How to Start GLP-1 Treatment at Ondra Health: What to Expect at Every Step
Starting GLP-1 treatment should not feel like navigating fine print. This is a plain-English walkthrough of every step — what you fill out, who reviews it, how your medication gets to you, and what happens after that.
Key takeaways
The intake takes about 3 minutes. There is no video call required in most states.
You are not charged until a licensed provider at Wasef Health, PC reviews your intake and approves treatment.
Ondra names its compounding pharmacy partners publicly — you can see which ones serve your state before you start.
Shipping is free, and most patients receive their first shipment within a few business days of approval.
Before you start: check your state
The specific compounding pharmacy that fills your prescription varies by state, and availability can change. Before you complete your intake, you can check which pharmacy partners serve your state and what formulation options are available using the state availability finder. This is worth doing first — it means you know where your medication comes from before you commit to anything.
Step 1: Complete the intake (about 3 minutes)
The intake is a short health questionnaire — not a booking form, and not a subscription sign-up. It is the clinical information a licensed provider needs to evaluate whether GLP-1 treatment is appropriate for you.
What the intake covers
Your height, weight, and BMI. Current medications and relevant medical history. Any personal or family history of conditions that are contraindications for GLP-1 treatment — medullary thyroid carcinoma, MEN2 syndrome, history of pancreatitis, or severe gastrointestinal conditions. Weight history and previous treatment attempts. Your goals for treatment.
There is no video call required in most states. The intake is asynchronous — you complete it at your own pace and a provider reviews it on their end. No payment is collected at this stage.
Step 2: Provider review by Wasef Health, PC
Your intake is reviewed by a licensed provider at Wasef Health, PC — an independent medical practice, not Ondra Health itself. Ondra is the platform that connects you with these providers; all clinical decisions, prescriptions, and treatment plans are made by the provider, not by Ondra.
The provider evaluates your eligibility, checks for contraindications, and determines a starting dose and titration schedule appropriate for your individual profile. If they need clarification on anything in your intake, they will follow up via secure message. Typical review time is under 24 hours. If you are not approved for treatment, you are not charged.
General eligibility criteria
BMI of 30 or higher (obesity), or BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related condition — such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or obstructive sleep apnea. Age 18 or older. No personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 syndrome. Not currently pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Eligibility is always determined individually by your provider — this list does not substitute for a clinical evaluation.
Step 3: Your prescription is routed to a pharmacy
Once your provider issues a prescription, it is sent to one of Ondra's named, state-licensed compounding pharmacy partners based on your state of residence, the medication prescribed, and your formulation preferences.
Ondra's pharmacy partners
Hallandale Pharmacy (503A) — Semaglutide + Tirzepatide, no additives.
Boudreaux's New Drug Store (503A) — Semaglutide + Tirzepatide, with Glycine.
Vials RX (503A) — Semaglutide + Tirzepatide, with B12 and Glycine.
White Label / Nova Pharmacy (503A + 503B) — Tirzepatide only. Not available in CA or PR.
Apothecary Pharma (503B) — Tirzepatide only, no additives.
Availability varies by state and is subject to change — check the state availability finder for current information.
A 503A pharmacy prepares medications for individual patients based on a specific prescription. A 503B pharmacy is a federally registered outsourcing facility operating under FDA oversight. Both are licensed; neither produces FDA-approved finished products. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are not reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing quality. You can see current partner details at ondra.health/pharmacy-partners.
Step 4: Delivery
Medication is shipped directly from the pharmacy to your address. Shipping is free. Most first orders arrive within a few business days of prescription approval, depending on the pharmacy's location relative to your state and carrier timelines. Your medication will arrive cold-packed and should be transferred to the refrigerator promptly on arrival. Storage instructions are included with your shipment — follow those, and contact support if anything about the packaging or temperature looks wrong.
Supplies for injection are included with your order. You do not need to source these separately.
Step 5: Starting your first injection
All patients start at the lowest dose for their medication — 0.25mg weekly for semaglutide, 2.5mg weekly for tirzepatide. These are tolerability doses, not therapeutic doses. The goal in the first 4 weeks is to let your body adjust before the dose increases. Do not expect dramatic appetite suppression or weight loss at the starter dose — that is not what it is designed to produce.
If you have never self-injected before, subcutaneous injection is simpler than most people anticipate, and instructions are included with your medication. Your provider is available via secure message at any point if you have questions about your first dose.
Injection site options
Abdomen (commonly preferred — largest surface area, easiest to access). Upper thigh. Upper arm. Rotate sites each week rather than injecting in exactly the same spot every time. Your provider or the instructions included with your medication can walk you through technique.
Ongoing care: what happens after the first order
GLP-1 treatment is not a one-time transaction. Dose titration, side effect management, and occasional clinical check-ins are all part of treatment over months. At Ondra Health, all of this happens through secure messaging with your Wasef Health provider — not through a separate support chat, and not through an algorithm.
Refills are processed through the same pharmacy that filled your first prescription. Pricing is flat across all dose levels — your cost does not increase as your dose increases. See the pricing guide for the full breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get started at Ondra Health?
The intake takes about 3 minutes. Provider review typically occurs within 24 hours of submission. Once approved, your prescription is sent to the pharmacy and your first order typically arrives within a few business days, depending on provider review timing and shipping.
Do I need a video call to get started?
In most states, no — Ondra uses an asynchronous telehealth model, meaning you complete the intake and a provider reviews it without a real-time video consultation. Some states require a synchronous evaluation by law; your intake flow will reflect any state-specific requirements.
What if I am not approved?
If a provider at Wasef Health, PC determines that treatment is not clinically appropriate for you, you will not be charged. Approval is not guaranteed — the provider makes an independent clinical determination based on your individual intake. Reasons for non-approval can include contraindications (history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, MEN2 syndrome, pancreatitis, pregnancy) or a health profile that does not meet eligibility criteria.
Which GLP-1 medication will I be prescribed?
Your provider recommends a medication based on your clinical profile, health history, and goals. Eligible patients may be prescribed compounded semaglutide or compounded tirzepatide, depending on that assessment and on availability in your state. In clinical trials of the FDA-approved brand-name products, tirzepatide produced greater average weight loss than semaglutide — that trial data applies to the branded products, not to compounded versions, which have not been studied in equivalent trials. See the semaglutide vs tirzepatide guide for a full comparison.
Is my information secure?
Yes. Ondra Health's intake and patient communication systems are HIPAA-compliant. Your health information is used to facilitate your clinical evaluation and treatment — it is not sold to third-party marketers. See the HIPAA policy and privacy policy for full detail.
† This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved, are not reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing quality, and are not therapeutically equivalent to brand-name products including Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, or Zepbound®. All prescribing decisions are made solely by licensed providers at Wasef Health, PC based on individual clinical evaluation. Eligibility is not guaranteed. Pharmacy partners, availability, and pricing are subject to change — see ondra.health/blog/ondra-health-pricing for current rates and the state availability finder for current availability. Wegovy®, Ozempic® are trademarks of Novo Nordisk. Mounjaro®, Zepbound® are trademarks of Eli Lilly. Ondra Health is not affiliated with either company.