Always verify pricing and state availability on the provider's website before signing up.How our reviews work →

1st Optimal vs MadeMed

An in-depth comparison of two leading GLP-1 Providers

WeightLossRankings.org is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

By Eli Marsden · Founding Editor
Editorially reviewed & fact-checked against primary sources · How we verify contentLast reviewed
1st Optimal logo

1st Optimal

6.7
★★★☆☆3.4/5

Best for: Patients wanting GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program

Visit 1st Optimal
VS
MadeMed logo

MadeMed

7.4
★★★3.7/5

Best for: compounded GLP-1 in both injection and oral forms

Visit MadeMed

1st Optimal and MadeMed are both GLP-1 Providers competing for the same patients, but they make different trade-offs on price, coverage, and what's included. In our scoring, MadeMed starts at $219/mo, and MadeMed edges ahead overall (7.4 vs 6.7 out of 10). Below we break down pricing, what each plan covers, the six-dimension score, pros and cons, and exactly who should pick which.

Pricing

1st Optimal

Pricing not publicly listed.

MadeMed

Injectable — Starting (billed quarterly, flat at every dose)Compounded
$239/mo
semaglutide

Quarterly plan $239/mo (billed $717/3mo); 6-month plan drops to $199/mo (the site's 'From $199/mo'). Includes L-Carnitine; 2-month supplies.

Injectable — Starting (billed quarterly, flat at every dose)Compounded
$399/mo
tirzepatide

Quarterly $399/mo (billed $1,197/3mo); 6-month $369/mo.

Sublingual tablet — Starting (billed quarterly)Compounded · oral
$219/mo
semaglutide

Quarterly $219/mo (billed $657/3mo); 6-month $179/mo. Includes B6.

Sublingual tablet — Starting (billed quarterly)Compounded · oral
$299/mo
tirzepatide

Quarterly $299/mo (billed $897/3mo); 6-month $279/mo.

Get alerted when GLP-1 prices drop

Join the GLP-1 price-watch list — we re-verify 390+ providers' prices on their own sites and email you when tracked prices move.

Score breakdown

Both providers are scored on the same six-dimension framework. The gradient bar marks the stronger side on each dimension.

1st Optimal

6.7/10

Overall

MadeMed

7.4/10

Value25%

6.5A
vs
B
7.0

Effectiveness25%

7.0A
vs
B
8.0

User Experience15%

6.5A
vs
B
8.0

Trust & Safety15%

6.5A
vs
B
7.3

Accessibility10%

6.5A
vs
B
6.0

Support10%

7.4A
vs
B
7.5

Features & Coverage

Feature1st OptimalMadeMed
Starting Price$219/mo
Features8 features6 features
States AvailableNot disclosedNot disclosed
Compounded✓ Yes
Brand Name
FSA/HSA Accepted
FDA WarningsNoneNone

About 1st Optimal

1st Optimal is a Michigan-based telehealth and functional-medicine platform offering GLP-1 weight loss medications, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, as once-weekly injections or daily oral tablets. Its model pairs prescription GLP-1 therapy with at-home lab testing, blood-work interpretation, unlimited coaching, and personalized protocols framed around long-term weight loss and longevity. Care is delivered virtually by credentialed providers, and treatments ship to the home with no long-term contracts. The site does not publish monthly pricing or a state list.

Read our full 1st Optimal review →

About MadeMed

MadeMed is a direct-to-consumer GLP-1 telehealth platform offering compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide in both injectable and oral forms — four distinct products, giving needle-averse patients more choice than most competitors. It displays a LegitScript certification badge and publishes a customer support line, uncommon among chat-only rivals. Pricing is gated behind the product or checkout flow rather than shown publicly.

Read our full MadeMed review →

Pros & Cons

1st Optimal

What we like

  • Offers both semaglutide and tirzepatide with injectable and oral formats
  • Functional-medicine approach with at-home labs and blood-work interpretation
  • Unlimited coaching and ongoing support included
  • No long-term contracts
  • Board-certified doctors and nurse practitioners referenced

Watch-outs

  • No public monthly pricing disclosed
  • No published state availability list
  • Compounded vs branded sourcing not clarified on site
  • Pricing only revealed after quiz or consultation

MadeMed

What we like

  • Four products — injectable and oral semaglutide and tirzepatide — giving needle-averse patients more options
  • LegitScript certification badge on the homepage
  • Customer phone support published (1-800-582-1428) — uncommon vs chat-only competitors
  • Affiliate partnership available via the Katalys network

Watch-outs

  • Pricing not shown publicly — gated behind product pages or checkout
  • Pharmacy partner not named
  • States served not disclosed
  • No named medical director or clinical leadership
  • 503A vs 503B compounding designation not specified
  • Corporate legal entity not disclosed
  • FDA compounded-medication disclaimer not visible in the page HTML
  • Governing law and arbitration venue not disclosed

Our Verdict

Winner: MadeMed

MadeMed edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 7.4/10 and is particularly strong for compounded GLP-1 in both injection and oral forms. 1st Optimal remains a solid alternative, especially if you're looking for Patients wanting GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program.

Choose 1st Optimal if…

You want Patients wanting GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program.

Choose MadeMed if…

You want compounded GLP-1 in both injection and oral forms and a starting price around $219/mo.

Ready to start? Vetted GLP-1 providers

Vetted telehealth providers that prescribe GLP-1 online.

No insurance needed · vetted by our editors

WeightLossRankings.org is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

8.3

Found

Mainstream telehealth GLP-1 access

7.4

Breeze Meds

Compounded GLP-1 access with named prescribers and 4-pharmacy network

7.4

Telos Rx

Needle-free and microdosed compounded GLP-1 options with lab-monitored care

1st Optimal vs MadeMed: FAQ

Key terms, explained

New to GLP-1s? Tap any term for a quick, plain-English definition.

Continue exploring 1st Optimal and MadeMed head-to-heads in the same category.

Or see the full category ranking.

Wegovy®, Ozempic®, and Rybelsus® are trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Mounjaro® and Zepbound® are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. All other product names and trademarks referenced on this page belong to their respective owners. WeightLossRankings.org is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical manufacturer. See trademark disclaimer.