GLP-1 pricing changed materially over the past two years. Manufacturer direct-to-consumer programmes moved branded medication into the mid-hundreds per month for people paying cash, down from list prices well above a thousand.
Two things drive what you actually pay: whether your insurance covers weight-management medication (many plans still exclude it), and which dose you are on.
| Medication | Maker | Usual channel | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zepbound | Eli Lilly | Manufacturer self-pay (LillyDirect) | Single-dose vials; price varies by dose tier |
| Wegovy | Novo Nordisk | Manufacturer self-pay (NovoCare) | Cash-pay programme for those without coverage |
| Ozempic / Mounjaro | Novo Nordisk / Eli Lilly | Typically insurance | Approved for type 2 diabetes, not weight management |
Manufacturer programme pricing changes without much notice and varies by dose and pharmacy. Check the manufacturer's own page before budgeting. Last reviewed August 27, 2026.
The compounded question
You will still see compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide advertised at a fraction of branded pricing. The regulatory position on those tightened substantially once the FDA shortage designations ended, and the agency has moved to close the pathway that made large-scale compounding of these molecules possible.
We do not point people toward compounded GLP-1s. The saving is real; so is the uncertainty about what is in the vial and whether the pharmacy supplying it is on solid legal ground.
Before you budget
Ask whether your plan covers weight-management medication specifically — many cover GLP-1s for type 2 diabetes but exclude them for obesity. Ask what happens to your cost when your dose increases. And ask what the programme charges beyond the drug: some bundle clinician visits, others bill separately.