Reference · plain-English definitions
The GLP-1 glossary: every term this site uses, defined in plain English
Twenty-four terms, one honest sentence-or-three each, linked to the page that goes deep. Every board and file on this site assumes these.
Molecules and brands
GLP-1 receptor agonist — a medication class mimicking the gut hormone GLP-1: appetite down, gastric emptying slowed, insulin response improved. Semaglutide — the GLP-1 in Wegovy (weight), Ozempic (T2D), and Rybelsus (oral, T2D); ~15% average trial loss (context). Tirzepatide — dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist in Zepbound (weight, plus the OSA indication) and Mounjaro (T2D); ~20% average trial loss. Orforglipron / Foundayo — the first small-molecule GLP-1 pill (approved April 2026), no food/water rules (file). CagriSema — semaglutide plus the amylin analog cagrilintide; filed December 2025, not approved (status). Retatrutide — triple agonist in late-stage development; not approved (tracker).
Compounding and legality
Compounded medication — a pharmacy-prepared formulation using the same active ingredient as a brand drug for a specific patient’s prescription; not FDA-approved as a finished drug — the certificate line on every page here. 503A pharmacy — a state-licensed pharmacy compounding patient-specific prescriptions; the lane most telehealth programs use (decoded). 503B outsourcing facility — an FDA-registered facility compounding at scale under cGMP. COA — certificate of analysis: the batch-level lab report worth asking for (how to read one). Research-chemical site — no prescription, no pharmacy, no legal patient lane; the disqualifier category (the filter).
Money mechanics
Dose-tier pricing — the monthly price climbs with your dose; the reason “from $99” and “$449 at maintenance” coexist in one table row. Dose-proof / flat pricing — one price at every dose; the structure the audited floor runs on. Teaser price — the lowest-dose “from” figure marketing leads with; never budget on it. True twelve-month cost — this site’s ranking metric: maintenance dose times twelve, from a verified checkout. Prepay lock-in — multi-month payment for a discount, with refund terms that decide everything (taxonomy). Negative option / auto-ship — billing that continues until you cancel (your rights). Audited / on-record / pending — our evidence tiers: checkout walked and dated, then published price captured, then claimed-but-unverified — never ranked above verified.
Coverage machinery
Prior authorization (PA) — insurer pre-approval requiring documentation; where coverage is won or lost (playbook). Formulary — your plan’s covered-drug list and tiers. Medicare GLP-1 Bridge — the $50/month federal pilot (July 2026–December 2027, BMI tiers) for Wegovy, the Zepbound KwikPen, and Foundayo (decoder). TrumpRx — the federal cash-discount portal launched January 2026. EPSDT — the Medicaid children’s benefit standard under which under-21 requests can be reviewed even where adult coverage ended. Letter of medical necessity — clinician documentation supporting coverage, appeals, or HSA/FSA eligibility (anatomy).
Clinical shorthand
Titration — the scheduled dose climb that manages side effects. Maintenance dose — where you stabilize — and the only dose worth pricing. GI adverse effects — the class-leading side effects (nausea, constipation, reflux); manageable, prescriber territory. Discontinuation regain — the well-documented weight-return pattern after stopping (stopping well).