Hims is a US-based telehealth company that provides various online prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and personal care products. As part of Hims & Hers Health, a publicly-traded company (NYSE: HIMS) founded in 2017, Hims addresses health problems for men through Hims.com and for women through ForHers.com. Hims offers several health and wellness products, with some customers appreciating the effectiveness of certain items like their anti-aging moisturizer. However, numerous complaints center on ineffective products, poor customer service, shipping delays, and difficulty in canceling orders or subscriptions. Some customers had adverse side effects and questionable ingredients in the products.
Today, Hims provides a variety of medications and treatment options for men seeking to lose weight. Hims’ weight loss plans start at $79 per month and are available without insurance. Unlike other weight loss pharmacies, Hims’ medication is not injectable, with the exception of their new semaglutide offering.
Getting Started with Hims for Weight Loss
To begin your weight loss journey with Hims, you can follow these steps:
- Complete the Hims Medical Intake Form: Answer questions about your health history, lifestyle, and goals 100% online.
- Wait for Provider Evaluation: A medical professional reviews your intake form and determines the right course of action for you.
- Receive a Personalized Plan: No in-person visit is required, and you don’t need insurance.
Hims aims to make it easy for men to get weight loss medication to suppress appetite, burn fat, and achieve long-term weight loss results. Hims can help with weight loss by providing the custom treatment plans, prescription medication, and over-the-counter products you need to achieve significant weight loss results.
How Hims Approaches Weight Loss
Hims takes a practical approach to weight loss, offering “prescription weight loss treatment designed to fit you,” including FDA-approved medications proven to work. Here are some of the ways Hims helps with weight loss:
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- Science-Backed Medication: Hims offers science-backed weight loss medication, avoiding restrictive diets or magic supplements.
- Address Underlying Factors: Hims develops custom treatment plans to address underlying factors preventing weight loss.
- Improve Health: Hims aims to improve overall health, noting that healthy weight loss may help reduce the risk of certain medical conditions.
- Build a Weight Loss Profile: Hims uses a health profile to ask questions about your weight loss goals, past efforts, and family history, then calculates your score to determine your habits.
- Ongoing Support and Dosage Changes: Hims provides ongoing support, checking in to verify the medication is working as intended and adjusting the dose if necessary. You access this ongoing care 100% online and at no additional cost.
Weight Loss Medications Available Through Hims
Hims currently offers five weight loss medications, including Bupropion, Metformin, Topiramate, vitamin B12, and Naltrexone, as well as a compounded injectable semaglutide. Here’s how these medications work:
- Bupropion: Bupropion is an FDA-approved treatment for major depressive disorder, often prescribed off-label for obesity. A 2001 trial published in Obesity Research found Bupropion facilitates weight loss. Common side effects include anxiety, insomnia, and nervousness.
- Metformin: Metformin is an FDA-approved medication for controlling blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. Physicians may also prescribe it for weight loss and appetite control. Studies show people with diabetes prescribed Metformin tend to lose 2% to 3% of their body weight within the first year.
- Topiramate: Hims offers a compounded version of Topiramate, created at a compounding pharmacy to suit your physiological profile. Compounded Topiramate is not FDA-approved but is made from FDA-approved ingredients.
- Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 can help with vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause tiredness and hinder weight loss. Some studies suggest vitamin B12 boosts metabolism. Some Hims medications are compounded formulas with vitamin B12 and weight loss medication, helping to correct vitamin B12 deficiency while promoting weight loss in other ways. Some take vitamin B12 injections to lose weight.
- Naltrexone: Hims offers a compounded version of Naltrexone, customized to your unique physiology by a compounding pharmacy. Multiple studies have shown Naltrexone is safe and effective for weight loss in adult patients.
- Semaglutide: Hims & Hers now offers an injectable weight loss drug with the same active ingredient (semaglutide) as Novo Nordisk’s popular brand-name injectables Ozempic and Wegovy-at an 85% discount.
What Makes Hims Unique?
Hims distinguishes itself from competing providers through several features:
- Doctor-Trusted Medications: A licensed provider reviews your profile and determines the best medications for your goals.
- Includes Ongoing Support: All Hims customers enjoy ongoing support and can get answers to questions at any time.
- Developed in Partnership with Industry Specialists: Hims developed its weight loss programs with certified professionals with decades of weight loss expertise.
- 360-Degree Weight Loss Care: Hims offers 360-degree weight loss care, including nutritional principles, behavioral programs, and custom lessons in the Hims app.
- Compounded Medication with Multiple Drugs in One: Many Hims customers use compounded weight loss drugs featuring a blend of medications for targeted effects.
- Assisted by App: Hims provides in-app tools and tracking to help you stick to your weight loss plan.
- Support Better Sleep: Hims aims to support sleep, as hormone production during sleep can influence weight loss results.
- No Injections (Primarily): You can lose weight without injections with help from Hims, with the exception of their new semaglutide offering.
Reviews and Customer Feedback
Hims is one of the internet’s best-known telehealth companies and online medication providers. The company has thousands of reviews from men across the United States who have successfully lost weight using Hims medication and over-the-counter solutions.
Reddit communities tend to have good reviews for Hims, finding the company’s weight loss medications worked as advertised to provide significant results with minimal hassle. One Redditor claims he lost 10lbs in just under a month while taking a combination of Bupropion, Metformin, Naltrexone, and Topiramate prescribed by Hims.
Many customers have praised Hims for its ease of use. Complete an online quiz to build your health profile, then get the weight loss medication and treatment program you need to achieve powerful results. Many customers are also satisfied with the price they paid with Hims.
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Hims customers also tend to have good things to say about the medications they received. Instead of receiving one type of weight loss medication, for example, many people take compounded weight loss medication with multiple active drugs, helping them lose weight more effectively in various ways.
Hims’ weight loss programs have also attracted attention from major media. For example, the Los Angeles Times praised Hims for offering competitively-priced weight loss plans.
Examples of Customer Experiences:
- One customer reported extreme hair loss and advised caution, suggesting that the product seemed to take all the hair away to bring in new hairs dependent on the treatment.
- Another customer had a horrible experience with customer service, receiving the prescription for someone else and being unable to get a refund.
- One customer warned of significant side effects, mentioning that a compound they suggested contained Prozac and had the opposite effect, causing an inability to achieve an erection or orgasm.
- One customer reported ordering weight loss products and being charged $690 without speaking to a doctor, then facing difficulties in canceling the order and receiving a refund.
- One customer expressed excitement about the medications, reporting significant weight loss and praising the medical team’s responsiveness and helpfulness.
Potential Downsides and Considerations
Despite the positive reviews, it’s important to consider potential downsides:
- Compounded Medications: Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, raising concerns about quality and consistency.
- Side Effects: Some users have reported significant side effects from Hims medications.
- Customer Service Issues: Several reviews mention poor customer service, shipping delays, and difficulties canceling subscriptions.
- Cost: While some find Hims affordable, the costs can add up, especially with ongoing subscriptions.
- Effectiveness: Some customers have reported that the products simply did not work for them.
Alternatives to Hims
When considering weight loss programs, it's essential to evaluate all available options. Here's how Hims compares to some of its competitors:
- Hims vs. Found vs. Roman: These telehealth companies offer similar services, including online consultations and prescription medications for weight loss. It's important to compare the specific treatment options, costs, and customer reviews of each platform.
- Traditional Healthcare Providers: Visiting a doctor and nutritionist can provide a more personalized and comprehensive approach to weight loss. This option may be preferable for individuals with complex medical histories or those who prefer in-person consultations.
The Role of Compounded Drugs
It’s essential to understand what compounded drugs are and their implications for weight loss treatments.
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- What Is a Compounded Drug? Compounded drugs are created by combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a medication tailored to an individual's needs. These drugs are not FDA-approved, but they are produced in state-licensed or FDA-registered facilities.
Making an Informed Decision
Deciding whether to use Hims for weight loss involves carefully weighing the potential benefits and risks.
- Assess Your Needs: Determine your weight loss goals, health history, and preferences for treatment (e.g., medication, lifestyle changes, support).
- Research Medications: Understand how each medication works, potential side effects, and interactions with other drugs you're taking.
- Read Reviews: Look for patterns in customer reviews to identify common issues or positive experiences.
- Consult a Healthcare Professional: Discuss your weight loss plans with a healthcare provider to ensure they align with your overall health goals and needs.