What medications does Abby prescribe?

Abby clinicians can prescribe the large majority of everyday medications online, including antihypertensives, lipid-lowering medications, thyroid replacement, oral antidiabetic medications, inhaled asthma therapies, contraception, antidepressants for stable maintenance, proton pump inhibitors, and standard short-course antibiotics where clinically appropriate. Some medications are not safe to prescribe online and need in-person review — Schedule 8 controlled drugs, stimulant ADHD medications, benzodiazepines, and Z-drug hypnotics. Your Abby clinician will explain what they can start, continue, or refer on during your consult, and Abby AI surfaces your history so they begin the conversation already informed.

How Abby thinks about prescribing

Prescribing well online is less about the script and more about the story behind it. An Abby consult is a real clinical appointment with an AHPRA-registered Specialist GP or Nurse Practitioner. Before the consult begins, Abby AI surfaces your history, previous prescriptions, and any recent results — so your clinician arrives informed, not asking you to repeat yourself.

Every prescribing decision is the clinician's, guided by Australian prescribing standards and their own judgement. The test we apply is simple: is this medication safe to assess, start, or continue online, or does it need an in-person review or specialist pathway?

What Abby clinicians can prescribe online

The following therapeutic classes are routinely prescribed in an Abby consult where clinically appropriate, with ongoing review. This is not a full list — your clinician will use their judgement for your situation.

• Cardiovascular medications — antihypertensives for blood-pressure management and lipid-lowering medications (including statins) for cholesterol.
• Diabetes care — oral antidiabetic medications and ongoing metabolic monitoring.
• Thyroid replacement — for stable hypothyroidism, with periodic blood-test review.
• Respiratory medications — inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and combination inhalers for asthma and COPD.
• Gastrointestinal medications — proton pump inhibitors, H2 antagonists, and standard therapies for reflux and functional gut conditions.
• Contraception and women's health — combined oral contraceptives, progestogen-only options, and menopausal hormone therapy where clinically suitable.
• Mental health maintenance — selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other common antidepressants for stable maintenance, with appropriate follow-up.
• Infections — standard short-course antibiotics for clearly indicated conditions, in line with antimicrobial stewardship.
• Skin conditions — topical and some oral therapies for eczema, acne, rosacea, and common dermatological concerns.
• Allergy and ENT — antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroids, and related therapies.
• Weight-management medications — available with a full clinical eligibility review, health-history assessment, and ongoing monitoring.
• Travel and preventive health — common travel medications and vaccinations where telehealth is appropriate.

For any of these, your clinician may ask for recent pathology, a blood-pressure reading, or a photo of a skin concern before prescribing. If something feels borderline, they will say so and suggest the safest next step.

What needs in-person review

Some medications carry higher risks of dependence, misuse, or harm, and Australian prescribing rules reserve them for in-person care, shared-care arrangements, or specialist pathways. Abby clinicians will not start or continue these in a standard online consult:

• Schedule 8 controlled drugs, including strong opioid analgesics.
• Stimulant ADHD medications, which sit under specialist authority pathways in Australia.
• Benzodiazepines for anxiety or sleep.
• Z-drug hypnotics for insomnia.
• Anabolic steroids and testosterone replacement therapy, which require in-person assessment and monitoring.

If you are looking for ongoing pain management, ADHD medication, or sleep support, see our companion guide on painkillers, ADHD and sleep medications online. If a medication is out of scope for Abby, your clinician will still help — with a clear explanation, safer alternatives where appropriate, and a referral to the right service.

Repeats, new scripts, and changing doses

Abby is built for continuous care, not one-off transactions. We remember you between visits, so repeats and dose adjustments happen in context. Around 71% of Abby patients choose to see the same clinician again when they return, which means the person reviewing your medication usually already knows your history.

Before a first prescription, expect your clinician to ask about medical history, allergies, current medications, and any relevant lifestyle factors. Before a repeat, they will check in on how the medication is working, any side effects, and whether anything else has changed.

Costs and Medicare

Abby Health bulk bills most telehealth consultations for eligible patients, meaning Medicare covers the consultation in full and there is no out-of-pocket cost for eligible patients. Medications themselves are paid for separately at your pharmacy, and many prescriptions are subsidised under the PBS. For details on eligibility, see is Abby bulk billed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a repeat online if my original script was from another GP?

Often, yes. Your Abby clinician will review your history, confirm the medication is still appropriate, and issue a repeat where it is safe to do so. For some medications, they may ask for a recent blood test or consultation note first.

What happens if my medication isn't safe to prescribe online?

Your clinician will explain why, discuss safer alternatives where appropriate, and refer you to an in-person GP or specialist. You are not turned away — you are pointed in the right direction.

Does Abby prescribe weight-management medications?

Yes, with a full clinical eligibility review and ongoing monitoring. A clinician will assess your health history, discuss benefits and risks, and confirm whether this pathway is suitable for you. There are no guaranteed outcomes, and treatment is reviewed regularly.

What if I need urgent help?

Abby is not an emergency service. In an emergency, call 000. For mental-health crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or go to your nearest emergency department.

Find Comfort. Abby Health. Care that understands you.