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Apex MD vs Velvet Rx

Apex MD and Velvet Rx both sell semaglutide and tirzepatide; this is how their prices, coverage and records differ.

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By Ruth Calder · Enforcement Editor
Editorially reviewed (not clinically reviewed). Not medical advice · How we verify contentLast reviewed

Apex MD

7.0
★★★★☆3.5/5

Best for: an oral route if you will not self-inject

Visit Apex MD →
VS
Velvet Rx logo

Velvet Rx

6.5
★★★☆☆3.3/5

Best for: an oral route if you will not self-inject

Visit Velvet Rx →

If you are choosing between Apex MD and Velvet Rx, price alone will not settle it. Both prescribe semaglutide and tirzepatide, so moving from one to the other would not change your drug. Apex MD leads our six-part score, 7.0 to 6.5.

Apex MD vs Velvet Rx price

Apex MD and Velvet Rx start at the same figure, $299 a month, so the entry price does not separate them. Look at what each price covers and at the per-drug prices below.

Drug by drug: Semaglutide costs the same at both, $299 a month; tirzepatide is cheaper at Velvet Rx ($359 a month vs $399 a month).

Medications and formats

Both sell semaglutide and tirzepatide.

On format they match: each offers compounded injections.

Where each one treats patients

Apex MD lists 51 states, and Velvet Rx does not publish where it ships.

Pricing

Apex MD

All doses (injection)Compounded
$299/mo
semaglutide

weekly injection, includes NAD/B-12/L-Carnitine, month-to-month

All doses (injection)Compounded
$399/mo
tirzepatide

weekly injection, month-to-month

All doses (oral)Compounded
$349/mo
semaglutide

daily oral

All doses (oral)Compounded
$419/mo
tirzepatide

daily oral

Velvet Rx

Compounded semaglutide injection (first month promo)Compounded
$139/mo
semaglutide
Compounded semaglutide injection (regular monthly)Compounded
$299/mo
semaglutide
Compounded tirzepatide injection (first month promo)Compounded
$199/mo
tirzepatide
Compounded tirzepatide injection (regular monthly)Compounded
$359/mo
tirzepatide
Oral GLP-1 (specific drug not named) (first month promo)Compounded
$189/mo
semaglutide
Oral GLP-1 (specific drug not named) (regular monthly)Compounded
$349/mo
semaglutide

What each price covers

Both prices cover the clinician visit, the medication itself and shipping.

Apex MD is silent on lab work and coaching.

Velvet Rx is silent on lab work and coaching.

Apex MD

Covered by the monthly price

Medication

In the price

Clinician visits

In the price

Shipping

In the price

Lab work

Not stated

Coaching

Not stated

Velvet Rx

Covered by the monthly price

Medication

In the price

Clinician visits

In the price

Shipping

In the price

Lab work

Not stated

Coaching

Not stated

Where each one scores higher

Overall, Apex MD scores 7.0 and Velvet Rx 6.5 out of 10.

Apex MD is stronger on trust & safety (8.5 vs 6.5) and accessibility (10.0 vs 5.0).

Velvet Rx is stronger on value (2.4 vs 1.6) and user experience (8.0 vs 7.5).

Effectiveness and support are within half a point.

How we score

Apex MD

7.0/10

Overall

Velvet Rx

6.5/10

Value25%

1.6A
vs
B
2.4

Effectiveness25%

10.0A
vs
B
10.0

User Experience15%

7.5A
vs
B
8.0

Trust & Safety15%

8.5A
vs
B
6.5

Accessibility10%

10.0A
vs
B
5.0

Support10%

7.0A
vs
B
7.0

FDA warning letters

Neither Apex MD nor Velvet Rx has an FDA warning letter on record with us.

Features & Coverage

FeatureApex MDVelvet Rx
Starting Price$299/mo$299/mo
Features✓8 features6 features
States Available51Not disclosed
Compounded✓ Yes✓ Yes
Brand Name——
FSA/HSA Accepted—✓ Yes
FDA Warning LettersNoneNone

About Apex MD

By injection each week: 299 dollars per month covers compounded semaglutide, 399 dollars compounded tirzepatide. Swallowed daily instead, semaglutide is 349 dollars per month and tirzepatide 419 dollars. L-Carnitine, B-12 and NAD are added into the formulations. No extra fee attaches to Labcorp labs or to provider visits, of which there is no limit, and the package usually arrives inside four business days. Microdosing is on the menu, and licensure covers all 50 states.

Read our full Apex MD review →

About Velvet Rx

Three SKUs are listed openly on Velvet Rx's site: an oral GLP-1, compounded tirzepatide and compounded semaglutide. The 'today' prices of $139 to $199 are a first-month promotion; regular monthly rates are $299, $359 and $349. Each plan takes in a doctor consult, the written prescription, 4 weeks of drug, shipping free in 1-2 days and a medical team reachable at any hour. Cash is the only tender, and FSA/HSA qualify.

Read our full Velvet Rx review →

Pros & Cons

Apex MD

What we like

  • Shows its price before the medical questionnaire, so you can compare it without handing over health information
  • The monthly price stays the same as your dose goes up
  • The monthly price includes the medication, clinician visits and shipping
  • Serves all 50 states
  • We found no FDA warning letters issued to Apex MD
  • Baseline bloodwork is required before a prescription

Watch-outs

  • Semaglutide costs $299 a month, 62% above the $185 median for compounded semaglutide across the sellers we compare
  • Tirzepatide costs $399 a month, 60% above the $250 median for compounded tirzepatide across the sellers we compare
  • Ask which pharmacy fills the prescription before you pay, so you can check its license
  • Its semaglutide and tirzepatide are compounded rather than FDA-approved, so they have not been reviewed by the agency for safety, effectiveness or manufacturing quality

Velvet Rx

What we like

  • Shows its price before the medical questionnaire, so you can compare it without handing over health information
  • The monthly price stays the same as your dose goes up
  • The monthly price includes the medication, clinician visits and shipping
  • We found no FDA warning letters issued to Velvet Rx

Watch-outs

  • Semaglutide costs $299 a month, 62% above the $185 median for compounded semaglutide across the sellers we compare
  • Tirzepatide costs $359 a month, 44% above the $250 median for compounded tirzepatide across the sellers we compare
  • Confirm it serves your state before you start the intake
  • Ask which pharmacy fills the prescription before you pay, so you can check its license
  • Its semaglutide and tirzepatide are compounded rather than FDA-approved, so they have not been reviewed by the agency for safety, effectiveness or manufacturing quality

Our Verdict

Winner: Apex MD

Apex MD wins this one, 7.0 to 6.5, above all for an oral route if you will not self-inject. Velvet Rx fits better if an oral route if you will not self-inject is your priority.

Choose Apex MD if…

You want an oral route if you will not self-inject and an opening price near $299 a month.

Choose Velvet Rx if…

You want an oral route if you will not self-inject and an opening price near $299 a month.

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Apex MD vs Velvet Rx: FAQ

Neither on the entry price: Apex MD and Velvet Rx both start at about $299 a month. The difference is in what the price includes.
Yes, both sell semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Apex MD lists 51 states; Velvet Rx does not publish where it ships. Confirm your state before paying.
Both include the clinician visit, the medication itself and shipping.
Apex MD has none. Velvet Rx has none.
No. Neither Apex MD nor Velvet Rx pays us anything.

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