LillyDirect (Zepbound) self-pay — the fine print
Lilly’s lowest prices are for single-dose vials, not auto-injector pens: you draw the dose with a syringe yourself, which is how the price drops to $299–$449/month. A one-month supply is 28 days / 4 vials. To keep the $449 ceiling on the 7.5mg+ doses, your refill must be completed within 45 days of your previous delivery. It’s the same FDA-approved Zepbound — just a more hands-on format. See full Zepbound cost options.
NovoCare (Wegovy) self-pay
Novo Nordisk sells Wegovy direct for about $349/month self-pay (reduced from $499 in late 2025), with limited-time intro pricing (~$199/month for the first two months on starter doses) for new patients. Unlike Lilly’s vials, this is the standard pen. See full Wegovy cost options.
Self-pay direct vs a telehealth program
- Manufacturer self-pay: cheapest brand sticker price, but cash-only (no insurance), drug-only — no clinician guiding your titration, and (for Lilly) you manage vials.
- Telehealth provider: higher monthly cost, but includes the online visit, dose management, refills, and often the ability to run your insurance or compare lower-cost options. Compare providers below.
- Insurance: if you have GLP-1 coverage, billing it (often via a telehealth provider) can beat any self-pay price — check our coverage checker.
What about compounded?
Compounded semaglutide/tirzepatide was the cheap alternative during the 2023–24 shortages, but those shortages are over and the FDA is now restricting large-scale compounding — so brand self-pay has become far more competitive. Read the current status in our is compounded GLP-1 safe & legal? guide.