How do peptides work?

Thank you for considering us to support you in your health journey. The process is simple and from start to delivery usually takes about a week.

1. Get started on our site: Complete checkout and a quick medical assessment.
2. Request review: A licensed provider reviews your assessment, typically within 24-48 hours, and prescribes if appropriate. We currently do asynchronous reviews, meaning there are no live appointments to schedule or wait for. You may chat with your provider for any clarifications.
3. Pharmacy prepares and ships: Your prescription goes to one of our partner pharmacies, who will process your order for 3-5 business days and ship it cold to your door with 1- or 2-day shipping.

For our compounded medications, yes every dose is the same price, and no, there are no hidden fees. Our pricing is based on your plan length, never your dose, and is designed to be simple and not gimmicky.

Whether you’re on a starting dose or a higher maintenance dose, your price stays the same, and it’s all-inclusive: provider review, medication, supplies, shipping, and ongoing support. There are no membership, consultation, or cancellation fees.

Longer plans come at a lower monthly rate and are paid upfront, and you can always see current pricing for every medication and plan on our site.

You’ll see GLP-1s discussed in two forms: FDA-approved branded products and compounded versions prepared by a licensed compounding pharmacy. Both contain the same active peptide, but they’re not the same product. FDA-approved branded GLP-1s have been reviewed by the FDA for safety, efficacy, and manufacturing quality. Compounded GLP-1s have not been reviewed in the same way, and the rules governing when they can be legally compounded depend on factors like FDA shortage status and clinical need that have shifted considerably over the last year.

At PreventiveMD, we offer branded GLP-1s, as well as compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide where it’s clinically appropriate and currently permitted. Your provider can explain the differences, the trade-offs, and which option fits your situation.

Peptides have been studied for decades and many are well-tolerated when prescribed and dispensed properly. That said, no medication is universally safe — it depends on the specific peptide, the dose, your medical history, and the quality of the source.

That’s why we work exclusively with licensed providers who review your full health profile before prescribing, and with state-licensed 503A pharmacies. If a peptide isn’t right for you, we’ll tell you.

Per official pharmacy guidance:

• Empower Pharmacy: stable outside refrigeration up to 7 days at 104°F, and up to 3 days at up to 140°F.
• Boudreaux’s New Drug Store: the medication can remain outside refrigeration for up to 45 days as long as it does not exceed 105°F, and should not appear cloudy when drawn into the syringe.

To prioritize your peace of mind, we’re happy to have the pharmacy’s staff call you to walk through your shipment and your concerns.

No labs are required, and we don't order them, since we're not a full replacement for a primary care provider. However, you're welcome to share any recent labs with your provider on your care portal.

Eligibility isn't decided by any single number: your provider reviews your full medical history and overall health picture, and makes an individual determination.

Common side effects vary by medication. If you experience a concerning reaction, message your care team. They respond within 24 hours, or sooner for urgent symptoms.

Many peptides sold through unregulated online sources are typically sold outside of FDA oversight and may not be third-party tested. This is distinct from peptides dispensed through compounding pharmacies which operate under federal and/or state regulatory oversight.

A quick note on GHK-Cu specifically: the topical (cream) form of GHK-Cu has long been legal and widely used in cosmetic skincare, and PreventiveMD does offer GHK-Cu cream as part of our skin and hair protocols.

The injectable form of GHK-Cu is the version currently under FDA review and is not something we offer at this time. If you’ve seen GHK-Cu sold online as an injectable, that is the form we’re referring to when we talk about investigational peptides.

We only offer therapies that are either FDA-approved or legally available through licensed compounding pharmacies under appropriate regulatory pathways. Several of these peptides are currently under FDA review (PCAC meetings July 2026 and February 2027). Until that review is complete and proper regulatory clearance is in place, we are not prescribing them.