If you’ve decided that weight loss medication may be a good option for you, but you’re uncertain if online prescriptions are a smart option, you’re in good company. When it comes to making wise healthcare choices, savvy consumers ask questions about quality, accessibility, and comfort before deciding. Let’s review the pros and cons of receiving medicated weight loss care through telemedicine, plus what you should expect from a trusted online provider.

Are telemedicine weight loss prescriptions a good option?

Telemedicine weight loss prescriptions can be a reliable, convenient option. There are many benefits to getting weight loss medications, like Ozempic, through a trusted online provider:

Expert Care

• Telemedicine providers who practice online have experience delivering weight loss care via video visits.
• If you choose a reputable medical provider, you’ll have access to experts who are well-versed in treating obesity and excess weight.
• You don’t have to feel like you’re doing this alone. There are many online resources to support you all along your weight loss journey.

Convenience

• You can reclaim some of your time by scheduling visits when it’s convenient for you—and conduct the appointment right on your phone, wherever you happen to be.
• Skip the hassle of finding child care then driving, parking, sitting in a waiting room, and dealing with multiple people. Instead, you can click a few links and talk directly with a provider about your weight goals.

Safety and Comfort

• Your digital records will remain confidential, just as they do in a brick-and-mortar healthcare office that you might visit.
• When seeking care for a disease that comes with stigma, as obesity and being overweight often do, many patients find that virtual care scenarios provide a more comfortable environment in which to talk openly and honestly about personal experiences.

Are there downsides to using telemedicine for weight loss?

There are a few scenarios in which telemedicine care may not be ideal for you:

• If you have limited access to an internet connection, or to a computer or cell phone, telemedicine may not be a feasible option.
• Some patients prefer an in-person medical visit if they feel they need an in-person exam.
• If any part of your health status (including weight, diabetes, or blood pressure) puts you at high risk for heart attack or stroke, we recommend working closely with trusted health practitioners in person.

What weight loss medications do online doctors prescribe?

Your telemedicine provider will assess your health history, current medications, previous weight loss attempts, and sometimes current lab results in order to prescribe the medication that is best suited to help you meet your goals safely.  

Some of the most common and effective drugs being prescribed for weight loss today are GLP-1 agonists. These can be broken down into 2 main groups:

Newer GLP-1 drugs

• Ozempic (semaglutide) once-weekly injection; FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes
• Wegovy (semaglutide) once-weekly injection; FDA-approved for weight loss
• Rybelsus (semaglutide) once-daily pill; FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide) once-weekly injection; FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes
  
  • note: tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist
• Zepbound (tirzepatide) once-weekly injection; FDA-approved for weight loss
  
  • note: tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist

Older GLP-1 drugs

• Victoza (liraglutide) once-daily injection; FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes
• Saxenda (liraglutide) once-daily injection; FDA-approved for weight loss
• Trulicity (dulaglutide) once-weekly injection; FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes
• Byetta (exenatide) twice-daily injection; FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes
• Bydureon (exenatide) once-weekly injection; FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes

The notable advantages of the newer GLP-1 agonists are that they are longer acting and generally more effective than the older GLP-1 agonists.

You can see from the list above that only three brand names—Wegovy, Saxenda, and Zepbound—are FDA-approved for treating obesity and overweight, but because type 2 diabetes and obesity are closely linked metabolic conditions, any of the medications listed above can be prescribed by a doctor for the purpose of weight loss (in patients who meet certain conditions and for whom it is deemed appropriate).

Can online providers be trusted?

As with the staff working in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare systems in your local area, most of the online doctors and medical providers you’ll meet are caring, professional, and have your best interest in mind . . . but there are companies and individuals out there who will take advantage of you if you give them the chance, so it’s always a good idea to research and compare to find the best option. 

Keep the following questions in mind when looking for a telemedicine provider that offers weight loss prescriptions:

Is medication actually offered—or is “access to medication” offered? Check to see if the price you’re paying includes the price of the medication or only the provider’s prescription for the medication.

Are brand-name and non-branded medications offered? If medication is included in the price of your treatment, is it brand-name medication, such as Ozempic or Rybelsus, or a non-branded drug from a licensed compounding pharmacy? More options means finding the solution that’s best for you.

Are the services you need (and only the services you need) offered? Find a telemedicine platform that offers the blend of products and services you need. Ask yourself what’s important for your provider to offer and ensure they can give it to you. Likewise, there’s no reason to pay for extra services you won’t use.

Are there any hidden or additional fees? Upfront, clear pricing for products and services is a sign of a trustworthy telemedicine provider. 

Do existing patients keep coming back? One of the best indicators of great care is that patients keep returning to the same telemedicine provider. 

Looking for a trusted online provider for weight loss care?

Telemedicine weight loss prescriptions can be a reliable, convenient option—but it’s important to choose your telemedicine site carefully. Don’t be afraid to be picky, to know exactly what is covered in the cost of care, and to get answers to all your questions before you decide on a provider.

Want to learn more? Check out our articles about medicated weight loss, or visit our weight loss treatment page to see the weight loss care options that QuickMD has to offer.

Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is the gold standard medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment—but it’s important to understand all of Suboxone’s pros and cons because it’s not the best choice for every person. Here is a guide on the pros and cons of Suboxone to help you have an informed discussion with your medical provider about which MOUD treatment is right for you.

Is Suboxone the best therapy for OUD?

Suboxone (buprenorphine-naloxone) is one of several opioid addiction treatment options—and its active drug, buprenorphine, is one of just three medications approved for treating OUD (the other two being methadone and naltrexone). 

To fully understand the benefits of taking Suboxone, you must compare it to all of the possible alternatives: 

• Taking prescribed methadone
• Taking prescribed naltrexone
• Medically supervised withdrawal (detox) followed by abstinence 
• Going cold turkey on your own (never recommended)
• Self-medicating with opioids/continuing opioid misuse (never recommended)

When you weigh the pros and cons of all these options, Suboxone usually comes out on top. That’s partly because even the cons of Suboxone are not “deal breakers” for most people with opioid use disorder (OUD).

So let’s start with the cons.

Suboxone con #1: The possible side effects 

The most common side effects of taking Suboxone are constipation, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, pain, increased sweating, and headache. Other less common side effects have also been reported, such as fatigue, dizziness, tooth decay, muscle cramps or tremors, fast heartbeat, and attention problems. The rates of these side effects, however, are lower with Suboxone compared to methadone. 

Some of these symptoms can be successfully treated with other medications or lifestyle changes, such as eating more fiber, drinking more water, and getting more sleep and regular exercise. Another strategy is to take lower doses of the medications more frequently throughout the day. For example, taking 4 mg of buprenorphine twice per day instead of 8 mg once per day. Your provider will recommend the best treatment plan for you. 

In rare cases, side effects can be caused by the naloxone component of the Suboxone. If this is the case, buprenorphine by itself (sometimes called Subutex) can be prescribed.

Suboxone con #2: The withdrawal when starting

The traditional method of starting Suboxone can be rough because you must first go into moderate opioid withdrawal before you can take your first dose of Suboxone. 

But, while this sounds awful, non-opioid drugs can be prescribed prior to starting Suboxone to help relieve the withdrawal symptoms you’re having.

Suboxone con #3: The withdrawal when stopping

Anytime someone with OUD or opioid dependency suddenly stops taking an opioid, withdrawal symptoms are bound to follow. This goes for all opioids—including prescribed Suboxone and methadone. Slowly reducing your dose (tapering off) of Suboxone with the help of a medical provider is the most effective way to stop taking Suboxone. 

If you stop taking Suboxone without tapering you are likely to develop opioid withdrawal. Severe withdrawals can cause relapse in recovery and lead to overdose, which can be deadly.

Suboxone pro #1: Cravings eliminated—or at least reduced

Suboxone attaches to the same opioid receptors that prescribed and non-prescribed opioids do—but Suboxone interacts with those receptors in a different way. As a result, Suboxone can take away your cravings without getting you high, helping you stop the cycle of opioid misuse and withdrawals.

Suboxone pro #2: Lower risk of misuse and relapse

Compared to other opioids, Suboxone has a lower risk of misuse. This is due to the unique effects of Suboxone compared to every other opioid available. Its effects on the brain and at the cellular level are different compared to all other opioids, which greatly lowers its risk for misuse.

If you quit opioids completely—even if you taper off of them slowly—your risk of returning to opioid use (relapse) is unfortunately very high. That’s because after withdrawal or detox is complete, you will likely continue facing strong cravings for opioids. Suboxone can prevent relapse by controlling cravings and helping you continue to say no to opioid misuse.

Suboxone pro #3: Cost and insurance coverage

As with most medications, the brand-name version of Suboxone is more expensive than the non-branded (generic) forms. For 1 brand-name Suboxone film with 8 mg of buprenorphine (and 2 mg of naloxone), the retail price is roughly $9.50, and only about $2.50 for the generic version. Based on pricing listed on the GoodRx website, the tablets tend to cost less than the films. 

Fortunately, most insurance providers, including Medicaid in most states, cover the cost of generic Suboxone (buprenorphine-naloxone) for OUD.

To compare prices at pharmacies in your area, visit the GoodRx Suboxone Film page and the Generic Suboxone Filmpage.

Suboxone bonus benefit #1: Medication access via telehealth

With Suboxone, there’s no need to drive to a clinic or doctor’s office to get your meds (as you generally must do to receive methadone or naltrexone). The federal government has recognized that increasing access to Suboxone is a good thing—and as a result, they allow telehealth providers who are registered with the DEA to prescribe Suboxone to patients who need it through an online virtual visit, with generally no need for an in-person consultation. There are a handful of states that do require an in-person consultation at least once a year, to continue receiving treatment via telemedicine. 

Suboxone bonus benefit #2: Ongoing research to improve Suboxone care

Millions of people have sought recovery from opioid use disorder, and continue to do so—and it’s encouraging to know that doctors and researchers are always learning new ways to improve treatment with Suboxone. 

Here are just a few examples of how Suboxone treatment continues to improve over time:

• Opioid treatment providers are pushing for better access to Suboxone—and the federal government is listening
• Researchers and medical providers continue finding better ways of starting patients on Suboxone
• Opioid treatment specialists are re-evaluating Suboxone doses for those addicted to potent opioids like fentanyl 

Suboxone bonus benefit #3: Relief from pain

People with opioid use disorder who also suffer from pain find that Suboxone can treat both. Even compared to other pain relief medications, buprenorphine has been proven to be an excellent drug for pain relief. However, telehealth prescribing of buprenorphine for pain alone is not a legal practice. Prescribing buprenorphine for patients with opioid use disorder or dependency AND pain, though, is acceptable. 

Ready to start MOUD treatment with Suboxone?

QuickMD can answer your questions about Suboxone’s pros and cons, provide counseling for opioid use disorder, and send a prescription for Suboxone or generic buprenorphine/naloxone to the pharmacy of your choice the same day as your appointment. Contact QuickMD today to start online treatment for OUD in the comfort of your home.