Willow Health Review: Is Willow GLP-1 Weight Loss Legit?
Willow (startwillow.com) is an online GLP-1 weight-loss program built around compounded semaglutide, compounded tirzepatide and daily dissolving tablets. Here is how it works, what it prescribes, where it is available, and what the public record says, so you can decide whether it fits you.
Willow is a real, operating telehealth company: Willow Health Services, Inc. connects patients in 35 states and Puerto Rico with U.S.-licensed physicians who can prescribe compounded GLP-1 medications made by state-licensed compounding pharmacies. It is a legitimate business, but "legit" is not the same as "right for you": its care is message-based with no video visits, its medications are compounded (not FDA-approved), its plans renew automatically, and it has been the subject of an advertising challenge and a manufacturer lawsuit that are worth understanding before you sign up.
- Company: Willow Health Services, Inc., with a Houston, Texas mailing address listed in its Terms of Service (last updated August 14, 2026).
- What it prescribes: compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide as weekly injections, daily dissolving tablets, and NAD+. Willow states its compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are not brand-equivalent.
- How visits work: asynchronous. You complete an online assessment, a physician reviews it (Willow says usually within 24 hours), and you message your doctor through a patient portal. Willow's help center says there are no phone or video calls.
- Where: 35 states plus Puerto Rico, per Willow's help center as of September 16, 2026.
- Insurance: not required; Willow says FSA and HSA cards are accepted.
- Billing: a subscription that renews automatically until you cancel.
Disclosure: Rx.com runs its own online GLP-1 weight-loss program, so Willow is a competitor. Links on this page go to Rx.com's program. Every statement about Willow below comes from a source we opened and list at the end; where we could not verify something, we left it out.
Comparing GLP-1 programs?
Rx.com's program starts with a short online health quiz reviewed by a licensed U.S. provider. No insurance is needed, and you are not charged for medication if you are not approved.
See if Rx.com's GLP-1 program is right for you →Prescription treatment requires provider approval.
What Willow Health is
Willow, sometimes searched as "Start Willow" after its web address, startwillow.com, is an online weight-loss program focused on GLP-1 medications. Its Terms of Service identify the company as Willow Health Services, Inc. and describe a model that is common in telehealth: Willow runs the platform, an affiliated medical practice employs or contracts the physicians who make prescribing decisions, and partner pharmacies prepare and ship the medication. Willow's site states plainly that it is not the compounding pharmacy or the manufacturer of what it sells.
Willow's About page names Dr. Michael Green as Chief Medical Officer and describes him as a dual board-certified physician (listed as MD, OB/GYN) with more than 30 years of experience, who says he is also a GLP-1 patient himself. The same page describes Willow as "dedicated to improving women's overall wellbeing" and says its team works remotely. Willow does not list founders or a founding date on its About page, so we do not state either here.
Willow's help center says a program includes personalized medication, free shipping, injection supplies for injectable plans, ongoing messaging access to doctors through the patient portal, regular follow-ups with its Care Team, video guides, and a peer community.
How Willow works: sign-up, visit, pharmacy, shipping
As of October 2026, Willow's site and help center describe the process like this:
- Free online assessment. You answer questions about your health, history and goals. Willow's help center says this takes about 15 minutes.
- Physician review. A U.S.-licensed physician reviews your answers, which Willow says usually happens within 24 hours. Some of Willow's marketing describes "same-day" approval.
- Asynchronous care. Willow's help center describes the visit as asynchronous: you share your information up front and then message your doctor through the portal. It says there are no phone or video calls. Willow's FAQ says patients usually keep the same physician, except during vacations or staffing changes.
- ID check. Willow requires a government-issued photo ID before it fills prescriptions.
- Pharmacy preparation. If you are prescribed treatment, the prescription goes to a partner pharmacy. Willow's help center says processing takes about a day and the pharmacy prepares the medication in two to four business days.
- Shipping. Willow says shipping is free, takes about two days, comes with tracking, and arrives in discreet packaging. Its help center says most patients receive medication within seven days of approval, with possible delays in busy periods.
- Automatic refills. Willow says you do not have to re-order each month; refills continue automatically while your subscription is active.
Willow's help center says support is available through messaging and that its team responds within 24 hours, and its homepage advertises a 24/7 Care Team. If a package is lost or may have been exposed to unsafe temperatures, Willow's FAQ says to contact its Patient Care Team about a replacement.
Why the visit format matters
A message-based visit is fast and convenient, and many people prefer it. The tradeoff is that you will not see or speak with a clinician in real time unless you ask. If you have several health conditions, take a number of medications, or simply want to talk things through, decide up front whether a text-only format is enough for you.
What Willow prescribes
As of October 2026, Willow's site and help center list these treatments:
| Treatment | Form and schedule | What Willow says about it |
|---|---|---|
| Compounded semaglutide | Injection, once weekly | Compounded by partner pharmacies; not FDA-approved; not brand-equivalent |
| Compounded tirzepatide | Injection, once weekly | Compounded by partner pharmacies; not FDA-approved; not brand-equivalent |
| Semaglutide or tirzepatide tablets (and a combination tablet) | Dissolving tablet under the tongue, once daily | Compounded; Willow says no FDA-approved oral-dissolving form of either drug exists |
| NAD+ | Injection | Compounded; not FDA-approved |
Willow does not list any brand-name GLP-1 medications on its homepage, and its help center describes its medications as compounded. Compounded medications are made by a pharmacy for an individual prescription. They are not FDA-approved, which means the FDA has not reviewed them for safety, effectiveness or quality the way it reviews approved drugs. Willow states this on its own site.
Willow's help center explains that semaglutide acts on GLP-1 receptors while tirzepatide acts on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, and that common side effects are mostly digestive (nausea, diarrhea, constipation) and often improve as the body adjusts. It also notes that stopping the medication can bring back appetite and weight, and recommends tapering with your physician rather than stopping abruptly.
Willow also has eligibility limits. Its help center says you must be 18 or older, not pregnant or breastfeeding, and living in a state it serves. It lists exclusions including eating disorders, recent bariatric surgery, gallbladder disease or pancreatitis, and a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2. Notably, Willow says it currently cannot accept people with diabetes, while people with prediabetes or high blood pressure are welcome. The help center notes the list is not exhaustive and each case is evaluated by its physicians.
Willow's GLP-1 tablets: what to know
Willow's dissolving tablets get a lot of attention because they avoid needles. According to Willow's own guide to its oral tablets, you place one tablet under your tongue once a day, usually in the morning, let it dissolve fully without chewing or swallowing, and wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything other than water, or taking other oral medicines. Willow warns that swallowing the tablet may reduce its effectiveness.
Two facts are worth keeping in mind. First, Willow itself states that there is no FDA-approved oral-dissolving formulation of semaglutide or tirzepatide; these tablets are compounded and not FDA-approved. Second, Willow's guide says the tablets work through the same pathway as the injections but does not provide data comparing the two. Some public reviews, discussed below, describe slower or weaker results with the tablet option and switching to injections. If needle-free treatment is your main reason for choosing Willow, ask the physician directly how they decide between tablets and injections for someone like you.
Where Willow is available
Willow's help center article "Can I join Willow from anywhere in the US?" (dated September 16, 2026) says Willow is available in 35 states plus Puerto Rico: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Willow says it is working toward all 50 states, and its homepage notes that product availability varies by state. Some third-party reviews still quote a smaller number of states, so check Willow's own help center for the current list before you start an assessment.
Willow GLP-1 cost: what affects what you pay
We do not quote prices on this page because they change and differ by plan. Willow publishes its current pricing on startwillow.com. Based on Willow's own help center, FAQ and Terms, these are the things that affect what you pay:
- Medication and dose. Willow's help center says medication is included in the program fee, and its FAQ says medication costs vary by dosage and prescription. Its Terms say the fee can change if your prescription changes, such as a dose increase, and that Willow will disclose the new amount first.
- Which medication and form. Willow lists injectable and tablet plans separately, so the option you and your physician choose matters.
- Using your own pharmacy. Willow lets you send your prescription elsewhere but does not recommend it, because many pharmacies cannot prepare custom compounded medications. Its help center says a separate platform fee applies if you use an outside pharmacy, and you would pay that pharmacy directly for the medication.
- Insurance. Willow does not require or bill insurance. It says FSA and HSA cards are accepted.
- Shipping. Willow says shipping is free with its partner pharmacies.
- Auto-renewal. The program renews automatically, so the timing of any cancellation affects whether you are charged for the next cycle (see below).
Cancellation and refunds
Willow's help center says you can cancel by messaging its support team, and its Terms also point to your account page. To avoid the next charge, Willow asks you to cancel at least two days before your next scheduled processing date, because prescriptions cannot be cancelled once they go to the pharmacy. Requests after that window apply to the following cycle.
On refunds, Willow says cancellations made before a prescription is sent to the pharmacy receive a full refund within five to ten business days. Once medication has been compounded for you, it cannot be returned or refunded. Willow's Terms add that if a physician does not prescribe, the order is declined and refunded to your original payment method.
Is Willow weight loss legit?
Yes, in the sense that Willow is an operating U.S. company with a named legal entity, a named Chief Medical Officer, published terms, a help center, physicians licensed in the states it serves, and medication from state-licensed compounding pharmacies. Many patients have posted public reviews describing care and medication they received through it. That said, "legit" covers more than whether a company exists, so here is what else the public record shows as of October 2026.
Advertising challenge (BBB National Programs)
Novo Nordisk challenged some of Willow's advertising claims for its compounded semaglutide products before the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs (NAD Case #7488RO). The challenged claims included statements that the products were proven to support weight loss, gave results comparable to FDA-approved semaglutide, and worked without diet or exercise. According to a BBB National Programs release dated July 24, 2026, NAD initially referred the matter to the FTC, state attorneys general and the advertising platforms because Willow had not said whether it would comply with NAD's recommendations. Willow later returned to NAD after discussions with the FTC, the matter was reopened, and Willow said it had permanently discontinued all of the challenged claims.
Lawsuit from Eli Lilly
In April 2025, Eli Lilly filed lawsuits against several telehealth companies, including Willow Health Services, over how they marketed tirzepatide. NPR's reporting (published by Michigan Public) said Lilly's complaint alleged Willow falsely claimed to have developed the first "cosmetic" GLP-1, and that Willow did not respond to requests for comment. These are allegations in a lawsuit, not findings by a court. We did not find a reported final outcome, so we do not state one.
FDA warning letters
The FDA has sent many warning letters to telehealth companies in 2025 and 2026 over how they marketed compounded GLP-1 medications. In our search of public coverage and FDA listings as of October 2026, we did not find a warning letter addressed to Willow. That is not a guarantee; you can search the FDA's warning letter database yourself by company name.
Third-party certification and BBB
Willow's homepage does not mention LegitScript certification, and we did not find a BBB business profile for Willow when we searched BBB's site. Neither is legally required, but both are things some shoppers look for. LegitScript offers a public lookup where you can check any pharmacy or telehealth website.
What this means for you
Willow's current site carries clear compounding disclosures, and it says it permanently dropped the advertising claims that were challenged. If a weight-loss company, Willow or any other, tells you a compounded medication is "the same as" or "proven like" an FDA-approved drug, treat that as a red flag: compounded medications are not FDA-approved, and the FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality.
What Willow customers report
We read Willow's public Trustpilot page in October 2026. Willow's profile shows the company replying to reviews, including negative ones, and Trustpilot notes that replies may be drafted with AI assistance. We summarize themes only; individual experiences vary and reviews are not medical evidence.
Common positive themes
- Responsive physicians and support. Many reviewers describe quick replies from doctors and the support team.
- Clear onboarding. Reviewers mention clear medication instructions, easy setup, and notice before deliveries.
- Progress toward goals. Several reviewers report reaching or moving toward their weight goals on the program.
- No pressure to stay. At least one reviewer said they cancelled after reaching their goal and were not pressured to continue.
Common negative or mixed themes
- Tablet results. Trustpilot's AI-generated summary notes complaints that certain oral options were less effective or slow, with some people switching options. Some individual reviewers said the tablets did not reduce their appetite.
- Slower-than-expected results. Some reviewers said progress was slower than they hoped.
- Shipping hiccups. Some reviewers described carrier delays, which they said the company resolved.
- Website and access. At least one reviewer criticized the website as hard to navigate.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast, simple sign-up; physician review usually within 24 hours, per Willow | No video or phone visits, per Willow's help center |
| Medication included in the program fee, with free shipping and injection supplies | Fee can change with your dose, per Willow's FAQ and Terms |
| Needle-free tablet option for people who dislike injections | No FDA-approved version of the tablet exists; Willow says so itself |
| Clear compounding disclosures on its site | Only compounded medications; no brand-name GLP-1 options listed |
| No insurance needed; FSA and HSA accepted | Not available to people with diabetes, per Willow's eligibility page |
| Full refund if you cancel before your prescription reaches the pharmacy | Auto-renewing plan; no refund once medication is compounded |
| Named Chief Medical Officer and published terms | Available in 35 states plus Puerto Rico, not all 50 |
Who Willow may suit
Is Willow a reasonable fit for you?
Check the column that matches your situation:
May be a fit
- You live in one of Willow's 35 states or Puerto Rico
- You are comfortable with a compounded, non-FDA-approved medication
- You prefer messaging your doctor over scheduled video calls
- You want medication, supplies and shipping handled in one plan
- You want to pay with an FSA or HSA card
Look elsewhere first
- You have diabetes (Willow says it cannot currently accept you)
- You want a live video visit with your prescriber
- You want an FDA-approved brand-name medication
- You want to use insurance
- Your state is not on Willow's list
Alternatives to Willow
1. Rx.com's GLP-1 program
Rx.com runs its own online weight-loss program. You start with an online visit with a licensed U.S. provider, no insurance is needed, medication ships to your door, and you are not charged for medication if you are not approved. Rx.com offers compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide at the same price at every dose. Like Willow's, these are compounded medications and are not FDA-approved. Rx.com is LegitScript certified. See if Rx.com's GLP-1 program is right for you.
2. Your own doctor and your insurance
If you have insurance, your primary care doctor or an obesity medicine specialist can check whether an FDA-approved GLP-1 medication is covered under your plan, and can manage it alongside your other conditions. This route can involve prior authorization and more waiting, but it keeps your care in one place and may be the most affordable option if your plan covers it. It is also the main route for people with diabetes, whom Willow does not currently accept.
3. Manufacturer self-pay programs
The makers of FDA-approved GLP-1 medications now run their own direct programs. Lilly's LillyDirect and Novo Nordisk's NovoCare Pharmacy both describe self-pay options that do not require insurance, for certain FDA-approved products with a valid prescription. Check each program's site for which medications, doses and terms apply.
4. Other telehealth programs
Many online programs offer GLP-1 care, and they differ in visit format (video or messaging), whether they offer brand-name or compounded options, which states they serve, and how billing and cancellation work. Whatever you choose, read the cancellation and refund terms before you pay.
How Rx.com differs
Since you may be comparing the two, here is how Rx.com's program differs from what Willow describes, using only facts Rx.com can stand behind:
- Same price at every dose. Willow's FAQ says medication costs vary by dosage. Rx.com's compounded medications are the same price at every dose.
- Not charged for medication if not approved. You do not pay for medication unless a licensed provider approves treatment.
- LegitScript certified. Rx.com holds LegitScript certification, which you can verify through LegitScript's public lookup.
- No insurance needed, shipped to your door. Like Willow, Rx.com does not require insurance and ships medication to your home.
Rx.com's compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide are compounded medications and are not FDA-approved. A licensed provider decides whether either is appropriate for you.
See if Rx.com's GLP-1 program is right for you
Take a short online health quiz, reviewed by a licensed U.S. provider. Same price at every dose, and no charge for medication if you are not approved.
Start with Rx.com →Prescription treatment requires provider approval. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Willow weight loss legit?
Willow is an operating U.S. telehealth company (Willow Health Services, Inc.) that connects patients with U.S.-licensed physicians and ships compounded GLP-1 medications from state-licensed compounding pharmacies. It has been the subject of an advertising challenge, after which it said it permanently discontinued the challenged claims, and a 2025 lawsuit from Eli Lilly whose allegations have not been proven in court. Whether it suits you depends on your state, your health history, and whether you are comfortable with compounded medication, which is not FDA-approved.
Is Willow GLP-1 legit, and is the medication real?
Willow says its semaglutide and tirzepatide are prepared by state-licensed compounding pharmacies to an individual prescription. They are real prescription medications, but compounded medications are not FDA-approved and Willow states they are not brand-equivalent. Ask your physician which pharmacy prepares your medication and how it should be stored.
What are Willow Health reviews like?
On Trustpilot in October 2026, common positive themes were responsive doctors and support, clear instructions and progress toward goals. Common negative themes were slower-than-expected results, especially with the tablet option, occasional shipping delays and website complaints. Willow replies to many reviews, including negative ones.
What do Willow tirzepatide reviews say?
Reviews of Willow's tirzepatide follow the same general themes as the program overall: many people describe a smooth experience and steady progress, while others report slower results than expected. Willow's tirzepatide is compounded and not FDA-approved. Reviews are individual experiences and are not medical evidence of how the medication will work for you.
How much does Willow GLP-1 cost?
Willow publishes current pricing on startwillow.com. According to its help center, medication is included in the program fee, but its FAQ says medication costs vary by dosage and prescription, and its Terms say the fee can change if your dose changes. Shipping is free with its partner pharmacies, insurance is not used, and FSA and HSA cards are accepted. A separate platform fee applies if you use your own pharmacy.
Does Willow do video visits?
No. Willow's help center says its visits are asynchronous: you share your health information online and then message your physician through the patient portal, with no phone or video calls.
Is Start Willow the same as Willow Health?
Yes. "Start Willow" comes from Willow's web address, startwillow.com. The company's Terms of Service identify it as Willow Health Services, Inc.
Can I join Willow if I have diabetes?
Not currently. Willow's eligibility article says it cannot accept people with diabetes at this time, though people with prediabetes or high blood pressure may join. If you have diabetes, your own doctor is usually the right place to discuss GLP-1 treatment.
How do I cancel Willow?
Willow says to message its support team (its Terms also mention your account page) at least two days before your next processing date. Once a prescription is sent to the pharmacy it cannot be cancelled, and the request applies to the following cycle. Cancelling before the prescription reaches the pharmacy qualifies for a full refund, per Willow.
What is a good alternative to Willow?
Options include Rx.com's own GLP-1 program (online visit with a licensed U.S. provider, same price at every dose, no charge for medication if you are not approved), your own doctor working with your insurance, and manufacturer self-pay programs for FDA-approved medications. See if Rx.com's GLP-1 program is right for you.
Sources
- Willow. Homepage, startwillow.com (accessed October 2026).
- Willow. About Us (accessed October 2026).
- Willow. FAQs (accessed October 2026).
- Willow Health Services, Inc. Terms of Service, last updated August 14, 2026.
- Willow Help Center. What is Willow?
- Willow Help Center. Can I join Willow from anywhere in the US? (September 16, 2026).
- Willow Help Center. Who is eligible to join Willow?
- Willow Help Center. What will my virtual doctor visit look like?
- Willow Help Center. How long will it take to receive my order?
- Willow Help Center. Do I have to re-order my Willow products each month?
- Willow Help Center. Your Guide to GLP-1 Oral Tablets.
- Willow Help Center. Is medication included in my program fee?
- Willow Help Center. Can I use my own pharmacy to fill my prescription?
- Willow Help Center. Will my program automatically renew?
- Willow Help Center. What is Willow's cancellation policy?
- Willow Help Center. What is Willow's refund policy?
- BBB National Programs. Following Reopened National Advertising Division Matter, Willow Health Services Voluntarily Discontinues Claims for Compounded Semaglutide (NAD Case #7488RO), July 24, 2026.
- NPR via Michigan Public. Eli Lilly sues companies selling alternative versions of its weight loss drug, April 23, 2025.
- Trustpilot. Willow reviews, startwillow.com (accessed October 2026).
- Better Business Bureau. Business search (accessed October 2026).
- Eli Lilly. LillyDirect (accessed October 2026).
- Novo Nordisk. NovoCare Pharmacy (accessed October 2026).
