Gone are the days when physician-guided weight loss programs were confined to a brick-and-mortar clinic. Now, you can turn to digital health platforms for affordable support along your weight loss journey, where and when it works for you. Many people can and do lose weight safely with the help of medication, especially glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Providers like PlushCare, Found, and Sequence are changing the landscape of medical weight loss. This article provides a comprehensive overview of PlushCare's medical weight loss program, comparing it to competitors and exploring key aspects of therapeutic peptides for weight management.
Understanding PlushCare's Weight Loss Program
PlushCare is leading the way in this digital health revolution, offering personalized weight loss solutions entirely online. If you qualify for a weight loss program and love the convenience of attending doctor’s visits from home without having to book days in advance, PlushCare might be ideal for you. We conducted extensive research to evaluate the pricing, effectiveness, accessibility, overall quality, customer support, and useability of PlushCare, which also included examining their competitors. To determine overall value, we evaluated cost, medication options, and membership fees. Other factors we investigated prior to choosing the best online medical weight management service included convenience, customer service, access to healthcare providers, health insurance, and any free services or resources offered.
The Sign-Up Process
We found PlushCare’s sign-up process to be straightforward and simple. After providing some basic health info, you’re asked to book a virtual visit with a doctor to discuss your weight loss goals. The visit itself is easy to access from a phone or laptop. Ongoing lifestyle support from providers is included.
Medication Options
With PlushCare, you have access to seven different clinically-backed weight loss medications, some FDA-approved and others prescribed off-label (meaning the FDA has approved it for something other than weight management). These include:
- Wegovy (semaglutide): The brand name for semaglutide, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist-that means it can help you feel fuller for longer. Ozempic and Wegovy have the same active ingredient, semaglutide, so you’re likely to see similar results with one or the other.
- Saxenda (liraglutide): Another injectable GLP-1 that’s FDA-approved for weight loss/management. Victoza (liraglutide) shares its main ingredient with Saxenda and is an injectable GLP-1 agonist.
- Xenical (orlistat): An oral medication taken at mealtimes that is FDA-approved for weight loss/management.
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide): An injectable treatment for diabetes that lowers blood sugar. Tirzepatide is a synthetic peptide that acts as a dual agonist for both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, mimicking the actions of two key incretin hormones involved in glucose and energy regulation. This unique mechanism enhances insulin secretion, suppresses appetite, and promotes weight loss. Tirzepatide is the same active ingredient used in Mounjaro and Zepbound. Tirzepatide is a dual-action GLP-1 and GIP, meaning it works by activating two hormone receptors that regulate your metabolism, helping you feel full faster and longer.
- Ozempic (semaglutide): Shares the same main ingredient as Wegovy but hasn’t received FDA approval for weight management yet.
- Contrave (bupropion-naltrexone): An oral medication that’s FDA-approved for weight management. It’s also a combination of two active ingredients-bupropion, an antidepressant, and naltrexone, a treatment for unhealthy substance use. Wellbutrin (bupropion) is the same antidepressant found in Contrave. It’s a daily or twice-daily oral medication also given to people who are trying to quit smoking.
- Plenity: A medical device that’s been cleared by the FDA to help manage weight. You take it orally like any other medication, but it works by physically taking up space in your stomach.
Cost and Insurance
Their low membership fee and openness to insurance makes them one of your most affordable options for online weight loss/management. Unlike many online care providers, PlushCare will work with your insurance to lower the costs of your treatment. Most Major Insurance Plans Accepted.
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Ongoing Treatment and Monitoring
Curious about what happens after you reach your target weight? At Plush Contours, we conduct regular monthly follow-up appointments to assess your progress and make necessary adjustments to your program as needed. Your success is our top priority.
PlushCare vs. Competitors
Here's how PlushCare stacks up against other online weight loss programs:
- PlushCare vs. Found: Found offers more medication options than PlushCare, including Trulicity and zonisamide, as well as access to a health coach.
- PlushCare vs. Sequence: If you’re not planning on using insurance, Sequence is one of your most affordable out-of-pocket options at $99 per month. They also offer more anti-convulsant medications than PlushCare does, including topiramate and zonisamide.
- PlushCare vs. Calibrate: If you’re only interested in GLP-1 agonists, Calibrate could be a good choice. Like PlushCare, they’ll work with your insurer or accept HSA/FSA funds, depending on your plan.
Customer Satisfaction
On the whole, PlushCare customers were satisfied with the company’s clinical care, customer service, and short wait times for appointments.
Therapeutic Peptides for Weight Loss: A Deeper Dive
Increasingly more people are turning to therapeutic peptides to shed weight. In the years since we started covering weight loss peptides, we’ve actively monitored the space and gained a great deal of knowledge on their therapeutic potential. So far, our cumulative research encompasses several hundred scientific papers and over 1,000 hours. Peptides are chains of amino acids that are essential for metabolism, wound repair, inflammation control, and innumerable other biochemical processes. They occur naturally but can also be synthesized in a lab to resemble the ones in your body. Weight loss peptides fulfill their purpose by mimicking the hormones responsible for regulating your appetite and metabolizing fat.
Key Peptide Categories
In the following subsections, we discuss three peptide categories that are known to cause weight loss.
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- GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs): Semaglutide and tirzepatide are examples of GLP-1 RAs, a category of peptides originally developed for diabetes management but found to promote weight loss through their actions on the pancreas and digestion. The “GLP-1” part of the name refers to a naturally occurring hormone in the gut that participates in a broad array of physiological functions. Normally, your body releases insulin from the pancreas every time you eat. This allows the transport of glucose (a sugar) from the food into your cells, and your cells can use the glucose for energy. Another characteristic of diabetes is increased levels of glucagon, a pancreatic hormone that tells the liver to release glucose - that sugar whose levels need to be carefully controlled.
- GIP Agonists: In addition to being a GLP-1 RA, tirzepatide is also an agonist of GIP, a gut hormone that impacts glucose and fat metabolism. It’s similar to GLP-1 in that it stimulates insulin secretion from the pancreas, and research shows that the two hormones work synergistically to increase weight loss.
- Growth Hormone Secretagogues: A growth hormone secretagogue, such as tesamorelin, is a compound that causes the body to increase its growth hormone levels. Besides affecting almost every tissue and organ, growth hormone promotes physical growth and normal metabolism. Its metabolic effects relate to its ability to stimulate the production of yet another hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).
Tirzepatide vs. Semaglutide: Which is More Effective?
The scientific literature points to tirzepatide and semaglutide as the two most effective peptide categories for weight loss. Between them, tirzepatide is the more effective option for its dual mechanisms of action. A good example is a trial from 2021 that involved 1,973 patients with diabetes. The patients were randomized to receive either semaglutide or one of three doses of tirzepatide. Don’t take these findings to mean that semaglutide is drastically inferior to tirzepatide. Far from it. You’ll see later, in its dedicated section, just how potent semaglutide is for weight loss.
Semaglutide: A Closer Look
Semaglutide may not have the double-duty action of tirzepatide, but it’s still a highly effective treatment for achieving rapid weight loss. As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it targets receptors in your body, including in your pancreas, that are responsible for regulating how full you feel after a meal, and it slows the rate at which food leaves your stomach. The result is that you’re likely to eat less than you normally would, so you avoid the excess calories that your body would otherwise store as fat. Other studies can help us quantify the extent to which semaglutide can aid in weight loss. Take, for example, a 2022 trial of 338 participants that compared its effects to those of another GLP-1 RA, liraglutide. So, while semaglutide is less clinically effective than tirzepatide, it’s a demonstrably excellent GLP-1 solution for weight loss. It’s also more widely available than tirzepatide.
Tesamorelin: An Alternative Option
Tesamorelin is an off-label prescription for weight loss. Its FDA-approved use is for treating HIV-associated lipodystrophy, or excess abdominal fat accumulation resulting from antiretroviral therapy, and it has fared well in its specialty. In a 2010 clinical trial, for example, subjects who received tesamorelin ended with an average 18% decrease in visceral fat compared to placebo. This fat-reducing quality is what makes tesamorelin an attractive non-GLP-1 peptide option. It may be especially appealing to people who prefer a more moderate approach to body recomposition so as to avoid the sunken facial features (a.k.a. Though most tesamorelin research has looked at patients with HIV, at least one study from 2006 points to its utility for non-HIV-positive users. In it, a group of Japanese participants was randomized into either a tesamorelin group or a placebo group. Other researchers have highlighted tesamorelin’s potential for improving tangential areas of health.
Important Considerations for Peptide Use
- Administration: Therapeutic peptides are usually administered by subcutaneous injection (a needle), to ensure the maximum amount of medicine enters your bloodstream to take effect. But oral alternatives - dissolving tablets, drops, troches - are available from some of the leading telemed providers. The answer comes down to bioavailability, or the amount of medicine your body actually absorbs.
- Safety: Therapeutic peptides are generally safe for people with indicated health problems. Part of that is because you ought to undergo a medical exam and laboratory tests to validate your candidacy for a peptide before you can get a prescription, and the tests function as a first-line failsafe against contraindications. Another part is that the most likely side effects are mild. Severe side effects are possible but rare.
- Medical-Grade vs. Research-Grade: Many of the therapeutic peptides you can find online are research-grade peptides, designed to be applied in laboratory settings but not to be consumed by humans. It’s crucial, then, that you use medical-grade products for your weight loss goals. You can get a prescription through your physician or one of the reputable telemed platforms we’ve discussed in this guide (e.g., Henry Meds, Hims/Hers). But keep in mind that, of the three peptides discussed in this guide, reputable telemed platforms carry only tirzepatide and semaglutide at this time.
Contraindications for Peptide Use
- Weight-associated health problem: Several health problems stem from carrying excess body weight, including but not limited to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and sleep apnea. For tesamorelin, the diagnostic criteria can be broader.
- Pregnant: Animal studies show that the offspring of pregnant subjects exposed to GLP-1 RAs may develop skeletal abnormalities, have a low birth weight, and exhibit substandard growth. Although no congenital malformations have been widely identified in humans, people who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant are advised to end their GLP-1 RA treatment. For growth hormone secretagogues like tesamorelin, the research is inconclusive.
- A cancer patient or have an increased cancer risk: You should not take a growth hormone secretagogue for weight loss if you have cancer or have survived cancer. The risk stems from the ability of growth hormone secretagogues to stimulate cell death and replication, two biological events that precede cancer development. So if you currently have cancer or have survived a cancer diagnosis, you would not be indicated for tesamorelin or any other peptide in its category.
Potential Side Effects
No treatment comes with zero risk, but most weight loss medications are well-tolerated. The most common side effects of GLP-1 agonists are digestive related; heartburn, constipation/diarrhea, and nausea. These side effects usually go away within a few weeks of starting therapy or increasing their dose. It is possible to switch to another medication in the class if one is causing unnecessary side effects. Since they are relatively “new” medications we don’t have much data on long term use in patients. Tesamorelin can cause flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and headache. Joint and muscle pain, of varying intensities, may also occur. These effects are usually mild and more typical at the start of treatment.
Insider Tip: There are ways to mitigate the potential nausea with peptides.
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The Importance of Lifestyle Changes
No drug is a miracle drug so patients do need to modify their lifestyle with diet and exercise changes while taking GLP-1 agonists to see the biggest benefit. While Tirzepatide injections provide powerful weight loss results, optimal effectiveness is best achieved through a holistic lifestyle approach. A well-rounded diet is critical for achieving and maintaining weight loss. Exercise not only aids in weight loss but also improves overall health. Water plays a vital role in digestion, appetite regulation, metabolism, and energy. Most people don’t struggle with knowing what to do-they struggle with doing it consistently. Discover how quality sleep boosts weight loss by balancing hormones, reducing cravings, supporting metabolism, and improving willpower. Fast results are tempting-but they’re rarely sustainable.
The Role of Lab Tests in Weight Management
It is important to understand that the BMI is only a screening tool, and an approximation of risk. For example, even if your BMI falls in what is known as the healthy range, it is still possible for you to be affected by weight-related metabolic disease. This is why your doctor will also use lab tests and perhaps even other measurements to guide your weight management treatment plan. Labs are used to check certain items that pinpoint possible sources of weight gain. Checking labs will screen for underlying conditions, and can help determine if weight loss medications can be used safely. Labs can also determine what type of medication and lifestyle change may work best for your body. Blood tests which are typically done measure general blood chemistry, liver and kidney function, blood count, insulin sensitivity, thyroid hormone levels, and cholesterol. Other tests that are done for managing weight loss treatment include your blood pressure and pulse measurements. Carrying excess weight can increase your risk for high blood pressure and heart problems.
Because weight regulation is complex, there is no one blood test to check your metabolism. Blood tests are checked to determine if there may be imbalances that can contribute to a slower metabolism. Thyroid hormone is also generally checked, especially the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). The TSH is the master regulator of the entire thyroid system. Low thyroid hormone levels can contribute to small amounts of weight gain over time. However, when the TSH level is abnormal, this is more likely to be a result of the weight gain than a cause. If you're experiencing unexplained weight gain and fatigue, it's important to get lab tests that assess your thyroid function, vitamin D levels, blood sugar, and hormone balance. Common tests include TSH (for thyroid), A1C and fasting glucose (for blood sugar), and a comprehensive metabolic panel.
On average, labs should be done after your initial visit with your doctor, and then at least once a year for weight management. Depending on your initial results though, and your treatment plan and care goals, your doctor may order labs more frequently. Labs for weight loss management are affordable. Labs for weight loss are considered to be prevention medicine, which is generally covered by health insurance plans. If you are concerned about your weight or wish to discuss your body mass index, talk with one of our trusted doctors to get an order for lab tests. Labs can highlight important information that is used to guide weight loss treatment plans.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and Pharmacotherapy
Growing evidence suggests that pharmacotherapy may be beneficial for some patients with binge eating disorder (BED), an eating disorder characterized by repetitive episodes of uncontrollable consumption of abnormally large amounts of food without inappropriate weight loss behaviors. Specialized psychotherapies, in particular cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy, and self-help strategies are effective for reducing binge eating, but not all patients respond adequately. Moreover, these treatments are generally not effective for the obesity associated with BED, and patients with more complex yet common comorbid comorbidities, such as bipolar disorder, severe personality disorders, or unstable diabetes or hypertension, have been excluded from study participation, raising questions about the generalizability of treatment effectiveness.
There are several rationales for using pharmacotherapy to treat BED. Second, as more is learned about the biology of eating behavior, disordered eating, and obesity, preclinical and neuroimaging work is beginning to elucidate a neurobiology of binge eating, especially for bulimia nervosa, but also for BED. A third reason is that many available medications have effects on appetite and weight that may translate into therapeutic effects in BED. The medications studied thus far in BED in randomized, placebo-controlled studies have been conducted primarily with three drug classes, ie, antidepressants, antiobesity agents, and antiepileptic drugs. Drug classes that have received less study include antiaddiction (or anticraving) agents and drugs used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
PlushCare's Mental Health Services
PlushCare connects patients with their own primary care physician online, offering same-day appointments and nationwide access to GLP-1 prescriptions like Zepbound. Best for those who want a traditional doctor-patient relationship with the convenience of telehealth. PlushCare also offers mental health services, including therapy and psychiatry.
Therapy Experience
During therapy sessions, the tech worked well, even when not connected to Wi-Fi and doing the session from a car. The picture and audio were both clear. Because PlushCare appointments are booked individually rather than as part of a monthly subscription, it was easy to switch providers. The remaining sessions were an improvement on my first two, and this new therapist seemed much more prepared to focus on the goals stated during the intake questionnaire. By the final session the video problems were resolved. During sessions with a new provider, there were occasional audio issues that caused the provider’s voice to sound distorted and hard to understand. But they resolved quickly and did not have too negative of an impact on the sessions as a whole.
Psychiatry and Medication Management
It seems like you are encouraged to book with a primary care doctor first, so I ran a preliminary mystery shop of this process, noting that I was not asked for my reason for booking an appointment before I was prompted to choose a provider. This feels inefficient, because it doesn’t allow you to pick a doctor who specializes in mental health medications. It appears that the psychiatric medication management at PlushCare is administered by general practitioners, not psychiatrists. Medication consultations also cost $129 per session out-of-pocket, though you could pay less if you use insurance. It’s also worth noting that PlushCare cannot prescribe controlled psychiatric medications, such as stimulants (like. Ritalin or Adderall) or benzodiazepines (like Xanax or Klonopin). It can only prescribe nonaddictive mental health medications, such as antidepressants.
Alternatives to PlushCare
- Sesame Care: Sesame Care offers a fully virtual GLP-1 program with same-day access to board-certified providers, up-front pricing, and lab work included in most states. Sesame Care earns strong marks for clear pricing, quick access to licensed providers, and prompt prescription handling. Overall trust is high, and most patients describe the service as reliable and professional.
- WeightWatchers: WeightWatchers offers a structured, science-backed GLP-1 program that combines prescription weight-loss medication with expert coaching, nutrition guidance, and app-based tracking. WeightWatchers provides clear membership pricing details, but the long-term commitment can be misleading since payments appear monthly yet lock you in for the full term.