Hers Weight Loss Review - How Does It Compare to Alternatives?

Hers Weight Loss Program Overview

• Cost: Starts at $79 per month
• What’s prescribed: Metformin, topiramate, vitamin B12, naltrexone & bupropion
• Administration method: Oral tablets
• Potential side effects: Headaches, nausea, GI symptoms, dizziness
• Time it takes to work: 3 to 6 months
• Who qualifies: People with a qualifying BMI (27 to 30 and over) and with no contraindications
• FDA information: Naltrexone with bupropion is FDA-approved; the other medications are prescribed off-label to those who qualify
• Insurance information: Not accepted
• Trustpilot rating: 3.8

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In late 2023, Hers launched a new weight loss program offering personalized plans, clinician support, and, if appropriate, prescription medications.

The weight loss medications available through Hers include metformin, topiramate, naltrexone with bupropion, and vitamin B12. These meds have been proven to safely produce significant weight loss or, in the case of vitamin B12, reduce the risk of obesity. While naltrexone with bupropion is FDA-approved for weight loss in adults with a qualifying BMI, metformin and topiramate are prescribed off-label for weight loss in individuals in good general health and with no contraindications.

Amidst the boom of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) injections, like semaglutide, for weight loss, Hers chooses to instead offer more affordable and accessible generic oral medications. Research indicates that semaglutide may produce more weight loss than metformin, topiramate, and naltrexone with bupropion, although all of these medications work to reduce appetite. However, semaglutide is more expensive and may be more difficult to obtain than oral weight loss medications from Hers.

In this article, we’ll explore Hers’ weight loss program, going over its key benefits, medications, potential side effects, and how it stacks up against competitors.

Our Quick Take

Hers stands apart from other weight loss programs for its firm stance on affordability and accessibility. Rather than offering GLP-1 injections, Hers opts for more affordable generic oral medications that aren’t currently subject to shortages. To complement these meds, Hers offers holistic treatment plans with in-app resources and tracking tools, plus ongoing clinician support.

Hers Weight Loss Program Pros & Cons

Pros

• Accessible, non-invasive medications that are included in monthly price
• Holistic approach to weight loss with educational resources and tracking tools
• Free ongoing clinician support within the Hers app
• No bloodwork is required, which may expedite the treatment process

Cons

• Some of the medications may not produce as much weight loss as GLP-1 injections
• Focuses on off-label medications that aren’t FDA-approved for weight loss

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Our Experience With Hers Weight Loss Program

Hers is a well-established and widely-known telemedicine platform, so I wasn’t surprised to find that its weight loss program featured a streamlined user experience.

Considering that the weight loss process may feel overwhelming, I love that Hers provides a quick online consultation so you can create your unique “weight loss profile.” For those who have had a difficult time taking the first step on their weight loss journey, Hers’ simple intake process may be more manageable than commuting to a doctor’s office.

I also appreciate that Hers takes a holistic approach to weight loss with sustainable nutrition, lifestyle adjustments, and more affordable medications. Given that GLP-1 medication shortages are common, Hers’ focus on cost-effective, accessible medications feels like a relief – no need to worry about missing dosages or covering exorbitant medication costs.

Plus, Hers’ weight loss medications all regulate appetite with different mechanisms of action, which may help individuals who don’t experience results from GLP-1 medications.

Especially for those who aren’t keen on injections, Hers offers a great alternative, with research-backed oral weight loss medications that work to reduce appetite. However, it should be noted that they are not proven to work as well as GLP-1s.

Benefits: What Does Hers Offer for Weight Loss?

Hers weight loss program offers metformin, topiramate, naltrexone with bupropion, and vitamin B12. Metformin and topiramate are prescribed off-label for weight loss, while naltrexone with bupropion is FDA-approved for weight loss in individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 with obesity-related co-morbidities.

These generic, generally low-cost medications may be good options for individuals who:

• Find weight loss injections to be too cost prohibitive
• Have a difficult time accessing weight loss injections
• Are concerned about the side effects and complications associated with these injections
• Do not feel comfortable with injections

For people living with overweight or obesity, weight loss can provide many long-term health benefits, including a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and more. Along with medications, Hers offers ongoing virtual support from medical experts, in-app educational content, and tracking features as part of a personalized, holistic weight loss plan.

How long does it take for Hers to start working?

The time it takes for Hers weight loss to work depends on the prescribed medication. Metformin generally works within 6 months, topiramate within 3 months, and naltrexone with bupropion within 3 months.

What Weight Loss Drugs Does Hers Prescribe?

Hers prescribes metformin, topiramate, and naltrexone with bupropion for weight loss. It also provides vitamin B12, which can be used along with prescription medications to prevent B12 deficiency.

• Metformin is an anti-diabetic medication that’s FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes, but can be prescribed off-label for weight loss. It reduces the amount of glucose the liver produces and impacts hormones that affect appetite, which may lead to weight loss in some people. Taken daily (500-2,000mg), metformin is a good option for individuals seeking modest weight loss or weight stabilization, as research shows it can produce a 5% loss of baseline body weight within around 6 months.

Metformin vs. Ozempic

Metformin and Ozempic are both diabetes medications that can be prescribed off-label for weight loss. Metformin is an oral pill, while Ozempic is a once-weekly injection. Research shows that Ozempic can produce up to 20% weight loss in 3 to 6 months, compared to around 5% weight loss with metformin. However, metformin is more affordable, easier to obtain, and may produce fewer side effects than Ozempic.

• Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient naturally found in animal products, including poultry, dairy, fish, and meat. It’s crucial to fat metabolism, and individuals with vitamin B12 deficiency are at an increased risk of experiencing overweight or obesity. While vitamin B12 hasn’t been proven to directly cause weight loss, taken daily (2.4mcg) it can prevent vitamin B12 deficiencies while taking metformin.

• Topiramate is an anti-epileptic drug that’s FDA-approved to treat epilepsy and migraine. It’s thought to work for weight loss by suppressing the appetite (leading to lower caloric intake), reducing fat gain, and lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Research has found topiramate can produce up to a 9% loss of baseline body weight over 6 months. It is typically taken daily with doses ranging from 50 to 150mg.

• Naltrexone & Bupropion (brand name Contrave) is a combination medication of naltrexone, a  medication used for alcohol use disorder and opioid dependence, and bupropion, an antidepressant. It’s FDA-approved for weight loss and may work by regulating appetite. According to clinical research, it can produce 5 to 10% weight loss within 3 months. It is typically taken daily (32mg/360mg).

While these medications don’t pose a risk of reliance in most individuals, it’s important to consult your physician before you start taking them.

Does Hers Prescribe Ozempic?

Hers doesn’t currently prescribe Ozempic or any other GLP-1 agonist for weight loss. Instead, they focus on oral weight loss medications.

Related reading: How to Get Ozempic (Semaglutide) Online

What Else Does Hers Offer for Weight Loss/Management?

Along with prescription medications, Hers offers a holistic approach to weight loss with in-app tools and resources. These features are designed to support your weight loss journey, and you can chat with your provider online at any time.

• Educational content: Hers’ weight loss program includes educational content designed for sustainable weight loss. The content includes nutritional guidance, recipes, mental health information, exercise recommendations, and sleep advice.
• Digital tracking tools: For motivation and to inform the next steps on your path to weight loss, Hers provides in-app progress tracking. You can track your weight, water intake, exercise, and sleep.

How Does Hers Work for Healthy Weight Loss?

Hers is a convenient way to get a weight loss plan from a provider without ever having to leave home. Here’s how to get started:

1. Complete the online intake form. It takes just a few minutes and gathers information about your weight loss goals, medical history, and personal history with weight loss.
2. One of Hers’ physicians will review your form to determine the best treatment for you. If appropriate, they’ll create a customized holistic weight loss plan, with or without medications. Hers doesn’t require blood testing to receive an online prescription for weight loss medications.
3. Once you receive your prescription (if appropriate), Hers can ship medications directly to your doorstep in discreet packaging, for free. Note that Hers doesn’t currently accept medical insurance, but the cost of medications is included in the $79 monthly membership fee.
4. Access resources and tracking tools within the Hers app.
5. Chat with a physician online at any time for follow-ups, plan adjustments, and other questions.

Why We Recommend Hers Weight Loss Program

Since 2017, Hers has been providing dependable, accessible telemedicine services. So, while its weight loss program may be relatively new, we trust the team behind this popular platform. Plus, we appreciate the company’s commitment to more affordable, accessible, and convenient healthcare.

Other key reasons why we recommend Hers weight loss program include:

Holistic and Non-Invasive

Hers offers a non-invasive approach to weight loss by excluding weight loss injections, instead providing medications in oral tablet form. Along with these research-backed medications, Hers offers a wealth of in-app resources covering many aspects of weight loss, including nutrition, exercise, and sleep. This provides a holistic approach to weight loss that values long-term results.

Ongoing Provider Support

Hers provides continuous support from clinicians for easy plan adjustments and answers to all of your questions. With the ability to chat online with your provider at any time, Hers ensures you don’t feel alone at any point in your weight loss journey.

Custom Medication Kit

When prescription medications are appropriate, Hers’ clinicians provide custom medication kits to suit your unique needs. This may involve blending vitamin B12 with prescription weight loss meds to prevent deficiencies and improve your overall results.

More Affordable and Accessible

In offering generic forms of accessible weight loss meds, Hers prioritizes affordability and accessibility. This means that you won’t have to worry about navigating soaring prices and frequent shortages of GLP-1 agonists. But, you’ll still have access to medications that reduce your appetite and improve satiety.

Safety and Side Effects of Hers Weight Loss Medications

All of Hers’ weight loss medications are backed by clinical research and proven to be safe for qualifying individuals. However, like any prescription medication, these drugs may cause side effects in certain individuals.

Metformin may lead to side effects, including:

• Bloating and gas
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Metallic taste in the mouth
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Skin flushing
• Muscle pain
• Nail changes

Topiramate may cause:

• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Weakness
• Headache
• Nervousness
• Numbness, tingling, or burning in the extremities
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Nosebleed
• Shaking in a part of the body or eye movements

Vitamin B12 may lead to:

• Nausea
• Headaches
• Dizziness

Naltrexone & Bupropion may cause:

• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Sleep disruptions

Hers Weight Loss Treatment Safety

One of Hers’ qualified providers will review your medical history and current medications before prescribing weight loss medications to protect your safety.

Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have kidney or liver disease, drink alcohol, have renal dysfunction, have a heart condition, have uncontrolled high blood pressure, have a history of seizures, have metabolic acidosis, or are taking any drugs.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your physician before taking any new medications.

Related reading: Ozempic and Fertility: A Guide to Understanding Its Impact on Birth Control and Pregnancy

When to Seek Emergency Medical Care

Seek emergency medical care while taking Hers weight loss medications if any of the side effects listed above become severe, or if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• Hives or severe skin rash
• Swollen mouth, tongue, or throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing
• Weak, rapid pulse
• Dizziness and fainting

Hers Weight Loss vs. Alternatives

We’ve compared Hers to other online weight loss programs, including Found, PlushCare, and Zealthy, to help you find the right provider for your needs.

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Comparison: Hers Weight Loss vs. Alternatives

Hers vs. Found vs. PlushCare vs. Zealthy	Hers	Found	PlushCare	Zealthy
Pricing plan	Starting at $79/month	For 6-month plan: $129 if paid monthly $116/month ($348 total) if paid quarterly $99/month ($594 total) if paid upfront	$16.99/month membership fee $129 for doctor's visit (without insurance)	$49 for limited time and $135/month thereafter
Meds included in the pricing?	✅	❌	❌	❌
Targets multiple appetite regulators?	✅	✅	✅	✅
FDA-approved weight loss meds?	FDA-approved and off-label	FDA-approved and off-label	FDA-approved and off-label	FDA-approved and off-label
Types of GLP-1s	Compounded semaglutide injections	Compounded semaglutide, tirzepatide, dulaglutide, and liraglutide	Ozempic (Semaglutide) Wegovy (Semaglutide) Zepbound (Tirzepatide) Saxenda (Liraglutide) Victoza (Liraglutide)	Compounded semaglutide, tirzepatide, dulaglutide, and liraglutide
Types of oral weight loss medications	Metformin Topiramate Vitamin B-12 Naltrexone & Bupropion	Metformin Naltrexone Bupropion Zonisamide Topiramate	Contrave (Naltrexone) Xenical (Orlistat)	❌
Generic or branded meds?	Both	Both	Only branded	Both
Administration method(s)	Subcutaneous injections and oral tablets	Subcutaneous injections and oral tablets	Subcutaneous injections and oral tablets	Subcutaneous injections and oral tablets
Unlimited ongoing clinician support?	✅	✅	✅	✅
Nutrition and health education?	✅	✅	❌	✅
Personalized dosing plan?	✅	✅	✅	✅
Doorstep delivery of meds?	✅	✅	✅	✅
Accepts insurance?	❌ Not required	❌	❌	✅

Hers vs. Found

Found offers a broader range of weight loss medications than Hers, including GLP-1 inhibitors and zonisamide. This collection includes more FDA-approved medications than Hers, which mainly provides off-label weight loss meds. However, Found doesn’t include medications in its pricing, like Hers, and its membership fee is higher at $99 to $129 monthly.

Related reading: Found Review - Is It Legit for Prescription Weight Loss Treatment?

Hers vs. PlushCare

PlushCare offers GLP-1 inhibitors, naltrexone/bupropion, and xenical for weight loss. While this is a good option for those interested in GLP-1 inhibitors, Hers offers a broader range of affordable, off-label medications. PlushCare also lacks nutrition and health resources, which are available through the Hers app. However, PlushCare accepts insurance, which may make it more affordable than Hers for some individuals.

Related reading: PlushCare Weight Loss Review - Is It Legit for Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro?

Hers vs. Zealthy

Zealthy offers GLP-1 inhibitors and metformin for weight loss, compared to Hers’ range of off-label weight loss meds. Medications aren’t included in Zealthy’s monthly membership fee, which is $49 for a limited time, then $134 for each subsequent month. This makes Hers more affordable for those paying out of pocket, although Zealthy takes insurance, unlike Hers.

Related reading:

• Zealthy Review - Is It Legit for Weight Loss?
• Zealthy vs. Hers (2025): Which Online Weight Loss Program Saves You More and Gets Better Results?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What works better than Ozempic?

Whether a weight loss medication works better than Ozempic will depend on the individual, but research suggests tirzepatide (Mounjaro) may provide superior results for some.

What are the best weight loss pills?

What is considered the best weight loss pill will depend on the individual, but effective options include bupropion and naltrexone, orlistat, topiramate, and metformin.

Do you gain weight back after stopping prescription weight loss treatment?

Some individuals gain weight back after stopping prescription weight loss treatment. Your doctor can advise you on how to taper off the prescription and implement lifestyle habits to maintain the results.

Methodology

We conducted extensive research to evaluate the pricing, effectiveness, accessibility, overall quality, customer support, and useability of Hers weight loss program, which included examining multiple online weight loss services. To determine overall value, we evaluated cost, safety usability, treatment options, ongoing support, and supplemental resources.

Other factors we investigated prior to choosing the best weight loss program included convenience, discounts, access to healthcare providers, health insurance, package deals, and any free tools and resources offered. For the best, most accessible online weight loss program, Hers stood out for its wide range of treatment options, affordable medications, and ongoing clinician support for individuals looking to lose weight to improve their wellbeing.

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