How specialist consultations work
All drugs listed below are prescribed only during a live video consultation. Your doctor will review your medical history and lab results, adjust your treatment plan, and — if needed — issue referrals for additional tests (e.g., hormone panels, liver function).
Note: If you don’t yet have recent test results, your doctor can still issue lab referrals so you can obtain them before your next prescription.
Hormonal therapies
Examples: Prednisone, dexamethasone; estradiol/progesterone; levothyroxine; ethinylestradiol/gestagen; inhaled fluticasone, budesonide
Risks: Osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, adrenal suppression
Why a specialist: An endocrinologist or gynecologist interprets TSH, cortisol and sex-hormone levels to tailor a safe dose
Prepare ahead: TSH + free T4, serum cortisol, CBC
Psychotropic medications
Examples: Sertraline, fluoxetine; risperidone, olanzapine; lithium, valproate; diazepam, lorazepam
Risks: Suicidal ideation, cognitive impairment, withdrawal syndromes, drug interactions
Why a specialist: A psychiatrist safely manages titration schedules, monitors mood and side effects
Prepare ahead: ECG, CBC, LFTs
Immunosuppressants & biologics
Examples: Methotrexate, azathioprine; infliximab, adalimumab
Risks: Opportunistic infections, hepatotoxicity, bone-marrow suppression
Why a specialist: A rheumatologist/immunologist monitors CBC, liver enzymes and infection risk
Prepare ahead: CBC with differential, ALT/AST
Antineoplastic agents
Examples: Cisplatin, doxorubicin; imatinib; pembrolizumab
Risks: Severe myelosuppression, cardiotoxicity, hypersensitivity reactions
Why a specialist: An oncologist calculates dosing by body-surface area, prescribes supportive care and closely monitors labs
Prepare ahead: CBC with differential, ALT/AST, ECG
GLP-1 agonists at initiation
Examples: Semaglutide (Wegovy®, Ozempic®); Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®)
Risks: Severe nausea, hypoglycemia, pancreatitis
Why a specialist: An endocrinologist/diabetologist selects starting dose, titrates slowly and monitors tolerability
Prepare ahead: Fasting glucose, lipid panel, amylase/lipase
Systemic antibiotics & anti-TB drugs
Examples: Amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin; isoniazid, rifampicin
Risks: Resistance, severe allergic reactions, dysbiosis
Why a specialist: A general practitioner selects therapy based on culture and sensitivity results
Prepare ahead: Sputum/blood cultures, CBC
Antiviral agents
Examples: Tenofovir, lamivudine; sofosbuvir, daclatasvir; remdesivir (COVID-19)
Risks: Hepatotoxicity, viral resistance, serious drug interactions
Why a specialist: A GP tailors regimens to viral genotype and monitors liver function
Prepare ahead: Viral load, LFTs
Systemic antifungals
Examples: Fluconazole, voriconazole
Risks: Hepatotoxicity, dangerous drug interactions
Why a specialist: A GP or infectious-disease expert adjusts dose/duration based on infection severity
Prepare ahead: LFTs, CBC
Cardiology drug initiations
Examples: Amiodarone, sotalol; furosemide, spironolactone
Risks: Arrhythmias, electrolyte imbalances, hypotension
Why a specialist: A cardiologist reviews ECGs and labs to safely tailor dosing
Prepare ahead: ECG, electrolytes (K⁺, Na⁺), CBC
Anticoagulants & antiplatelets (initiation)
Examples: Warfarin, rivaroxaban; aspirin, clopidogrel
Risks: Major bleeding, hemorrhagic stroke
Why a specialist: A hematologist or cardiologist monitors INR/coag panels and balances clot vs. bleed risk
Prepare ahead: INR, CBC
Narrow-therapeutic-index antiepileptics
Examples: Valproate, carbamazepine, phenytoin
Risks: Neurotoxicity, severe toxicity from small dose changes
Why a specialist: A neurologist measures blood levels and steers dosing for efficacy without toxicity
Prepare ahead: Drug levels, CBC
Opioids & strong sedatives
Examples: Morphine, oxycodone, zolpidem
Risks: Dependence, respiratory depression, cognitive impairment
Why a specialist: A pain specialist or psychiatrist controls dosing and screens for misuse risk
Prepare ahead: Respiratory function check (pulse oximetry), opioid use history
Systemic retinoids & fertility drugs
Examples: Isotretinoin, clomiphene
Risks: Teratogenicity, hormone imbalances, severe side effects
Why a specialist: A dermatologist or reproductive endocrinologist manages pregnancy planning and lab monitoring
Prepare ahead: LFTs, pregnancy test
DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs)
Examples: Methotrexate, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine
Risks: Hepatotoxicity, bone-marrow suppression, infection risk
Why a specialist: A rheumatologist follows clinical guidelines, reviews labs, and adjusts therapy to minimize harm
Prepare ahead: CBC, LFTs, rheumatoid factor
Important: None of these drug classes can be safely renewed via express prescription. Please schedule a specialist video consultation on Oladoctor for expert assessment, accurate dosing, and ongoing monitoring.