JAMA Study: Nearly Half of GLP-1 Telehealth Sites Don't Disclose Medication Risks

When you're researching GLP-1 medications online, you expect to find honest information about what you're getting—including potential side effects and safety concerns. But according to research published in JAMA Health Forum, that's often not what happens.

The Key Findings

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine analyzed 79 websites marketing compounded GLP-1 medications or prescriptions for them. Their findings were concerning:

• Nearly half (49%) didn't include information about known adverse effects, including common issues like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fainting, headache, migraine, dehydration, and rarer but serious risks like acute pancreatitis and gallstones
• 37% stated or implied that their compounded medications were FDA-approved—which they are not
• Many sites failed to mention contraindications (conditions that make the medication inappropriate for certain patients)

The FDA Approval Confusion

One of the study's most troubling findings was how often websites implied FDA approval. Some common misleading phrases include claims that pharmacies are "FDA-registered" or "known to the FDA." Patients may assume this means their medication is FDA-approved, but it doesn't.

Here's the distinction: an FDA-registered facility has submitted paperwork to the FDA, but that doesn't mean their compounded products have been reviewed for safety or effectiveness. FDA approval means the medication has undergone rigorous testing in clinical trials and been determined safe and effective for its intended use. Compounded medications skip this process entirely.

This doesn't mean compounded GLP-1s can't be effective—many patients have great results. But it does mean you're taking on different risks than with FDA-approved products, and you deserve to know that upfront.

Why Telehealth Providers Skip Safety Information

The study didn't explore providers' motivations, but the pattern is clear: sales-focused sites often minimize or omit risk information to avoid discouraging potential customers. It's easier to make a sale when you're only highlighting benefits.

This represents a fundamental conflict of interest. A legitimate medical provider's primary duty is to your health—including making sure you understand the full picture before starting treatment. A purely sales-driven operation may prioritize conversions over informed consent.

What Should Be Disclosed

A responsible GLP-1 provider should tell you about:

Common Side Effects

These occur in a significant percentage of users and you should expect to potentially experience some of them:

• Nausea (especially during the first few weeks and dose increases)
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Decreased appetite (which is also part of how the medication works)
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Injection site reactions

Less Common but Serious Risks

These are rarer but important to know about:

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Gallbladder problems including gallstones
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), especially when combined with other diabetes medications
• Kidney problems, particularly with dehydration
• Severe allergic reactions

Contraindications

You should NOT take GLP-1 medications if you have personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, or if you have a history of severe allergic reactions to the medication.

FDA Status

Clear disclosure that compounded medications are not FDA-approved, meaning they haven't been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality.

How to Evaluate a Provider's Transparency

Before signing up with any GLP-1 telehealth provider, check for these elements:

Red Flags

• No mention of side effects: If a site only talks about benefits, they're not giving you the full picture
• Misleading FDA language: Claims like "FDA-registered pharmacy" without clarifying that compounds aren't FDA-approved
• "Same as brand name": Claims that compounded versions are identical to or "equivalent to" FDA-approved drugs
• No medical screening: Any provider that doesn't ask about your medical history before prescribing

Green Flags

• Clear safety disclosures: Side effects and contraindications prominently displayed
• FDA disclaimer: Explicit statement that compounded medications aren't FDA-approved
• Medical intake process: Questions about your health history, current medications, and contraindications
• Ongoing support: Access to medical providers who can help you manage side effects
• Clear cancellation policies: Transparent about what happens if you need to stop

What Primary Care Doctors Are Saying

The telehealth transparency issue connects to broader concerns from the medical community. According to a survey by Omada Health, 67% of primary care physicians worry about their patients accessing GLP-1 prescriptions through third-party telehealth providers, citing concerns about overprescribing (56%) and compromised continuity of care (50%).

Even more concerning, 61% of surveyed physicians reported that patients don't always tell them when they've obtained a GLP-1 prescription from a telehealth provider. This means their regular doctor may not know about potential medication interactions or be able to help manage side effects.

The Bottom Line

GLP-1 medications can be genuinely life-changing for people struggling with weight management. But like all medications, they come with risks that you deserve to know about before starting treatment.

A provider who hides or minimizes these risks isn't looking out for your best interests. A good provider gives you the full picture—benefits AND risks—so you can make an informed decision. That's what "informed consent" actually means in medicine.

When you're evaluating providers, don't just look at price and convenience. Look at how they communicate about safety. Transparency is a sign of a provider who takes your health seriously.