You see celebrities raving about Ozempic for weight loss. Social feeds are packed with jaw-dropping “before and after” shots. Then, there’s that friend who swears by a weekly shot for knocking off pounds. All roads seem to point to this one drug—Ozempic. But unless you have type 2 diabetes, doctors can be picky about handing it out. Enter telehealth companies like Hers, promising modern healthcare from your living room. The burning question: can you get Ozempic through Hers? Let’s rip off the Band-Aid and look at what’s real, what’s wishful thinking, and what you should watch for before you click “order.”
Why All the Buzz About Ozempic?
Ozempic, or semaglutide, started out as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. It works by mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar but also zaps your appetite. The result? People suddenly find themselves feeling full faster, cravings take a nosedive, and weight loss follows. When the FDA greenlit Ozempic for diabetes, hardly anyone talked about it outside those circles. Then, folks noticed some serious weight loss as a “side effect”—and the hype exploded.
Everywhere you look, Ozempic stories are making headlines. Some are positive—real people shedding dozens of pounds. Others are less so—think supply shortages, unaffordable price tags, and the occasional horror story about side effects like nausea or what’s been tagged as “Ozempic face” (sudden fat loss leaving you looking gaunt). Yet, the big driver isn’t just the weight loss. It’s how the medication fits into the new trend of telemedicine—getting your prescription via a video chat in sweatpants, no in-office weigh-in required.
Here’s a quick visual for the impact Ozempic has had:
| Year | Ozempic Prescriptions Filled (USA) |
|---|---|
| 2020 | ~1.2 million |
| 2022 | ~9.4 million |
| 2024 | ~15.6 million |
Those numbers come from real US pharmacy data. That’s not a typo—prescriptions shot up more than 10x in just four years, purely from word of mouth and the viral power of TikTok and Instagram.
How Does Hers Work for Weight Loss?
Hers started out as a telehealth service focused on women’s health and wellness. They make it easy to talk to a licensed provider online about everything from birth control to skin care and anxiety. Lately, they’ve been stepping into weight loss. Here’s their pitch: you fill out a form about your health history, they pair you with a provider, and if you qualify, you get a prescription for a weight loss medication, delivered discreetly to your door—no awkward conversations, no waiting rooms.
But here’s the kicker: as of July 2025, Hers does not offer Ozempic (semaglutide) itself. They’re upfront about it on their official site and in customer communications. Instead, Hers focuses on a few alternatives. The most popular is oral medications like bupropion and naltrexone (marketed as a combo), or metformin for people with prediabetes or insulin resistance. Occasionally, you’ll see GLP-1 agonists pop up as options, but these are usually “generic GLP-1s,” often compounded or not semaglutide specifically.
So why the switch? It’s mostly about accessibility and legal hurdles. Ozempic is in super-high demand, and insurance rarely covers it for anyone who isn’t diabetic. Hers can’t just prescribe what’s hard to source or what could get them flagged by regulators. Instead, they stick with what’s both effective and easier to provide online, backed by their in-house medical team.
Think you’ll get a weekly Ozempic pen after a quick survey? Not happening. Instead, you might walk away with an option like:
- Bupropion-naltrexone tablets (used for cravings and appetite suppression)
- Low-dose metformin
- Dietitian and health coach guidance
- Behavioral modification tips (by text or virtual check-ins)
But everything depends on your health history. If your BMI is under 30, or you have certain heart conditions, you'll have to look elsewhere, or you’ll get advice for lifestyle tweaks instead.
What About Compounded Semaglutide? Can Hers Offer This?
This is the wild west of the weight loss world. With official, name-brand Ozempic and Wegovy constantly out of stock or mind-blowingly expensive, some people turn to “compounded” versions from specialty pharmacies. Compounded semaglutide isn’t FDA-approved, and quality can be a wild card. Hers, being a mainstream telehealth platform (and heavily watched by regulators), has avoided getting into this game—for good reason. Compounded drugs have triggered headlines for all the wrong reasons, from unexpected side effects to plain old product failures.
The FDA has even warned the public about risks since 2023. When Bella—my dog—needs prescription meds, I’d never gamble with off-brand sources. The same logic holds here. Hers stays away from compounded semaglutide, sticking to medications with a long record of safe telehealth prescribing. If you run across a telehealth site promising the “real Ozempic” shipped via express mail with zero paperwork? Run, don’t walk, in the other direction.
To give you a clearer sense of what’s actually available, check this table:
| Medication Name | Is Offered by Hers? | FDA Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ozempic (semaglutide) | No | Approved for Type 2 diabetes only |
| Wegovy (semaglutide) | No | Approved for chronic weight management, but rare via telehealth |
| Bupropion-naltrexone | Yes | Approved for weight loss as Contrave combo |
| Metformin | Yes | Approved for diabetes, sometimes used off-label |
For those hoping to get the “magic shot” with a few clicks, it’s disappointing news. But at least you’re not left guessing after reading through pages of fine print.
How Does the Ozempic Prescription Process Work, Online and Offline?
The Ozempic process is stricter than you may think. If you walk into your local doctor’s office and ask for Ozempic just for weight loss, you’ll probably get a polite ‘no’ unless you have a diabetes diagnosis or a BMI of 30+. Even then, insurance may toss out your claim. With telehealth, it’s almost the same. Hers and similar companies require you to fill an extensive questionnaire about your health, goals, and any prior medications. There’s always a live video or phone consult with a real provider. If you say you want to use it just to lose 10 pounds for vacation, expect a recommendation to try diet and exercise first.
But doctors know the demand. If your health profile fits what Ozempic is designed for—especially poorly managed type 2 diabetes—you might get a script from an in-person endocrinologist or specialized obesity clinic. Folks lucky enough to snag Ozempic for weight loss usually go through official channels, which sometimes include:
- Evidence of a certain BMI (usually over 30 or 27 with other health risks)
- Bloodwork and A1C checks
- Ongoing appointments every 1-3 months to monitor side effects
- Documentation of diet and exercise efforts
- Sometimes, documentation that alternatives have been tried and failed
Telehealth companies like Hers cut out some waiting and paperwork, but can’t bend the rules entirely. So, if you’re wondering whether you can cut corners through an online service, the answer’s almost always no—unless there’s a solid medical reason.
And get this—Ozempic isn’t risk-free. It can trigger side effects like severe nausea, vomiting, pancreatitis, and even impacts on mood or digestion. Doctors prescribing it (online or face-to-face) walk through all these risks. That’s why video consults, not just online forms, are standard for these scripts.
Smart Alternatives to Consider if Hers Doesn’t Offer Ozempic
Let’s be honest—weight loss is tough. Ozempic shook up the diet industry because, for lots of people, willpower isn’t enough. If you’re chasing the effect of Ozempic but can’t get it through Hers, don’t get discouraged. You have legit options.
- Prescription combos: Bupropion and naltrexone (sold as Contrave) have been shown in real-world studies to cut weight by 5-10% over six months, especially in combo with health coaching. Hers offers this option for qualifying users.
- Metformin: Originally used for diabetes, but now popular for weight loss in folks with insulin resistance, PCOS, or prediabetes. Hers may prescribe this if you qualify.
- GLP-1 alternatives: Some telehealth clinics (not Hers as of July 2025) work with generics or compounded GLP-1 medications. Just be careful and make sure the pharmacy is legit.
- Lifestyle programs: If you’re not a match for meds, Hers often pairs users with a dietitian or health coach. The accountability is underrated—people losing weight often credit weekly check-ins over medication alone.
- In-person clinics: Endocrinologists, obesity medicine specialists, or bariatric doctors are best for complex cases. They’re also more likely to walk you through insurance steps and appeals if Ozempic is medically appropriate.
Here’s a pro tip: Always check your provider’s credentials. Scams are everywhere, especially when it comes to trending drugs. Never order any injectable medications or compounded meds online without verifying the pharmacy’s certification on the FDA’s database.
And don’t forget—weight loss is a long game. The healthiest, most lasting changes come from stacking small improvements: real food, regular movement (even if it’s just dog-walking—I get most of my steps chasing Bella), quality sleep, and whatever medical support fits your life. Medications help, but the rest matters just as much.
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