Cash prices for GLP-1 medications vary widely depending on the drug, dose, and the channel you buy through.
Brand-name retail (pharmacy cash price)
- Wegovy 2.4 mg: roughly $1,349/month
- Zepbound 15 mg: roughly $1,086/month
- Ozempic 2 mg: roughly $999/month
Manufacturer direct-to-consumer
Eli Lilly's LillyDirect and Novo Nordisk's NovoCare list lower cash prices for self-pay patients — typically $299–$699/month for select doses and packaging.
Compounded telehealth
Telehealth providers that work with 503A pharmacies offer compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide at $199–$399/month. Compounded medication is NOT FDA-reviewed for safety or efficacy; read the compounded buyer guide before deciding.
Use our cost calculator to compare your 12-month all-in cost across paths.
Related resources
More in Cost & insurance
Does insurance cover GLP-1 for weight loss?
Most commercial plans cover GLP-1 for type 2 diabetes. Weight-loss-only indications often require prior authorization and a BMI ≥ 30.
How do manufacturer savings cards work?
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly offer copay cards that can reduce out-of-pocket cost to $25–$499/month depending on plan and eligibility.
What is prior authorization (PA)?
Prior authorization is your insurance plan's pre-approval requirement before they'll cover a specific medication. Most GLP-1 prescriptions need PA.