Weight loss shots are available from a wide range of providers, including your primary care doctor, obesity medicine specialists, telehealth platforms, and some medical spas. The quickest path for most people is scheduling an appointment with a doctor or nurse practitioner they already see, since any licensed prescriber can write a prescription for these medications.
Who Can Prescribe Weight Loss Shots
Primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, endocrinologists, cardiologists, and gastroenterologists can all prescribe injectable weight loss medications. You don’t need to see a specialist. If you have a primary care provider, that’s often the simplest starting point because they already know your health history and can evaluate whether you qualify.
Obesity medicine clinics offer a more comprehensive approach. These programs typically bring together specialists alongside dietitians, psychologists, and exercise physiologists. If you’ve struggled with weight for years or have multiple related health conditions, a dedicated weight management center may provide more structured support than a standard office visit.
Telehealth Platforms
Several telehealth companies now offer virtual consultations and can prescribe weight loss injections without an in-person visit. Teladoc Health, for example, prescribes these medications to eligible members enrolled in its weight management program when clinically appropriate. Other well-known platforms include Ro, Hims & Hers, and Calibrate, each with slightly different pricing structures and levels of ongoing support.
The convenience is real, but there are tradeoffs. Continuity of care and long-term follow-up vary significantly between platforms. Some offer regular check-ins with the same provider, while others rotate clinicians. Before signing up, find out whether the service includes ongoing monitoring of your weight, vital signs, and side effects, or if it’s essentially a one-time prescription mill.
Medical Spas and Weight Loss Clinics
Medical spas and standalone weight loss clinics have become popular access points, especially in areas where primary care wait times are long. A legitimate med spa can be a safe option, but the quality of care varies enormously. The American Med Spa Association emphasizes that the initial consultation is the most important step: the provider should perform a thorough history and physical exam, order or review labwork to screen for underlying conditions, and establish a realistic plan before prescribing anything.
Red flags to watch for include clinics that skip bloodwork, don’t ask about your medical history, or promise dramatic results on a fixed timeline. You should also verify that medications come from a certified lab or licensed pharmacy with documentation showing accreditation, lab testing, and authenticity. Clinics sourcing from unverified suppliers put you at risk for counterfeit or improperly stored products.
What You Need to Qualify
The FDA criteria for prescription weight loss injections are straightforward. You qualify if you have a BMI of 30 or higher. You also qualify with a BMI of 27 or higher if you have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. Your provider will review your health history, current medications, and in many cases order bloodwork before writing a prescription.
Some telehealth programs and insurance plans add their own requirements on top of the FDA criteria. You may need to demonstrate that you’ve already attempted lifestyle changes like diet and exercise modifications without success. Insurance companies frequently require prior authorization, which means your provider submits clinical documentation proving medical necessity before the plan agrees to cover the medication.
Which Medications Are Available
The two most widely prescribed injectable weight loss medications right now are Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide). Both are self-administered once-weekly injections under the skin, typically in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Dosages start low and increase gradually over several weeks to reduce side effects.
Zepbound, for instance, is ramped up over 4 to 20 weeks to reach a target dose. Saxenda (liraglutide) is an older daily injection that’s also FDA-approved for weight management and is available for adolescents aged 12 and older. All three require a prescription and are meant to be used alongside dietary changes and increased physical activity.
What They Cost
List prices for these medications have been a major barrier. Wegovy has carried a retail price around $1,350 per month, while Zepbound lists at roughly $1,086 per month. A recent federal pricing initiative aims to bring costs down significantly. Through the TrumpRx program, Wegovy’s price drops to $350 per month and Zepbound to an average of $346. Medicare beneficiaries will pay a copay of $50 per month under newly negotiated rates.
If you have private insurance, coverage depends heavily on your plan. Many commercial insurers now cover at least one of these medications, but prior authorization requirements are common. Manufacturer savings cards can also reduce out-of-pocket costs for commercially insured patients. If your insurance denies coverage, ask your provider about appealing the decision or switching to a covered alternative.
Watch Out for Compounded Versions
Because brand-name shots have been expensive and sometimes hard to find, compounding pharmacies have stepped in to sell custom-made versions of semaglutide and tirzepatide at lower prices. These compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, meaning they haven’t been reviewed for safety, effectiveness, or quality.
The FDA has flagged several serious concerns. Some compounded injectables have arrived warm or without adequate refrigeration, which can degrade the medication. The agency has received multiple reports of adverse events requiring hospitalization tied to dosing errors with compounded semaglutide, where patients measured incorrect doses or providers miscalculated them. Perhaps most alarming, the FDA has identified fraudulent products with fake pharmacy names on the labels, meaning the medication inside could contain anything.
If you do consider a compounded product, the FDA recommends verifying that the pharmacy is state-licensed, checking labels for warning signs like spelling errors or incorrect addresses, and never using an injectable that arrives at the wrong temperature. The safest route remains getting an FDA-approved product from a licensed retail or mail-order pharmacy.
Current Supply Situation
Semaglutide and tirzepatide injections were both in shortage for much of 2022 through 2024 due to surging demand. As of late 2024, the FDA determined that both shortages are resolved, though you may still encounter localized supply disruptions as products move through distribution channels to local pharmacies. If your pharmacy is temporarily out of stock, ask about ordering it or check with a mail-order pharmacy, which often has more consistent supply.
Some older injectable options remain harder to find. Liraglutide (Saxenda) still has limited availability for certain dosage forms, so discuss backup options with your provider if that’s the medication you’re prescribed.