Frequently Asked Questions

To get started, simply complete the eligibility form to see if you're a good fit for our program and follow the prompts.

Metabolize is available to adults resident in British Columbia between the ages of 18-64 with a BMI of 30 and above (or 27 and above with other metabolic conditions such as diabetes, pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or obstructive sleep apnea), and who aren’t currently dealing with substance abuse, an active eating disorder, cancer, bariatric surgery, active gallbladder disease, or history of pancreatitis or history of medullary thyroid cancer (MEN syndrome).

In order to prescribe medication, a prescribing provider has to be licensed in the province where the patient is located. We will be adding service in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba soon. We aim to have Canada wide coverage by the end of 2024.

No, you do not need a referral from your family Doctor to join us as an individual. We also accept referrals from other medical providers.If you are a physician and would like to refer a patient to us, please do so using the form here —link

Yes, as a healthcare company, we take our member privacy very seriously and operate in accordance with relevant medical laws. We are PIPEDA-compliant and our platforms comply with all relevant privacy laws. We have implemented strict security protocols to protect your information.

No, we are not a replacement for your primary care provider and any other specialists currently involved in your medical care. We are happy to engage with your other medical providers as needed to best support your overall care plan.

No foods are off limits. Most of the medications our clinicians prescribe are appetite suppressants, which means that you may not feel the same level of hunger that you typically do.However, you will work with a nutritionist and physician that will guide you towards better nutrition habits. The metabolize program aims to ensure that we maximize fat loss and minimize losses in lean tissue. Nutrition and exercise will play a massive role in ensuring that this happens. 

Yes, our physicians use blood work to help better understand your medical history and the best treatment path for you. If you’ve recently done lab work (within 6 months), you can upload it for your initial consultation. If you don’t have recent blood work labs, your physician will send you a requisition. Your physician will [provide more information during your initial consultation. We conduct regular blood work each quarter to monitor your health markers.

Consultations are considered a member benefit which requires a purchase and medical intake to be completed before any medications can be prescribed or offered. We are happy to discuss all of your available options during the initial consultation, once your eligibility has been confirmed and your membership has begun.

No, the cost of your medication is not included in the cost of the program, but those costs may be covered by your insurance provider. Our care team will work with you to find the best solution for you. 

All of the medications we prescribe are Health Canada approved and have been used for clinically-assisted weight management in trials.

You will fill out intake forms where you will list out the medications that you are currently taking. This will help our physicians to determine which treatment plan is best for you and your current medication regimen. Our physicians will have a chance to review your medical history and other prescriptions to check for interactions before you get started. 

We prescribe these medications because they are the most effective ones available to us. Although an injection may seem scary at first, it is virtually painless. These injectable medications also have fewer and safer side effects than other weight loss medications. There is also an oral GLP-1 medication available if needed.

No, we only use official Health Canada approved medications. Compounded preparations have not been studied in clinical trials, and regulatory agencies such as Health Canada do not verify safety nor efficacy of compounded drugs.

GLP-1 medications are clinically-tested, stimulant-free, and non-habit forming. Side effects are extremely rare, and most individuals who take a GLP-1 do not experience any. For those who do, nausea is the most common, and this typically resolves over the first few weeks of being on the medication. Other side effects may include vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. If you do experience any side effects, you’ll be able to reach out to your Medical Team directly for support.

While it is concerning to hear about various medication shortages in the news, we here at Metabolize aim to deliver the highest quality and consistent care to our members. Our physicians have multiple treatment options for our patients to ensure consistent medication coverage with or without shortages. We also work closely with our digital pharmacy partners to ensure that we can be proactive about supply chain issues. 

We can have your prescription delivered directly to you through our digital pharmacy partner Pillway. Pillway is a modern pharmacy solution in Canada that provides around the clock care for patients. You can also collect your prescription at your usual traditional pharmacy in person if you prefer. Just let your physician know which option that you prefer during your initial consultation. If you ever need or want to change your preference, just email us at info@metabolize.ca to let us know.

Prescribing a medication to treat a condition other than the one it was approved for is called "off-label prescribing," which is legal, safe, and common: All of the medications that we use are safe, effective, Health Canada approved and are carefully selected to fit your unique biological and medical needs.

The cost of medication is not included in the monthly program fee. Every other aspect of your support such as your ongoing health coaching, support and education is covered by your monthly fee.

We don’t directly bill insurance yet, but you are welcome to download your invoice from the billing page and submit this to your health insurance for reimbursement. Some patients are able to use their Health Spending Account to cover their fees also. If you have any specific insurance questions, please reach out to our care team at info@metabolize.ca.

Yes. If you need to take a break for any reason, you can pause the monthly membership with no additional cost. And if you'd like to resume at any later point, you can pick back up where you left off.