Glossary: GLP-1 words in plain language

Every word in the table, in one simple sentence.

This is not medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting or changing a treatment.

6-month estimate: Our calculation of what you would spend over 6 months at published prices; an estimate, not a quote.
All-in/mo: Our estimate of one month's cost: published regular price (the lowest if it varies by dose) plus mandatory membership; if billed every 4 weeks, we convert it to a month. Excludes taxes and labs.
Brand: The manufacturer's original medicine (for example Wegovy or Zepbound), FDA-approved; it usually costs more.
Chemical form (base or salt): Whether a compounded drug uses the pure ingredient (base) or a salt such as acetate or sodium; the FDA says semaglutide salts are different ingredients from those in approved drugs and should not be used in compounding. FDA ↗
Clinician follow-up: A clinician checks in after you start to answer questions or make changes.
Compounded: A version made by a compounding pharmacy, not the manufacturer; it is not FDA-approved and is not the same as the brand, though it usually costs less. FDA ↗
Compounding pharmacy: A pharmacy that prepares medicines from prescriptions (503A) or in larger batches (503B, registered with the FDA). Being registered does not mean the FDA approves their medicines. FDA ↗
FDA: The US government agency that approves medicines and monitors their safety.
FDA warning letter: A public notice the FDA sends a company when it believes the company did something improper, such as misleading ads. It is not a court ruling or a ban on operating, and the company may have corrected it since. FDA ↗
Generic: A copy of a brand-name medicine that the FDA did approve; a compounded drug is not a generic. FDA ↗
GLP-1: Prescription medicines that mimic a natural body hormone;
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they are used for type 2 diabetes, and some also for weight management. FDA ↗
Injection: Given with a small needle under the skin.
Intro price: A discounted price for the first month or months only; after that it goes up to the regular price.
LegitScript: A private company that certifies online pharmacies and clinics that meet certain rules;
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you can check it yourself on its site. Source ↗
Liraglutide: An older GLP-1; it is the active ingredient in Victoza and Saxenda.
Membership: A monthly fee some clinics charge on top of the medicine; if it is mandatory, we add it to the total.
Oral: Taken by mouth, as a pill.
Orforglipron (Foundayo): An Eli Lilly GLP-1 taken as a pill instead of a shot; in the table it appears under its brand name, Foundayo.
Pen: An injector that comes pre-filled from the factory. In single-dose brand pens, each pen holds one pre-measured dose; other pens, such as the Zepbound KwikPen, hold 4 doses. This describes the product; it is not a dosing recommendation. FDA ↗
Prescription: A licensed clinician's authorization for a pharmacy to give you a medicine; every GLP-1 requires one. FDA ↗
Read by GLP Claro / Third-party figure: Read by GLP Claro: a price we saw on the clinic's own page; third-party figure: a number from another site that we cite with its date.
Self-pay: Paying out of pocket without insurance; some manufacturers sell direct at published prices.
Semaglutide: The active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy (Novo Nordisk brands); compounded versions also exist, which are not FDA-approved and are not the same as the brand.
Signal: Our transparency signals: green, the clinic publishes more information; yellow, incomplete information; orange, it has an FDA warning letter; not a medical rating.
Telehealth: A medical visit online or by phone: you fill out a form or talk by video and, if a clinician prescribes it, the medicine is shipped to you.
Tirzepatide: The active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound (Eli Lilly brands). It mimics two hormones (GLP-1 and GIP). Compounded versions also exist, which are not FDA-approved and are not the same as the brand. FDA ↗
Vial: A small bottle of liquid medicine measured with a syringe; the FDA has reported measuring errors with compounded vials. FDA ↗

Not medical advice. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved and are not the same as brand-name drugs. Talk to a licensed clinician.

Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Victoza® and Saxenda® are trademarks of Novo Nordisk; Mounjaro®, Zepbound® and Foundayo™ are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. We name them only to describe; GLP Claro is not affiliated with these companies.