Plain meanings
Put the unfamiliar words into plain language.
These words may turn up in a visit, a quote, or a medicine label. You can ask someone to explain them again.
Prices and rules can change. Open ‘Check the source’ below each section to find the date for its facts.
Peptide
A peptide is a tiny substance built like a short string of beads. Proteins are larger substances in the body, built from longer strings of the same tiny parts. The word peptide describes how it is built, not whether it is approved.
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What peptide means: checked September 26, 2026.
FDA: what made-to-order medicine meansCompounded medicine
A pharmacist or doctor prepares a compounded medicine to meet a patient’s needs. It lacks approval by the US drug regulator, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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Meaning of made-to-order medicine: checked September 17, 2026.
Made-to-order approval status: checked September 26, 2026.
FDA: what made-to-order medicine meansTelehealth
Telehealth is a remote exchange with a clinician (a doctor or other health professional), such as a video visit or a phone conversation.
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Where the patient sits; Forms of remote care: checked September 26, 2026.
Medical boards: remote-care guidanceSterile
Sterile means free of living germs. There are national standards for preparing sterile compounded medicines.
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Germ-free preparation: checked September 17, 2026.
Medicine standard: the scope of sterile preparationPrior authorization
Prior authorization is an advance coverage decision from an insurance plan. A prescription alone does not mean the plan has agreed to pay.
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Other Medicare-covered uses: checked September 26, 2026.
Medicare: other covered usesNDC
NDC stands for National Drug Code, a product code in a government list of drug information. That code does not establish FDA approval.
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Drug-directory codes: checked September 26, 2026.
FDA: drug-directory codes explainedGLP-1
The body makes GLP-1, a signal involved in appetite and blood sugar; this kind of signal is a hormone. The name is also used for medicines that copy that signal.
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Semaglutide approval; Tirzepatide approval: checked September 26, 2026.
FDA approval records (data)Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can threaten a person’s life.
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Severe allergic reactions: checked September 17, 2026.
MedlinePlus: emergency help for severe allergy