<section class="ondra-article-page"> <div class="ondra-article-hero"> <div class="ondra-article-container"> <div class="ondra-article-meta-row"><span class="ondra-meta-pill">⏱ 7 min read</span><span class="ondra-meta-pill">Updated July 2026</span></div> <h1 class="ondra-article-title">Before You Start a GLP-1: What to Expect, What to Ask, and How to Prepare</h1> <p class="ondra-article-intro">Starting a GLP-1 medication like compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide raises a lot of questions before day one. What happens during the online visit? What should you tell your provider? What should you have ready at home? This guide walks through what to expect before your first dose, so you go in prepared rather than guessing. Whether treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made by a licensed provider.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ondra-article-container ondra-article-body"> <div class="ondra-article-layout" id="ondraArticleLayout"> <div class="ondra-article-main" id="ondraArticleMain"> <a href="/blog" class="ondra-back-link">← Back to all articles</a> <div class="ondra-takeaways-card"> <h2 class="ondra-card-heading">Key takeaways</h2> <div class="ondra-takeaway-item"><span class="ondra-check"><svg width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" fill="none"><circle cx="8" cy="8" r="7" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.4"/><path d="M4.5 8.5L6.5 10.5L11.5 5.5" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.5" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/></svg></span><p>Give your provider a complete health history and full medication list — that's what lets them make a safe decision for you.</p></div> <div class="ondra-takeaway-item"><span class="ondra-check"><svg width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" fill="none"><circle cx="8" cy="8" r="7" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.4"/><path d="M4.5 8.5L6.5 10.5L11.5 5.5" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.5" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/></svg></span><p>You start at the lowest dose and titrate up gradually. This is intentional — it gives your body time to adjust.</p></div> <div class="ondra-takeaway-item"><span class="ondra-check"><svg width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" fill="none"><circle cx="8" cy="8" r="7" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.4"/><path d="M4.5 8.5L6.5 10.5L11.5 5.5" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.5" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/></svg></span><p>With Ondra, you're only charged if a licensed provider approves treatment.</p></div> </div> <div class="ondra-section"> <h2>What happens during the online visit?</h2> <p>You complete a health assessment covering your medical history, current medications, and weight-loss goals. A licensed provider at Wasef Health, PC reviews your answers and decides whether treatment is appropriate for you. If they need more information, they'll message you through the patient portal before making a decision.</p> <div class="ondra-info-card"> <p class="ondra-info-title">What to have ready</p> <p>Your current height and weight, a complete list of medications and supplements you take (including doses), your relevant medical history, and any past experience with GLP-1 medications. The more complete your answers, the faster your review moves — incomplete information is the most common cause of delay.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ondra-section"> <h2>What should I tell my provider?</h2> <p>Everything relevant, even if it seems minor. That includes every medication and supplement you take, any history of thyroid conditions or pancreatitis, whether you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, any prior GLP-1 use and how you tolerated it, and any other conditions you're managing.</p> <p>Your provider is making a clinical decision about your safety. Leaving something out doesn't improve your chances of approval — it just makes the decision less informed. If you're unsure whether something matters, include it and let the provider decide.</p> </div> <div class="ondra-section"> <h2>Am I a candidate for GLP-1 treatment?</h2> <p>That's a decision only a licensed provider can make, based on your individual health profile. Not everyone is a candidate, and being told no isn't a penalty — it means a clinician determined the medication wasn't appropriate for you based on what you shared. Because Ondra only charges on provider approval, you aren't billed for medication if you aren't approved.</p> </div> <div class="ondra-section"> <h2>What will it cost?</h2> <p>Ondra prices flat across all doses — your price doesn't increase as your dose goes up. Compounded semaglutide is $149 per month, or $339 per quarter (as low as $113 per month). Compounded tirzepatide is $219 per month, or $549 per quarter (as low as $183 per month). Starter Packs are $249 for semaglutide or $399 for tirzepatide for your first 3 months.</p> <p>Every plan includes your provider consultation, medication, supplies, and free shipping, with no membership fee. You're only charged if a provider approves treatment.</p> </div> <div class="ondra-section"> <h2>What should I have ready at home?</h2> <p>Refrigerator space for your medication, which needs to stay cold. A sharps container or safe disposal plan for used needles. A consistent day of the week you'll use as your injection day. And realistic expectations: this is a gradual process that starts at a low dose and builds.</p> <p>It also helps to think ahead about food and hydration. Many patients find their appetite drops noticeably, which makes protein and water intake something to be deliberate about rather than assume.</p> </div> <div class="ondra-section"> <h2>Frequently asked questions</h2> <div class="ondra-faq-item"><h3>What happens during the Ondra online visit?</h3><p>You complete a health assessment covering your medical history, current medications, and goals. A licensed provider at Wasef Health, PC reviews your answers and determines whether treatment is appropriate. If they need more information, they'll message you through the patient portal before deciding.</p></div> <div class="ondra-faq-item"><h3>What should I tell my provider before starting a GLP-1?</h3><p>Share everything relevant: all medications and supplements with doses, any history of thyroid conditions or pancreatitis, whether you're pregnant or planning to be, prior GLP-1 use and how you tolerated it, and other conditions you're managing. If you're unsure whether something matters, include it and let the provider decide.</p></div> <div class="ondra-faq-item"><h3>Am I a candidate for GLP-1 treatment?</h3><p>Only a licensed provider can determine that, based on your individual health profile. Not everyone is a candidate. If you aren't approved, it means a clinician decided the medication wasn't appropriate for you — and because Ondra only charges on approval, you aren't billed for medication.</p></div> <div class="ondra-faq-item"><h3>How much does treatment cost through Ondra?</h3><p>Pricing is flat across all doses. Compounded semaglutide is $149/month or $339/quarter (as low as $113/month). Compounded tirzepatide is $219/month or $549/quarter (as low as $183/month). Starter Packs are $249 (semaglutide) or $399 (tirzepatide) for the first 3 months. Plans include consultation, medication, supplies, and free shipping, with no membership fee.</p></div> <div class="ondra-faq-item"><h3>What should I prepare at home before my first dose?</h3><p>Refrigerator space for your medication, a sharps container or safe needle disposal plan, and a consistent weekly injection day. It also helps to plan ahead for protein and hydration, since appetite often drops noticeably.</p></div> </div> <p class="ondra-disclaimer">† This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Ondra Health is a telehealth platform, not a medical provider, and does not prescribe or compound medication. This content does not establish a provider-patient relationship or replace personalized guidance from a licensed professional. Whether any GLP-1 treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made by a licensed provider based on your individual health. Prescriptions are issued by licensed providers at Wasef Health, PC, an independent practice. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are not reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality before marketing. Pricing is current as of publication and subject to change. Individual results vary.</p> </div> <aside class="ondra-article-sidebar" id="ondraSidebarCol"> <div class="ondra-sidebar-track" id="ondraSidebarTrack"> <div class="ondra-sidebar-card-wrap" id="ondraSidebarWrap"> <div class="ondra-sidebar-card" id="ondraSidebarCard"> <div class="ondra-sidebar-top"> <p class="ondra-sidebar-eyebrow">ONDRA HEALTH</p> <h3>Ready to get started?</h3> </div> <div class="ondra-sidebar-bottom"> <div class="ondra-sidebar-item"><span>✔</span><p>Provider-reviewed GLP-1 treatment from $113/mo</p></div> <div class="ondra-sidebar-item"><span>✔</span><p>Flat pricing across all doses, shipping included</p></div> <div class="ondra-sidebar-item"><span>✔</span><p>Only charged if a provider approves treatment</p></div> <div class="ondra-sidebar-item"><span>✔</span><p>Ongoing provider support</p></div> <a href="https://intake.ondra.health/start-online-visit/glp1" class="ondra-sidebar-button">Start your intake <span aria-hidden="true">→</span></a> <p class="ondra-sidebar-note">Only charged if a provider approves your treatment.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </aside> </div> </div> </section> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What happens during the Ondra online visit?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"You complete a health assessment covering your medical history, current medications, and goals. 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