There is no single answer to what a GLP-1 drug costs, because the same prescription can cost anywhere from $0 to $1,400 per month depending on your insurance, which pharmacy you use, whether you qualify for a savings program, and whether you go through a traditional pharmacy or a telehealth provider.
The sections below cover each path. The cost comparison calculator on this site shows current estimates side by side.
List price (without anything else)
List price is what the drug costs at a pharmacy with no insurance, no discount card, no savings program. Almost nobody pays this number, but it sets the ceiling.
| Drug | Active ingredient | Approved for | Est. list price / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy | semaglutide 2.4mg | Obesity | ~$1,350 |
| Wegovy HD | semaglutide 7.2mg | Obesity | ~$1,500 |
| Zepbound | tirzepatide | Obesity | ~$1,060 |
| Mounjaro | tirzepatide | Type 2 diabetes | ~$1,070 |
| Ozempic | semaglutide 1mg | Type 2 diabetes | ~$950 |
Prices are estimates based on GoodRx data and pharmacy list prices as of May 2026. Actual prices vary by pharmacy and location. Use the cost comparison calculator for current estimates.
GoodRx and discount cards
GoodRx negotiates discounted rates with pharmacies through pharmacy benefit managers. You do not need insurance to use it. You use a GoodRx coupon at checkout instead of insurance.
For GLP-1 drugs, GoodRx savings vary but are typically 10 to 30% below list price at certain pharmacies. The bigger savings come from the manufacturer programs below. GoodRx is most useful if you do not qualify for a manufacturer savings card or need coverage at a specific pharmacy.
You cannot stack GoodRx with insurance. You use one or the other per transaction.
Manufacturer savings cards
Both Novo Nordisk (Wegovy) and Eli Lilly (Zepbound, Mounjaro) run savings programs directly. These can meaningfully lower what you pay.
Savings cards are not available to people on Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal insurance programs. This is a federal anti-kickback rule, not a company decision.
Lilly's $549/month self-pay option (Zepbound vials through LillyDirect) is one of the most accessible cash-pay paths available for a branded GLP-1 as of 2026. It requires no insurance and ships directly.
Insurance
Insurance coverage for GLP-1 drugs for obesity is inconsistent and changing. Coverage for the diabetes-approved versions (Ozempic, Mounjaro) is more common than for the obesity-approved versions (Wegovy, Zepbound).
Coverage varies widely. Some plans cover Wegovy or Zepbound for obesity, others do not. Call the number on your insurance card and ask specifically whether your plan covers GLP-1 medications for weight management, and what the copay is under your specific formulary.
Medicare Part D does not cover GLP-1 drugs for obesity alone. Coverage may apply if you have a qualifying diagnosis like type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. The landscape here is evolving, so confirm current coverage with Medicare directly.
Medicaid coverage varies by state. Some states cover GLP-1 drugs; others do not. Contact your state Medicaid office or your prescriber's office, which typically handles prior authorization.
Most insurance plans that do cover these drugs require prior authorization. Your doctor submits documentation showing you meet the criteria (typically BMI above a certain threshold, sometimes plus a comorbidity). This adds time but is a standard part of the coverage process.
Telehealth providers
Telehealth platforms can prescribe GLP-1 medications online, often with faster access than a traditional doctor's office. Most offer a bundled price that includes the consultation and medication.
Pricing through telehealth is often comparable to or slightly above what you would pay with a manufacturer savings card at a traditional pharmacy, but includes the convenience of an online visit and home delivery.
What to verify before signing up with a telehealth provider:
- Whether they prescribe brand-name medications or compounded versions (see below)
- Whether they accept your insurance
- What the monthly subscription includes versus what is extra
- Whether you can pause or cancel without penalty
Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide
FDA shortage status changed in early 2025.
Semaglutide was removed from the FDA drug shortage list in February 2025. Tirzepatide followed shortly after. Large-scale compounding of these drugs by 503B outsourcing facilities is no longer permitted now that the shortage designation has ended. Some 503A pharmacies can still compound for individual patient-specific reasons, but broad commercial availability has narrowed significantly.
Compounded semaglutide was widely available from telehealth providers in 2023 and 2024, often at significantly lower prices than brand-name Wegovy. The FDA shortage designation that allowed this ended in early 2025.
If a provider is currently offering compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide at scale, verify their regulatory compliance carefully. FDA-approved brand-name medications (Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro, Ozempic) are the versions with the clinical trial data behind them.
See current prices side by side
The cost comparison calculator shows GoodRx, savings card, and telehealth pricing for each drug, updated monthly.