Fridays Review: Is This Compounded GLP-1 Program Risky?

Fridays is focused on helping you achieve long-term weight loss and better metabolic health. With medical support, nutrition coaching, fitness guidance, and a strong community, Fridays claim to give you the tools that may support your health goals.

In this review, you’ll discover their mission and services to see if they truly deliver on their promises. It will give you the key details you need to make an informed decision if you’re considering joining Fridays or just curious about learning about their approach.

Background And Company History

Fridays was created to help you achieve sustainable weight loss and improve your metabolic health through a science-backed, well-rounded approach. Founded by Dr. Weiss Surkhabi, MD, and Sina Arham, Fridays claims that weight management requires more than just dieting. Recognizing the common challenges that you might face, such as lack of medical guidance, ineffective fad diets, and emotional roadblocks, they developed Fridays to provide a suitable solution that includes medical supervision, personalized nutrition plans, structured fitness guidance, and emotional support. With board-certified experts, registered dietitians, and certified trainers, Fridays claims to provide the guidance and tools you need to build healthier habits, lose weight, and maintain long-term success. It claims to combine medical care, personalized coaching, fitness programs, and emotional support to provide you with a comprehensive weight loss solution.

How Does Fridays Function?

Step	How Fridays Works
Sign Up & Eligibility Quiz	Start by taking a short online quiz to check if you’re eligible for Fridays’ weight loss program. The quiz assesses your health history, weight loss goals, and medical needs. Once approved, choose a plan that suits you.
Medical Consultation	You’ll have a virtual consultation with a licensed healthcare provider who specializes in obesity medicine. They review your health profile, discuss your goals, and determine if compounded GLP-1 medication (semaglutide or tirzepatide) is appropriate for you.
Prescription & Medication Delivery	If prescribed, your medication is sourced from a state-regulated compounding pharmacy and shipped directly to your home. There are no extra fees for prescriptions, and all doses are included in the plan.
Ongoing Medical Supervision	Fridays provides unlimited virtual check-ins with board-certified providers to monitor your progress, adjust dosages if needed, and ensure safe, effective weight loss.
Personalized Nutrition Coaching	Registered dietitians create customized meal plans as per your dietary preferences and weight loss needs. You also receive 1:1 coaching to help with meal planning, portion control, and developing healthy eating habits.
Fitness Coaching & SESH™ Program	Certified trainers design structured workout plans, whether you prefer home workouts or gym routines. The SESH™ Fitness Program includes guided exercises, a macro tracker, and a weight tracker to help you stay on track.
Mental Health & Emotional Support	Licensed mental health professionals and support groups help address emotional eating, stress management, and mindset shifts for sustainable weight loss.
Community & Accountability	Join an active support community where you can connect with others on the same journey. Share progress, get motivation, and receive expert-led coaching sessions.
Insurance & Cost Assistance	Fridays helps with insurance prior authorizations and appeals, ensuring you maximize benefits if you have coverage. You can also use HSA/FSA funds to pay for the program.
Lifestyle Tracking & Progress Monitoring	The Fridays platform provides easy-to-use tools to track weight, workouts, and dietary habits, making it simple to monitor your progress and stay committed.

Advantages Of Fridays

1. May Support Weight Loss Efforts

   Fridays provide GLP-1 medications, personalized nutrition plans, fitness coaching, and mental health support. The medications offered, such as compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide, may help control appetite, reduce food cravings, and improve metabolism, making it easier for you to maintain a calorie deficit and lose weight. However, medication alone is not enough. Fridays also provide customized meal plans and fitness programs to ensure that your body gets the right nutrients and movement to support healthy weight loss.

2. May Provide Enhanced Accessibility To Medications

   Fridays delivers your medication directly to your home, making the process more convenient and hassle-free. There are no insurance requirements, so you don’t have to worry about complex approval processes or coverage restrictions. By removing these barriers, Fridays may help you to access effective weight loss treatments in a more accessible manner.

3. May Provide Personalized Coaching

   Fridays provides meal plans tailored to your dietary needs and preferences, ensuring that your nutrition supports your weight loss goals. You also get customized workout programs designed for your fitness level, whether you’re a beginner or more advanced. It also offers behavioral support to help you overcome challenges like emotional eating, stress, or lack of motivation.

Disadvantages Of Fridays

1. Its Compounded Medications May Cause Nausea And Headaches

   Fridays’ compounded GLP-1 medications may trigger headaches, especially when starting treatment. These symptoms could be uncomfortable and disruptive, making it difficult to stay consistent with the program. While some people adjust over time, others may struggle with persistent side effects that interfere with daily life. There is no guarantee that the medication will be well-tolerated, and for some, the discomfort may outweigh the benefits.

2. Lacks Personal Touch

   Fridays is entirely virtual, which means you never get the opportunity to meet with a doctor, dietitian, or fitness coach in person. This lack of face-to-face interaction can make the program feel impersonal and detached. Some people may find it difficult to stay motivated without the in-person support that traditional healthcare settings provide. Virtual consultations can feel rushed and communicating through messages or video calls may not offer the same level of care or understanding as a direct, in-office visit. If you prefer personal interaction and hands-on guidance, Fridays may not be the right choice for you.

3. Not Suitable For Everyone

   Not everyone qualifies for Fridays’ program, and even if you do, the medications may not be safe for your specific health condition. People with thyroid problems, pancreatitis, or digestive issues are unable to participate, limiting accessibility for those who may need weight management support. If you take medications that interact with GLP-1 drugs, you may not be eligible, leaving you with fewer options. Fridays does not offer alternative treatments for people with these health issues.

Product & Service Offerings

1. Compounded GLP-1 Medications

   Fridays offers compounded versions of popular GLP-1 weight loss medications that may regulate appetite, control your blood sugar levels, and may aid in sustainable weight loss. These medications may work by mimicking natural hormones that signal fullness, helping you eat less and maintain a healthy diet.

   • Compounded Semaglutide

     Compounded semaglutide may work by mimicking GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), a natural hormone that may regulate appetite and blood sugar levels. When you take semaglutide, it activates GLP-1 receptors in your brain, signaling that you’re full and reducing your hunger. It also slows down digestion, so the food stays in your stomach longer, which may help you feel satisfied with smaller portions. It supports insulin production and lowers glucagon levels, keeping your blood sugar steady. This combination could make it easier for you to eat less, control cravings, and achieve sustainable weight loss.

   • Compounded Tirzepatide

     Compounded tirzepatide helps in targeting two GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) hormones. While GLP-1 may curb appetite and slow digestion, GIP enhances insulin release and boosts fat metabolism, making your body more efficient at processing food and storing energy. By activating both pathways, tirzepatide may reduce hunger, improve blood sugar control, and promote fat burning, leading to even greater weight loss results.

2. Virtual Medical Consultations

   Fridays gives you access to expert medical care from home through secure online consultations. There’s no need to visit a clinic as it lets you connect with a licensed doctor online. They have a quiz to check if GLP-1 medication is right for you. If you qualify, you’ll schedule a virtual appointment, where a doctor reviews your health history and weight loss goals. If approved, your prescription is sent to a trusted, state-regulated compounding pharmacy. This may help you save time, avoid clinic visits, and get personalized care.

3. Personalized Coaching & Support

   Fridays claims to provide expert guidance in nutrition, fitness, and mental well-being. You’ll receive personalized meal plans from registered dietitians, along with 1:1 coaching to help you make better food choices, control portions, and balance nutrition. To keep you active, Fridays offers the SESH™ Fitness Program, featuring customized exercise plans, home and gym workouts, and tools like a macro and weight tracker. Fridays also has a coaching program under which certified personal trainers may help you manage emotional eating, stress, and motivation, along with behavioral strategies to create long-term change. You’ll also have access to support groups and a community hub through which you can connect with others, celebrate progress, and stay accountable.

4. Lab Testing & Insurance Assistance

   Fridays conducts your lab tests through Quest Diagnostics, ensuring accurate and reliable results. Regular testing may help track your progress, monitor potential side effects, and ensure your medication is working safely. Your doctor carefully reviews these results and makes any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. Fridays also deals with insurance by handling prior authorizations and appeals on your behalf. A dedicated support team may help you understand your coverage options and maximize any insurance benefits available.

Alternatives To Fridays

1. Mochi Health

   Fridays and Mochi Health both provide virtual weight loss programs that include GLP-1 medications, but they differ in pricing, insurance requirements, and the type of support they offer.

   Mochi Health has a structured and transparent pricing model. Their Wellness Plus Membership costs $49 per month and includes virtual visits with physicians and dietitians, ongoing medical supervision, 24/7 support, advanced nutrition therapy, and mental health guidance. In terms of medication pricing, Mochi Health offers both compounded GLP-1 medications and brand-name options like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro. If paying out of pocket, compounded GLP-1 medications range from $99 to $199 for a one-month supply, $297 to $597 for a three-month supply, and $594 to $1,194 for a six-month supply. For brand-name GLP-1s, pricing is determined by insurance co-pays, and Mochi Health assists with prior authorization to help users get insurance coverage if they qualify. Unlike Fridays, Mochi Health works with private insurance to reduce medication costs, making it the better option for those who want to use their insurance benefits.

   On the other hand, Fridays does not publicly list a fixed membership fee, as the total cost depends on the personalized treatment plan prescribed. They primarily offer compounded GLP-1 medications instead of brand-name options, making them a more suitable choice, though exact pricing details are not disclosed upfront. One of the main advantages of Fridays is that they do not require insurance, making the program accessible to those who may not qualify for insurance-covered medications. However, this also means that users must pay the full cost out of pocket. Their program includes unlimited provider visits, allowing for ongoing medical support and adjustments as needed.

   When it comes to support and coaching, Fridays provides a more holistic approach by offering personalized coaching in fitness, nutrition, and mental health alongside medical supervision. They allow unlimited provider visits, which is useful for ongoing guidance and plan adjustments. However, since their program is fully online, some users may feel it lacks the personal touch of in-person healthcare visits. Mochi Health focuses more on medical weight loss with direct supervision from obesity medicine specialists. While they do offer nutrition therapy from registered dietitians, they do not provide fitness coaching like Fridays. Instead, they emphasize structured virtual visits and 24/7 medical support.

   In terms of medication availability, Fridays only offers compounded GLP-1 medications, which can be a practical option for those who find brand-name medications too expensive or difficult to obtain due to shortages. Mochi Health provides both brand-name and compounded GLP-1 options, making it more flexible for users who want access to insurance-covered medications. Mochi Health assists with insurance approvals for brand-name GLP-1s, while Fridays follows a no-insurance model, keeping the process simple but requiring full out-of-pocket payment.

   The choice between Fridays and Mochi Health depends on your preferences and needs. Both programs offer effective virtual weight loss solutions, but Fridays focuses more on lifestyle coaching, while Mochi Health provides a clinical, insurance-friendly approach.

2. Fella Health

   Fella Health differs from Fridays in terms of pricing, target audience, support structure, and medication availability. It provides weight loss programs specifically meant for men and follows a structured approach. Their program includes brand-name GLP-1 medications, medical supervision, and bi-weekly coaching. It does not require insurance and even comes with a 6-month money-back guarantee if you do not lose at least 5% of your body weight. Fridays, on the other hand, offers a more flexible and inclusive program open to people above 18 years.

   Unlike Fella Health, Fridays provides only compounded GLP-1 medications, which can be more cost-effective but may differ from brand-name options like Ozempic or Wegovy. Regarding insurance and medication accessibility, both programs operate on a self-pay model, meaning insurance is not required.

   However, Fella Health includes FDA-approved, brand-name GLP-1 medications in its pricing, while Fridays exclusively offers compounded alternatives. The coaching and support structures also differ between the two. Fella Health is designed specifically for men, with structured weight loss coaching provided every two weeks to help build motivation and healthy habits. Fridays, in contrast, take a more holistic approach, offering unlimited provider visits along with guidance in fitness, nutrition, and mental health.

How Did We Evaluate

1. Pricing & Cost Transparency

   Fridays claims to maintain complete transparency in its pricing, ensuring there are no hidden costs, membership fees, or additional lab charges. They offer a monthly fee for their weight loss program, which includes access to compounded GLP-1 medications. The pricing for compounded semaglutide is $233 per month when purchased as a three-month plan or $249 per month for a month-to-month option. For compounded tirzepatide, the cost is $333 per month on a three-month plan or $359 per month if paid monthly. Fridays may provide an accessible approach to weight loss by bundling these services into a single, fixed cost.

2. Medication & Insurance Accessibility

   Fridays offers semaglutide and tirzepatide in a compounded form, which contains the same active ingredients found in popular medications like Ozempic/Wegovy and Mounjaro/Zepbound. However, it’s important to note that these compounded medications are not FDA-approved, which may raise concerns for some users regarding safety and efficacy. Fridays provides insurance support, including handling prior authorizations and appeals, which can help users navigate insurance coverage. However, it’s not entirely clear whether insurance companies will cover these services, leaving some people to pay for the program out-of-pocket. This lack of clarity may be a factor to consider for those relying on insurance to manage the medication costs.

3. User Experiences

   Fridays Health user experiences may help give you an idea regarding the brand’s efficacy in providing weight loss support. Customer feedback is mostly positive, with Fridays holding a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot from over 2165 reviews. Many users praise the quick and professional customer service, smooth online consultations, and timely delivery of medications. However, some users have encountered issues, especially regarding prescription management and system inefficiencies. For example, one customer was frustrated after receiving compounded medication instead of the prescribed branded medication for three consecutive months despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue. While Fridays Health receives high marks for its supportive services and efficient operations, potential users should be aware of occasional administrative challenges.

4. Coaching & Support

   Fridays services include unlimited provider visits, which ensures ongoing guidance throughout your journey. They also provide 1:1 dietitian coaching to help you create personalized nutrition plans, along with mental health support. It also includes an SESH™ Fitness Program that includes home and gym workouts, as well as macro tracking and weight tracking.

5. Target Audience & Approach

   Fridays focuses on helping people achieve sustainable weight loss, and they prioritize habit-building, coaching, and community support. It takes a holistic approach by addressing lifestyle changes and offering personalized care. To qualify for weight loss medications, you must be 18 or older and have to meet certain criteria, such as having a BMI over 27 (for overweight or obesity) or a BMI over 22 if you have a history of obesity or have used GLP-1 medications in the past year. Eligible people can choose to schedule a video visit or, depending on the state, fill their prescriptions without one. After selecting a prescription fill type and signing up for a subscription plan, users complete a health history intake form to ensure a smooth process. The first consultation involves reviewing the medical history, setting health goals, and potentially prescribing medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I get a prescription without a video consultation?
   Depending on your state, Fridays allows users to fill prescriptions without a video consultation after meeting eligibility and providing necessary health information.
2. Does Fridays accept insurance for their weight loss programs?
   Fridays provides insurance support for prior authorizations and appeals, but it is unclear whether their services are fully covered by insurance.
3. How do I complete my health history intake form for Fridays?
   After signing up, you’ll complete the health history form through Fridays platform, ensuring a smooth and efficient treatment process.
4. What’s the difference between Semaglutide and Tirzepatide at Fridays?
   Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are both GLP-1 medications used for weight loss, but Semaglutide primarily helps with appetite suppression, and Tirzepatide works by targeting both GLP-1 and GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide) receptors.

Final Words

Fridays claims to provide GLP-1 medications with personalized coaching. It may boost the results of your healthy eating, exercise, and sleep habits. This program may support weight loss and health, making it easier to see steady progress. Fridays focuses on building healthy habits and giving continuous support, which may also help you stay on track while staying hydrated, avoiding junk food, and cutting out high-calorie foods.

However, their services may not be suitable for everyone. It’s not for people under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or those with thyroid disease or pancreatitis. Fridays program is mainly for people with a BMI over 27 or BMI over 22, or if they have a history of obesity.