Recently I have been shown social media ads for a compounded GLP-1 provider called Join Piper. And I know I’m not the only one, as many of the women I coach have been asking about it too because their prices seem really low.
A quick google search of “Join Piper” brings up their official website, their social media accounts and what seems to be a real reddit thread labeled “Join Piper?? : r/tirzepatidecompound.”
But after reading the reddit thread myself, I’m not sure if they are real patients or the company making the reddit thread themselves (talking back and forth).
Is this for real? Compounded tirzepatide for $199/mo? Let’s dig in!
Is Join Piper Legit?
Join Piper is a compounded GLP-1 provider that uses Vials Rx (https://vials.ai/) as their pharmacy. They are LegitScript certified, have US-based board-certified nurse practitioners and MDs, and they truly offer low-priced compounded GLP-1s.
I’m not naive when it comes to reading reviews online, or even reddit threads that seem real. This is a company that has just emerged, and now they’re pumping social media ads all over the place, with the hopes of getting people to switch over. You can figure that out very fast if you read the reddit thread.
So, yes, they are a legit provider. However, their marketing tactics can seem illegitimate – filled with ai images on their website and dare I say a fake reddit thread that highlights insider information.
Pricing
Piper markets compounded semaglutide for $135/mo and compounded tirzepatide for $199/mo. Those are some of the lowest prices I’ve seen, and I cover A LOT of GLP-1 providers!
If you’re wanting a month-to-month plan, this isn’t that, as you will pay 3 or 6-months up front, so you’re buying it in bulk to get the discount. It’s not unheard of, as the popular women’s telemedicine brand Hers offers compounded semaglutide for $199/mo, but paid in full for the year. Josie, a trusted GLP-1 menopause provider, is another brand that offers 3-month bundles – you can get compounded tirzepatide for $897, which comes out to $283/mo.
Here’s a pricing comparison of some of the cheaper GLP-1s out there:
| Provider | Compounded Semaglutide | Compounded Tirzepatide |
|---|---|---|
| Piper | $135/mo (with 6-month bundle) | $199/mo (with 6-month bundle) |
| Hers | $199/mo (with 12-month bundle) | Does not offer |
| Josie | $200/mo (with 3-month bundle) | $283/mo (with 3-month bundle) |
Waiting Times
Telemedicine is awesome as opposed to visiting your doctor’s office, setting up an appointment 2 weeks in advance, feeling shamed, and potentially not getting approved.
However, some telemedicine companies take longer than others. And to be fair, even the telemedicne companies that take long have certain cases that go really fast. It all just depends on your timing.
With a provider like Join Piper, since their prices are so low, they could get an influx of orders. Sometimes hundreds a day. You may not hear back from them until the next day.
But here’s how the process typically works, and I’ll include time frames:
- Fill out quiz and enter payment – This takes maybe 5 minutes
- Join Piper will then match you up with a provider – allow 24-48 hours (1-2 days)… The provider will approve or disapprove you
- Patient agrees on medication with the provider – allow 1 day for response
- Prescription gets sent to the pharmacy – allow 24 hours for this to process (1 day)
- Shipment of medication – usually this is the fast part – 1-2 days in cold packaging
Total time: 5-14 days
If you choose a 3-month or 6-month plan, they will ship you all 3 or 6 vials at once. You will have directions on how to store the medication.
BMI Requirements
In order to get a prescription through Join Piper, you must meet the BMI eligibility requirements, which is a BMI of 23 or higher. This is great for those who are truly overweight. However, with emerging research on GLP-1s that acknowledge benefits beyond weight loss, Piper is not the best option because you most likely won’t be approved.
What About Join Piper’s Pharmacy – Vials Rx?
Vials Rx is an interesting compounding pharmacy. They’re located in Houston, TX and are 503b certified. But what’s most interesting is that they are powered by ai to personalize medication. Personally, I’d rather have a certified MD or NP (Nurse Practitioner) do that for me if I was to order. Nonetheless, the Vials Rx compounding pharmacy has all the things in place – 503b, LegitScript, and a US accredited business.
Should You Switch From Brand Name To Piper’s Compounded GLP-1s?
Brand name GLP-1s through LillyDirect and NovoCare are by far the best medication you can take for weight loss. It’s the real stuff, no mixes, no additives, just pure GLP-1 medication. Your results will always be better than compounded medications.
However, I’m not out of touch with the financial burden brand name GLP-1s bring to our bank accounts. You may start for under $400/mo, but that price quickly goes up when your dose increases, which it always will. Some of the women I coach are up to the price tag of $1,400 per month. Fine if you can afford it, but tough if it’s stretching you thin.
If you’re in this situation, you may be thinking to save money by going with compounded GLP-1s from a provider like Join Piper. You will 100% save money, that’s a fact. However, you may be disappointed with your results compared to the brand name medications. Obviously the compounded version won’t be as pure.
Loads of people make the switch, some have success, some don’t. If you do make the switch, the important thing is to be patient, give it time and come into it with realistic expectations.
Overall Thoughts
Join Piper might be the cheapest option I’ve seen for compounded tirzepatide and compounded semaglutide. It’s always going to be mixed with vitamin B6 or B12, which is necessary for personalization. The pharmacy they use is Vials RX, which seems legit, but also leverages ai to “personalize” your medication. I’m not sure I want ai to give me the best possible medication for something of this magnitude.
All that being said, I think if you want to save money, if you can pass the BMI requirements, and if you have the money up front, you could find a really affordable compounded GLP-1 provider in Join Piper.
Going with any provider brings risks – from approval delays, communication, or even shipping delays. Just have realistic expectations going into it. Sometimes you’ll get approved really fast and their pharmacy will ship it out within a couple of days. Other times, you’ll have to wait a week or more. Either way, it beats going to the doctor’s office because you can do it from the comfort of your own home. Be patient, but keep your guard up!