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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
If you missed the introduction to this series about GLP-1s and product insights in digital health, you can read it here.Unlike other companies in this space, Hims has figured out that GLP-1s aren’t the only weight loss medications in town. Sure, they’re in the spotlight, they’re the star of the show, but there’s a whole supporting cast of other medications waiting in the wings.So, what does Hims offer in addition to GLP-1s? Custom medication kits. A medication kit may include bupropion, metformin, topiramate, vitamin B12, and naltrexone. That’s the order the medications are listed on the website. However, a more logical order to list them in would be naltrexone, bupropion, metformin, vitamin B12, and topiramate.Here’s why:Naltrexone and bupropion go together. These are the two active ingredients that constitute CONTRAVE®, an FDA-approved, 2-in-1, oral weight-loss pill. Prescribing the medications separately is much cheaper for patients because they’re generic, and it allows the doses to be independently adjusted.Metformin and vitamin B12 also go together. Since Metformin can interfere with the absorption of B12 in the intestines, it can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency. Therefore, in order to prevent this, a patient who is taking metformin long-term may also need B12 supplementation.Topiramate is one-half of the brand name medication Qsymia. Qsymia is FDA-approved for weight loss and contains both topiramate and phentermine. (Phentermine is a stimulant and a controlled substance.)The FAQ section on the Hims website states, “these medications work in different ways to support your weight loss goals.” There’s an opportunity here to expand on this messaging and provide additional information. Increasing patients’ understanding will in turn increase their confidence in this approach.Thanks for reading The Medical Atlas! This post is public so feel free to share it.Share
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