Affiliate disclosure: Last updated Nov 1, 2026 (prices checked Oct 31, 2026). Not medical advice. This site contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only point to options I think are worth comparing.
A plain-English guide to paying for semaglutide and tirzepatide — brand-name pens, compounded versions, insurance, and cash-pay telehealth — so you can compare before you commit.
Affiliate links: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Not medical advice.
| Route | What you get | Typical cost picture | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand + insurance | FDA-approved pens (e.g. Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, Mounjaro) | Often the cheapest if covered — your copay depends on your plan | Many plans require prior authorization or don't cover weight-loss use |
| Brand, cash pay | Same FDA-approved pens | The highest list prices; manufacturer self-pay programs can lower them | Check the maker's official savings / direct-pay pages for current offers |
| Compounded via telehealth | Pharmacy-compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide with a provider consult | Usually a flat monthly price well below brand cash price | Not FDA-approved; quality depends on the pharmacy. Rules on compounding have changed — confirm the current status |
| Manufacturer savings card | Brand meds with commercial insurance | Can cut copays a lot for eligible people | Usually not for Medicare/Medicaid; terms change often |
Prices change constantly; see the official self-pay price table below and always confirm the current price on the provider's or manufacturer's site before you pay.
Weekly injection (also an oral tablet form). The active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy. Widely prescribed and often the lower-cost compounded option.
Weekly injection that acts on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. The active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound. Compounded versions usually cost more than compounded semaglutide.
Is it covered by my insurance? Brand or compounded? What's included — consults, labs, supplies, shipping? What happens to the price as my dose goes up?
Brand pens carry R&D, patent and marketing costs and come in pre-filled devices. Compounded versions are mixed by pharmacies and usually sold in vials.
Coverage for diabetes vs weight management is often different, so two people can pay wildly different amounts for the same drug.
Some programs charge more as your dose increases. A low starting price may not be your long-term price — read the fine print.
Telehealth plans may bundle provider visits, messaging and shipping. Compare the total monthly cost, not just the medication.
GobyMeds is one telehealth option that offers GLP-1 programs. Check their site for current prices, eligibility, and what's included, and use my code at checkout.
Visit GobyMeds → jQ60bXThese are the drug makers' own cash prices for FDA-approved brand medicines, per month, with a prescription. Terms and eligibility apply and can change at any time, so always confirm on the official page.
| Medicine | Form / dose | Self-pay price |
|---|---|---|
| Zepbound (tirzepatide), LillyDirect | Single-dose vials or KwikPen, 2.5 mg | $299/month |
| Zepbound, LillyDirect | 5 mg | $399/month |
| Zepbound, LillyDirect | 7.5–15 mg | $449/month if refilled within 45 days (otherwise $499 for 7.5 mg, $699 for 10–15 mg) |
| Wegovy pen (semaglutide), NovoCare | 0.25–0.5 mg, new patients | $199/month for first 2 fills through Dec 31, 2026 |
| Wegovy pen, NovoCare | 0.25–2.4 mg | $349/month |
| Wegovy HD pen, NovoCare | 7.2 mg | $399/month |
| Wegovy pill, NovoCare | 1.5 mg / 4 mg / 9 mg and 25 mg | $149 / $199 / $299 per month |
| Foundayo (orforglipron) pill, LillyDirect | 0.8 mg to 17.2 mg daily | $149–$299 per 30 days (details by dose) |
Sources: LillyDirect – Zepbound; NovoCare – Wegovy cost & savings. With commercial insurance, NovoCare says some patients pay as little as $25/month (max savings $100/month; government beneficiaries excluded).
Bottom line: ask any telehealth provider exactly what you'd get (brand vs compounded), who the pharmacy is, and the full monthly price, and talk to a licensed clinician about what's right for you.
No. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved. Ask your provider and pharmacy about sourcing and quality.
LillyDirect lists Zepbound at $299/month for 2.5 mg, $399 for 5 mg, and $449/month for 7.5–15 mg if refilled within 45 days (checked Oct 31, 2026).
NovoCare lists the Wegovy pen at $349/month, with $199/month for the first 2 fills of 0.25–0.5 mg for new patients through Dec 31, 2026 (checked Oct 31, 2026).
Yes. All of these medications require a prescription from a licensed provider.
Affiliate links: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Not medical advice.
Not medical advice. This site is for general information only. GLP-1 medications have side effects and aren't right for everyone. Talk to your doctor before starting, stopping or changing any medication.