If you’ve been exploring weight loss options, you’ve likely come across Noom, a popular app known for its psychology-based approach to sustainable weight loss. You might also be interested in taking medication to speed up your weight loss results. Perfect!
Have you heard about Noom Med? This newer option takes Noom’s core program to the next level by incorporating prescription medications including GLP-1s like Ozempic and Weggovy to support weight loss.
In this review, we’ll discuss how Noom Med works, how it differs from the standard Noom Weight program, what users are praising and criticizing (especially on platforms like Reddit), plus who this program is designed for.
Are you thinking of joining? Here’s today’s featured promotion, plus we list their latest offers here.
How Noom Med Works
Noom Med is an extension of Noom’s psychology-driven weight loss platform, combining behavioral coaching with access to prescription weight loss medications. Here’s a step-by-step look at how Med works:
- Initial Assessment: You start with a quick online quiz to share your weight loss goals, medical history, and lifestyle habits. This takes about 10-20 minutes and helps determine if you’re eligible for Noom Med. You’ll need to provide details like your height, weight, age, and any chronic conditions.
- Health Evaluation and Lab Work: If you qualify, you’ll schedule a virtual consultation with a Noom Med clinician (a physician or nurse practitioner). They’ll review your medical history and may require lab tests to assess your health further. This ensures any prescribed medication is safe and appropriate for you.
- Personalized Plan with Medication: If deemed suitable, your clinician may prescribe weight loss medications like GLP-1s (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) or other options like Contrave or Metformin. The medications are shipped directly to you, with fast delivery (often within 7 days). You’ll also get access to Noom’s behavior-change curriculum, which includes daily lessons, food logging, and progress tracking.
- Ongoing Support: Noom Med offers unlimited access to your clinician and care team for follow-ups, medication refills, and support. You’ll also use the Noom app to track meals, exercise, and weight, while engaging with coaches and community groups for motivation.
- Behavioral Coaching: The hallmark of Noom—its psychology-based lessons—remains central. You’ll receive daily articles and quizzes on topics like emotional eating, portion control, and stress management to build sustainable habits alongside medication use.
You might be deciding whether the regular program or Noom Med is best for you, so let’s talk about the differences.
Noom Med is more expensive than the regular, “Weight” app and we break down the pricing here.
How Is Noom Med Different from Noom Weight?
Noom Weight is the standard program, focusing entirely on behavioral changes to promote healthy eating and lifestyle habits. It uses a color-coded food system (green, yellow, orange) based on calorie density, daily lessons rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and support from coaches and community groups. It’s designed to help you lose 1-2 pounds per week without restricting any foods; just guiding you toward better choices.
Noom Med, launched in 2023, builds on this foundation but adds a biological component through prescription medications. Here are the key differences that Med provides:
- Medication Access: Noom Med offers GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Zepbound) and other weight loss drugs for eligible users, while Noom Weight relies solely on lifestyle changes.
- Medical Evaluation: Users start with a virtual consultation to determine if they’re eligible for GLP-1 treatment.
- Clinical Oversight: Noom Med includes virtual consultations with clinicians and ongoing medical support, whereas Noom Weight focuses on coaching from behavioral health specialists, not medical professionals.
- Cost Structure: Noom Med is more expensive than Noom Weight’s regular subscription plus you’ll have to buy medication.
- Eligibility: Noom Med is for those with a BMI of 30 or higher (or 27+ with weight-related conditions like diabetes or hypertension), while Noom Weight is suitable for anyone looking to improve their eating habits.
- Focus: Noom Med combines medication with Noom’s behavioral tools to address both biological and psychological barriers to weight loss, while Noom Weight focuses only on the latter.
Think of Noom Weight as a lifestyle overhaul and Noom Med as a more intensive approach for those who need medication and medical support to achieve their goals.
Good Reviews: Praise for Noom Med
I read through dozens of good and bad reviews for Noom Med on sites like Reddit and BBB. First, here’s what people love about Med:
- Convenient virtual access to GLP-1 prescriptions
- Accountability through behavioral coaching
- Combines weight loss medicine with long-term mindset change
- Feeling supported and monitored rather than “left alone” after getting a prescription
One user on r/Ozempic wrote “Noom Med helped me get Wegovy when my doctor kept brushing me off. Having a coach AND a prescriber in one app is game-changing.”
Bad Reviews: Top Complaints About Noom Med
Despite the praise, Noom Med and GLP-1 medications have faced criticism, particularly on Reddit and review platforms. Here are the most common gripes:
- High out-of-pocket cost, especially when insurance doesn’t cover the meds
- Cancellation policy as many people try it free then miss the window to cancel
- Side effects: Weight loss medications like Ozempic are game-changers but not perfect
- Frustration with medication delays or insurance paperwork
- Some users feel like the coaching is too generic or app-based ai
- Not every state is supported yet by Noom Med’s medical network
There are also comments from people who expected quicker results or felt the price tag wasn’t justified compared to going through their own doctor.
How Much Weight Can You Lose on Noom Med?
Weight loss on Noom Med varies by individual, but clinical trials and user reports provide some insight. With Noom Med’s GLP-1 medications (like Wegovy or Zepbound) paired with its behavioral program, users can lose an average of 15-20% of their body weight over 68-72 weeks, compared to 2.4-3.1% with diet and exercise alone.
This is also much more than the 1-2 pounds per week that Noom claims you’ll lose on their regular program.
Noom highlights a user named Angelia on their site who lost 25 pounds in 14 weeks. Results depend on factors like adherence, starting weight, and lifestyle changes. Always consult a clinician for personalized expectations.
Who Noom Med Is Intended For:
Noom Med is designed for individuals who need more than lifestyle changes to achieve weight loss. Specifically, it’s aimed at:
- People with Higher BMI: Those with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27+ with weight-related conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or insulin resistance.
- Individuals Seeking Medical Support: If you’ve tried lifestyle changes without success or have biological barriers to weight loss, Noom Med’s access to medications like GLP-1s could help. It’s ideal for those who benefit from clinical oversight alongside behavioral coaching.
- Those Comfortable with Telehealth: The program is fully online, so it suits people who prefer virtual consultations and are okay with self-managing medication delivery and lab work.
- Users Committed to Long-Term Change: Noom Med emphasizes sustainable habits, so it’s best for those willing to engage with daily lessons and coaching to complement medication use.
However, Noom Med isn’t for everyone. It’s not recommended for those with a history of eating disorders, as the focus on weight tracking and calorie logging could be triggering. It’s also not ideal if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option or prefer to avoid medications.
*Related: Noom Before & After Pics
Can I Upgrade My Subscription to Noom Med?
Yes, you can upgrade your Noom Weight subscription to Noom Med if you meet the eligibility criteria (BMI of 30+ or 27+ with weight-related conditions).
If you are debating between Noom Med and the regular “Weight” program consider joining the regular program with the option to upgrade later!
To upgrade, check your eligibility in the Noom app under Settings > Manage Subscription > Upgrade to a Noom Med Plan, or contact noommed@noom.com for assistance
My Take on Noom Med
Noom Med offers a unique blend of Noom’s proven behavioral approach with the added power of prescription medications, making it a compelling option for those who need a more intensive weight loss strategy. The success stories, like losing 25 pounds in 14 weeks, are inspiring, and the integration of clinical support sets it apart from Noom Weight. However, the complaints about billing, technical issues, and the push for medications are hard to ignore. If you’re considering Noom Med, be prepared for the extra costs and ensure you’re comfortable with a medication-based approach.
For those who qualify and are ready to commit, Noom Med could be a game-changer. But if you’re hesitant about medications (and needles!) or want a more affordable option, sticking with Noom Weight or exploring other programs might be better. Always consult a healthcare provider to see if Noom Med aligns with your health needs.
Have you tried Noom Med or Noom Weight? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below: