43 defined terms across the GLP-1 telehealth landscape.
503A
Section of FD&C Act establishing patient-specific traditional compounding pharmacy framework. State-licensed only; USP <797> standard; not cGMP.
503B
Section of FD&C Act (DQSA 2013) establishing FDA-registered outsourcing facilities. Must follow cGMP, including batch testing, and are inspected by FDA.
AHI
Apnea-Hypopnea Index. Events per hour of sleep. ≥15 = moderate OSA; ≥30 = severe.
ABMS
American Board of Medical Specialties. Its member boards certify physicians in medical specialties.
API
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient: the drug substance in a medicine. FDA says semaglutide salt forms (sodium, acetate) are different active ingredients from the one in approved semaglutide products.
Base API
The active ingredient in its non-salt form. Approved semaglutide products do not use a salt form; ask the pharmacy which form it uses.
cGMP
Current Good Manufacturing Practice. 503B facilities must follow; 503A generally do not.
Compounded
Prepared by licensed 503A pharmacy or 503B outsourcing facility under federal exceptions to FDA finished-drug approval.
DEXA
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Body composition (fat, lean, bone density) measurement.
DPP-4
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4. Enzyme that breaks down natural GLP-1. GLP-1 RAs engineered to resist.
DQSA
Drug Quality and Security Act of 2013. Refined 503A; added 503B framework.
FAERS
FDA Adverse Event Reporting System. Spontaneous AE reports database.
FDA-approved
Authorized by FDA for marketing. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved as finished products.
Flat-rate pricing
Same per-month cost regardless of dose tier.
GIP
Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide. Second incretin; tirzepatide is dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist.
GLP-1
Glucagon-like peptide-1. Endogenous incretin hormone.
GLP-1 RA
GLP-1 receptor agonist. Drug class: semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide.
HPLC
High-performance liquid chromatography. Standard potency-measurement method.
LegitScript
A private company that certifies some online pharmacies and telehealth sites. Its public lookup shows whether a site holds certification.
MACE
Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events. Composite CV-trial endpoint (CV death + non-fatal MI + non-fatal stroke).
MASH
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. Liver disease with fat, inflammation, fibrosis. Formerly NASH.
MASLD
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Umbrella term.
MEN-2
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. Predisposes to MTC. GLP-1 contraindication.
MTC
Medullary thyroid carcinoma. GLP-1 class boxed warning based on rodent data.
NEJM
New England Journal of Medicine. Primary venue for major GLP-1 trials.
Off-label
Use of FDA-approved drug for non-approved indication, population, or dose.
OSA
Obstructive sleep apnea. Zepbound first drug ever FDA-approved (December 2024).
PA
Prior authorization. Insurance requirement before dispensing.
PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome. Insulin resistance, anovulation, hyperandrogenism.
Salt form
An active ingredient bound to an ion. FDA has warned that semaglutide sodium and semaglutide acetate are different active ingredients from the one in approved products.
Sarcopenia
Age-related muscle loss. Accelerated by rapid weight loss without resistance training.
SELECT
Semaglutide CV outcomes trial (NEJM 2023). 17,604 adults BMI ≥27 + CVD. 20% MACE reduction.
Speakable
Schema.org property identifying content for TTS and voice-assistant surfacing.
STEP
Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with obesity. Trial program.
SURMOUNT
Tirzepatide weight-management trial program.
SURPASS
Tirzepatide T2D trial program.
SUSTAIN
Semaglutide T2D trial program.
Telehealth
Healthcare delivery via remote technology.
Titration
Gradual dose escalation. Standard for GLP-1 initiation.
USP <71>
USP sterility test.
USP <85>
USP bacterial endotoxin test.
USP <797>
USP chapter on sterile compounding standards. Required for 503A sterile preparations.
USP <800>
USP chapter on hazardous drug handling.