Frequently asked questions

GLP-1 medications, also known as glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, are a class of medications initially developed for managing blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. However, they have also shown effectiveness in promoting weight loss. GLP-1 is a hormone that naturally occurs in the body, playing a role in regulating insulin, controlling blood sugar, and influencing appetite.

When used for weight loss, GLP-1 medications work by mimicking the effects of the natural GLP-1 hormone. They stimulate insulin release, reduce the liver's glucose output, and slow down stomach emptying. These actions not only contribute to better blood sugar control but also lead to decreased appetite and a sense of fullness, aiding in weight loss efforts.

The use of GLP-1 medications for weight loss will be prescribed under the guidance of a healthcare professional and is part of a comprehensive approach that includes lifestyle modifications.

The use of GLP-1 medications may be associated with certain side effects, although individual responses can vary. Common side effects of GLP-1 medications are typically mild to moderate in intensity and can include nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. Mild injection site reactions, such as redness or irritation, can also occur. Side effects tend to occur more frequently when the medication is first started and when the dose is increased. It's important to note that these side effects are usually transient and tend to diminish as your body adjusts to the medication. In rare cases, there may be more serious side effects. It is important to report any concerns promptly and attend regular follow-up appointments to ensure the safe and effective use of GLP-1 medications.

The prescription and titration of GLP-1 medications are individualized processes guided by your healthcare provider. Typically, the initiation and adjustment of GLP-1 medications involve several key considerations. Initially, your healthcare provider will assess your overall health, medical history, and specific needs.

The prescription of GLP-1 medications typically begins with a lower dose, gradually increasing based on your response and tolerance. This titration process allows your healthcare provider to find the most effective dosage, while supporting your weight loss goals.

Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled every 4 weeks to monitor your response to the medication and make any necessary adjustments. Your healthcare provider may consider factors such as potential side effects, biometric data, and overall well-being during these assessments.

It's crucial to communicate openly with your healthcare provider about any concerns or changes in your health. They will work with you to tailor the prescription and titration of GLP-1 medications to best meet your individual needs and help you achieve optimal health outcomes.

Branded and compounded GLP-1 medications exhibit notable differences in their origins, formulations, and regulatory status. Branded GLP-1 medications are pharmaceutical products created, tested, and manufactured by established pharmaceutical companies. These medications undergo rigorous scrutiny for safety, efficacy, and quality before obtaining regulatory approval from health authorities. Branded GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound, are commercially available and adhere to standardized dosages, ensuring consistency in quality and manufacturing processes.

On the other hand, compounding medications are customized formulations prepared by pharmacists on an individualized basis. Compounding may also involve preparing a version of a FDA-approved medication that is currently in shortage. Compounded GLP-1 medications use a semaglutide salt or base. Unlike branded medications compounded drugs do not undergo the same extensive regulatory approval process. They are typically prepared in pharmacies, and their formulations can vary between pharmacy establishments.

Compounded medications may lack the same level of scrutiny regarding safety and efficacy as their branded counterparts. Patients considering compounded GLP-1 medications should discuss the advantages and disadvantages with their healthcare provider and pharmacist to make informed decisions about their treatment.

AOM stands for Anti-Obesity Medication.  AOMs include GLP-1 medications. However, there are other AOMs on the market such as Contrave and Qsymia. 

Alternative AOMs (that are not GLP-1 agonist medications) may be prescribed to treat obesity. For some individuals, these AOMs might work better and may be safer for people with certain medical conditions.

It depends on the strength, but when combined with diet and exercise, alternative AOMs can help a person lose 7-10% of their body weight over one year.

All prescriptions are written by Heuro Health Board Certified Doctors.

Depending on your Heuro program, certain labs may be covered. Please check your plan for specific details.

In most cases, prescriptions will be sent via mail order. However, in certain circumstances, they can be picked up at a local pharmacy.

The specific GLP-1 drug prescribed, whether it be Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound, will be determined by your Heuro doctor based on a comprehensive evaluation of your health profile. Each of these GLP-1 medications has unique characteristics, dosing schedules, and potential side effects. Your healthcare provider will carefully consider factors such as your medical history, treatment goals, and individual preferences to recommend the most suitable option for your specific needs. Open communication with your Heuro doctor will allow you to discuss these medications' features, potential benefits, and any considerations related to your health, ensuring a personalized and effective treatment plan. The Doctor my also prescribe an AOM, not GLP-1

No. Your Heuro doctor will not write prescriptions for medications other than weight loss. Heuro doctors specialize in providing care related to obesity medications. For additional prescriptions, it's recommended that you consult with your primary care physician or an appropriate healthcare provider who can address a broader range of medical needs and prescribe medications accordingly.

Currently we only offer our progam through Plan Sponsors. If you are a Plan Sponsor and you are interested in offering Heuro to your employees please fill out the contact form (link).

Yes, we utilize the genomic test to predict your response to the prescribed GLP-1 medication. Regarding the phenotype test, it categorizes obesity into four categories, enabling our clinicians and coaches to tailor your program based on your specific phenotype(s). Both tests are strongly recommended to optimize your experience and outcomes.

The first step in determining your eligibility for the Heuro Health offering is to complete our eligibility survey. If your BMI is 27 or above, along with health conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, or if your BMI is 30 or above, you may meet the criteria for our program. The eligibility survey will gather essential information about your health status, allowing our healthcare professionals to assess your suitability for the Heuro journey. By completing the survey, you take the first step in understanding how our offering aligns with your specific healthcare needs, ensuring that you receive personalized and effective support.

Plan Sponsors will pay a monthly cap PPPM fee over a 24-month period. Plan Sponsors can choose the prescription fulfillment provider for the program.

Biometrics are crucial part of engagement throughout the 24-month journey. Plan sponsors are responsible for purchasing the equipment upfront for participants, and participants are required to use the biometrics throughout the journey. If plan sponsors have a health center, biometrics at the health center will be utilized.

The devices are invaluable to all coaches and doctors throughout the program. They ensure your safety and provide optimal support during your weight loss journey, ensuring long-term changes.

The entire journey is 24-months.

The timeline for experiencing weight loss with GLP-1 agonists and other AOMs can vary from person to person. Generally, individuals may start to observe weight loss within a few weeks to a few months after initiating treatment with GLP-1 agonists and alternative AOMs . However, the rate of weight loss and the overall effectiveness can be influenced by factors such as the specific medication used, individual metabolism, lifestyle, and adherence to treatment.

That's the magic of our program: you will create new habits to help lose weight and keep it off, even after discontinuing the weight loss medication.

GLP-1 receptor agonist are known to contribute to weight loss by reducing appetite and slowing gastric emptying. Discontinuing these medications may result in a reversal of these effects, particularly if healthy habits are not maintained once the GLP-1 medication is stopped.

It's crucial to note that using medications for weight loss should be done under the supervision of a healthcare professional. If you are considering stopping GLP-1s or any medication, consult with your healthcare provider first. They can provide personalized advice, monitor your health, and help you make informed decisions based on your individual circumstances. The Heuro Program focuses on making sure you don't put the weight back on by learning new long term habits throughout the part of the journey focusing on neuroplasticity.

Once Heuro has determined your eligibility for the Heuro Health journey, you will be prompted to schedule an appointment with a doctor. The scheduling process allows you to choose a doctor based on your state, and you can select an appointment time that works best for you. This initial appointment marks the beginning of your journey with Heuro, and the assigned doctor will be with you throughout the course of your healthcare experience, providing continuity and personalized care. This approach ensures that you have a consistent healthcare partner who understands your unique needs and can guide you through your entire journey with Heuro.

If you are a plan sponsor with a health center, our doctors will coordinate care with your local health center's clinicians.

You can expect to have a virtual appointment within 5 days, which is significantly quicker than in-person visits. You can easily schedule your appointments through our app.

If you have access to an employer health center, you can schedule the appointment there.

You will be able to communicate with your doctor through secure emails and text messages.

You will be able to communicate with your coach or dietitian through emails and text messages.

Yes, your Heuro coaches and doctors collaborate closely to ensure seamless and comprehensive management of your care. Effective communication between healthcare providers is a fundamental aspect of our approach, allowing for a coordinated effort to address your health needs. This collaboration enables your Heuro coaches and doctors to share relevant information, insights, and updates, ensuring that your care plan is well-integrated and tailored to your individual health goals. This team-based approach enhances the overall quality and continuity of your healthcare experience with Heuro.

Yes, your Heuro doctor will take care of ordering your GLP-1 prescriptions (or other AOM) and necessary labs for you. Once prescribed, your GLP-1 medication prescription will be sent to either a mail-order pharmacy or a local pharmacy, based on your preference and convenience. This streamlined process ensures that you have easy access to your prescribed medication and facilitates the necessary laboratory tests to monitor your health and treatment progress. The goal is to make the prescription and lab order process as convenient and efficient as possible for you.

If you have a local health center, lab work can be completed there.

The Heuro Journey is founded on the latest neuroscience research, aiming to retrain the brain and instill new, beneficial habits that naturally become ingrained, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Doctor appointments are available during regular business hours from 9 am to 6 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST). Additionally, to accommodate various schedules, appointments with doctors are also available during nights and weekends, providing flexibility for individuals who may require appointments outside typical working hours. This availability ensures that you can access healthcare services at times that are convenient for you.

You can schedule appointments with our doctors and coaches during regular business hours, with extended hours available on select days to fit your schedule.

You can text with our doctors and coaches during regular business hours, and we also offer extended hours on select days to accommodate your schedule.

Yes, you will have access to a dietitian who can help you understand what to eat, assist with portion sizes, provide nutritional education, and offer guidance on managing dietary restrictions or health conditions.

Digital journaling helps members increase awareness of their personal daily behaviors, helps members plan for making behavior changes, challenges members to focus on a productive and forward-moving mindset, and connects members to their inner selves to better understand their habits and choices. The Heuro digital journal is available to all Heuro members and is available to complete on a daily basis.

You can access your digital journal in the Heuro app.

Your Heuro journey will be led by experienced doctors, ensuring a high standard of care. While our approach is doctor-led, you may encounter nurse practitioners as part of your healthcare team. Nurse practitioners work collaboratively with our doctors to provide comprehensive and well-rounded care. This team-based model allows us to leverage the expertise of both doctors and nurse practitioners, ensuring that you receive the best possible care throughout your journey.

The Heuro Journey has a medical component and a lifestyle component. The lifestyle component is where members learn how to change behaviors that lead to new and healthier habits. This process results in creating new neural pathways (neuroplasticity), or retraining the brain. Our synchronous and asynchronous tools help support members in this process.

Yes, our journey has been validated by board-certified clinicians and healthcare industry experts as the most effective for both weight loss and sustaining weight loss over time. This holds true even after discontinuing the use of GLP-1s and alternative AOMs.

What sets the Heuro Health journey apart is our commitment to teaching personalized healthy habits and lifestyles to each member. We understand that lasting change requires approximately 24-months through neuroplasticity, and we integrate this understanding into our approach. By combining our weight loss drugs with neuroplasticity techniques, we empower individuals to achieve lasting weight loss and transformative life changes from within.

Yes, quarterly access is granted for the Plan Sponsor to review aggregated results and activity.

You can submit customer service or technical questions to Heuro by emailing us at [email protected]. Our dedicated support team is committed to responding within 24 hours to ensure your inquiries are addressed promptly.