FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Everything you need to know about Elara's physician-guided GLP-1 weight loss programs.
General
Elara is a fully virtual, physician-guided wellness platform. Start by completing a free 5-minute health assessment. A board-certified physician typically reviews your profile within one business day. If approved, your physician creates a personalized protocol based on your labs and clinical history. Compounded medications are prepared by a state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacy and shipped to your door. You meet with a certified health coach every three weeks and can message your care team between sessions through our secure platform.
No. All physician consultations, coaching sessions, and care team communications happen virtually through our secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. Labs are completed at your nearest Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp location.
After your physician approves your protocol and your labs are reviewed, medication typically ships within 5-7 business days. Monthly refills ship automatically.
No. Elara is a transparent cash-pay program. Your subscription covers everything including medication, physician visits, labs, and coaching. No insurance claims, no prior authorizations, no surprise bills.
Telehealth services are available in all 50 states and DC, subject to change based on individual state regulations. During your assessment, your address determines whether your state is currently served. If your state is not currently supported, you will not be charged.
If a board-certified physician determines you are not clinically appropriate for compounded GLP-1 therapy, you will not be charged. There is no cost to complete the health assessment, and no charge if your physician determines this is not the right fit for your health profile.
Yes. You can cancel anytime by contacting your care team. Monthly subscribers can cancel with no fee. For longer-term plans (quarterly, semi-annual, or annual), early cancellation reconciles your account to the applicable shorter-term rate based on months already used — there are no exit penalties or long-term contracts.
GLP-1 Medications
Compounded semaglutide is a medication prepared by a state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacy under state pharmacy board oversight, pursuant to a patient-specific prescription issued by a board-certified physician following clinical evaluation. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved as finished drug products; they are prepared on a per-patient basis by licensed compounders rather than manufactured at scale.
FDA-approved brand-name versions are manufactured by pharmaceutical companies and have been reviewed by the FDA for safety, efficacy, and quality as finished drug products. Compounded semaglutide is prepared by a state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacy on a per-patient basis and is not FDA-approved. Compounded medications are not interchangeable with their FDA-approved counterparts and have not undergone the FDA review process. Your physician will determine whether compounded therapy is clinically appropriate for you.
Compounded GLP-1 therapy is not appropriate for everyone. Your board-certified physician reviews your full health history, current medications, and labs to determine whether treatment is clinically appropriate. Like all medications, GLP-1 therapy carries potential side effects, most commonly gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Your physician manages side effects through careful dose titration and ongoing monitoring. Individual response varies, and results are not guaranteed.
GLP-1 medications are contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). Your physician will also evaluate other contraindications, drug interactions, and risk factors during your clinical review. Discuss your full medical and family history honestly with your physician before starting therapy.
Yes. Elara offers both injectable (once weekly) and oral (daily tablet) formulations. Your physician will recommend the best option based on your preferences, health profile, and clinical needs. You can switch between formats with physician guidance.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist that activates two complementary metabolic pathways, while semaglutide targets GLP-1 receptors only. Compounded tirzepatide is prepared by a state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacy under state pharmacy board oversight, pursuant to a patient-specific prescription issued by a board-certified physician. Compounded tirzepatide is not FDA-approved as a finished drug product.
Semaglutide targets GLP-1 receptors only. Tirzepatide targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, providing dual-pathway metabolic support. Your physician will recommend which medication is most appropriate for your specific health profile and goals.
Yes, with physician guidance. Your prescribing physician can transition your protocol based on your clinical response, tolerance, and goals.
Labs & Monitoring
Your physician typically orders a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), lipid panel, HbA1c, and thyroid function tests. Additional tests may be ordered based on your health history. All labs are included in your subscription.
Labs are typically completed quarterly (every three months). Your physician may request additional labs based on your individual needs and response to treatment.
Labs are completed at any Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp location near you. Both networks have thousands of locations nationwide.
Health Coaching
Your health coach works with you on nutrition, fitness, stress management, sleep optimization, and treatment milestones. Coaching is personalized to your goals and lifestyle. Your coach works alongside your physician to ensure your lifestyle supports your clinical protocol.
You meet with your dedicated certified health coach every three weeks via secure video or phone call. Between sessions, you can message your care team through our secure platform.
Pricing & Billing
Your subscription covers compounded medication, physician visits, metabolic labs, certified health coaching, and ongoing care team support — all in one transparent monthly price. There are no enrollment fees, no separate lab fees, and no hidden charges.
Elara is a transparent cash-pay program with one monthly subscription that covers everything: compounded medication, physician care, metabolic labs, and health coaching. Pricing varies by medication and billing frequency. Longer-term billing terms (quarterly, semi-annual, annual) offer reduced monthly rates. See our pricing page for current rates by plan.
We accept all major credit and debit cards. HSA and FSA cards may also be accepted. Payment is processed securely through our HIPAA-compliant platform.
Safety & Compliance
Elara works with state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacy partners that operate under state pharmacy board oversight: RedRock Pharmacy (Utah), Health Warehouse (Kentucky), Precision Compounding Pharmacy (New York), and Triad Rx (Alabama). Each pharmacy follows quality control, sterility, and patient-specific compounding standards required by their state's pharmacy board.
Yes. All Elara physicians are board-certified and licensed in your state. Your physician oversees your entire treatment protocol, reviews your labs, and adjusts your plan based on your clinical response.
Yes. Elara uses a fully encrypted, HIPAA-compliant platform for all patient communications, medical records, and payment processing.
Still have questions?
Take the free assessment and a physician will review your profile, or contact our care team directly.
Important regulatory information. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are prepared by state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacies under state pharmacy board oversight, pursuant to a patient-specific prescription issued by a board-certified physician following clinical evaluation. These medications are not FDA-approved as finished drug products.
Telehealth services are available in all 50 states and DC, subject to change based on state regulations. Elara Health and Wellness works with the following 503A partner pharmacies: RedRock Pharmacy (St. George, UT), Health Warehouse (Florence, KY), Precision Compounding Pharmacy (Bellmore, NY), and Triad Rx (Daphne, AL).
Wegovy®, Ozempic®, Rybelsus®, Mounjaro®, and Zepbound® are registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers and are not affiliated with Elara Health and Wellness.
Contraindications. GLP-1 medications are contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). Discuss your full medical and family history with your physician before starting therapy. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed.
Still have questions? See our Trust & Verification page for who operates Elara, where medication comes from, and how to verify each claim independently.