How Do I Know If I Qualify for a GLP-1 Prescription?
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You may qualify for a GLP-1 prescription if a licensed clinician determines that you meet medical criteria for type 2 diabetes or chronic weight management, and that treatment is appropriate for you. Depending on your situation, a clinician may prescribe an FDA-approved GLP-1 medication or, in some cases, a compounded GLP-1 formulation. FDA approval status depends on the specific product prescribed (FDA).
If you’re looking at GLP-1s for weight management
Eligibility for weight-management GLP-1 medications is based on specific medical criteria tied to how these drugs were studied and labeled.
You may qualify if:
- Your BMI is 30 or higher, or
- Your BMI is 27 or higher and you have at least one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol
These criteria come directly from FDA-approved labeling for weight-management GLP-1 medications (FDA, FDA)
Meeting BMI criteria alone does not guarantee a prescription. A clinician must still review your medical history and determine whether treatment is appropriate for you.
If you have type 2 diabetes
GLP-1 eligibility works a bit differently when diabetes is the reason for prescribing.
You may qualify if:
- You have a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, and
- A clinician determines that a GLP-1 medication is appropriate to help manage blood sugar levels
GLP-1 medications prescribed for diabetes are approved to improve glycemic control. Any weight changes that occur are considered secondary effects, not the approved reason for treatment (FDA, FDA)
How compounded GLP-1 prescriptions fit into eligibility
Some people hear about compounded GLP-1s and wonder how they fit into the picture.
Compounded GLP-1 medications are not FDA-approved drugs. Under federal law, licensed clinicians may prescribe compounded medications when they determine it is medically appropriate, including during drug shortages or when a patient cannot use a commercially available product (FDA Guidance on Compounded Drugs).
While the FDA does not approve compounded medications themselves, it does regulate and inspect compounding pharmacies for compliance with applicable quality and safety standards. Compounded medications do not carry FDA-approved indications, and prescribing decisions rely on clinician judgment rather than FDA labeling.
When a GLP-1 prescription may not be appropriate
Regardless of which type of GLP-1 is being considered, there are situations where a prescription may not be recommended.
A clinician may determine a GLP-1 is not appropriate if you:
- Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
- Have had a serious hypersensitivity reaction to a GLP-1 medication
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
These exclusions appear in FDA-approved prescribing information and are routinely reviewed during GLP-1 prescribing decisions (FDA, FDA).
Why GLP-1 prescriptions always involve a medical review
GLP-1 prescriptions aren’t handed out automatically.
These medications affect appetite regulation, digestion, and hormone signaling. Because of this, prescribing decisions require a review of medical history, contraindications, and potential risks, whether the medication is FDA-approved or compounded (FDA).
This is why health questionnaires, follow-up questions, and clinician review are standard parts of the process.
What does not determine GLP-1 eligibility
A few common assumptions come up again and again.
The following do not qualify someone on their own:
- Wanting to lose a small amount of cosmetic weight
- Social media trends or anecdotes
- A friend’s prescription experience
- Preference for a specific formulation
GLP-1 prescribing decisions are based on medical judgment and clinical criteria, not demand or popularity.(Wegovy Prescribing Information, FDA)
FAQ: Qualifying for a GLP-1 prescription
Can I qualify for a GLP-1 prescription if my provider prescribes a compounded version?
Yes. Qualification is determined by a licensed clinician. Compounded GLP-1 medications may be prescribed when medically appropriate, but they are not FDA-approved and do not carry FDA-approved indications (FDA Guidance on Compounded Drugs).
Does qualifying for a compounded GLP-1 mean the medication is FDA-approved?
No. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, even though compounding pharmacies are regulated and inspected by the FDA (FDA Guidance on Compounded Drugs).
Do BMI and medical criteria still matter for compounded GLP-1 prescriptions?
Yes. Clinicians generally consider similar medical factors when determining whether any GLP-1 therapy is appropriate (FDA).
Do I need diabetes to qualify for a GLP-1 prescription?
No. Some GLP-1 medications are FDA-approved for chronic weight management and do not require a diabetes diagnosis (FDA).
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