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Nurx is an online healthcare company providing birth control, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screenings, skin care treatments, and more. The company offers convenient and discreet home delivery.
This article discusses the Nurx brand and its products and services. It also looks into the advantages and drawbacks of using Nurx products and alternative prescription medication services people can consider.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
All review quotes are provided by Brooke Murad, a Senior Associate from our sister company, Healthline, who independently purchased and reviewed Nurx’s services.
Nurx is a telemedicine company that offers birth control, emergency contraception, skin care, and other sexual health treatments and tests. It markets itself as a female-focused company.
It began business in 2015 and aims to offer affordable and convenient access to common medications and at-home health tests.
Nurx is a viable option for anyone who wants healthcare on demand, particularly online access to doctors, testing, and treatments.
Nurx offers a range of services, covering:
- women’s health
- birth control
- STI screening
- HIV prevention
- dermatology
- migraine
- mental health
A clear advantage of Nurx is that people do not need to wait in line for a doctor or prescription. Consumers can also get automatic refills and generic medication to save money when paying out-of-pocket.
However, Nurx has practical limitations and does not cater to every condition. For example, receiving a prescription can take up to 72 hours. This makes it unsuitable for individuals requiring urgent care.
It is also unsuitable for people experiencing a mental health crisis. In this case, people should contact emergency services or a mental health hotline, such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Pros
- makes healthcare more easily accessible
- cuts down on wait times for appointments and medication
- offers generic medication, including birth control pills
- offers emergency contraception
- offers at-home test kits
- offers skin care medications, including those for acne and rosacea
- provides personalized medication plans
- accepts copay and insurance
Cons
- does not offer an IUD for birth control
- does not provide Accutane prescriptions for acne
- does not provide therapy for mental health care
- can take up to 72 hours to deliver prescriptions
- can be costly without insurance
- receives low customer ratings
- receives criticisms regarding poor customer service
Nurx offers a range of health screenings and treatments, outlined below.
Acne treatment
- Price range: fees start from $20
Nurx sells various products to help manage acne, including:
- oral medications
- topical gels and creams
- antibiotics
For people with insurance, the cost could be as low as the copayment once the person pays any applicable deductible. Without insurance, fees start from around $20 per month.
Rosacea skin care
- Price range: from $20 a month
Nurx offers rosacea treatments containing tretinoin or retinoic acid in three different concentrations.
These products are available as medications, cleansers, and gels. Nurx lists six available medications, including:
- sodium sulfacetamide
- metronidazole
- doxycycline
- azelaic acid
- azithromycin
Learn more about rosacea treatments.
Birth control
- Price range: from $15
A person buying birth control from Nurx can choose from the following options:
- contraceptive pill
- contraceptive patch
- contraceptive ring
- an injectable that the person takes every 3 months
The cost of birth control could be as low as a copayment for people with insurance.
For those without insurance, the costs vary according to their chosen birth control method. For example, the lowest price is for the contraceptive pill at $15 per pack, while the highest is for the patch, which starts from $180 per month.
Learn about other places to get birth control online.
Our tester’s review
- Test duration: over a month
- Affordability: 5 out of 5 (affordable)
- User-friendliness: 5 out of 5 (very user-friendly)
“After a bad experience with an OB-GYN, Nurx was a great choice for birth control. It was cheaper than my OB-GYN copay and fast to ship my medication. However, it isn’t a good fit for people who want in-person time with an OB-GYN to discuss their birth control needs.” — Brooke Murad, Healthline Senior Associate
Emergency contraception
- Price range: from $14.99 per pill
Nurx offers “New Day,” an over-the-counter (OTC) emergency contraceptive medication. It is the generic version of Plan B. The medication can prevent pregnancy if a person takes it within 3 days of having sex without a condom or other barrier method. New Day costs $14.99 per pill.
Nurx also sells Ella, a prescription medication that can prevent pregnancy if a person takes it within 5 days of having sex without protection. For those with insurance, Ella may be free-of-charge, though some may have to pay the cost of the medical consultation. The out-of-pocket cost for Ella is $45 per pill.
PrEP for HIV prevention
- Price range: tests from $44.50 with insurance, from $150 for out-of-pocket payments
Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication is for people who are HIV-negative. It is 99% effective at preventing HIV infection.
Learn more about PrEP medication.
To purchase this medication from Nurx, a person must complete either Basic or Full Control screening. These tests are available from Nurx.
The tests cost $44.50 with insurance plus a $29.50 service fee and applicable copays. For those paying out-of-pocket, the tests cost between $150–$220, plus a $14.50 service fee.
However, the Nurx website does not say how much PrEP medication costs out-of-pocket. The company states it works with payment assistance programs to help individuals with costs.
Headache and migraine
- Price range: starting at $15
Nurx has partnered with Cove to provide migraine medication. Cove is an online migraine clinic.
A person needs to complete an online consultation. A Cove healthcare professional will then provide a personalized treatment plan and ship medications to a person’s home.
Generic prescriptions start from $15.
Learn about home remedies for migraine relief.
Oral and genital herpes
- Price range: from $45–75 for medication, $20 consultation fee
For oral herpes, Nurx offers OTC, doctor-recommended cold sore creams costing $20–25 per container.
Nurx also offers the prescription medication valacyclovir, which reduces the severity and frequency of cold sores and the chance of transmitting the herpes simplex or herpes zoster viruses.
The cost is between $45–75 for a 3-month supply of Valacyclovir, plus a $20 consultation fee. A person’s insurance may cover the medication cost minus any applicable copayment.
COVID-19 testing
- Price range: $89
Nurx sells one type of test for COVID-19; a PCR-quality molecular test that provides results in 30 minutes. It is a nasal swab test, and Nurx claims it is 98% accurate.
A person does not need a prescription to order this test, but it is only available to people ages 14 and over.
A person can purchase this test for $89.
Learn more about at-home COVID-19 tests.
HPV home screening
- Price range: from $49 with insurance, from $79 without, $15 consultation fee
The Nurx Home HPV Test screens for the 14 strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.
According to the
Everyone using the Nurx HPV Home Test screening service must pay $15 for a consultation. People with insurance pay $49 for the test kit, and Nurx then bills the insurance company after processing the tests. People without insurance must pay $79 for the test.
Learn more about at-home HPV tests.
STI testing
- Price range: from $75 with insurance
Nurx offers three different STI test kits that cost $44.50 for those with insurance, plus applicable copays and a $29.50 service fee.
The STI kits include:
The Basics Covered Kit
The Basics Covered Kit costs $150 without insurance plus a $14.50 service fee. The kit tests for:
The kit includes a urine sample container and a finger prick device.
The Full Control Kit
The Full Control Kit covers the same four tests as the Basics Covered Kit, plus Hepatitis C. It costs $220 with a $14.50 service fee.
It includes the following contents:
- a urine sample container
- a finger prick device
- a throat swab
- a rectal swab
The Healthy V Kit
It costs $190 without insurance, plus a $14.50 service fee.
The Healthy V Kit tests for the following:
- HIV
- chlamydia
- gonorrhea
- syphilis
- trichomoniasis
Learn more about at-home STI testing.
Fertility and pregnancy
- Price range: from $22.99–60
Nurx sells OTC tests for the following:
Learn about the best at-home ovulation and fertility tests.
The company also sells prenatal multivitamins.
Mental health
- Price range: $55 a month
Nurx offers anxiety and depression treatments but does not provide counseling or ongoing therapy sessions.
People must pay around $55 monthly for continuous treatment, including medication. This is the case even if the individual does not communicate with their healthcare team.
At the time of publishing, Nurx is not accepting new patients for mental health care.
Below, we explain how a person can order a product or kit from Nurx. Fees and processes may differ depending on the product or service.
1. Choose a service
Users can access services and create an account via the Nurx website or iOS and Android apps.
After a person has chosen their desired service or product, they need to:
- indicate their home state
- provide their email address
- give their consent to telehealth
2. Complete a medical history
Customers need to answer a comprehensive set of questions regarding their medical history relating to the test or medication they wish to purchase. Anyone who wants to buy dermatological treatments must provide photos of their skin.
A person must also upload a photo ID and supply their name and date of birth before payment.
3. Medical consultation
Customers need to pay for a medical consultation once they submit their request.
The fee for a medical consultation varies according to the service but ranges from $15–60. This covers the following:
- an evaluation of the person’s medical history
- requests from state-licensed medical practitioners
- prescriptions, if needed
- personalized treatment plans
- scheduled follow-ups
- unlimited 1-year messaging with the Nurx medical team
4. Checkout and delivery
Following the medical consultation, the customer proceeds to the checkout stage. A state-licensed healthcare professional will then:
- review the person’s health assessment
- write a prescription
- order the person’s products
- arrange delivery of the medications or testing kits
The company will then ship the person’s test kit or prescription for free. The product will arrive in discreet packaging.
Home test kits also come with a prepaid return shipping label. The company partners with Molecular Testing Labs (MTL) for home testing kits.
Nurx ships prescription drugs from partner pharmacies that are fully licensed to dispense medications to their state. Nurx usually sends people a 3-month supply of medication. However, it can also send a 1-month supply if the person’s insurance only pays for 1 month at a time. In these cases, a $5 processing fee applies.
Each of Nurx’s product pages shows both out-of-pocket and estimated insurance prices. The final insurance cost varies depending on the person’s insurance coverage.
People may opt to pay the out-of-pocket price or go through their insurance. Nurx accepts online payments from Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. People can also pay using their Family Savings Account and Health Savings Account.
Nurx accepts most private health insurance for medications. However, a person needs to pay for all consultation fees out-of-pocket.
Several insurance plans are in-network with MTL for Nurx’s at-home testing kits. However, if a person’s plan is not in-network with MTL, it will bill them directly in addition to the fee for medical consultation.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognize Nurx as an online health organization offering many services, including testing, prevention, and treatment.
Nurx has an A rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has closed 311 complaints in the last 3 years. As of March 2023, the brand has a rating of 1.76 out of 5 stars based on 472 customer reviews on the platform.
On the BBB page, there are few positive reviews. An early review praises the company’s communication and medical representative availability. Negative reviews frequently mention the following issues:
- delayed shipping
- payment charges without permission
- charging customers without providing a service
- difficulties canceling accounts
- poor customer service and communication.
On TrustPilot, the company has a rating of 1.6 out of 5 stars based on 409 reviews. Customers frequently mention issues with receiving prescriptions, communication, and charges for care they did not receive. However, positive comments say the service is effective, and people are satisfied with its convenience.
The following brands are similar alternatives to Nurx:
- The Pill Club: This service provides birth control and offers over 120 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved branded and generic birth control pills. Read our Favor review.
- SimpleHealth: This brand provides online consultations and prescriptions, including automatic refills. Read our SimpleHealth review.
- Hers: People can get female wellness products, including birth control pills, hair products, and medications for anxiety and depression from Hers. Read our Hers review.
The table below compares the different online health services featured in this article.
| Treatments and services | Products | Medical consultation options | Accepts insurance? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurx | • family planning • birth control • emergency contraception • STI screening • HIV prevention • migraine and headache treatments • acne and rosacea treatments • treatments for mental health conditions | • various birth control options • emergency contraception • HIV PrEP • rosacea over-the-counter skin care • fertility and pregnancy tests • COVID-19 tests • sexual health tests and screenings | online consultation required, costing between $15 and $45 | • yes, including HSA and FSA • coinsurance and copayments may apply |
| The Pill Club | • birth control • emergency contraception | • Annovera Ring • FC2 female condom • brand name and generic birth control pills | • prescribing services are only offered in some states | • yes, including HSA and FSA • coinsurance and copayments may apply |
| SimpleHealth | • birth control • emergency contraception • cold sores • genital herpes • perimenopause care | • Annovera Ring • FC2 female condom • brand name and generic birth control pills • cold sore treatment • genital herpes treatment • supplements | • annual, online consultation, costing $15 | accepts many private insurance plans |
| Hers | • birth control • genital herpes • sexual health and pleasure • cold sores • yeast infections • urinary tract infection (UTI) • hair loss • skin care • mental health conditions | • prescription mental health medications • various birth control options • sex toys • lubricants • supplements | • annual, online consultation, costing $5 • telehealth services available | • does not accept insurance, but the company claims its prices are 50–80% less than retail |
Although Nurx offers consultations with medical professionals, a person should see a doctor if their symptoms do not improve with treatment.
If a person is experiencing a mental health crisis or feels at risk of hurting themselves or others, they should not rely on Nurx’s mental health services. Instead, they should call 911 or a mental health hotline.
Suicide prevention
If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:
- Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
- Listen to the person without judgment.
- Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
- Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
- Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
Below, we answer some of the top frequently asked questions about Nurx.
Is Nurx legitimate?
Yes, Nurx is a legitimate business offering legitimate healthcare services and medication. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes Nurx as a legitimate business.
Does Nurx contact my doctor?
Nurx does not share a person’s information with their primary care physician without permission. However, Nurx encourages people to share the information they give to the company with a primary care physician.
Does Nurx prescribe Adderall?
Nurx does not prescribe controlled substances such as Adderall.
Does Nurx require a prescription?
Nurx does require a prescription for certain medications. People should speak with a Nurx healthcare professional to get the necessary prescription.
Is Nurx safe to use?
Medical professionals licensed in the customer’s state review all requests received through Nurx. Also, prescription drugs from Nurx follow the same rules and processes as any other licensed pharmacy.
A Nurx medical professional will only prescribe medications if they are safe for a person to use based on the medical information they provide.
However, individuals should consult their doctor before consulting with Nurx.
How long does Nurx take to process?
When the medical team reviews and approves a person’s request, one of Nurx’s partner pharmacies ships the prescription within 72 hours.
Customers can expect to receive their prescription within 3–5 business days. People also have the option to pay for expedited delivery.
Does Nurx automatically refill my birth control?
Nurx sends people a 3-month supply of prescriptions and automatically processes refills as scheduled.
Nurx is an online healthcare company offering prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and home test kits through its website or mobile app. It also provides online consultations, free shipping, and automatic prescription refills.
Nurx receives mixed online customer reviews. Common complaints focus on shipping and customer service issues. However, positive reviews praise the convenience and discreet nature of the company’s services and delivery.