Eligibility Check
Is This Right For Me?
Answer 4 quick questions to see if GLP-1 therapy through Open Water Rx may be a good fit for you. No commitment, no pressure.
Is your BMI 27 or higher?
GLP-1 therapy is typically recommended for individuals with a BMI of 27 or above, especially when combined with a weight-related health condition. Not sure? A BMI of 27 for a 5'6" person is approximately 167 lbs.
Medication Pricing
Semaglutide
$249
per month, starting
GLP-1 single pathway
Avg. 15–17% weight loss*
Tirzepatide
$339
per month, starting
GLP-1 + GIP dual pathway
Avg. 20–22.5% weight loss*
Both include provider review, Rx if approved, & shipping included if prescribed. Your licensed medical provider recommends the best fit.
*Clinical trial averages for semaglutide (STEP trials) and tirzepatide (SURMOUNT trials). Individual results vary and are not guaranteed. Compounded medications are not approved finished drug products.
This quiz is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Final eligibility is determined by a licensed medical provider.
Have questions before you start?
Our team is happy to answer any questions about the process, pricing, or what to expect.
members@openwaterrx.comGLP-1 Eligibility Guide
Who Qualifies for GLP-1 Weight Loss Therapy?
GLP-1 receptor agonists such as compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are prescription medications for chronic weight management that have demonstrated unprecedented efficacy in clinical trials. Eligibility is determined by an independent, licensed medical provider based on your individual health profile, medical history, and current health status. Generally, candidates have a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related health condition such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or dyslipidemia, or a BMI of 30 or higher regardless of other conditions. Patients must be 18 years of age or older and must not have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, active pancreatitis, or certain other contraindicated conditions identified during provider review.
The eligibility quiz above is a preliminary screening tool only. It does not constitute medical advice, does not establish a patient-provider relationship, and does not guarantee treatment. A licensed medical provider makes the final determination of clinical appropriateness after reviewing your complete health history, current medications, and individual circumstances. Open Water Rx serves patients across all 50 states and Washington D.C. through telehealth, with some states requiring a synchronous video visit before prescribing.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. For reference, a person who is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 167 pounds has a BMI of approximately 27. A person who is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 203 pounds has a BMI of approximately 30. Your exact BMI and whether you meet clinical criteria for GLP-1 therapy will be assessed by your licensed medical provider after you complete the full health evaluation.
Standard GLP-1 Eligibility Criteria
BMI of 27 or higher
GLP-1 therapy is typically indicated for adults with a BMI of 27 or above with at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol, or a BMI of 30 or above without additional conditions. A BMI of 27 for a person who is 5 feet 6 inches tall is approximately 167 pounds. Your licensed medical provider will calculate your exact BMI and assess whether you meet clinical criteria.
Prior lifestyle modification attempts
GLP-1 therapy is intended as a medical support for individuals who have made genuine efforts to manage their weight through diet, exercise, and behavioral changes. This is not a judgment about your willpower. It is a clinical standard that ensures medication is used as a complement to healthy habits, not a replacement for them. Your provider will ask about prior weight loss attempts during your evaluation.
No contraindicated conditions
Patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), active pancreatitis, severe gastrointestinal disease, or certain other medical conditions may not be eligible for GLP-1 therapy. Your licensed medical provider will review your complete medical history, including family history, before making any prescribing decision. This is not a complete list of contraindications.
Age 18 or older
Open Water Rx provides telehealth services exclusively to adults 18 years of age and older. GLP-1 therapy for chronic weight management is not currently approved for use in minors under FDA guidelines. Age verification is part of the intake process. Patients must provide a valid government-issued ID.
Why GLP-1 Therapy Works
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists work by mimicking a natural gut hormone that signals fullness to the brain, slows gastric emptying, reduces appetite at the neurological level, and helps regulate blood sugar through multiple mechanisms. Unlike over-the-counter diet pills, appetite suppressants, or supplements, GLP-1 medications are prescription-only drugs with over a decade of rigorous clinical research behind them, including large-scale randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed medical journals.
In the landmark STEP 1 clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, patients on semaglutide 2.4 mg lost an average of 15 to 17 percent of their body weight over 68 weeks compared to placebo. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, patients on tirzepatide 15 mg lost an average of 22.5 percent of their body weight, the highest weight loss ever recorded in a pharmaceutical clinical trial. These results represent averages — individual results vary based on adherence, biology, starting weight, and other factors.
These are not dietary supplements or unregulated compounds. These are prescription medications compounded by licensed, FDA-registered pharmacies and dispensed only when an independent licensed medical provider determines they are clinically appropriate for you as an individual patient. The active pharmaceutical ingredients are the same as those used in FDA-approved products, though compounded versions are not themselves approved finished drug products.
Clinical Trial Results
15–17%
Avg. body weight lost
Semaglutide (STEP 1, NEJM 2021)
20–22.5%
Avg. body weight lost
Tirzepatide (SURMOUNT-1, NEJM 2022)
Clinical trial averages. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved finished drug products.
Important Notice
Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not approved finished drug products and have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, efficacy, or quality as compounded products. They are prescribed only when an independent licensed medical provider determines there is a valid individual clinical reason, not simply as a lower-cost alternative. Open Water Rx does not manufacture, compound, or dispense medications. All compounding is performed by independent, licensed, FDA-registered pharmacies under Section 503A or 503B of the FD&C Act.
The Bottom Line: Who Qualifies for GLP-1 Therapy?
You generally qualify for GLP-1 weight loss therapy if you are 18 or older, have a BMI of 27 or higher (with at least one weight-related health condition such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol) or a BMI of 30 or higher regardless of additional conditions, have made prior attempts at diet and lifestyle modification, and do not have contraindicated conditions such as a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
The eligibility quiz above is a preliminary screening tool only. Final eligibility is always determined by an independent, licensed medical provider who reviews your complete health history, current medications, and individual health circumstances. Compounded semaglutide starts at $249 per month and tirzepatide starts at $339 per month, both covering licensed clinician review, medication if prescribed, shipping if prescribed, and ongoing async provider support. No insurance is required.
Open Water Rx serves patients across all 50 states through telehealth. No insurance required. Discreet delivery to your door. Some states may require a brief live video visit with your clinician before a prescription can be issued. Your provider will inform you of your state's specific requirements during the intake process.
GLP-1 Telehealth Availability by State
Open Water Rx accepts patients in all 50 United States and Washington, D.C. for GLP-1 weight loss telehealth services. Our nationwide network of independent licensed medical providers ensures that patients from every state can access clinician-guided weight management programs featuring compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide. Whether you live in a major metropolitan area like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, or Miami, or in a rural community with limited access to weight loss specialists, our fully online model connects you with licensed providers who can review your case and issue prescriptions when clinically appropriate.
Some states have implemented specific telehealth prescribing regulations that require a synchronous interaction — typically a brief live video visit — before a licensed provider can issue a prescription for certain medications. These requirements vary by state and are subject to change as telehealth legislation evolves. During your intake process, our platform automatically identifies your state's specific requirements and guides you through any necessary steps. If a video visit is required, it is scheduled through our HIPAA-compliant telehealth infrastructure and is included in your program at no additional charge.
Florida patients — including those in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville, and all other cities — have full access to our complete range of programs without additional state-specific video visit requirements for most cases. Texas, California, New York, Illinois, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, and all other states are fully served. If you have questions about your state's specific telehealth requirements for GLP-1 prescriptions, please contact our support team at members@openwaterrx.com or call (941) 315-5217.
All 50 States
Patients accepted nationwide with state-credentialed providers
Video Visits When Needed
Some states require brief video consultations before prescribing
Nationwide Shipping
Medication ships free to any U.S. address with discreet packaging
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