Plain-language, safety, no fine-print games
We believe you should fully understand your care. Here's how eligibility, reasons for not prescribing a GLP-1, and side effects work, in simple terms.
Clinical oversight
Dr. Sean Arora, MD · Founder and CEO of Arora Health & Aesthetics, Arora Health & Aesthetics, LLC · NPI 1841729449
Dr. Sean Arora, MD, is a board-certified physician and the founder and CEO of Arora Health & Aesthetics. His work focuses on family medicine, wellness, weight management, and telehealth clinical oversight. Arora Health & Aesthetics, LLC is Beema Health's clinical provider group and provides clinical leadership over the group of licensed providers who deliver care through Beema. Licensed clinicians make all medical decisions independently. The clinician assigned to your care may vary based on state licensure and availability.
Who may be eligible
Eligibility depends on your medical history, current health, and a clinician's independent evaluation, not on completing a form. We'll calculate your BMI during intake and ask about conditions that affect safety before any medication is considered.
As general guidance, GLP-1 weight-management medications are typically considered for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher when a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol is also present. Meeting a BMI threshold does not guarantee a prescription; it only means a conversation with a licensed provider may be appropriate.
Your clinician also weighs factors beyond BMI: current medications (including insulin or other diabetes medications, since GLP-1s can affect blood sugar), kidney or liver function, other chronic conditions, and anything else in your history that could change how safely a GLP-1 medication could be used.
Contraindications and precautions
Some histories make GLP-1 medications unsafe for a given patient. These medications are generally not prescribed to people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2), or to anyone with a known hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to the active ingredient (semaglutide, tirzepatide, or a related compound) or any component of the formulation.
Other conditions call for extra caution rather than an automatic "no." A personal history of pancreatitis, significant gastrointestinal disease, diabetic retinopathy, or a history of an eating disorder are all things your clinician will weigh carefully. GLP-1 medications are not prescribed during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and anyone who could become pregnant will be asked about pregnancy plans and contraception during intake.
None of this is exhaustive, and it isn't medical advice. Your intake responses and, where relevant, your records are reviewed by a licensed clinician who makes the final call for your specific situation.
Common side effects
The most commonly reported side effects of GLP-1 medications are gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. They tend to be most noticeable shortly after starting treatment or after a dose increase, and they often ease as your body adjusts.
Starting at a low dose and increasing gradually, which is how these medications are typically prescribed, is intended to reduce the frequency and severity of these effects. Staying hydrated and eating smaller, lower-fat meals can also help with nausea and digestive changes. If vomiting or diarrhea becomes severe or persistent, it can lead to dehydration, so message your care team promptly if that happens.
Most side effects are manageable, and your clinician can adjust your dose, pace, or plan based on what you report. We ask about side effects at check-ins specifically so problems get caught and addressed early rather than left to guesswork.
How Beema's intake screens for safety
Before any prescription is considered, our medical intake asks about your personal and family medical history, current medications and supplements, known allergies, prior surgeries, and the contraindications and precautions described above, including thyroid cancer history, pancreatitis history, and pregnancy or breastfeeding status.
That information, along with your height, weight, and BMI, is reviewed by a licensed clinician before a prescribing decision is made. Completing intake does not guarantee treatment. If something in your history raises a safety concern, your clinician may decline to prescribe, recommend a different medication or dose, or ask for additional information before moving forward.
Care doesn't stop at the first prescription. We check in over time so your clinician can monitor side effects, confirm the medication is still appropriate, and adjust your plan as needed.
Emergency warning signs
Seek emergency care for severe abdominal pain (including pain that spreads to your back, which can signal pancreatitis), persistent vomiting, signs of a gallbladder problem (upper-right abdominal pain, fever, or yellowing of the skin or eyes), signs of an allergic reaction (swelling, hives, trouble breathing), or other severe symptoms.
If this is an emergency, call 911.
Clinical independence
Clinical decisions are made independently by licensed providers based on a clinical evaluation. Completing intake does not guarantee a prescription, and Beema Health does not influence medical judgment.