The Glossary
Glossary
Reviewed by the BrightSide pharmacy team. Last reviewed November 10, 2026.
This glossary defines 31 pharmacy, treatment and peptide terms you will meet when you look into GLP-1 care. Each entry is one sentence, reviewed by the BrightSide pharmacy team. Linked terms open a full page with sources and common questions.
0 to 9
- 503A compounding pharmacyA 503A compounding pharmacy is a state-licensed pharmacy that compounds a medication for an identified individual patient based on a valid prescription.
- 503B outsourcing facilityA 503B outsourcing facility is a compounder of sterile drugs that registers with FDA and follows current good manufacturing practice.
A
- Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)An active pharmaceutical ingredient is the substance in a drug that is intended to furnish its pharmacological activity or other direct effect.
B
- Bacteriostatic water and reconstitutionBacteriostatic water is sterile water for injection that contains benzyl alcohol as a preservative, used to dilute or dissolve drugs for injection.
- Beyond use date (BUD)A beyond use date is the date, or the hour and date, after which a compounded medication must not be used.
- BPC-157BPC-157 is a peptide of 15 amino acids that providers prescribe to support tendon and ligament recovery, tissue repair after a hard season and a healthy gut lining.
- Bulks list (503A bulk drug substances)The bulks list is FDA's list of bulk drug substances that pharmacies can compound with under section 503A when no other legal route applies.
C
- Cash payCash pay is paying a health care provider or pharmacy directly for a visit or a medication, with no claim sent to a health plan.
- Certificate of analysis (COA)A certificate of analysis is a manufacturer's report on one batch of a drug ingredient that lists each test performed, its limits and the results.
- Compounded medicationA compounded medication is a drug that a licensed pharmacist or physician makes for an individual patient by combining, mixing or altering ingredients.
E
- Enforcement discretionEnforcement discretion is a regulator's stated decision not to take action against conduct that does not meet a legal requirement.
- EpitalonEpitalon is a peptide of 4 amino acids that providers prescribe to support restful sleep, a steady daily rhythm and healthy aging.
F
- FDA drug shortage listThe FDA drug shortage list is the public list of drugs that FDA has determined to be in shortage in the United States.
G
- GLP-1GLP-1 is glucagon-like peptide-1, which the body uses to regulate appetite and caloric intake, and GLP-1 medications are drugs that act on its receptor.
- GlutathioneGlutathione is a tripeptide, a molecule made of three amino acids, that is found in human cells and is available by prescription as an injection.
K
- KPVKPV is a peptide of 3 amino acids that providers prescribe to support a calm, healthy gut lining and comfortable skin.
L
- Lyophilized vialA lyophilized vial is a vial of medication that has been freeze-dried into a powder and is reconstituted with a liquid before use.
M
- Maintenance doseA maintenance dose is the dose a patient stays on after titration, selected with a provider based on treatment response and tolerability.
- MicrodosingMicrodosing is staying on a GLP-1 dose lower than the standard maintenance doses on the FDA-approved label, as prescribed by a provider.
- MOTS-cMOTS-c is a peptide of 16 amino acids that providers prescribe to support energy, metabolic health and healthy aging.
N
- NAD+NAD+ is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme that is available by prescription as an injection and as a nasal spray.
P
- PeptideA peptide is a short chain of amino acids, and the six peptides in the October 2026 federal compounding policy are 3 to 16 amino acids long.
S
- SemaglutideSemaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication; Wegovy is an FDA-approved brand, and compounded semaglutide is not FDA approved.
- SemaxSemax is a peptide of 7 amino acids that providers prescribe to support focus, memory and mental clarity.
- Subcutaneous injectionA subcutaneous injection is an injection given into the fatty tissue just under the skin.
T
- TB-500TB-500 is a peptide of 7 amino acids that providers prescribe to support tissue repair, recovery after hard training and healthy tendons and muscles.
- Telehealth visit (asynchronous visit)A telehealth visit is a medical visit in which a licensed provider cares for a patient in a different location, using telecommunication technology.
- TirzepatideTirzepatide is a medication that acts on the GIP and GLP-1 receptors; Zepbound is an FDA-approved brand, and compounded tirzepatide is not FDA approved.
- TitrationTitration is the stepwise increase of a medication dose over weeks, guided by a provider, until the patient reaches a maintenance dose.
W
- WegovyWegovy is the brand name of an FDA-approved semaglutide medicine marketed by Novo Nordisk, available as a once-weekly injection and a once-daily tablet.
Z
- ZepboundZepbound is the brand name of an FDA-approved tirzepatide injection from Eli Lilly, taken once a week.
Where to go next
See how we choose pharmacies on our pharmacy network page. See every plan, with its monthly rate and up-front total, on our pricing page.
Ready to start? Browse every treatment in our pharmacy, including Zepbound, compounded tirzepatide, compounded semaglutide, NAD+ injection and glutathione injection. In Washington or Oregon, start on our Washington page, which names the Poulsbo pharmacy that fills those prescriptions. To join the peptide list, see our peptide hub. Your visit is included in the treatment price, and you only pay if a provider prescribes.
Compounded medications are not FDA approved. They are prescribed by a licensed clinician and filled by a licensed 503A pharmacy. Compounded peptides are not FDA approved and will be available by prescription from a licensed 503A pharmacy once prescribing opens.
