An educational guide to how GLP-1 therapy works, what to expect from treatment, and how Reaux Health's program is structured. This page is informational only. Every clinical decision is made by an independent licensed provider.
A short primer on the hormone your gut already makes, and how these medications mimic it to support weight loss.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone your gut releases after meals. GLP-1 receptor agonists are medications that mimic this hormone: they slow gastric emptying, signal fullness to the brain, and help regulate blood sugar.
Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 medications have become a leading clinical tool for weight management and are now widely prescribed by U.S. providers for chronic weight loss.
Many patients notice changes in appetite and food cravings within the first 1–2 weeks. Measurable weight loss typically begins around weeks 4–8 as the dose is titrated up.
Clinical results vary significantly by individual, medication, dose, and lifestyle. Your provider sets expectations and adjusts your plan based on how you respond.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) are both incretin hormones, but they act on different receptors in the body.
Semaglutide is a single agonist: it targets GLP-1 receptors only. Tirzepatide is a dual agonist: it activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, which clinical studies suggest may produce greater average weight loss than GLP-1-only therapy in many patients.
The two compounded medications most commonly prescribed through Reaux Health's affiliated providers, and how they compare to their brand-name counterparts.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It is the same active ingredient used in FDA-approved brand-name medications for chronic weight management and for type 2 diabetes.
The compounded semaglutide that may be prescribed through Reaux Health's affiliated independent providers is not FDA-approved.
Reaux Health is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any brand-name drug manufacturer.
Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1 / GIP receptor agonist. It is the same active ingredient used in FDA-approved brand-name medications for chronic weight management and for type 2 diabetes.
The compounded tirzepatide that may be prescribed through Reaux Health's affiliated independent providers is not FDA-approved.
Reaux Health is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any brand-name drug manufacturer.
Clinical comparison: Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide use the same active pharmaceutical ingredients (semaglutide and tirzepatide) as FDA-approved brand-name products. They are prepared by state-licensed compounding pharmacies and may include additional excipients such as vitamin B12 in some semaglutide formulations.
Screening and safety: Compounded medications prescribed through Reaux Health's affiliated providers are sourced from state-licensed compounding pharmacies registered with the appropriate state Board of Pharmacy. Identity and potency testing protocols vary by pharmacy and are not equivalent to the FDA's brand-name manufacturing oversight.
Regulatory status: Brand-name products are FDA-approved and manufactured under FDA oversight. Compounded medications are prepared by state-licensed compounding pharmacies and are not FDA-approved. Whether a compounded medication is appropriate for you is an individualized clinical decision you make with your provider.
Compounded medications, including those prescribed through Reaux Health's affiliated providers, are not FDA-approved. Treatment is at provider discretion based on clinical screening.
This is a clinical decision made by your independent licensed provider, based on your medical history, weight loss goals, prior medication response, and individual risk factors.
Reaux Health does not recommend or prescribe medications. Your provider does, during your intake assessment and ongoing visits.
No. Compounded medications use the same active pharmaceutical ingredient but are manufactured by state-licensed compounding pharmacies, not the brand-name pharmaceutical company. Formulations, excipients, and concentrations may differ.
Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are not direct substitutes for FDA-approved brand-name drugs. The decision to use a compounded medication is made jointly between you and your provider.
GLP-1 therapy isn't right for everyone. Here's how independent providers screen patients, and how monitoring works during treatment.
Eligibility is determined by your independent licensed provider during your intake assessment, based on medical history, current medications, BMI, weight goals, and contraindications.
Not everyone qualifies. GLP-1 medications are contraindicated for patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 syndrome, among other conditions. Your provider reviews the full clinical picture before any prescription is issued.
GLP-1 receptor agonists have been studied extensively for type 2 diabetes since 2005 and for chronic weight management since 2014. Common adverse events are gastrointestinal (nausea, constipation, diarrhea) and typically resolve as the body adjusts during dose titration.
Rare but serious risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and acute kidney injury. Your provider discusses these risks with you and monitors for warning signs during treatment.
Compounded medications, including those Reaux Health's affiliated providers may prescribe, are not FDA-approved. Treatment decisions and risk discussion happen with your independent provider.
Your provider sets the monitoring cadence based on your medication, dose, and individual response. This typically includes scheduled check-ins at dose escalations, periodic vitals review, and unlimited messaging access to your care team for side-effect concerns.
If anything changes about your health during treatment, you contact your care team directly through the patient portal. For medical emergencies, call 911. Telehealth is not for emergencies.
Most side effects are mild to moderate, GI-related, and improve over the first 4–8 weeks. Here's what to expect, and when to call your provider.
Gastrointestinal effects are the most frequently reported: nausea, constipation, diarrhea, decreased appetite, abdominal discomfort, and occasional vomiting.
Most are mild to moderate and improve as the body adjusts to the medication, typically over 4–8 weeks. Less common effects include fatigue, headache, and mild injection-site reactions.
Slow dose titration is the most effective strategy. Providers typically start at the lowest effective dose and increase gradually over weeks or months.
Dietary adjustments help reduce GI effects: smaller meals, lower-fat foods, adequate hydration, and limiting alcohol. If symptoms persist or worsen, your provider can pause titration or adjust your dose. Don't make medication changes on your own.
Contact your provider promptly for: severe or persistent abdominal pain (possible pancreatitis); signs of gallbladder disease such as right upper abdominal pain, fever, or jaundice; severe dehydration; signs of allergic reaction such as rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing; or any new symptoms that concern you.
For medical emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Telehealth is not for emergencies.
Compounded therapies are regulated differently than brand-name FDA-approved drugs. Understanding the difference matters. Here's what compounding is and why Reaux Health uses it.
Pharmacy compounding is the practice of preparing a customized medication from individual active pharmaceutical ingredients, typically when a patient cannot use the commercially available product or when a specific formulation is clinically necessary.
Compounded medications are prepared by state-licensed compounding pharmacies under U.S. Pharmacopeia standards (USP <795> and <797>).
Compounded medications are regulated at the state level by state Boards of Pharmacy, with federal oversight from the FDA for outsourcing facilities (503B). Quality and testing protocols vary by pharmacy.
Reaux Health's affiliated providers source from state-licensed compounding pharmacies, but compounded medications are not FDA-approved, and that distinction matters. You should discuss the trade-offs with your provider before starting treatment.
Compounded medications are prescribed only when an independent licensed provider determines, based on your individual clinical assessment, that a compounded formulation is appropriate for you. Compounding allows a medication to be tailored to an individual patient, for example a specific strength or an alternative form such as a sublingual preparation, when a commercially available product is not suitable for that patient.
This decision is always individualized and made by your provider. Reaux Health does not make prescribing decisions and does not compound medications. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
Transparent cash-pay pricing, no insurance billing, no surprise fees. Here's how pricing works and what's included in your monthly fee.
Reaux Health is cash-pay. Compounded semaglutide programs start at $299/month and compounded tirzepatide programs start at $329/month.
Pricing includes provider visits, medication, supplies, shipping, and ongoing clinical support, no hidden fees.
No, Reaux Health does not bill insurance directly. You pay for your plan directly, which keeps pricing transparent and predictable and avoids the prior authorization delays patients often encounter with brand-name GLP-1s. You can pay with an HSA or FSA card, since prescribed treatment is often an eligible expense.
HSA and FSA eligibility depends on your specific plan, so we recommend confirming with your plan administrator. If you would like a superbill or itemized receipt to submit for potential reimbursement, your care team can provide one on request.
Your monthly fee covers the provider consultation, the compounded medication itself, all injection supplies (syringes, alcohol pads, and sharps disposal guidance), discreet shipping, and unlimited messaging with your care team for dose adjustments and side-effect support.
Yes. There are no long-term contracts. You can pause shipments, change cadence, or cancel through your patient portal before your next billing date.
If you cancel mid-cycle, any medication already shipped is yours to keep. We don't accept returns of dispensed prescription medication.
Compounded semaglutide from $299/mo. Compounded tirzepatide from $329/mo. All-inclusive: provider visits, medication, supplies, shipping, and ongoing support.
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