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Walgreens virtual healthcare: online doctor & prescriptions.

Online doctor visits, on demand

See a doctor or nurse practitioner online, get a diagnosis and fill prescriptions, if needed, from the comfort of home.

Walk-ins welcome

How it works

Quickly connect with a clinician using our efficient intake process.

What condition can we help with?

Get high-quality care from U.S.-licensed doctors and nurse practitioners for nonemergency conditions.

Illness & infection

Women’s health

Allergy & asthma

Heart health

Sexual health.

Skin & hair

Urgent care

Type of visit: Video visit

Required for treatment: N/A

Live urgent care visits offer personalized discussions with a healthcare provider for a variety of conditions.

We recommend you see an in-person provider for your care if:

• You are experiencing chest pain or palpitations, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, facial droop or numbness, difficulty breathing, difficulty moving or feeling arms or legs, problems with your eyes (other than pink eye), or recently have fainted.
• You are seeking care for ear pain or dental pain.
• You are seeking care for a UTI and your sex assigned at birth is male
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding
• You are seeking controlled substances or durable medical equipment
• You are seeking a physical exam, lab work, or imaging orders
• You are seeking medications for pain, sleep, ADHD or anxiety
• If you are seeking care for strep throat, please note that based on recent clinical guidelines, in-person strep testing is required in many, but not all cases. We do not offer in-person strep testing; however, we can provide guidance on whether it would be appropriate based on your symptoms.

Commonly prescribed medications:

Varies based on patient symptoms. Recommended treatments may include online prescriptions, over-the-counter treatment recommendations, and/or self-care strategies.

Cough, Cold, Sinus Infection

You may be a good candidate for virtual care if:

• You are currently experiencing symptoms consistent with sinusitis, such as runny nose, stuffy nose or congestion
• You have had 3 or more sinus infections within the past year
• Your symptoms have been ongoing for more than 1 month or your symptoms have returned after having recently been treated for sinusitis with antibiotics
• You are having difficulty breathing that is unrelated to nasal congestion, you have pain or stiffness in your neck, changes in vision or a fever greater than 101°F

Depending on your symptoms, our providers may recommend prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, home remedies or seeking in-person care. Prescriptions may include antibiotics (such as Amoxicillin or Augmentin) for sinus infection, Benzonatate (Tessalon Perles) for cough or other symptomatic treatments for colds.

Type of visit: Chat

Required for treatment: Photo of left and/or right eye

• You are experiencing symptoms consistent with pink eye, such as redness, itchiness and crusting of the eye(s)
• You wear contact lenses
• You have a recent history of trauma to the eye or concern about something in your eye
• You have had eye surgery within the past 2 months
• You are experiencing blurred, impaired, or changes in vision, sensitivity to light, flashing lights or floaters, headache with nausea, inability to open eye or keep it open, redness beyond the eye, pain or tenderness in or around the eye

Commonly prescribed medications: Antibiotic eye drops, such as Erythromycin, trimethoprim-polymyxin B and ofloxacin

Required for treatment: Photo of lips

If you are also experiencing an outbreak of genital herpes, please start a genital herpes visit where we can address both oral and genital herpes.

• You have a current oral cold sore outbreak
• You have had 3 or more cold sore outbreaks within the last year
• Your last outbreak was within the past 2 weeks
• You are seeking cold sore suppression/prevention treatment or refills

Commonly prescribed medications: Valacyclovir, Acyclovir, Famiclovir

Type of visit: Chat (ages 18–64); Video Visit (ages 18+)

Required for treatment: Photo of a positive COVID test result from within 5 days of first symptom (such as an at-home test, a test result from Walgreens or another healthcare provider)

• You are interested in a COVID treatment plan that may include Paxlovid
• You are able to upload a photo of your positive COVID test result and you are within 5 days of your first symptoms
• You are experiencing a fever of 103°F or greater, dizziness or lightheadedness, chest tightness, chest pain or wheezing, difficulty urinating, lower leg, ankle, or foot swelling, problems with memory and/or confusion, or problems eating/keeping down food or liquids
• You have hepatitis, cirrhosis, elevated liver enzymes or severe renal impairment

Commonly prescribed medications: Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir)

Typical number of refills if prescribed: 1 pack, 0 refills

Required for treatment: Photo of a positive flu test result. If you don’t have a positive flu test, you can schedule a Flu & COVID test at Walgreens.

If you were exposed to someone who tested positive for flu, such as a household member, and you have not been tested for flu, please select Video Visit and you can discuss treatment options with the provider.

• You are able to upload a photo of your positive flu test result with your name, date of birth and date. Or, you were in contact with someone who was diagnosed with flu and you are at high risk for complications from flu (please select Video Visit if you do not have a positive flu test result)
• You have had flu-like symptoms for less than 48 hours, you are at increased risk for complications from flu or you are in contact with someone who is immunocompromised

Commonly prescribed medications: Tamiflu (Oseltamivir)

Birth Control

Required for treatment: Documented blood pressure reading within the last 12 months, such as a photo of a medical record from a patient portal or an at-home blood pressure monitor reading. Photo should include your name, date of birth and date of reading. Don’t have a recent blood pressure reading? Get a blood pressure monitor from Walgreens with 30-minute Pickup or FREE 1-hour Delivery on orders $35+.

• You are interested in the following forms of birth control: oral pill, patch, vaginal ring, diaphragm and internal condoms, starting a new type of birth control or refilling your current form of birth control
• You are a biological female of reproductive age
• You can provide documentation of a blood pressure reading from within the past year
• You use tobacco and are 35 years or older
• You have a history of breast cancer, bariatric surgery, stroke, heart disease, cirrhosis or lupus
• You are seeking Depo-Provera, Phexxi, temporary menses delay, IUD or Nexplanon.

Commonly prescribed medications: Sprintec, Junel, Norethindrone (such as Ortho Micronor), Nuvaring

Typical number of refills if prescribed: One-year supply

Urinary tract infection

Type of visit: Video Visit

• You have had symptoms for less than 2 weeks (pain with peeing, urgent need to pee and/or frequent peeing)
• This is your first UTI in the past 3 months
• Your sex assigned at birth was female
• You are experiencing fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, flank, back, or abdominal pain or unusual vaginal discharge

Commonly prescribed medications: Macrobid, Bactrim, Cephalexin

Prescription Morning-After Pill

Type of visit: Chat or Video Visit, varies by state. Before you pay for your visit, we will let you know if we need to conduct a Video Visit in your state.

Required for treatment: Height and weight

• You are a biological female
• You had unprotected sex within the past 5 days
• You are vomiting
• You have a history of malabsorptive bariatric procedures

Commonly prescribed medications: Ella (ulipristal), Plan B (levonorgestrel)

Plan B and Ella are both safe and effective forms of emergency contraception that can reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy. Both Plan B and Ella are more effective the sooner you take it.

Ella is only available via prescription and can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Ella is more effective than Plan B if your BMI is 30 or more. Ella is not effective if your BMI is 35 or more. Here is a link to calculate your BMI to determine if Ella may be right for you.

Plan B is available over the counter. It can be taken up to 3 days after unprotected sex. Plan B is most effective if your BMI is less than 25, and it is less effective if your BMI is 30 or greater.

If you think you may be pregnant, you can purchase a pregnancy test here.

Yeast Infection

• You are currently experiencing symptoms consistent with yeast infection, such as itchiness, burning and irritation of the vagina
• You have had a yeast infection in the past
• Your sex assigned at birth is female
• You are experiencing abdominal, pelvic or back pain
• You are experiencing nausea, vomiting, fever or chills
• You have a concern for STIs or bacterial infection
• You have visible vaginal lesions
• You experience recurrent yeast infections (4 or more per year)
• You have a recurrent yeast infection within 7 days of recent treatment
• You are seeking preventative treatment

Commonly prescribed medications: Fluconazole

Asthma medication refill

Required for treatment: Photo of your most recent asthma prescription (pill bottle, inhaler or medical record)

• You need a refill (30 day supply) of your most recent asthma medication
• You do not have a prior history of asthma
• You have poorly controlled asthma
• You are currently experiencing an asthma exacerbation
• You have concern for an underlying infection
• It has been more than 1 year since you have last had an asthma management visit with your PCP or specialist

Please note:

• We do not offer treatment adjustments
• We do not offer steroids for exacerbations
• Daily medications will only be refilled if you have been less than 2 weeks without medication
• Episodic medications (such as inhalers) will only be refilled if you have been less than 6 months without medication

Commonly prescribed medications: Albuterol inhaler refills, refills of your current daily medication for asthma

Typical number of refills if prescribed: 30 day supply with 0 refills per year

Patients may not receive more than one prescription every 12 months through this service

Seasonal Allergies

Required for treatment: Photos of eyes, nose and back of throat

• You have recurring seasonal allergy symptoms, which may impact the eyes, nose, sinuses and skin (such as clear nasal discharge, past history of seasonal or environmental allergies and seeking symtomatic relief) (If you are not sure what is causing your symptoms, we recommend seeking care through the Urgent Care visit or Cold, Cough, Sinus Infection visit.)
• You have eye or facial pain, fever or chills, are coughing up yellow or green phlegm, or have yellow or green drainage from the nose
• You are having a severe allergic reaction (such as, shortness of breath, wheezing, swollen lips or tongue)
• You may have a viral infection, eye injury, abrasion or ulceration
• You have a history of asthma

Commonly prescribed medications: Montelukast (Singulair), Fluticasone nasal spray (Flonase), Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

Providers may prescribe medications that are also available over-the-counter. OTC medications may not be covered by insurance and it may be cheaper to get medication through a prescription. Insurance coverage and pricing varies by plan. Typical number of refills if prescribed: Montelukast: 90 tablets, 1 refill

Blood Pressure Medication Refill

Required for treatment: Photo of current prescriptions for high blood pressure (picture of pill bottle(s) or medical record)

• You have been previously diagnosed with hypertension and are seeking a refill of your current medication
• You are on 3 or more high blood pressure medications
• You are experiencing headache, blurry vision, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, severe back pain, confusion, lightheadedness, fainting, dry mouth or thirst, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, palpitations or racing heart
• You are seeking a refill of a blood thinner medication
• You have been off of your current medication for more than a week

Commonly prescribed medications: Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, Beta Blockers, & Calcium channel blockers, including combination pills

Typical number of refills if prescribed: We provide one 90-day refill within a 12 month period if your provider determines it is clinically appropriate for you. If you need another refill within 12 months, please follow up with your primary care provider.

Erectile dysfunction

Required for treatment:

• Proof of most recent ED prescription (photo of pill bottle or medical record)
• Proof of documented blood pressure reading within the last 12 months (such as a photo of a medical record from a patient portal or an at-home blood pressure monitor reading) Don’t have a recent blood pressure reading? Get a blood pressure monitor from Walgreens with 30-minute Pickup or FREE 1-hour Delivery on orders $35+.
• You have been previously diagnosed with erectile dysfunction and are overdue for a provider visit or need a refill of your medication
• You are a biological male
• You have a documented blood pressure reading within the last 12 months
• You can provide a photo of your most recent ED prescription (pill bottle or medical record)
• You have had elevated blood pressure in the past 12 months
• You have a family history of heart attack or heart disease in persons less than 55 years of age
• You have recently experienced chest pain, dizziness, fainting or seizures or have heart disease

Commonly prescribed medications: Cialis (tadalafil), Viagra (sildenafil), Levitra (vardenafil)

Typical number of refills if prescribed: 90 day supply with 3 refills. Early refills will not be provided.

Genital herpes

Required for treatment: Photo of your most recent prescription medication used for genital herpes

• You have a current outbreak of genital herpes
• You have previously been diagnosed and treated for genital herpes
• You are seeking genital herpes suppression/prevention treatment or refills
• This is your first genital outbreak
• There is concern for a concurrent bacterial infection
• You have atypical lesions on areas of the body that are not the genital or oral region
• You have lesions near the eye area
• You have neck pain, fever, severe headache, nausea or vomiting
• You have had 3 or more outbreaks within the last 12 months

Commonly prescribed medications: Valacyclovir tablet, Acyclovir tablet, Famciclovir tablet

Acne, anti-wrinkle & dark spots

Required for treatment: Photo of front of face, left side of face and right side of face

• You are interested in topical treatment for mild-moderate facial acne, wrinkles, or dark spots
• You have severe scarring, acne on multiple parts of your body or cystic acne
• You need the following prescriptions: isotretinoin (also known as Accutane, Zenatane, Absorica, Myorisan, Claravis, or Amnesteem), oral antibiotics or spironolactone

Commonly prescribed medications: Tretinoin (for acne & anti-wrinkle), Benzoyl Peroxide (for acne), Topical Clindamycin (for acne), Birth control (for hormonal acne), Hydroquinone (for dark spots)

Typical number of refills if prescribed: 2 refills

Men’s hair loss

• Photo of hairline and scalp
• You have male pattern balding (hair loss around your hairline and on the top of your head)
• You are interested in regrowing your hair or preventing future hair loss
• You have significant hair loss on other parts of your body
• You have pain, itching or burning of the scalp
• You have HIV, a weakened immune system, a rheumatological disorder or autoimmune diseases

Commonly prescribed medications: Propecia (finasteride); we do not prescribe Oral Minoxidil

Typical number of refills if prescribed: 90 day supply, 3 refills

When you need care now, not later

No appointment needed

Most visits start within 15 minutes of your request being submitted.

Extended hours, 7 days a week: 8 am-midnight EST (5 am-9 pm PST)

*Currently available in the following states: CA, FL, GA, IL, MI, NJ, NV, NC, OH, and TX.

Low & upfront fees

Transparent pricing before your visit with low-cost services from $33 to $75.

Pay with credit card, debit card, HSA or FSA card. Insurance currently not accepted.

Prepare for your visit

To begin your visit, you’ll need to:

• Upload a government-issued photo ID and your photo to verify your identity
• Answer a few medical questions to determine if this service is a good fit for your needs
• Enable your video camera and microphone access for treatments that require a live video visit
• Use the current version of Chrome, Firefox or Safari for best results when accessing the service

Prescriptions made easy

Frequently Asked Questions

• Start a visit request anytime. Select your treatment area and answer clinical intake interview questions regarding your condition. Some treatment areas require you to provide photos, for example, of the affected area or of a previously filled medication.
• The next available provider licensed in your state will send you a message through your patient portal when they are ready to connect. Doctors and nurse practitioners are available between the hours of 8 am to midnight EST (5 am to 9 pm PST), seven days a week. If you request a visit overnight, a provider will reach out to you as soon as they are available, which may be the following morning.
• To get started, click on a treatment area above to learn more about our visit types, what we treat and typical wait times.

All treatment areas require you to upload a government-issued photo ID, as well as a selfie, to verify your identity. All visits require patients to be age 18 or older. Each treatment area has unique requirements to receive care. Please click on a treatment area above to learn more about its requirements.

To access this service, you must be physically located in one of the following states at the time of the visit: CA, FL, GA, IL, MI, NC, NJ, NV, OH, or TX. Please check back soon to learn where we are growing next—we plan to offer virtual care to patients in additional states in the future.

Visits can be conducted on a mobile device, tablet or desktop computer. We recommend using the most recent version of Chrome, Firefox or Safari to access the service. Microsoft Edge is known to cause issues in video-based visits. Internet Explorer is not supported. For video visits, you will need to enable video camera and microphone access to interact with a clinician. Video visits are conducted on a HIPAA-compliant platform. Click on a treatment area above to learn more.

Patient support can be reached at 866-740-7721 between the hours of 8 am to midnight EST (5 am to 9 pm PST, 8 am to 12 pm EST), seven days a week. You may also send a message through the patient portal in your Walgreens Virtual Healthcare account.

Payment & insurance

Walgreens Virtual Healthcare visits are $33 - $75. Click on a treatment area above to see the price of each visit type. Insurance is currently not accepted for virtual care visits; however, you may pay for your visit with your HSA/FSA card. Insurance may be used to purchase your prescription, if applicable. We plan to accept insurance for virtual care visits in the future.

Yes, you can use insurance to pay for most medication. Insurance coverage for prescription drugs varies. Please talk with your insurer or pharmacy directly about any questions regarding your prescription drug coverage. The cost of medication is not included in the cost of your visit. Looking to pay for your medication out of pocket? Find lower prescription prices at Walgreens with our free search tool, Walgreens Rx Savings Finder , powered by RxSense ® .

We accept debit, credit and HSA/FSA cards.

The fee you pay is for a clinical assessment, which may be conducted via a live visit or an offline (asynchronous) review of your clinical records by a Walgreens Virtual Healthcare provider. They will review your clinical situation and use their independent clinical judgment to recommend the most appropriate treatment option for you. This may include prescribing medication, recommending over-the-counter medications or home care strategies and/or recommending that you visit an in-person provider for further evaluation (such as an urgent care center, emergency department, primary care provider or specialist). We cannot offer refunds solely because the provider determines a prescription medication is not the best option for you, cannot be safely prescribed based on the information available, does not prescribe your preferred medication or due to issues related to pharmacy medication pickup.

If you are unable to complete your visit, please let us know right away by logging in to your Walgreens Virtual Healthcare account and sending us a chat message, or by calling us at 866-740-7721, so we can cancel your consultation before a provider reviews your intake. Your credit card will be charged after the provider reviews your intake and shares their recommendations for next steps.

If you have questions about your care, please log in to your Walgreens Virtual Healthcare account and send us a chat message or call us at 866-740-7721.

Our provider team is made up of experienced doctors and nurse practitioners who offer high-quality treatment and care. You will be matched with a doctor or nurse practitioner licensed in the state where you are located at the time of your visit. Service availability varies by state.

Providers & prescriptions

After your visit, if you would like your records sent to your primary care physician, you can use the Walgreens Virtual Care patient portal to send us a message and request that a copy of your records be sent to your primary care physician.

Please click on a treatment area above to learn more about what medications are commonly prescribed, as well as common exclusions. We do not prescribe any medications that are listed as controlled substances by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) or state law. This includes narcotics, amphetamine stimulants and benzodiazepines.

Disclaimers

*Currently available in the following states: CA, FL, GA, IL, MI, NC, NJ, NV, OH, or TX.

Prescription based on medical evaluation and not guaranteed.

Walgreens-affiliated medical practices are independently owned and operated by licensed physicians who provide services using the Walgreens virtual care program telehealth platform. For more information about the relationship between Walgreens and the medical practices click here .

Walgreens Health Medical Group California P.C. is a California professional medical corporation utilizing the fictitious name “Walgreens Health Medical Group California P.C.” pursuant to Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 2415. To view the Fictitious Name Permit click here .

Whole-patient, high-quality virtual primary care

Find the best virtual care from top-rated online doctors including urgent care, mental health, weight loss and more. We've made quality healthcare accessible anywhere.

*If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund. Please note that any medication or lab work costs are not included. Please refer to our refund policy for additional information.

High-quality care—anywhere, anytime

Our top-rated primary care doctors provide a wide range of healthcare services, including weight management, urgent care, pediatric care, chronic disease treatment and online therapy. Access comprehensive care for all life stages in one convenient app.

Weight loss

Personalized care provided by a licensed medical provider, medically supervised weight loss prescriptions, and ongoing care and support.

Online prescriptions

Save up to 80% on new prescriptions or refills with our prescription discount card and get the medications you need from the pharmacy of your choice.

Urgent care

Online therapy

Online therapy that fits into your schedule — on web or mobile from the privacy of your device.

Sexual health

Chronic care management

Pediatric care

General and preventative care

Yes, we accept insurance.

We are in network with most major health insurance plans. Find out more about how we handle insurance claims .

Top-quality virtual primary care visits

For you and the ones you love most

High-Quality Doctors Online

Convenient telehealth visits, affordable doctor appointments, what we treat.

We deliver top-rated treatment for hundreds of health conditions.

Medically guided weight management with GLP-1s

Get a new prescription or refill for GLP-1 medications from a board-certified primary care doctor today.

Compounded semaglutide

Compounded tirzepatide

Our 800,000+ patients say it best

DR. Allan Marks has helped my daughter two times and we cannot recommend them enough. My daughter has ADHD and can't wait in a waiting room forever. This was the fastest and easiest way to get my daughter diagnosed and pick up a script.  One time we used this service when no other doctor was open. [...] My daughter didn't have to even leave the house in 6 degree weather (would have made her MORE SICK). She had severe sinus infection and Dr. was not only clear and nice but looked up holiday pharmacy hours ahead of time to make sure I could pick up the script in time! AWESOME! [...]

Crystal Lake, IL

never review Apps, but this has been the quickest and most convenient doctor experience(s) I've ever had. It cost me no more than what I would have paid to visit an office. I've had two appointments and one was done in the comfort of my own living room and the second on my break at work. As a full time worker, full time student, and full time mom, the convenience cannot be beat. I met with Dr. Saremi who is very personable and kind. He immediately resolved my reasons for calling during both appointments. He was competent and trustworthy and valued my time.  Can't recommend this enough.

Anneliese P.

Santa Barbara, CA

Top-rated online doctors

Our board-certified physicians average 15 years of experience and have trained at one of the top 50 U.S. medical schools.

Cesar Duque Gomez, M.D.

Cristina Garcia, M.D.

Allan Marks, M.D.

Evelyn Darius, M.D.

This is comprehensive, whole-person care

We believe we can deliver healthcare that makes you smile. Join today and get access to virtual primary care and mental health treatment when you need it wherever you may be.

MeMD is now part of Fabric

Walmart health's virtual care service, memd, is now part of fabric. you can access the same great services by clicking the button below..

What does this mean?

The telehealth services provided by MeMD have been acquired by Fabric as of 7/19/2024. Rest assured, employers, brokers, and members will continue to receive the same great services under the MeMD brand.

Get the same easy affordable care on your schedule with MeMD.

Urgent care.

Adults & children can be treated 24/7 for routine health issues.

For minor health concerns, you don’t have to wait in an ER or urgent care center for diagnosis and treatment. MeMD's highly qualified team of medical providers can evaluate common conditions like these:

• Cold, flu, sore throats, sinus infections
• Allergies, itchy eyes, pink eye
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• UTIs, abdominal pain
• Skin infections, rashes
• Travel medications
• Short-term prescription refills
• General advice & consultation

Women's Health

A safe & convenient way for women to discuss personal health concerns.

Address personal health concerns and receive care privately and quickly, on your schedule, from the convenience of home. MeMD's medical providers can evaluate common conditions like these:

• Acne, blackheads, cold sores, warts
• Hair loss, eyelash / eyebrow thinning
• Birth control, premenstrual syndrome
• Endometriosis, hot flashes, incontinence
• Low sex drive, pain during intercourse
• Vaginal dryness, yeast infections, mastitis
• Sexual wellness
• Smoking cessation
• General advice & more

Men's Health

A discreet & simple way for men to discuss private health concerns .

Discuss personal health concerns without the time commitment, inconvenience and stigma of visiting a doctor’s office in person. MeMD's medical providers can evaluate common conditions like these :

• Dandruff, h air loss, male pattern baldness
• Erectile dysfunction (ED), low sex drive
• Premature ejaculation (PE)
• Enlarged prostate 
• Performance anxiety

Talk Therapy

Adults can speak with a licensed therapist in as few as 72 hours.

Receive ongoing support, on your schedule, from the comfort and privacy of your own home. MeMD's licensed therapists can help with a wide range of mental and emotional health needs.

• Anxiety, social anxiety, stress
• Parenting, relationships, divorce
• Grief & loss
• Life transitions
• Panic attacks

Teen Therapy

Youth ages 10-17 can speak with a licensed therapist in as few as 72 hours.

Is your child struggling emotionally, socially or academically? MeMD provides a safe space in which your teen can start to receive the support they need, in as few as 72 hours.

• Body-image, low self-esteem  
• Bullying, codependency, relationships
• Concentration, ADHD/ADD
• Performance coaching

Private, personalized treatment from a psychiatric provider.

Get started with an initial visit. Then enjoy ongoing care by scheduling 15-minute follow-up sessions to manage medications and evaluate progress.

• Depression, grief, loss  
• Panic attacks 
• Life transitions 
• Maternal health, post-partum
• Relationships
• Schizophrenia

How it works

Request a visit on your schedule, speak with a licensed clinician, receive your unique care plan.

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

How to See a Doctor and Get a Prescription Online

Even though most cities and states are beginning to ease their social distancing mandates, it’s still a good idea to avoid crowded spaces where you may be exposed to the coronavirus — like a doctor’s office for a non-urgent condition. Many doctors are offering telemedicine services during the pandemic, so there’s a good chance you can set up a video visit with your own doctor for a new or recurring health issue. However, if your doctor isn’t taking virtual appointments, or you need to see a new specialist during this time, or you don’t already have a doctor, there are a whole crop of services that’ll let you see a licensed provider and get a prescription from home.

The laws governing telemedicine vary by state. Generally, you’ll be able to get a prescription through a video visit (some states require only a phone call or online chat) with a locally licensed health-care professional. Click here for an interactive map detailing each state’s individual laws. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, some restrictions on telemedicine — like the ability to prescribe controlled substances — have been temporarily lifted. To check if a medical professional is licensed in your state (all of the services below will provide the full name of your clinician) check with your state’s medical or nursing board.

If don’t need a doctor but are looking to avoid a trip to the pharmacy, try a service like Capsule (available in NYC, Boston, Chicago, and the Twin Cities) or Pill Pack (nationwide). They deliver medications your doctor has already prescribed.

Best online service for general health

Availability: Nationwide; age requirements vary based on condition, but the service is generally available for adults 18-year-old and older.

Conditions treated: Acne, sinus infections, birth control, erectile dysfunction, high cholesterol, flu, depression and anxiety, smoking cessation, cold sores, migraines, and more. There’s even an at-home COVID-19 antibody test coming soon.

Consultation Process: Depending on your state, you’ll have a video or phone visit with a doctor. Some prescriptions require blood tests or blood pressure measurements beforehand. (You can check your blood pressure at a pharmacy or with an at-home monitor, and Lemonaid has a partnership with Quest Diagnostics to order any necessary blood tests.)

Price: Most consultations cost $25. Prescription prices vary based on medication, but Lemonaid clinicians will prescribe low-cost generics whenever appropriate. Lemonaid has its own mail-order pharmacy but you’ll also have the option to have your prescription transferred to a local pharmacy if you prefer.

Insurance: Lemonaid virtual visits aren’t covered by insurance, but they’re generally cheaper than an in-network co-pay. Lemonaid’s mail-order pharmacy doesn’t take insurance, but you can have a prescription transferred to a local pharmacy that can check and see if it’s covered by your plan.

Best online service for migraines

Availability: Adults 18 years old and older in 34 states. You’ll need to contact the company to see if yours is covered.

Conditions treated: Migraines

Consultation process: After you fill out an online consultation form detailing your symptoms and medical history, a doctor reviews your information and either prescribes you medication or schedules a video visit. If your doctor suspects another cause for your headaches, you may be referred to an in-person specialist for further testing. Cove offers medication both to prevent migraines, like the anticonvulsant topiramate, and treat acute migraines, like prescription-strength naproxen pain relievers. After a few weeks of treatment, you speak with your prescribing doctor again to see if your medications need tweaking.

Price: Cove charges a $4 monthly medical fee, plus the cost of your prescription, which typically ranges from $10–$40 per month.

Insurance: Cove’s service and medications are not covered by insurance with the exception of Nurtec ODT, a new migraine pain reliever for which there is not yet an affordable generic version. If you’re prescribed Nurtec ODT, Cove will automatically transfer the prescription to a local pharmacy that will process your insurance. You can also choose to transfer other prescriptions to a local pharmacy to see if they are covered under your insurance.

Best online service for “ things we don’t talk about ”

Availability: Nationwide for adults 18 years old and older.

Conditions treated: While you shouldn’t be embarrassed to see an in-person doctor about any health issue, Wisp specializes in conditions you may be more comfortable discussing online, such as oral and genital herpes, yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and bacterial vaginosis.

Consultation process: Like most of the services above, Wisp has an online questionnaire that you complete before receiving your prescription. Depending on your state of residence and the nature of your condition you may also then chat with a prescribing physician. Wisp providers can prescribe medications for preventing and treating herpes outbreaks (like generic Valtrex), as well as treatments for non-recurring conditions like antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis.

Price: Prices range from $15–$60 per month, including medication, consultation, and shipping.

Insurance: Wisp is not covered by insurance, but you can have a prescription transferred to a local pharmacy to see if it’s covered.

Best online service for men’s and women’s health

Conditions treated: These sibling brands feature some of the same medications (tretinoin for acne and anti-aging, the beta blocker propranolol for performance anxiety, and generic Valtrex for treating genital herpes), but also address sex-specific issues. At Hims, you’ll find medication for hair loss and erectile dysfunction, while Hers offers treatment for yeast infections and low sex drive as well as birth control pills. (For additional birth control options, check out The Pill Club for 100+ pill brands or Twentyeight Health for a variety of pills plus the patch, ring, and emergency contraception.)

Consultation process: Hers and Hims follow a similar process as the above services: a questionnaire followed by an online consultation.

Price: Medication prices range from $20 for two packs of a three-day yeast infection treatment to $520 for a month’s supply of brand-name medication such as Cialis. The medical consultation fee is included.

Insurance: Hims and Hers do not take insurance but it’s worth checking with a local pharmacy to see if your plan covers a specific medication. Birth control, for example, is free with most insurance plans, but costs $30 per month from Hers.

Best online service for mental health

Availability: Adults 18 years old and older who reside in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Texas. Cerebral plans on expanding to more states in the future. (If you don’t live in one of these states, you can get some of the same services and prescriptions from Lemonaid, above.)

Conditions treated: Anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

Consultation Process: After filling out an online form, Cerebral assigns you a prescribing provider (the doctor who will write your prescription) and a “care counselor” (a mental-health professional, like a therapist), with whom you’ll discuss your progress and learn coping strategies. Cerebral is a monthly subscription service and you’ll have to speak to your provider and care counselor each month to get prescription refills.

Price: Cerebral offers several different plans , from $85 per month for ongoing visits with your provider, monthly visits with your care counselor, and medication shipping, to $325 per month for all of the above plus weekly visits with a therapist. Medication is billed separately but shipping is included.

Insurance: Cerebral is in-network for some Cigna plans in California. Otherwise, they offer an automatic claim processing for out-of-network reimbursement (the amount you get reimbursed will depend on your plan). Because medication is billed separately, it may be covered by your insurance. Cerebral is FSA/HSA eligible.

Best online service for skin care

Availability: Adults 18 years old and older, and teenagers between 13 and 18 with parental consent. Curology is available in most states, as listed here .

Conditions treated: Acne and aging skin.

Consultation process: After answering an online questionnaire about your medical and skin-care history, uploading photos of the affected areas, and meeting virtually with a provider, you’ll receive a personalized prescription cream with a mix of ingredients that may include clindamycin (a topical antibiotic), tretinoin (a retinoid ), or azelaic acid or tranexamic acid (acids that help with hyperpigmentation and a cne scars ).

Price: A 30-day supply costs $20; a 60-day supply costs $40; and a 60-day supply of your medication plus Curology’s cleanser and moisturizer costs $60. Shipping costs an additional $5 per order and all plans include medical consultations.

Insurance: Curology is not covered by insurance but may be FSA/HSA eligible depending on your plan.

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• Top 5 best services to use to get prescriptions from online doctors 2024

Top 5 Best Services to Use to Get Prescriptions From Online Doctors 2024

With the help of online doctor prescriptions and online prescription services, there's no more waiting around. 

Here’s a quick rundown of how to get a prescription online:

• Sign up for a  reliable online doctor's service . There are several options, so choose one that fits your medical requirements and works well with your budget.
• Book an appointment or request a prescription . If you’ve never gotten the medication before, an online doctor may need to diagnose you before you can receive the medications. However, if it’s an existing medication, you may not even need an online doctor’s visit.
• Have the online doctor write out the prescription . Many will send the script directly to the pharmacy for you. Otherwise, take the prescription to your local pharmacy and get the medication you need on the spot.

And it’s as effortless as that. Now, you know how to get a prescription online. No waiting for an appointment to open up. No traveling to a doctor’s office or sitting around for your name to be called. Simple. Easy. Fast.

Prescriptions for medications can be diagnosed, written, and even sent to an online pharmacy. USA doctors are restricted somewhat in which prescriptions they can write online, but the vast majority of medicines can be prescribed by an online doctor.

Now that you know how simple it is to get a prescription written online, it's time to test out the concept. Not sure where to start? Check out some of the best online pharmacy reviews and online doctor's prescription services that will revolutionize the way you get your meds for life.

Breaking Down Our Top 10 Choices: Which Service to Get Prescriptions from Online Doctors Is Best For You?

• CallonDoc   - Best for getting medication mailed right to your door
• TelaDoc   - Best for insurance-supported services
• Amwell   - Best for high availability with no appointments required
• SAMI-Aid - Best for free basic services like medical records storage

The Best Services to Get Prescriptions From Online Doctors:

1. callondoc.

CallOnDoc is another free online doctor prescription service that is particularly well-suited to you if you already have the prescription you need. That's because CallOnDoc lets you refill your prescription anytime, anywhere. This online doctor's prescription service is available for any medication that you are currently taking (that does not require ongoing consultation such as seizure medications or Ambien). If you fit the bill, CallOnDoc can get you your refills within minutes.

Even if you require a new medication or prescription, CallOnDoc is a good solution. You can get same-day online doctors appointments and have your medication within a few hours. Things like antibiotics or anti-fungal medications will require a new prescription. After the medication has been prescribed, CallOnDoc will send the prescription directly to a local pharmacy or online pharmacy in the USA like Honeybeehealth.com or Wellrx.com. 

The online pharmacy reviews the prescriptions and can even mail your medications directly to your door. This is a significant perk if you are currently unable to leave the house because of immobility, illness, or perhaps because of the current Coronavirus outbreak. Bottom line, CallOnDoc is a great solution if you're looking for fast, convenient, and confidential prescriptions or medication refills.

*Most medications will cost just $39.99 to fill

Pros  

• Get medications mailed to you
• Refills available without an appointment
• Easy online process in minutes
• Not available 24/7
• Per prescription fee

Read the full CallOnDoc review

TelaDoc is an easy way to get a prescription written online free from the frustrations, inconveniences, and invasions of privacy that usually come with a more traditional doctor’s appointment. Known for working well as an immediate care alternative, TelaDoc connects patients to a doctor, therapist, or medical expert in the field that you require at the moment. Ranked #1 in Telehealth Satisfaction with Direct to Consumer Providers, TelaDoc US board-certified and licensed practitioners can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications all from the comfort of your own home, office, or even while on vacation. The idea is to get you the medication you need when you need it, and not make you wait for long lines or someone else’s schedule to clear up.

TelaDoc has a neat mobile app that you can use from anywhere to book an appointment, get in touch with a doctor, and request a prescription all from your phone. TelaDoc doctors will send your medication request directly to the pharmacy for your immediate pickup. From antibiotics to anti-fungal creams and beyond, TelaDoc doctors can send off just about any non-DEA restricted medication out there. You’ll be notified when your prescription is sent to the pharmacy, so you can go pick it up at your earliest convenience. And unlike most virtual doctors services, TelaDoc works with insurance providers to make plans and visits more affordable.

• Max wait time is 10 minutes
• On-demand care, 24/7/365
• Works with health insurance plans
• No narcotics or controlled substances 
• High one-off visit pricing

Read the full TelaDoc review

Amwell makes it easy to get a prescription written online. You can set up a free account, visit with a doctor virtually and whenever you want, and get a diagnosis in minutes. The doctor can recommend an online prescription, and you can receive it from anywhere in the United States. In some states, you aren't even required to have a video consultation with the doctor. Many times, a simple and quick phone chat will suffice. When you're finished, the virtual doctor will send your prescriptions directly to the pharmacy of your choice. You can then collect the medication at your earliest convenience.

As with all online doctor's prescriptions services, Amwell cannot prescribe controlled substances such as morphine, opium, and valium. This is due to strict regulations set by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) to counter the abuse of such controlled substances. Other than these controlled substances, though, most prescriptions, including antibiotics, birth control, and other non-controlled medications, can easily be obtained via an online prescription from an Amwell health professional.

Finally, like TeleDoc, Amwell accepts many health care plans to help patients cover the costs of a visit. There are more than 80 million patients who use their healthcare plans to cover their Amwell visits. So, you can get the convenience of online doctors prescriptions with the cost-efficiency of your regular healthcare provider.

• Available 24/7/365
• No appointments necessary
• Prescriptions sent electronically to pharmacy of choice
• Works with many insurance plans
• Pricey specialist appointments
• Limited messaging capabilities

Read the full Amwell review

4. SAMI-Aid

SAMI-Aid is a service that can provide volumes of useful information that's totally free, online doctor prescriptions, USA-certified doctors, and other medical services online. The basic membership is free, and this includes tools such as physician office visit pricing search, medical records storage, and a wellspring of information resources pertaining to every possible healthcare question, condition, or treatment out there.

For a medical consultation, you'll pay $39.99 for a registered nurse consultation or $59.99 for an MD, therapist, or psychiatrist. Appointments are available 24/7, and wait time is generally under 15 minutes. All SAMI-Aid doctors are available to write online prescriptions, including antibiotics, but not DEA-controlled substances like medicinal marijuana, sleeping pills, and injectable medications. SAMI-Aid doctors can also provide up to 30-day refills for medications that you are currently taking. And what's more, SAMI-Aid virtual physicians and prescription services are available to all US citizens across the United States.

• Option to speak to an RN for medical advice
• Lots of additional healthcare resources
• Basic membership is free
• Per-visit costs can get expensive
• Not available outside the US

Read the full SAMI-Aid review

How to Get a Prescription Online

Hassle-free online doctor consultation prescriptions have arrived, and they are taking the world by storm. No longer are patients sitting around in pain because the doctors have a long waitlist till the next available appointment (or worse, a long on-hold process before you've even reached the doctor's office to book an appointment!). With online everything these days, there's no reason why your healthcare can't be accommodated over the internet, as well. With convenient mobile apps, video and SMS appointments, and computer-generated doctor's appointments, there's no reason why you should ever have to wait more than a few minutes to "see" the doctor.

Of course, there are a lot of options when it comes to getting an online doctor prescription. And you want to make sure you are making a good choice. In general, look for these top features to ensure that you receive a quality experience from your telehealth professionals services:

Availability

You don’t want to wait around, and with 24/7 services available now, you shouldn’t have to. Most telehealthcare services offer 24/7 care, so don’t settle for less.

If you have an ongoing medication that you take, make sure the online doctor's prescription service offers faster and convenient refill services.

Professionals

A quick search of the website will clue you in to the level of professionalism these doctors possess. Are they board-certified, degree-carrying, experienced experts in their fields? Trust nothing but the best for your health and wellness.

Convenience

Most of all, look for convenience. Make sure the system is easy to use, doesn't require a lot of form filling, and has fast, simple turnaround times. A mobile app is a big perk, too. Plus, a good online doctor's service will even be able to send out your prescription to the best online pharmacy for you, meaning the one that's nearest to you or the one that works with your specific medications.

The author of this article has been paid by Natural Intelligence to write this article. Neither the author nor Natural Intelligence provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or your local emergency number immediately.

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Medication Refills Online

Need a prescription refilled, but don’t want to go to a doctor?

Get Your Medication Refilled Online

The physicians at webdoctors.com can authorize a limited number of prescription refills of medications that you have been taking, and were prescribed by your regular physician. We can refill medications for hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and various other conditions.

If you are currently taking a specific medication and have the original prescription documentation, our medical providers can submit an electronic Prescription. Your refill can then be picked up at your local pharmacy within an hour.

$69.95 for first refill $20 for each additional refill

Best online prescription service.

Prescriptions are very popular in modern medicine. In fact, there are definite chances that you might have once been issued one. Whether new or a refill, these documents are legal tenders in medical care, conveying instructions that mandate the Pharmacists to provide medication for your care. Not only are they important for therapy, but they are also considered necessary in every system of healthcare delivery – home care, physical hospital visits, or remote healthcare. Once a prescription is issued, getting it filled is the next logical procedure. In recent times, however, the modalities for issuing and filling prescriptions have been modified.

Online prescriptions are steadily becoming mainstream. Simply put, they are prescriptions generated and filled online via a telemedicine network. This new trend has moved prescription issuance a step further from the traditional methods of physically completing the issuance process for retail prescriptions. In the United States alone, about 4.38 billion retail prescriptions are reprojected to be filled in United States between 2013 and 2025. In the early 2000s, the percentage of e-prescriptions generated in the United States alone started increasing steadily. In 2017, about 66 percent of all generated prescriptions were electronic prescriptions. This number increased to 73% in 2018 and 79 percent in 2019. 

All About Online Prescriptions From Online Doctor Service

The coronavirus pandemic increased the operations of online medical services globally as the lockdown regulations limit hospital visits, especially for non-emergency conditions. As a result, remote medical services increased, the rate of e-prescriptions and laboratory investigations ordered online also increased proportionately. In 2020, the rate of e-prescriptions generated in the United States alone was estimated as 84% of the total number of prescriptions generated. Not only is this a significant variation previous, but it also signaled a historical transition in the method of prescription issuance in the United States. With more people registered on different telemedicine networks, more prescriptions were generated online for medications needed in medical care. 

Best Online Prescription Services for You

As one of the longest standing and, and highly rated telemedicine providers, the board-certified physicians at webdoctors.com can prescribe the majority of prescription refills of medications most patients have been taking. In addition to this, the online doctors at webdoctors.com at can refill medications for hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and various other conditions. If patients are currently taking a specific medication and have the original prescription documentation, WebDoctors can typically submit an electronic Prescription. A prescription refill can then be picked up at a local pharmacy within an hour at almost any pharmacy in the US. 

With consultations starting at just $39.95, many patients enjoy the quick and convenient service from WebDoctors. WebDoctors also provides one of the shortest wait times, and the most available appointments of almost any telemedicine service, allowing most patients to speak to a board-certified physician in less than 15 minutes. WebDoctors also boasts over 6,000 positive reviews, with very high ratings on Trustpilot and Google.

This telemedicine network delivers a nationwide service protocol and generally available for adults 18-year-old and older. Lemonaid offers a full-service online medical consultation that remotely connects you with an online doctor. The basic process of consultation, diagnosis, and prescription issuance is completed remotely over an encrypted telecommunication channel. Lemonaid also runs a partnership with Quest Diagnostics to order laboratory investigations online, including blood tests, urine culture, sensitivity tests, and different organ functionality tests. 

If you are registered with the Lemonaid prescription services, you are offered direct access to commonly prescribed medications. These medications cover therapy for acne, sinus infections, erectile dysfunction, urinary tract infections, anxiety, smoking, cold sores, and migraines. In addition, patients undergoing substance use disorder therapies are also catered for on this network. Most consultations with this online prescription service cost $25, and there is an option for insurance coverage. You can get your medications through a mail-order or get your prescription transferred to a local pharmacy.

Blink Health

Blink health serves the 50 states of the USA and the District of Columbia. Based in New York, this online prescription service has created a niche for itself using its signature ‘Same medication, Same pharmacy, Lower price’ policy. Just as Lemonaid, Blink Health also operates a full-service online medical care service. Registered members are expected to pay $5 for the first month of the subscription. Subsequently, a monthly subscription plan costing about $9.95 monthly. This monthly subscription covers online consultations and drug delivery services for the month under review. Drug costs are charged separately and depend on the brand, the dosage prescribed, and the duration of therapy. 

Patients registered on Blink Health have access to medications needed for different disease conditions. If you are registered, you can get your prescription filled for erectile dysfunction, acid reflux, urinary tract infection, cold sores, and other non-emergency conditions. The commonly dispensed drugs on Blink Health include atorvastatin, sildenafil tadalafil, and buprenorphine. Your prescription services are secured with Blink Health, and you can use insurance packages that are recognized under this service. 

Headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire, PillPack is a famous prescription-online online medical service that serves all the 50 States and the District of Columbia. It was recently acquired by Amazon Pharmacy to enlarge its coverage and improve its service delivery protocol. Compared with other online prescription services, the service protocol at PillPack is simplified. Medications captured on online prescriptions are dispensed and simply shipped to patients using a direct-door delivery system. 

Drug costs are covered by out-of-pocket payments and co-payments under insurance packages that are registered with PillPack. At PillPack, the medication shipping fee is free, so you only pay for the drugs that are widely reported to be reasonably priced. In addition, patients are offered the choice of purchasing a reusable dispenser valued at $15 or opting for a free, recyclable paper box dispenser. 

Wisp operates a different protocol in its online prescription delivery services. Developed as a patient-friendly option, it offers both online medical service and an online prescription filling system. Patients registered on Wisp are expected to complete an online prescription before receiving their prescription. If you decide to use this service, you can schedule an online appointment and get your prescriptions delivered to your house or to a preferred Pharmacy. Their service has nationwide coverage and specifically provides care plans for disease conditions that many patients consider too sensitive to discuss in a physical hospital visit. Service prices cover consultation, medication, and shipping and can range from $15 to $60.

Anytime Pediatrics

Founded by Dr. Mick Connors, Anytime Pediatrics is a pediatric-specific telemedicine network that covers all 50 States and the District of Colombia. This service charges a flat fee for video consultations and offers routine follow-ups, on-demand sick visits, and online prescription services. If your ward is registered with Anytime Pediatrics, you can choose to get your prescription sent to a preferred Pharmacy. You can also use your insurance packages as Anytime Pediatrics supports major health insurance plans.

There are other reputable online prescription services that can get your prescription filled and delivered to your house. However, the terms and conditions of service may be different depending on locations and disease conditions. You can contact your local healthcare agency for more information on available online prescription services before making your choice. 

If you have a prescription you want to refill, telehealth offers a virtual way to do this from home without going out to visit your doctor. Virtual medical services and telehealth have never been more popular, including Alcohol treatment . If you have been taking medication provided by your doctor, our virtual doctor can, for most common prescriptions, provide a limited refill.

Don’t wait until you run out. Get in touch with our telehealth doctor today to refill your prescription. Whether your prescription was provided for you through a virtual visit, an in-person visit with your doctor, or through telehealth, we can help with the prescription refill.

Finding the time to visit the doctor is no longer an issue. We will refill your prescription through our virtual telehealth service. All we need is a prescription script from your doctor or our doctor will provide a new one.

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How to get a prescription online with telemedicine — and have medication delivered to you

• With telemedicine, you can get prescription medication through an online doctor's appointment. 
• It's then possible to have your prescriptions delivered via telehealth services, such as online pharmacies.  
• To get the prescription you need through telemedicine and telepharmacy, you'll have to check with your doctor — some controlled substances like Xanax may not be available for delivery. 
• This article  was medically reviewed  by  Jason R. McKnight , MD, MS, a family medicine physician and clinical assistant professor at  Texas A&M College of Medicine . 
• This story is part of Insider's Telehealth Guide .

You don't have to go to a pharmacy to get your prescription medicine. In fact, you may not even need to visit a doctor's office, either. 

With the benefits of telemedicine and telepharmacy, you can discuss your condition virtually with a physician, who may be able to prescribe a medication that can be ordered through a pharmacy and delivered to your home. 

Here's what you need to know about getting prescription medication remotely. 

What is telepharmacy? 

Telepharmacy is the delivery of pharmacy services. This includes virtual consultations and dispensing medications remotely, says George S. Gavrillos, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Leafwell . 

There are two main ways to get a prescription delivered: 

• Digital pharmacies allow you to fill prescriptions online through a doctor or with an app . These can be used after you've physically visited a doctor or had a virtual consultation. Digital pharmacies will deliver medication to your home by mail or courier, since there is no physical location for you to visit. 
• Home delivery is when a physical pharmacy — like CVS — delivers a medication to your home. Some local pharmacies offer this option, and you can call or check online to see if your local pharmacy does. 

Which prescription drugs can be delivered? 

After a telemedicine appointment, doctors will often have enough information to advise patients on which over the counter medications to take — or to write a prescription. 

"The majority of decisions and recommendations can be made based on the patient interview and reviewing lab and diagnostic studies," says Tim Canty , MD, executive director of pain medicine at Comprehensive Spine and Pain Center of New York. 

All pharmacies are regulated by state licensing boards . Because of this, there are different laws for which prescription drugs can be delivered in each state, according to Chirag Kulkarni, CMO and co-founder of Medly Pharmacy , a digital pharmacy. 

According to Kulkarni, the most common prescriptions you can fill online are: 

• Antibiotics such as Penicillin, Amoxicillin, or Azithromycin
• Allergy medicine like Clartin or Flonase
• Asthma medications, such as Albuterol Inhalers or albuterol nebulizing solution

Digital and physical pharmacies can also deliver non-prescription medications like Advil, Tylenol, vitamins, and supplies like thermometers, Kulkarni says. 

Some pharmaceutical drugs that can cause addiction or dependency are classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as controlled substances , and are more heavily regulated. 

Painkillers like oxycodone and anxiety medications like benzodiazepines are examples of controlled substances. Whether or not these types of medication can be filled online and delivered to your home will depend on state law for the specific drug.

You may also have to go through extra steps to get these controlled substances via mail. For example, your digital pharmacy may require you to present photo identification and sign for the delivery upon arrival. 

However, in response to COVID-19, the DEA has released guidelines making it easier for providers to prescribe controlled substances through telemedicine — so check with your doctor if this applies to you. 

How prescriptions are delivered

Doctors can send prescriptions directly to online pharmacies using the same technology they use to send a prescription to a traditional pharmacy. Each registered pharmacy is identified by a National Provider Identifier (NPI). 

Here are three popular online pharmacy options:

• Medly : Offers free, same-day prescription delivery through the app or website. The medications are delivered by Medly's delivery team in tamper-resistant packaging.
• PillPack (by Amazon Pharmacy): PillPack packages your medications by the time of day you need to take them (for example, all morning medicines together in a packet and all evening medications together). The packets are automatically delivered monthly. 
• Nimble : Nimble works with local pharmacies to fill and deliver prescriptions in as little as an hour.

If you're looking for more options, Insider Reviews has compiled a list of the best pharmacy delivery services .

These apps and online services also make it easy to keep track of your medications, says Alexander Mauskop, MD, founder of the New York Headache Center and medical advisor at Cove , a telemedicine company for people with migraines. 

For non-controlled medications, doctors often write prescriptions with refills, so that you can get more of the medication when it runs out, without booking another doctor's appointment. Apps and digital pharmacies can make getting these refills easy. 

"In many cases, telepharmacy services can facilitate refills to help make sure patients always have their medication on hand," he says. "Many telepharmacy mobile or online apps allow patients to see how many refills they have left for their medication."

Related articles from our Health Reference library:

• Benefits of telemedicine: How remote access to care can help you
• How to prepare for a virtual doctor's appointment in 4 ways
• Can you reuse a face mask? It won't be as effective if you do
• How to tell if you have a fever without a thermometer
• How respirators work, and who needs to wear a face mask

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