Explainer
What GLP-1s really cost in 2026
By the TreatmentMD editorial team
Key takeaways
- Paying cash, brand-name GLP-1s cost $149 to $499 a month, depending on the medicine and the dose.1Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay and list prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources2Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): self-pay prices and terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources3Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Mounjaro® (tirzepatide): self-pay purchase terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
- Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide at the programs we rank start lower, from $49 and $89 a month on sale.
- With insurance, a savings card can bring your copay down to as little as $25. Medicare's GLP-1 Bridge costs $50 a month for people who qualify.4Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® savings card: terms and conditions. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources5Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceMedicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
By the TreatmentMD editorial team
If you've seen GLP-1 prices of $1,000 or more a month, take a breath. Very few people pay that.
And if cost has you worried, you're in good company. In a 2025 poll, more than half of people taking a GLP-1 said it was hard to afford.6KFFSourceKFF. KFF Health Tracking Poll: Prescription Drug Costs, Views on Trump Administration Actions, and GLP-1 Use. November 14, 2025.Open the source All sources
Here's what GLP-1 medicines actually cost in 2026, and how to find the price that fits you.
01The short answer
How much do GLP-1s cost?
It depends on the medicine, the dose and how you pay. Here's the big picture, month by month:
| How you pay | What it usually costs a month |
|---|---|
| Cash, straight from the maker | $149 to $499, by medicine and dose1Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay and list prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources2Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): self-pay prices and terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources3Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Mounjaro® (tirzepatide): self-pay purchase terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources |
| Compounded, at the programs we rank | From $49 (semaglutide) or $89 (tirzepatide), on sale |
| Insurance that covers it, with a savings card | As little as $254Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® savings card: terms and conditions. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources |
| Medicare's GLP-1 Bridge, if you qualify | $505Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceMedicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources |
| Medicaid, in states that cover it | Little or nothing7KFFSourceKFF. Medicaid Coverage of and Spending on GLP-1s. January 16, 2026.Open the source All sources |
| List price, which few people pay | About $650 to $1,3501Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay and list prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources8The White HouseSourceTrumpRx.gov. GLP-1 medication prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources |
02The sticker price
Why do GLP-1s cost over $1,000 a month?
That's the list price, the starting point insurers work from before discounts. Wegovy® lists at about $1,349 a month, Zepbound® at about $1,087 and Foundayo™ at $649.1Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay and list prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources8The White HouseSourceTrumpRx.gov. GLP-1 medication prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
It mostly matters if your plan has you paying a deductible or a share of the cost. And it's coming down: Novo Nordisk cuts the list price of Wegovy® and Ozempic® to $675 on January 1, 2027.9Novo NordiskSourceNovo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk announces significant reduction in US list price for Wegovy®, Ozempic®, and Rybelsus® (semaglutide medicines). February 24, 2026.Open the source All sources
03Paying cash
What do the makers charge if you pay yourself?
Both makers now sell straight to people paying cash, at much lower prices. Here's what they charge each month:
| Medicine | How you take it | Cash price a month |
|---|---|---|
| Wegovy® pill | Daily pill | $149, $199 or $299, by dose1Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay and list prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources |
| Foundayo™ (orforglipron) | Daily pill | $149 to $299, by dose, when you refill on time10Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Foundayo™ (orforglipron): self-pay prices and terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources |
| Wegovy® pen | Weekly shot | $199 for a new patient's first two fills (through December 31, 2026), then $349, or $399 for Wegovy® HD1Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay and list prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources |
| Zepbound® | Weekly shot | $299, then $399, then $449 when you refill within 45 days2Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): self-pay prices and terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources |
| Ozempic® | Weekly shot, for type 2 diabetes | $199 for a new patient's first two fills, then $349, or $499 at the top dose11Novo NordiskSourceNovo Nordisk. Save on Ozempic®. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources |
| Mounjaro® | Weekly shot, for type 2 diabetes | $499 at every dose3Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Mounjaro® (tirzepatide): self-pay purchase terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources |
The pills are the easiest place to start, at $149, and every price steps up with your dose before it settles.1Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay and list prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources10Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Foundayo™ (orforglipron): self-pay prices and terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
Novo Nordisk sells through NovoCare Pharmacy, and its cash price also works at participating pharmacies. Lilly sells through LillyDirect, which fills through partners such as Amazon Pharmacy and Walmart.2Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): self-pay prices and terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources12Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. NovoCare Pharmacy and self-pay terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
TrumpRx.gov lists these same prices in one place. It doesn't sell anything itself; it points you to the makers.8The White HouseSourceTrumpRx.gov. GLP-1 medication prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
Two bits of small print. A cash purchase doesn't count toward your insurance deductible.1Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay and list prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources And Ozempic® and Mounjaro® are sold at these prices for their approved uses, like type 2 diabetes.3Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Mounjaro® (tirzepatide): self-pay purchase terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources11Novo NordiskSourceNovo Nordisk. Save on Ozempic®. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
04Compounded
What do compounded GLP-1s cost?
Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are made by state-licensed pharmacies for your prescription, and they're usually the lowest monthly prices you'll see.
At the programs we rank, compounded semaglutide starts anywhere from $49 to $179 a month, and tirzepatide from $89. Many charge the same price at every dose, with the clinician and shipping included.
We checked those prices on October 12, 2026. Most are sale prices, so the program confirms yours at checkout.
Our guide to branded vs. compounded GLP-1s compares the two side by side.
05Insurance
Will insurance help pay for it?
It might. Coverage for weight loss depends on your plan. In 2025, about one in five larger employers covered GLP-1s for weight loss, and more of the very biggest did.13KFFSourceKFF. 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey. October 22, 2025.Open the source All sources
Most plans want a prior authorization first. That's a request your clinician sends, asking your plan to approve the medicine before it pays.14Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Check your coverage for Wegovy®. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
If your plan covers it, the maker's savings card can bring your copay down to as little as $25 a month. The cards don't work with Medicare or Medicaid, though.2Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): self-pay prices and terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources4Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® savings card: terms and conditions. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
Our insurance guide walks you through checking your plan.
06Medicare
What about Medicare?
Good news here. Since July 2026, Medicare's GLP-1 Bridge has covered Wegovy® (pen or pill), Foundayo™ and the Zepbound® KwikPen for $50 a month. It's for people who qualify, and it runs through the end of 2027.5Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceMedicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources15Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceCMS. Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: information for providers. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
There's no sign-up. Your clinician sends the prescription, and Medicare decides within 72 hours.15Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceCMS. Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: information for providers. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
If you take a GLP-1 for type 2 diabetes, heart risk or sleep apnea, your regular Part D plan covers it instead. Your yearly drug costs there are capped at $2,100 in 2026.5Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceMedicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources16Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceMedicare.gov. Costs for Medicare drug coverage. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
You may also see that Medicare will pay $274 a month for semaglutide from 2027. That's what Medicare pays the maker, not what you pay.17Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceCMS. Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program: negotiated prices for initial price applicability year 2027. November 2025.Open the source All sources
07Medicaid
And Medicaid?
It depends on your state. Medicaid covers GLP-1s for diabetes and some other uses. Covering them for weight loss is each state's choice, though, and fewer states do this year.7KFFSourceKFF. Medicaid Coverage of and Spending on GLP-1s. January 16, 2026.Open the source All sources
Your state's Medicaid plan can tell you what it covers.
08What changes the price
What else affects what you pay?
A few things can nudge your monthly cost up or down:
Your dose
Brand-name prices step up with your dose, then settle at your long-term dose.1Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay and list prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources2Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): self-pay prices and terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
Refilling on time
Lilly's lower prices on the higher doses need a refill within 45 days, so a phone reminder is handy.2Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): self-pay prices and terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources10Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Foundayo™ (orforglipron): self-pay prices and terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
Four-week months
Pens come in four-week packs, so a year is 13 fills, not 12.1Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay and list prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources2Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): self-pay prices and terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
Paying ahead
Some programs we rank charge less a month if you pay for several months up front.
Membership or all-in
Some programs charge a membership plus the medicine. Most of the ones we rank include everything in one price.
HSA or FSA
You can usually use them for a prescribed GLP-1. Check your plan.18Internal Revenue ServiceSourceIRS. Publication 502 (2025), Medical and Dental Expenses.Open the source All sources
Needles and extras
Zepbound® KwikPens and vials need needles or syringes, bought separately.2Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): self-pay prices and terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
09Saving money
How do you find your best price?
Take it one step at a time:
Check your insurance first
Call the number on your card or look up your plan's drug list. If it's covered, ask about the maker's savings card.4Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® savings card: terms and conditions. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
On Medicare? Ask about the Bridge
If you qualify, it's $50 a month, and your clinician starts it.15Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceCMS. Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: information for providers. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
Compare cash prices
NovoCare, LillyDirect and TrumpRx.gov show the makers' prices.8The White HouseSourceTrumpRx.gov. GLP-1 medication prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
Look at programs
Telehealth programs bundle the clinician, the medicine and shipping, and some offer compounded options.
10Getting started
Ready to compare?
Our ranking puts the programs side by side, with their prices and what each one includes.
Frequently asked questions.
What does a GLP-1 cost for a year?
Paying cash, a year of the Wegovy® pill at its top dose is about $3,600.
A year of Zepbound® at its higher doses is about $5,800, since pens come in four-week packs.1Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay and list prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources2Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): self-pay prices and terms. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
Why does my price go up?
Usually because your dose stepped up.
Some intro offers also end: Novo Nordisk's $199 Wegovy® pen price for new patients is set to end on December 31, 2026.1Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay and list prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
Will GLP-1s get cheaper in 2027?
List prices for Wegovy® and Ozempic® drop to $675 on January 1, 2027, which mostly helps people paying a share through insurance.
Novo Nordisk says its cash prices stay the same.9Novo NordiskSourceNovo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk announces significant reduction in US list price for Wegovy®, Ozempic®, and Rybelsus® (semaglutide medicines). February 24, 2026.Open the source All sources
Do savings cards work with Medicare?
No. They're for commercial insurance only.
On Medicare, the GLP-1 Bridge is the $50 option.4Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® savings card: terms and conditions. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources5Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceMedicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources
Is TrumpRx.gov legit?
Yes.
It's a U.S. government website that lists the makers' cash prices and sends you to them or hands you their coupon.
It doesn't sell medicine itself or take insurance.8The White HouseSourceTrumpRx.gov. GLP-1 medication prices. Checked October 12, 2026.Open the source All sources19The White HouseSourceTrumpRx.gov cash-pay pricing announcement, February 2026.Open the source All sources
Is there a cheaper generic?
Not yet.
A generic semaglutide has a tentative FDA approval but isn't on sale in the U.S.20U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Drugs@FDA: ANDA 220314, semaglutide injection (Apotex Inc.), tentative approval April 7, 2026.Open the source All sources
Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are something different: they're made by state-licensed pharmacies for your prescription.
Is the cheapest option the best one?
It can be.
Price matters, and so do your health and goals.
A licensed clinician will help you choose the one that fits.
The bottom line
Most people pay far less than the sticker price.
Paying cash, brand-name GLP-1s cost $149 to $499 a month, and compounded options at the programs we rank start lower.
Insurance or Medicare's $50 plan can bring it down further.
When you're ready, compare programs on our ranking to find one that fits your budget.
By the TreatmentMD editorial team
Medical disclaimerThis content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any weight-loss program or medication. Individual results may vary.
Sources
- 1NovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay and list prices. Checked October 12, 2026. novocare.com
- 2LillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): self-pay prices and terms. Checked October 12, 2026. lilly.com
- 3LillyDirect. Mounjaro® (tirzepatide): self-pay purchase terms. Checked October 12, 2026. lilly.com
- 4NovoCare. Wegovy® savings card: terms and conditions. Checked October 12, 2026. novocare.com
- 5Medicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 12, 2026. medicare.gov
- 6KFF. KFF Health Tracking Poll: Prescription Drug Costs, Views on Trump Administration Actions, and GLP-1 Use. November 14, 2025. kff.org
- 7KFF. Medicaid Coverage of and Spending on GLP-1s. January 16, 2026. kff.org
- 8TrumpRx.gov. GLP-1 medication prices. Checked October 12, 2026. trumprx.gov
- 9Novo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk announces significant reduction in US list price for Wegovy®, Ozempic®, and Rybelsus® (semaglutide medicines). February 24, 2026. novonordisk-us.com
- 10LillyDirect. Foundayo™ (orforglipron): self-pay prices and terms. Checked October 12, 2026. lilly.com
- 11Novo Nordisk. Save on Ozempic®. Checked October 12, 2026. ozempic.com
- 12NovoCare. NovoCare Pharmacy and self-pay terms. Checked October 12, 2026. novocare.com
- 13KFF. 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey. October 22, 2025. kff.org
- 14NovoCare. Check your coverage for Wegovy®. Checked October 12, 2026. novocare.com
- 15CMS. Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: information for providers. Checked October 12, 2026. cms.gov
- 16Medicare.gov. Costs for Medicare drug coverage. Checked October 12, 2026. medicare.gov
- 17CMS. Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program: negotiated prices for initial price applicability year 2027. November 2025. cms.gov
- 18IRS. Publication 502 (2025), Medical and Dental Expenses. irs.gov
- 19TrumpRx.gov cash-pay pricing announcement, February 2026. whitehouse.gov
- 20FDA. Drugs@FDA: ANDA 220314, semaglutide injection (Apotex Inc.), tentative approval April 7, 2026. accessdata.fda.gov
Product information
- Zepbound® (tirzepatide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or adults with overweight who have at least one weight-related medical condition. It is also approved for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, and should be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- Ozempic® (semaglutide) is a prescription-only injectable medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss; however, weight reduction has been observed in some individuals with type 2 diabetes using the medication.
- Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss; however, weight reduction has been observed in some individuals using the medication.
- Wegovy® (semaglutide) is a prescription-only injectable or oral medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related medical condition, when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- All medications require a medical evaluation and prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Individual results may vary.
Important safety information
- Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are prepared by state-licensed pharmacies and are not FDA approved. The FDA does not review their safety, effectiveness or quality, and clinical trial results for brand-name drugs do not carry over to them.
- Semaglutide and tirzepatide carry a boxed warning for a risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, based on animal studies, and are not for anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN2, or who is pregnant. Other warnings include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and a higher risk of low blood sugar when combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea. The most common side effects are digestive, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.
- This is a high-level summary, not a complete list. A licensed clinician will review your health history to decide whether a GLP-1 medication is right for you.
