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If you live in Ohio and are considering compounded semaglutide or compounded tirzepatide, this page is meant to save you a few hours of tab-hopping. It covers how access actually works here, what Ohio law says about telehealth prescribing, what the Ohio Board of Pharmacy has said specifically about compounded GLP-1s (Ohio is one of the few states with its own written guidance), what treatment costs at Gentle Health, and how those prices compare with other providers serving the state, using each provider’s own public pages as the source. One disclosure up front: this site is operated by Gentle Health, a telehealth practice that offers compounded GLP-1 medications, so we have an interest in the subject. We have tried to keep the facts checkable anyway. Every price and rule cited below links to its source, and anything we could not verify is degraded honestly rather than guessed at.
How compounded GLP-1 access works in Ohio
Ohio has a modern, statute-backed telehealth framework. State law requires each health care licensing board to permit its licensees to deliver care through telehealth, holds telehealth visits to the same standard of care as in-person visits, and reserves mandatory initial in-person visits for schedule II controlled substances only (ORC 4743.09). Semaglutide and tirzepatide are not controlled substances, so a properly conducted telehealth evaluation is a lawful basis for a prescription in Ohio.
At Gentle Health, the process looks like this:
- Health intake. You complete a detailed medical history online: current medications, prior conditions, relevant labs if you have them, and your goals.
- Medical evaluation. Care at Gentle Health is provided by James Simmons, MD, who is licensed to practice medicine in Ohio (license 35C.004519, state board record). Ohio participates in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, an agreement that gives qualified physicians an expedited pathway to full licensure in member states (State Medical Board of Ohio; ORC 4731.11). Dr. Simmons reviews your intake and evaluates whether treatment is medically appropriate. Not everyone is approved.
- Prescription and fulfillment. If Dr. Simmons prescribes treatment, the prescription goes to a licensed compounding pharmacy, and the medication ships to your Ohio address.
- Ongoing care. Dosing is reviewed and adjusted over time, and you can reach out between refills with questions or side-effect concerns. Ohio’s telehealth rule expects exactly this: appropriate follow-up care is a listed standard-of-care requirement for telehealth providers (OAC 4731-37-01).
The whole arrangement is cash-pay. There is no insurance paperwork because Gentle Health does not bill insurance.
Ohio rules worth knowing
Ohio is unusually well documented on this subject. Two regulators matter: the State Medical Board, which governs how a physician may evaluate and prescribe by telehealth, and the State Board of Pharmacy, which in July 2025 published its own GLP-1 compounding guidance, something most states have not done. A few points worth understanding before you sign up with anyone, including us:
Telehealth prescribing of non-controlled medications is expressly permitted. The State Medical Board’s telehealth rule states that a physician “may only prescribe, personally furnish, otherwise provide, or cause to be provided a prescription drug that is not a controlled substance to a patient through the provision of telehealth services by complying with all requirements of this rule” (OAC 4731-37-01(E)). Those requirements are patient-protective and concrete: the physician must verify your identity and your physical location in Ohio, document your consent to telehealth treatment, complete a medical evaluation that meets the same standard as an in-person visit, document the diagnosis and the need for the medication, and provide or arrange follow-up care, including referral to in-person or emergency care when needed. The stricter rules in OAC 4731-11-09 apply to controlled substances, which GLP-1s are not.
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy has published GLP-1-specific compounding guidance. On July 17, 2025, the Board issued “Compounding of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Drug Products (GLP-1) in Ohio”, a guidance document with FAQs for pharmacies, prescriber clinics, and outsourcing facilities. Law firm analyses flagged it as one of the clearest state-level statements in the country (Foley & Lardner, August 2025). The document’s core points, in plain language:
- Copies of commercially available drugs may no longer be compounded. With the FDA shortages resolved, pharmacies and prescriber clinics could compound essential copies of tirzepatide only through February 18, 2025, and semaglutide only through April 22, 2025 (outsourcing facilities got roughly one extra month for each). After those dates, compounding an essential copy is prohibited.
- The exception is a patient-specific, documented clinical difference. Compounding remains lawful when the prescriber determines that a change for an identified individual patient produces a significant difference for that patient compared with the commercially available product, and that determination must be documented on the prescription itself. The Board is explicit that a prescription listing only a name and a formulation is not enough, and that small tweaks made to sell a product “to the general public” do not qualify.
- Adding B12 does not, by itself, change the analysis. A compounded product that combines commercially available drugs in similar strengths is still treated as an essential copy unless the prescriber’s significant-difference determination is documented.
- Salt forms are prohibited. The FDA-approved products contain semaglutide base and tirzepatide base. The Board states that salt forms are different active ingredients that do not meet federal compounding requirements.
- Ingredient sourcing is regulated. Active pharmaceutical ingredient must be pharmaceutical grade, from an FDA-registered establishment, purchased through an Ohio-licensed drug distributor. “Research use only” products may not be used in compounding under any circumstance.
- Retatrutide and cagrilintide cannot be compounded at all. They are not components of any FDA-approved drug, and the Board has warned that licensees facilitating their distribution face discipline up to immediate license suspension.
What this means for you as a patient. In Ohio, a legitimate compounded GLP-1 prescription is individual: a physician evaluates you, decides a compounded preparation is clinically appropriate for you specifically, and documents why. Be wary of anyone selling “research” peptides without a prescription, anything described as a semaglutide or tirzepatide salt, or retatrutide in any form. The Board’s guidance names these directly.
Since the Board’s document discusses the commercial products by name, one clarification about us: Gentle Health does not sell Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound. We offer compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide, which are different products. Gentle Health is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, Novo Nordisk or Eli Lilly, the manufacturers of those FDA-approved products.
None of this is legal advice; it is a plain-language summary of public sources, each linked above so you can read them yourself.
Compounded semaglutide in Ohio
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, a class of medications that mimic a naturally occurring gut hormone involved in appetite regulation and blood sugar control. Compounded semaglutide is a version of that molecule prepared by a licensed compounding pharmacy for an individual patient, based on a prescription. Consistent with the Ohio Board of Pharmacy guidance described above, it is prescribed at the discretion of the evaluating physician when a compounded preparation is clinically appropriate for that specific patient, with the reason documented. It is not an FDA-approved product, it does not go through the FDA’s premarket review, and results from clinical trials of FDA-approved semaglutide products should not be assumed to apply to it (FDA).
Gentle Health offers compounded semaglutide in two forms for Ohio patients:
- Oral compounded semaglutide: $112 per month. Taken daily, no needles involved.
- Injectable compounded semaglutide: $135 per month. A once-weekly subcutaneous injection.
Both prices are flat, cash-pay, and include the medical care described above: evaluation by James Simmons, MD, the prescription if treatment is appropriate, the medication itself, and ongoing dosing review. There is no separate membership fee, no intro rate that resets to a higher number after the first month, and no insurance involvement. As the comparison table below shows, intro-then-increase pricing and separate membership fees are common in this market, so it is worth reading any provider’s fine print, including ours.
Whether semaglutide is appropriate for you is a medical question, not a marketing one. Side effects, most commonly gastrointestinal, are real, and treatment is subject to medical evaluation and is not approved for every applicant.
Compounded tirzepatide in Ohio
Tirzepatide works on two receptors rather than one: GLP-1 and GIP, a second gut hormone involved in metabolic regulation. It is the newer of the two molecules, and cash prices for it run higher than semaglutide almost everywhere it is offered.
Gentle Health offers injectable compounded tirzepatide at $169 per month for Ohio patients. Like the semaglutide programs, the price is flat and cash-pay, and it covers the evaluation by James Simmons, MD, the prescription when appropriate, the compounded medication from a licensed pharmacy, and ongoing care. Once-weekly subcutaneous injection.
The same caveats apply, and they are worth repeating rather than burying: compounded tirzepatide is not an FDA-approved product. Under federal law and the Ohio Board of Pharmacy’s guidance, it may be compounded for an individual patient only when the prescribing physician documents a change that produces a significant difference for that patient. Trial data generated for FDA-approved tirzepatide products describe those products, not compounded preparations. And no medication in this class is a substitute for the unglamorous fundamentals of nutrition, movement, and sleep; it is a tool that works alongside them for appropriate patients.
If you are weighing semaglutide against tirzepatide, that choice belongs in the medical evaluation, where your history, tolerability considerations, and budget can all be on the table at once.
Provider options in Ohio: comparison table
Methodology: rows are listed alphabetically; prices were taken only from each provider’s own public website on the date shown in the Source column, and where a provider does not publish a figure we write “See site” rather than estimating. Gentle Health operates this site and appears in the table on the same terms as everyone else.
| Provider | Care model | Compounded semaglutide (cash/mo) | Compounded tirzepatide (cash/mo) | Serves Ohio | Insurance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cru Clinic | In-person (Ontario, OH) and telemedicine; monthly visits included | From $249 (program incl. medication) | From $349 (program incl. medication, starting dose) | Yes (Ohio patients, in-person and telemedicine) | Not billed; HSA accepted | cruclinic.com (verified 2026-07-30) |
| Gentle Health | Telehealth; care by James Simmons, MD | $112 (oral) / $135 (injectable) | $169 (injectable) | Yes | Cash-pay only; insurance not billed | gentlehealth.com (verified 2026-07-30) |
| Glow Medical Group | Telehealth statewide plus in-person clinic in Delaware, OH; NP-led | Program from $200 (compounded GLP-1, medication incl.; not itemized by molecule) | Program from $200 (not itemized by molecule) | Yes (telehealth statewide per its site) | Insurance path offered at $129/mo program fee (insurance covers prescription only); $99 initial consult | glowmedicalgroup.com (verified 2026-07-30) |
| Henry Meds | Telehealth; medication plus provider access | $247 after intro month (weekly injectable) | $349 after intro month (daily oral tablet) | See site | Not required; cash-pay | henrymeds.com (verified 2026-07-30) |
| Mochi Health | Telehealth; membership plus medication billed separately | From $99 medication + $79/mo membership ($39 first month) | From $199 medication + $79/mo membership | Yes (serves all US states per its FAQ) | See site | joinmochi.com (verified 2026-07-30) |
| OrderlyMeds | Telehealth; all-inclusive plans | $149 after starter (from $74 starter) | $299 after starter (from $149 starter) | Yes (site states providers licensed in all 50 states) | Not required; cash-pay | orderlymeds.com (verified 2026-07-27) |
A few reading notes. Intro and starter prices reset upward after the promotional period, so the “thereafter” number is usually the one to budget around. Membership-model providers bill the membership whether or not medication ships that month; check each provider’s terms. Glow Medical Group publishes one program price covering its compounded GLP-1 plan rather than separate semaglutide and tirzepatide figures, so the same number appears in both columns; confirm the molecule-specific cost with the clinic. Formats differ too: one provider’s tirzepatide offering above is a daily oral tablet rather than a weekly injection, which matters if you have a preference. Some providers also sell FDA-approved brand products at substantially higher cash prices; those are out of scope for this table, which compares compounded programs only. Prices change often in this market. If you spot a stale number, the source links are there to check, and we will correct promptly.
FAQ: compounded GLP-1s in Ohio
Is compounded semaglutide legal in Ohio? Yes, within limits that Ohio has spelled out more clearly than most states. Telehealth prescribing of non-controlled medications is permitted under ORC 4743.09 and OAC 4731-37-01, and the Ohio Board of Pharmacy’s July 2025 guidance confirms that compounding a GLP-1 is lawful only for an individual patient when the prescriber documents a change producing a significant difference for that patient, or when the drug is on the FDA shortage list. Buying from a licensed pharmacy pursuant to a physician’s prescription is the lawful path; buying “research use only” peptides online without a prescription is not, and the Board says so explicitly.
Do I need an in-person doctor visit to get a prescription in Ohio? No. Ohio reserves mandatory initial in-person visits for schedule II controlled substances, and GLP-1s are not controlled substances. The telehealth visit must meet the same standard of care as an in-person visit, and the physician must verify your identity and Ohio location, document your consent, and arrange follow-up care.
What does the Ohio Board of Pharmacy’s GLP-1 guidance mean for me as a patient? Mostly that the state has raised the bar on sloppy operators. A compliant prescription is individual and documented; a compliant pharmacy uses pharmaceutical-grade ingredients from FDA-registered, Ohio-licensed suppliers and never uses salt forms or unapproved molecules like retatrutide. If a seller cannot show you a prescription requirement and a licensed pharmacy, walk away.
Who provides the medical care at Gentle Health for Ohio patients? James Simmons, MD, who is licensed to practice medicine in Ohio (license 35C.004519, verifiable through the state eLicense system). He conducts the evaluation, decides whether treatment is appropriate, prescribes when it is, and manages dosing over time. There is no rotating cast; your care stays with one physician.
Does Gentle Health sell Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound? No. Gentle Health does not sell Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound. We offer compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide, which are different products. Gentle Health is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, Novo Nordisk or Eli Lilly, the manufacturers of those FDA-approved products. If you want a brand product, your primary care physician or a provider that dispenses them is the right route.
Will my insurance or Ohio Medicaid cover this? Gentle Health is cash-pay and does not bill insurance; the prices above are the whole price. Insurance coverage for compounded medications in general is uncommon, and coverage rules for GLP-1s under Ohio plans vary and change; check directly with your plan if coverage matters to your decision. One Ohio clinic in the table above offers an insurance-path program in which insurance covers the prescription while the program fee stays cash-pay, which is a reminder to always ask what a quoted price actually includes.
What should compounded GLP-1 treatment actually cost in Ohio? Based on the public pricing in the table above, ongoing monthly cash prices from providers serving Ohio currently run from roughly $112 to $349 depending on molecule, format, and provider, before intro discounts and membership fees. Whatever you are quoted, confirm three things: the price after any intro period, whether membership or program fees are separate from medication, and whether medical care and follow-up are included.
Reviewed by James Simmons, MD Last updated: August 9, 2026 Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. Treatment subject to medical evaluation.