Online Prescriptions by Medication — State-by-State Deep-Dive FAQ
This section covers 210 state-by-medication FAQ pages answering the question: “Can you get [medication] online in [state]?” For each of the five medications below, there is a dedicated guide for every state TeleDirectMD serves — 42 states + Washington DC.
The five medications covered are Finasteride (hair loss), Sildenafil (erectile dysfunction),Tadalafil (erectile dysfunction), Propranolol (performance anxiety), and UTI antibiotics. All are non-controlled substances that can be prescribed following a thorough telemedicine evaluation by Dr. Parth Bhavsar, MD — a board-certified family medicine physician (NPI 1104323203). Self-pay visits are $79 flat.
Medically reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD (NPI 1104323203) — Last reviewed: May 23, 2026
Medications Covered — Find Your State Guide
Select your medication below and then click your state to go directly to the state-specific FAQ page. Each state page answers whether a video visit is sufficient, what the evaluation covers, what the cost is, and whether insurance is accepted in your state.
Finasteride
Hair Loss (Male Pattern Baldness)
Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). It works by reducing DHT levels in the scalp, slowing hair loss and in many men promoting …
Typical cost: $79 visit + $15–$40 generic finasteride (GoodRx, 2025)State guides:
Sildenafil
Erectile Dysfunction
Sildenafil (generic Viagra) is a PDE5 inhibitor FDA-approved for erectile dysfunction. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. Generic sildenafil became widely availa…
Typical cost: $79 visit + $10–$50 generic sildenafil (GoodRx, 2025)State guides:
Tadalafil
Erectile Dysfunction
Tadalafil (generic Cialis) is the "weekend pill" PDE5 inhibitor — its primary clinical distinction is a longer duration of action (up to 36 hours) compared to sildenafil (4–6 hours). A daily low-dose …
Typical cost: $79 visit + $20–$60 generic tadalafil (GoodRx, 2025)State guides:
Propranolol
Performance / Speech Anxiety
Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker with a well-established off-label use for situational anxiety — specifically performance and speech anxiety. It blocks the physical symptoms of anxiety (rac…
Typical cost: $79 visit + $4–$15 generic propranolol (GoodRx, 2025)State guides:
UTI Antibiotics
UTI Treatment
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infection in adult women, affecting approximately 50–60% of women at least once in their lifetime (Foxman, 2014, Nature Reviews Urology). …
Typical cost: $79 visit + $4–$20 generic antibiotic (GoodRx, 2025)State guides:
Clinical Context for Each Medication
Each medication on this page has a distinct clinical rationale, mechanism of action, and set of contraindications. Understanding these helps patients make informed decisions about whether a telehealth visit is the right first step. Dr. Bhavsar conducts a thorough evaluation on every visit — the following summaries reflect the key points each evaluation covers.
Finasteride — Hair Loss (Male Pattern Baldness)
How it works: Finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the scalp. Clinical trials (Merck, 1998; NEJM) demonstrated that 1 mg daily produced significant hair preservation and regrowth over 2–5 years compared to placebo. Onset of visible effect typically requires 3–6 months of consistent use.
Key contraindications: Finasteride is contraindicated in women of childbearing potential (FDA Category X — teratogenic). It is not prescribed for women at TeleDirectMD. In men, relative contraindications include known hypersensitivity and current use of medications that interact with 5-alpha reductase pathways. The physician will review your full medication list before prescribing.
Typical total cost: $79 visit + $15–$40 generic finasteride (GoodRx, 2025). Each state guide below answers: Is a video visit sufficient for finasteride in that state? What does the evaluation include? What is the cost?
Sildenafil — Erectile Dysfunction
How it works: Sildenafil inhibits PDE5, the enzyme responsible for degrading cGMP in smooth muscle. This allows cGMP to accumulate, causing smooth muscle relaxation and increased blood flow to penile tissue during sexual stimulation. It does not cause erections without sexual arousal. Typical onset is 30–60 minutes; duration is 4–6 hours. Doses range from 25 mg to 100 mg.
Key contraindications: Sildenafil is contraindicated with nitrate medications (nitroglycerin, isosorbide) due to risk of severe hypotension. It must be used with caution in patients with significant cardiovascular disease, recent stroke or MI, uncontrolled hypertension, or retinitis pigmentosa. The physician will review your cardiac history and current medications before prescribing.
Typical total cost: $79 visit + $10–$50 generic sildenafil (GoodRx, 2025). State guides answer: Can a video visit produce a sildenafil prescription in your state? What does the evaluation cover? Is insurance accepted?
Tadalafil — Erectile Dysfunction
How it works: Tadalafil inhibits PDE5 with a half-life of approximately 17.5 hours (compared to 4 hours for sildenafil), producing its significantly longer duration of action. Daily low-dose tadalafil maintains steady-state plasma levels that support erectile function without peak-trough fluctuations. It does not cause erections without sexual stimulation.
Key contraindications: Same nitrate contraindication as sildenafil. Tadalafil additionally requires caution with alpha-blockers used for BPH (risk of orthostatic hypotension). The physician will review all current medications including over-the-counter supplements before prescribing.
Typical total cost: $79 visit + $20–$60 generic tadalafil (GoodRx, 2025). State guides answer: Does tadalafil require a different evaluation than sildenafil in your state? What does the visit include? What is the cost?
Propranolol — Performance / Speech Anxiety
How it works: Propranolol blocks beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors, reducing the heart rate and blood pressure response to adrenaline. For situational anxiety, a single dose taken 30–60 minutes before the event reduces palpitations, tremor, and voice quiver. It does not cause sedation or affect mental sharpness. Typical doses for performance anxiety: 10–40 mg as needed.
Key contraindications: Propranolol is contraindicated in asthma (beta-2 blockade causes bronchospasm), uncontrolled heart failure, sick sinus syndrome, and second- or third-degree AV block without a pacemaker. Caution with diabetes (masks hypoglycemia symptoms). The physician will screen for asthma and cardiovascular conditions before prescribing.
Typical total cost: $79 visit + $4–$15 generic propranolol (GoodRx, 2025). State guides answer: Can performance anxiety be evaluated and propranolol prescribed online in your state? What is the process?
UTI Antibiotics — UTI Treatment
How it works: The physician collects a focused clinical history: symptom onset, character, duration, associated symptoms (fever, flank pain, nausea, discharge), prior UTIs, prior antibiotic allergies, and current medications. Classical uncomplicated UTI presentation in a non-pregnant adult woman with no complicating factors can be treated empirically with antibiotics per IDSA guidelines. Urine culture may be recommended if symptoms persist after treatment.
Key contraindications: Telemedicine is not appropriate for complicated UTIs: pregnant patients, men (UTI in men suggests possible prostatitis and often requires further workup), patients with fever and flank pain (possible pyelonephritis requiring in-person evaluation), and patients who have had 3+ UTIs in the past 12 months. The physician will identify these during evaluation and refer appropriately.
Typical total cost: $79 visit + $4–$20 generic antibiotic (GoodRx, 2025). State guides answer: Can UTI antibiotics be prescribed online in your state without an in-person visit? What symptoms qualify? What is the cost?
How a Medication Evaluation Visit Works
Whether you are requesting finasteride for hair loss, sildenafil for ED, or antibiotics for a UTI, the process follows the same structure at TeleDirectMD. Every visit is a live, synchronous video encounter with Dr. Bhavsar — not a chat form, not an AI triage, not an asynchronous questionnaire.
Book your visit
Select a time at teledirectmd.com/book-online. Same-day slots are often available, including evenings and weekends. You must be physically located in a covered state.
Complete your intake
Before the visit, you fill out a brief intake form covering your symptoms, current medications, allergies, and relevant medical history. This takes about 5 minutes and gives the physician context before the video starts.
Video evaluation with Dr. Bhavsar
Dr. Bhavsar reviews your intake, asks targeted follow-up questions, and performs a focused evaluation. For ED medications, cardiac history and nitrate use are screened. For UTI antibiotics, symptom pattern and complicating factors are assessed. For finasteride, general health and reproductive plans are reviewed.
Receive your prescription and plan
If the medication is clinically appropriate, an e-prescription is sent to your preferred pharmacy — often within 30 minutes of the visit ending. If the medication is not appropriate, Dr. Bhavsar explains why and discusses alternatives or appropriate next steps.
Pick up at any pharmacy
Your prescription is sent electronically to the pharmacy of your choice. Use GoodRx, Amazon Pharmacy, or Cost Plus Drugs to compare prices before picking up. Most of the generics covered here cost under $40 with discount programs.
State Coverage for Medication Evaluations
TeleDirectMD is licensed in the following 42 states + Washington DC. Patients must be physically located in a covered state at the time of their visit. Each state link below leads to the general state page — for medication-specific guides, use the state links in the medication cards above.
States not currently served: Alaska, Hawaii, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Mexico, Oregon, and Arkansas. Patients in those states should seek care from a locally licensed telehealth service.
Telehealth and Prescription Law — What Patients Should Know
All five medications on this page are non-controlled substances. This distinction is important because the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act (2008) and associated DEA rules require an in-person evaluation prior to prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine (with narrow exceptions). Since finasteride, sildenafil, tadalafil, propranolol, and common UTI antibiotics are not scheduled controlled substances, they can be prescribed following a thorough telemedicine evaluation that meets standard clinical requirements.
State-level telehealth laws vary. Some states have additional informed consent requirements for certain prescriptions or require specific documentation. TeleDirectMD operates in compliance with the telehealth laws of each state in which it is licensed. The state-specific FAQ pages note any relevant state-level considerations that affect the evaluation or prescribing process in that state.
TeleDirectMD does not prescribe any DEA Schedule II, III, IV, or V controlled substances. This includes opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, sleep aids (zolpidem, eszopiclone), and others. If you need a controlled substance prescription, you will need an in-person appointment with a licensed prescriber.
Medications TeleDirectMD can prescribe via telemedicine
- Finasteride (hair loss)
- Sildenafil, Tadalafil (erectile dysfunction)
- Propranolol (performance / speech anxiety)
- UTI antibiotics (nitrofurantoin, TMP-SMX, fosfomycin)
- Antibiotics for sinus, strep, skin infections
- Antiviral medications (valacyclovir, acyclovir)
- Oral contraceptives and contraceptive patches
- Allergy medications (nasal steroids, antihistamines)
- Asthma inhalers (refills for established patients)
- Many chronic medication refills (non-controlled)
Medications TeleDirectMD does NOT prescribe
- Opioid pain medications (any DEA schedule)
- Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan)
- Stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse)
- Sleep aids (Ambien/zolpidem, Lunesta/eszopiclone)
- Barbiturates
- Muscle relaxants with abuse potential (carisoprodol)
- Medical marijuana / cannabis certificates
- Testosterone and other anabolic steroids
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a prescription from a TeleDirectMD video visit?
Yes. If a prescription is clinically appropriate based on your evaluation, the physician sends an e-prescription to your preferred pharmacy during or immediately after the visit. Prescriptions are typically available at the pharmacy within 30 minutes of the visit ending. TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances.
Is a video visit sufficient for getting finasteride, sildenafil, or tadalafil?
For most adult patients without significant complicating factors, a thorough video visit is sufficient. The physician reviews your medical history, current medications, relevant symptoms, and contraindications. For finasteride (hair loss) and ED medications (sildenafil, tadalafil), no in-person physical exam is required in the majority of states. If the physician determines that additional in-person evaluation or lab work is needed before prescribing, that will be communicated clearly.
What is the Ryan Haight Act and does it affect online prescriptions?
The Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act (2008) requires an in-person medical evaluation before a practitioner can prescribe a controlled substance via telemedicine. This applies to DEA Schedule II–V substances. None of the medications on this page — finasteride, sildenafil, tadalafil, propranolol, and common UTI antibiotics — are controlled substances, so the Ryan Haight Act does not apply to them. These can be prescribed following a telemedicine evaluation that meets standard clinical requirements.
Can UTI antibiotics be prescribed without a urine culture?
For classic uncomplicated lower UTI presentation in a non-pregnant adult woman — dysuria, urgency, frequency, no fever, no flank pain — the IDSA 2011 guidelines support empiric antibiotic treatment without urine culture for initial episodes. A culture may be recommended if symptoms do not resolve after treatment, if symptoms recur within 2 weeks, or if you have had multiple UTIs. The physician will advise on whether a culture is needed for your specific situation.
Is propranolol safe for performance anxiety?
Propranolol is widely used off-label for situational/performance anxiety. It is effective for reducing physical symptoms (tremor, palpitations) and has a strong safety record when used as needed at low doses (10–40 mg). It is not a controlled substance, is not habit-forming, and does not cause sedation. Contraindications include asthma and certain cardiovascular conditions. The physician screens for these before prescribing.
How much does the visit cost and is insurance accepted?
The self-pay visit fee is $79 flat. TeleDirectMD accepts Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealthcare commercial plans in select states. Prescription costs are separate and vary by pharmacy. Generic finasteride, sildenafil, tadalafil, propranolol, and UTI antibiotics are all inexpensive generics with GoodRx prices often under $20 to $40. No subscription is required.
What states does TeleDirectMD serve for these prescriptions?
TeleDirectMD is currently licensed in 42 states + Washington DC. Each medication guide is available for all 42 states + DC. You must be physically located in a covered state at the time of your visit. The full list is available on the States We Serve page. States not currently covered include Alaska, Hawaii, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Mexico, Oregon, and Arkansas.
Is a prescription guaranteed from a TeleDirectMD visit?
No. A prescription depends on what is clinically appropriate for your specific evaluation. If the physician determines that the requested medication is not appropriate — due to a contraindication, an unclear clinical picture, or a need for additional workup — the prescription will not be written. In that case, the physician will explain the reasoning and discuss appropriate next steps. You still receive a complete clinical evaluation.