ for
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
- Medications that mimic the gut hormone GLP-1 to slow gastric emptying and reduce appetite. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are the most prescribed GLP-1 agonists
- Titration
- Gradual dose escalation over weeks to minimize side effects. GLP-1 titration schedules typically span 4-20 weeks before reaching a maintenance dose.
- STEP 1
- The pivotal RCT of semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight management (NEJM, 2021). Participants lost 14.9% body weight over 68 weeks versus 2.4% with placebo.
- SURMOUNT-1
- The pivotal RCT of tirzepatide for weight management (NEJM, 2022). Participants lost up to 22.5% body weight over 72 weeks — the largest weight-loss trial
Hormones & TRT
- TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy)
- Medical treatment restoring serum testosterone in men with hypogonadism. Delivered as injections, gels, creams, or oral capsules through telehealth TRT clinics.
- Hypogonadism
- A condition where the body produces inadequate testosterone, typically below ~300 ng/dL. Telehealth TRT clinics diagnose hypogonadism via blood work and treat
- Estradiol (in TRT)
- An estrogen produced when testosterone is aromatized; monitored on TRT to manage side effects. Elevated estradiol can cause water retention and mood changes in
- hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)
- An ancillary medication prescribed alongside TRT to preserve testicular function and fertility. HCG stimulates LH receptors to maintain natural testosterone
- Menopausal HRT
- Hormone replacement therapy for perimenopausal and menopausal women, typically estrogen and progesterone. Telehealth HRT providers offer online consultations
Regulatory & Safety
- FDA-Approved
- A medication reviewed by the FDA for safety, efficacy, and manufacturing quality before authorization. FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs include Wegovy, Ozempic
- Compounding Pharmacy
- A pharmacy creating customized medication formulations under 503A or 503B rules. Compounding pharmacies supply most GLP-1, TRT, and peptide prescriptions from
- FDA Shortage List
- An FDA-maintained list of drugs in short supply; compounded versions are legal only while listed. Semaglutide and tirzepatide compounding depends on their
- Controlled Substance
- A DEA-regulated medication classified under five schedules based on abuse potential. Testosterone (Schedule III) and phentermine (Schedule IV) are common
- 503A vs. 503B Pharmacy
- Two regulatory categories of compounding pharmacies. 503B outsourcing facilities face stricter FDA inspection than 503A patient-specific pharmacies.
Pricing & Plans
- Program Fee
- The clinic's monthly membership charge, billed separately from medication cost. Compare program fees before choosing a telehealth provider.
- Compound-Only Plan
- A telehealth plan prescribing only compounded medications, not FDA-approved brand-name drugs. Compound-only plans are 60-80% cheaper with different regulatory
- Dose-Tier Pricing
- A pricing model where monthly cost rises as the prescribed dose increases. Common with GLP-1 injectables — higher doses of semaglutide cost more.
- Auto-Renewal
- A subscription that continues billing until you actively cancel. Most GLP-1 telehealth plans auto-renew monthly — check cancellation policies before signing up.
- Concierge Tier
- A premium telehealth tier offering more direct clinician access, faster responses, or personalized coaching. Concierge plans cost $50-$200/month more than
Telehealth Basics
- Telehealth
- Healthcare delivered via video, phone, or async messaging. Telehealth platforms now prescribe GLP-1s, TRT, ED medications, and hair loss treatments.
- Asynchronous Care
- A telehealth model where patients submit information and receive clinician decisions without a live call. Async care is faster and cheaper — common for GLP-1
- Informed Consent
- The process by which a patient acknowledges the risks, benefits, and alternatives before starting treatment. Telehealth platforms collect informed consent
- Off-Label Prescribing
- Prescribing an FDA-approved drug for a condition not on its official label. Semaglutide for prediabetes and low-dose naltrexone for fatigue are common examples.
- Primary Care (in Telehealth)
- Comprehensive routine care delivered virtually by a family-medicine clinician. Telehealth primary care platforms handle chronic disease management, labs, and
- Medication Therapy Management (MTM)
- A clinical service where a pharmacist reviews a patient's medication list to optimize safety and efficacy. MTM (medication therapy management) is offered by
- Finasteride
- A 5-alpha reductase inhibitor used at 1 mg/day for hair loss and 5 mg/day for BPH. Compounded finasteride is available online through telehealth hair loss
- Minoxidil
- A vasodilator used topically or orally at low doses for hair regrowth. Compounded oral minoxidil is widely available from telehealth hair loss providers.
- Tadalafil
- A PDE5 inhibitor (Cialis) for erectile dysfunction and BPH; longer-acting than sildenafil. Available as daily 5 mg or as-needed 10-20 mg from online ED
- Sildenafil
- A PDE5 inhibitor (Viagra) for erectile dysfunction — the prototype of the class. Compounded sildenafil is available online at a fraction of brand-name cost.
- NAD+ Therapy
- A cellular cofactor (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) marketed for longevity and cognitive support. NAD+ IV drips and nasal sprays are available through
- Peptide Therapy
- Short amino acid chains (e.g., BPC-157, CJC-1295, sermorelin) marketed for recovery and longevity. Peptide therapy is available through telehealth longevity