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SemaglutideRx
GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
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GLP-1 & Wellness Glossary
Plain-language definitions of 84 terms across GLP-1 medications, peptides, compounding pharmacy regulation, dosing, metabolism, body composition, laboratory measures, clinical trials and telehealth — each with cited sources and related definitions or Luma guides. Inclusion is educational and does not mean Luma offers every listed medication. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
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Medications
SemaglutideTirzepatideCompounded semaglutideCompounded tirzepatideOzempicWegovyMounjaroZepboundLiraglutideNAD+SermorelinGlutathioneMIC + B12FinasterideMinoxidilOndansetronCompounded glutathioneCompounded NAD+Compounded sermorelinCyanocobalaminFoundayoOrforglipronBPC-157Emideltide (DSIP)EpitalonKPVMOTS-cSemaxTB-500Bacteriostatic water
Pharmacy & regulation
Compounding503A pharmacy503B outsourcing facilityFDA approvalLegitScript certificationPCAB accreditationOff-label use503A bulks listAdditive (compounded GLP-1)Compounded peptideFDA shortage listPharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC)Therapeutically equivalentHallandale PharmacyVialsRxCompounded medicationActive pharmaceutical ingredient (API)
Medications
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to treat type 2 diabetes and support chronic weight management. It is the active ingredient in three FDA-approved branded products: Ozempic (type 2 diabetes), Wegovy (chronic weight management), and Rybelsus (oral type 2 diabetes). Compounded versions are prepared by US-licensed pharmacies but are not FDA-approved and are not therapeutically equivalent to the branded products.
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Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist used to treat type 2 diabetes and support chronic weight management. It is the active ingredient in two FDA-approved branded products: Mounjaro (type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (chronic weight management). Compounded versions are prepared by US-licensed pharmacies but are not FDA-approved and are not therapeutically equivalent to the branded products.
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Compounded semaglutide
Compounded semaglutide is semaglutide prepared by a US-licensed compounding pharmacy under a valid patient-specific prescription, rather than manufactured commercially by Novo Nordisk. It is not FDA-approved and is not therapeutically equivalent to Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus. Through Luma, compounded semaglutide is prepared by independent, state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacies, including VialsRx (licensed in all 50 states) and Hallandale Pharmacy (licensed in 41 states), and prescribed only when a licensed clinician determines it is appropriate. Individual results vary.
Compounded tirzepatide
Compounded tirzepatide is tirzepatide prepared by a US-licensed compounding pharmacy under a valid patient-specific prescription, rather than manufactured commercially by Eli Lilly. It is not FDA-approved and is not therapeutically equivalent to Mounjaro or Zepbound. Through Luma, compounded tirzepatide is prepared by independent, state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacies, including VialsRx and Hallandale Pharmacy, and prescribed only when a licensed clinician determines it is appropriate. Individual results vary.
Ozempic
Ozempic is the brand name for Novo Nordisk's FDA-approved semaglutide injection indicated for type 2 diabetes. It is a prescription-only, FDA-approved finished drug product. Compounded semaglutide is not Ozempic and is not therapeutically equivalent to it.
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Wegovy
Wegovy is the brand name for Novo Nordisk's FDA-approved semaglutide injection (2.4 mg weekly) indicated for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition. The pivotal STEP 1 trial studied this branded product; compounded semaglutide has not been studied in equivalent trials.
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Mounjaro
Mounjaro is the brand name for Eli Lilly's FDA-approved tirzepatide injection indicated for type 2 diabetes. It is a prescription-only, FDA-approved finished drug product. Compounded tirzepatide is not Mounjaro and is not therapeutically equivalent to it.
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Zepbound
Zepbound is the brand name for Eli Lilly's FDA-approved tirzepatide injection indicated for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition. The pivotal SURMOUNT-1 trial studied this branded product; compounded tirzepatide has not been studied in equivalent trials.
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Liraglutide
Liraglutide is an earlier GLP-1 receptor agonist taken as a once-daily injection. It is the active ingredient in the FDA-approved branded products Victoza (type 2 diabetes) and Saxenda (chronic weight management). Because it is dosed daily rather than weekly, it is prescribed less often for weight management than semaglutide or tirzepatide.
NAD+
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every living cell that plays a central role in energy metabolism and cellular repair. Compounded NAD+ injections are prepared by US-licensed compounding pharmacies under a valid prescription and are not FDA-approved.
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Sermorelin
Sermorelin is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that stimulates the pituitary gland to release the body's own growth hormone. Compounded sermorelin is prepared by US-licensed compounding pharmacies under a valid prescription and is not FDA-approved; it is not the same as recombinant human growth hormone (HGH).
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Glutathione
Glutathione is a tripeptide antioxidant produced naturally in the body and involved in cellular defense against oxidative stress. Compounded glutathione injections are prepared by US-licensed compounding pharmacies under a valid prescription and are not FDA-approved.
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Related:Luma glutathione injections
MIC + B12
MIC + B12 (often called Lipo-B) is a compounded injection combining methionine, inositol, and choline — three lipotropic nutrients involved in fat metabolism — with vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin). Compounded MIC + B12 is prepared by US-licensed compounding pharmacies under a valid prescription and is not FDA-approved; it is intended to complement, not replace, a broader care plan.
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Finasteride
Finasteride is an FDA-approved prescription medication that treats male pattern hair loss by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — the hormone primarily responsible for follicle miniaturization in androgenetic alopecia. It is available in oral and compounded topical formulations.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a vasodilator used to treat hair loss. Topical minoxidil is FDA-approved and available over the counter for androgenetic alopecia in men and women; oral minoxidil is used off-label at low doses under clinician supervision. It works by prolonging the growth (anagen) phase of hair follicles and increasing blood flow to the scalp.
Ondansetron
Ondansetron is an FDA-approved anti-nausea medication (a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist) best known by the brand name Zofran. Because nausea is the most common side effect when starting a GLP-1 medication, some compounded GLP-1 programs include ondansetron support during the early weeks of treatment when a clinician judges it appropriate.
Compounded glutathione
Compounded glutathione is a pharmacy-prepared prescription formulation containing glutathione, an antioxidant naturally present in the body. The formulation, concentration and route are specified by the prescription. Compounded glutathione is not FDA-approved.
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Compounded NAD+
Compounded NAD+ is a prescription preparation containing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, made by a compounding pharmacy rather than supplied as an FDA-approved finished drug. NAD+ participates in cellular energy reactions. The prescription specifies the formulation, concentration and route of administration.
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Compounded sermorelin
Compounded sermorelin is a prescription preparation of a synthetic growth hormone-releasing hormone analog. It acts on the pituitary gland rather than supplying growth hormone directly. A compounded sermorelin product is not FDA-approved, and its formulation and dosing are determined by the prescribing clinician and dispensing pharmacy.
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Cyanocobalamin
Cyanocobalamin is a form of vitamin B12 that the body converts into active B12 compounds. Vitamin B12 supports nerve function, red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis. Some compounded prescriptions combine cyanocobalamin with another medication, with the ingredients and concentrations identified on the pharmacy label.
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Foundayo
Foundayo is Eli Lilly's brand name for orforglipron, a once-daily oral, non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in eligible adults alongside diet and physical activity. It is a distinct finished drug product, not compounded oral semaglutide or tirzepatide.
Orforglipron
Orforglipron is the active ingredient in Foundayo. Unlike peptide-based GLP-1 medications, it is a small molecule that activates the GLP-1 receptor and is taken orally. Its approved uses and instructions belong to the Foundayo label and should not be transferred to other oral or compounded medications.
BPC-157
BPC-157 is an experimental peptide discussed in research on tissue and gastrointestinal processes. It is not an FDA-approved drug. Laboratory findings and proposed uses do not establish a proven human treatment, and any compounding eligibility must be checked against current FDA requirements.
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Emideltide (DSIP)
Emideltide, also called delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP), is an experimental peptide discussed in sleep-related research. Its name does not establish that it treats insomnia or other sleep disorders. It is not an FDA-approved drug; regulatory evaluations and proposed research uses are distinct from an approved indication.
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Epitalon
Epitalon (also spelled epithalon) is an experimental synthetic peptide discussed in aging and sleep research. Research interest is not evidence of an approved anti-aging or insomnia treatment. It is not an FDA-approved drug, and compounding status requires substance-specific review of current FDA rules.
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KPV
KPV is a three-amino-acid peptide fragment associated with alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. It is investigated for inflammatory and tissue-related processes. It is not an FDA-approved drug, and experimental mechanisms do not establish an approved treatment for inflammatory conditions or wounds.
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MOTS-c
MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide studied in cellular metabolism and related research. It is not an FDA-approved weight-management medication. Research involving metabolic pathways does not establish that a MOTS-c product delivers the clinical outcomes of an approved GLP-1 medication.
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Semax
Semax is an experimental synthetic peptide related to a fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). It has been discussed in neurological research, but it is not an FDA-approved drug in the United States. Proposed uses and research from other jurisdictions are not US-approved indications.
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TB-500
TB-500 is a name used for a synthetic peptide associated with a fragment of thymosin beta-4. It appears in tissue-repair research discussions but is not an FDA-approved drug. Findings about thymosin beta-4 should not automatically be treated as clinical evidence for a particular TB-500 product.
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Bacteriostatic water
Bacteriostatic water for injection is sterile water containing a preservative, commonly benzyl alcohol, used as a diluent for certain injectable medications when their instructions permit it. It is not interchangeable with every diluent. Some prescriptions arrive ready to use; follow the dispensing pharmacy's instructions rather than adding water or changing concentration yourself.
Mechanism & pharmacology
GLP-1 receptor agonist
A GLP-1 receptor agonist is a medication that mimics glucagon-like peptide-1, a natural gut hormone released after eating. By activating GLP-1 receptors, these medications increase insulin secretion when blood sugar is high, slow gastric emptying, and act on appetite centers in the brain to increase satiety — the combination that supports blood-sugar control and weight management.
GIP receptor agonist
A GIP receptor agonist activates the receptor for glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, a second gut hormone (incretin) involved in insulin release and appetite regulation. Tirzepatide is a dual agonist that activates both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, which is why it is sometimes called a 'twincretin.'
Gastric emptying
Gastric emptying is the rate at which food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine. GLP-1 receptor agonists slow gastric emptying, which helps people feel full longer after meals. This slowing is also why nausea is most common when starting treatment or increasing a dose, and why it usually improves as the body adjusts.
Satiety
Satiety is the feeling of fullness and satisfaction after eating that signals the body to stop eating. GLP-1 receptor agonists increase satiety by acting on appetite-regulating receptors in the brain and by slowing gastric emptying. Increased satiety is one of the primary mechanisms by which GLP-1 medications support weight management; individual responses vary.
Glucagon-like peptide-1
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a naturally occurring gut hormone released in response to food. It helps coordinate glucose-dependent insulin release, digestion and appetite signaling. GLP-1 receptor agonists activate the same receptor but are medications, rather than the body's own hormone.
Peptide
A peptide is a chain of amino acids joined by peptide bonds. Peptides can act as hormones and signaling molecules, and some are used in approved medicines, including semaglutide and tirzepatide. The word peptide alone does not establish a product's effectiveness, FDA approval or eligibility for compounding.
GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide)
Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is an incretin hormone released from the intestine after eating. It participates in glucose-dependent insulin secretion and other metabolic signaling. Tirzepatide activates the GIP receptor as well as the GLP-1 receptor; the natural hormone and a receptor-activating medication are different things.
Dual agonist
A dual agonist is a substance that activates two different receptors. Tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. This describes its mechanism; it does not mean every dual agonist has the same clinical effects or that compounded formulations have demonstrated the outcomes of an approved branded product.
Incretin
Incretins are gut hormones, including GLP-1 and GIP, that help increase insulin secretion in response to food. Medications targeting these pathways are sometimes called incretin-based therapies. Their glucose-dependent action does not eliminate hypoglycemia risk, particularly when combined with insulin or certain other diabetes medications.
Weight set point
Weight set point is a model describing how biological feedback can resist changes in body weight through appetite and energy expenditure. It is not a single fixed number that can be measured in an ordinary visit. Genetics, environment, behaviors and physiology all influence weight regulation.
Adaptive thermogenesis
Adaptive thermogenesis is a change in energy expenditure beyond what would be predicted from changes in body size and composition alone. During weight loss, this adaptation can reduce energy needs. Its magnitude differs across people and circumstances, so a fixed daily calorie reduction should not be assumed for everyone.
Pharmacy & regulation
Compounding
Compounding is the practice of preparing a customized medication for an individual patient under a valid prescription, performed by a licensed compounding pharmacy. The FDA does not review compounded medications for safety, effectiveness, or quality before they are dispensed, and compounded drugs are not FDA-approved. Compounding is regulated primarily by state boards of pharmacy under Sections 503A and 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
503A pharmacy
A 503A pharmacy is a state-licensed compounding pharmacy that prepares patient-specific medications under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. 503A pharmacies compound only against individual prescriptions and are regulated primarily by state boards of pharmacy. Luma's weight-loss medications are prepared by independent 503A pharmacies, including VialsRx and Hallandale Pharmacy.
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503B outsourcing facility
A 503B outsourcing facility is a compounding facility registered with the FDA under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Unlike 503A pharmacies, 503B facilities may produce larger batches without patient-specific prescriptions for office use, and they must comply with FDA current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) standards and FDA inspections.
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FDA approval
FDA approval means the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reviewed a finished drug product's clinical trial data and determined it is safe and effective for its labeled use. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved: they are prepared by licensed pharmacies for individual patients and are not reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality before dispensing.
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LegitScript certification
LegitScript is an independent healthcare compliance certification used by payment processors and advertising platforms (including Google and Meta) to verify that a telehealth platform operates within applicable regulations. Certification requires ongoing monitoring of operations, prescribing practices, pharmacy relationships, and patient safety. Luma's certification is publicly verifiable on the LegitScript website.
Related:Luma frequently asked questions
PCAB accreditation
PCAB (Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board) accreditation is a voluntary quality accreditation for compounding pharmacies, administered by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). It assesses a pharmacy's compounding processes, facilities, and quality controls against national standards. Accreditation is a quality signal; it is separate from state licensure and does not make compounded medications FDA-approved.
Off-label use
Off-label use means a licensed clinician prescribes an FDA-approved medication for a use, dose, or patient group different from its approved labeling. Off-label prescribing is legal and common in US medical practice, but the safety and effectiveness of the off-label use has not been reviewed by the FDA for that purpose. Low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss is a common example.
503A bulks list
The 503A bulks list identifies bulk drug substances that may be used for compounding under the list provision of Section 503A of federal law. Other statutory routes and conditions also matter, including applicable drug monographs and ingredients of approved drugs. A nomination or advisory committee recommendation is not inclusion on the final list, and inclusion does not make a compounded medication FDA-approved.
Additive (compounded GLP-1)
An additive is another ingredient combined with a GLP-1 medication in a compounded formulation, such as vitamin B12. The prescription and pharmacy label identify the ingredients, concentrations and instructions for the prescribed formulation.
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Compounded peptide
A compounded peptide is a pharmacy-prepared medication containing a peptide, a chain of amino acids. Peptide describes the molecule, not its approval or legal compounding status. Whether a substance can be compounded depends on the substance and applicable federal and state requirements; compounded finished products are not FDA-approved.
FDA shortage list
The FDA drug shortage database reports supply shortages and their status. Shortage status can affect specific federal restrictions on compounding copies of approved drugs, but does not waive every compounding requirement. Because status and enforcement policies change, the current database and FDA guidance—not a historical listing—should be consulted.
Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC)
The Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee is an FDA advisory body that reviews scientific and policy questions about compounding, including nominated bulk drug substances. Its recommendations are advisory, not drug approvals or final changes to compounding rules. FDA decisions and any required rulemaking are separate steps.
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Therapeutically equivalent
Therapeutically equivalent describes approved drug products that meet FDA criteria for pharmaceutical equivalence and bioequivalence and are expected to have the same clinical effect and safety profile under their labeling. Sharing an ingredient is not enough. Compounded drugs do not have FDA therapeutic-equivalence ratings to branded products.
Hallandale Pharmacy
Hallandale Pharmacy is an independent compounding pharmacy based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and a Luma weight-loss pharmacy partner. Its state licenses and service coverage should be checked separately from a clinician's license. Luma's state guides describe applicable routing and shipping exclusions. Its compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
VialsRx
VialsRx is an independent compounding pharmacy that fills weight-loss prescriptions for Luma. Luma's pharmacy records list service to all 50 states; that coverage is separate from individual prescribing decisions and does not guarantee a prescription. VialsRx's compounded preparations are not FDA-approved finished drugs.
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Compounded medication
A compounded medication is a preparation made by combining, mixing or altering ingredients to meet a patient's medical needs. It differs from a commercially manufactured, FDA-approved finished drug. Compounding is subject to federal and state requirements; a shared active ingredient does not establish therapeutic equivalence to a branded product.
Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)
An active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is the component intended to produce a medication's pharmacological effect. A finished product also has a formulation, concentration, delivery route and other ingredients. Knowing the API alone does not establish the quality, absorption or clinical equivalence of two products.
Clinical & dosing
BMI (body mass index)
Body mass index (BMI) is a screening measure calculated from height and weight (kg/m²). For GLP-1 weight-management treatment, clinicians generally consider a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with at least one weight-related condition such as hypertension or type 2 diabetes, consistent with the labeling of FDA-approved medications. BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis, and a licensed clinician makes the final eligibility decision.
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Titration
Titration is the gradual increase of a medication dose over time to reach an effective maintenance dose while limiting side effects. GLP-1 medications typically start at a low dose that increases stepwise over weeks to months under clinician guidance. Dose schedules are individualized — not every patient follows the same titration path — and at Luma, the price of a GLP-1 plan does not change as the dose changes.
Maintenance dose
A maintenance dose is the ongoing dose of a medication a patient stays on after titration is complete — the dose intended to sustain the treatment effect long term. For branded semaglutide (Wegovy) the maintenance dose studied in trials was 2.4 mg weekly; individual maintenance doses are set by the prescribing clinician.
STEP 1 trial
The STEP 1 trial (Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with obesity, NEJM 2021) was the pivotal Phase 3 randomized controlled trial of branded semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy) for chronic weight management. Over 68 weeks, participants receiving semaglutide with lifestyle intervention lost a mean of approximately 14.9% of body weight, versus approximately 2.4% with placebo. The trial studied an FDA-approved branded product, not compounded semaglutide. Individual results vary.
SURMOUNT-1 trial
The SURMOUNT-1 trial (Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity, NEJM 2022) was the pivotal Phase 3 randomized controlled trial of branded tirzepatide (Zepbound) for chronic weight management. Over 72 weeks, participants on the highest dose (15 mg) with lifestyle intervention lost a mean of approximately 22.5% of body weight. The trial studied an FDA-approved branded product, not compounded tirzepatide. Individual results vary.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body becomes resistant to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar. Several GLP-1 receptor agonists — including Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Rybelsus — are FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes, and their weight-management effects led to separate approvals for chronic weight management under different brand names.
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Dose escalation
Dose escalation is a stepwise increase in a medication's dose, also called upward titration. Approved GLP-1 labels use gradual escalation to support tolerability. The schedule depends on the specific product and clinician assessment; a branded injection schedule is not automatically an instruction for a compounded or oral formulation.
Non-responder
Non-responder describes someone who does not meet a defined treatment-response threshold. In weight-management studies, the definition depends on the medication, outcome and assessment period; there is no single universal cutoff for every GLP-1 plan. A clinician evaluates response alongside tolerability, adherence and other health measures.
Insulin resistance
Insulin resistance occurs when cells in muscles, fat and the liver respond less effectively to insulin. The pancreas may produce more insulin to maintain glucose levels; over time, blood sugar can rise. It is associated with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, but diagnosis and treatment depend on an individual clinical evaluation.
Food noise
Food noise is an informal term for persistent thoughts, cravings or preoccupation with food. It is not a standardized medical diagnosis. Appetite and eating-behavior research can help explain these experiences, but reductions vary between people and should not be promised for a particular compounded prescription.
A1C (HbA1c)
A1C, or glycated hemoglobin, is a blood test reflecting average blood glucose over roughly the previous three months. Clinicians use it to assess diabetes risk and monitor glucose management. Some medical conditions affect its interpretation; a glossary entry does not establish that this test is required for every Luma patient.
Lean mass
Lean mass refers to non-fat body tissues, including muscle, organs and body water; exact usage depends on the measurement method. It is not synonymous with skeletal muscle alone. Body-composition changes during weight loss vary, and clinicians may discuss nutrition and resistance exercise to support strength and function.
Visceral fat
Visceral fat is fat within the abdominal cavity around internal organs, distinct from subcutaneous fat beneath the skin. Higher visceral fat is associated with metabolic risk. Waist measurements can provide context, but they do not precisely measure visceral fat or establish a diagnosis on their own.
Sarcopenia
Sarcopenia is a muscle disorder characterized by low muscle strength, with muscle quantity or quality and physical performance used in further assessment. It is often associated with aging but can have other contributors. It is not an inevitable result of weight-loss treatment and requires clinical evaluation rather than a scale reading alone.
Telogen effluvium
Telogen effluvium is diffuse hair shedding caused by a shift of more hair follicles into the resting phase. Triggers can include illness, nutritional changes, physiological stress and substantial weight loss. It often improves after the trigger resolves, but persistent shedding or an unclear cause merits evaluation rather than an assumption that medication is or is not responsible.
STEP trials
STEP (Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with obesity) is a clinical-trial program studying branded semaglutide for weight management in different populations and settings. STEP 1 is one trial within the program. Findings apply to the studied product, dose and population, not automatically to compounded semaglutide.
SURMOUNT trials
SURMOUNT is a clinical-trial program studying branded tirzepatide for weight management. Individual trials examine different populations, interventions and outcomes, so their results should not be combined as if they came from one study. These studies do not establish equivalent results for compounded tirzepatide.
SELECT trial
SELECT was a cardiovascular outcomes trial of branded semaglutide 2.4 mg in adults with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease without diabetes. It evaluated major cardiovascular events, not simply weight loss. Its findings are population- and product-specific and do not establish cardiovascular protection from a compounded formulation.
Comorbidity
A comorbidity is a health condition present alongside another condition. Weight-related comorbidities can include hypertension, type 2 diabetes or obstructive sleep apnea. Some approved weight-management medication labels include adults with overweight and a qualifying condition; meeting a screening threshold does not guarantee a prescription.
Telehealth & platform
Telehealth
Telehealth is the delivery of healthcare services remotely using secure technology — intake forms, messaging, and video visits — instead of an in-person office appointment. At Luma, care is fully online: a licensed clinician reviews each patient's intake, decides whether a prescription is appropriate, and arranges a video visit during intake whenever state rules or clinical judgment require one.
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Asynchronous consultation
An asynchronous consultation is a medical evaluation that does not happen in real time: the patient completes a detailed online intake, and a licensed clinician reviews the information and responds afterward. Many states permit asynchronous intake for telehealth prescribing; where a state requires a synchronous (live video or phone) visit, it is arranged during the intake process.
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HIPAA
HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) is the US federal law that sets national standards for protecting patients' health information. It governs how healthcare providers and platforms may use, store, and share protected health information (PHI), and gives patients rights over their own records.
Related:Luma HIPAA privacy policy
Prior authorization
Prior authorization is a requirement by some insurance plans that a clinician obtain approval before a medication is covered. Because Luma's programs are cash-pay and do not bill insurance, no prior authorization is needed for Luma treatment; patients may instead use HSA or FSA funds where their plan allows.
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NPI (National Provider Identifier)
A National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a ten-digit identifier assigned to healthcare providers for standard administrative transactions. An NPI identifies a provider or organization; it does not independently establish an active state license, specialty certification or permission to prescribe. Licensing boards are the appropriate source for license status.
Arora Health and Aesthetics
Arora Health and Aesthetics, led by CEO Dr. Sean Arora, is a medical entity identified in Luma's provider disclosures. Join Luma is the technology platform; independent, state-licensed healthcare providers make medical evaluations and prescribing decisions. A platform intake is not itself a prescription approval.
Obesity medicine
Obesity medicine is a field focused on evaluating, preventing and treating obesity as a chronic condition, using individualized care that can include nutrition, physical activity, behavioral approaches, medication and procedures. Board certification is a separate professional credential and should not be assumed for a clinician without verification.
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