GLP-1 Cost Per Month: Every Drug Compared
Quick Answer
GLP-1 medications cost $935–$1,400 per month at US list price. Wegovy is approximately $1,349/month; Zepbound is $1,059/month; Ozempic is $935/month. With manufacturer savings programs, eligible commercially insured patients typically pay $25–$100/month. Without insurance, full list prices apply.
Monthly Cost Breakdown: Every GLP-1 Medication
| Medication | Monthly Supply | List Price/Month | With Savings Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) | 4 injections | ~$1,349 | ~$25 |
| Ozempic (semaglutide 1 mg) | 4 injections | ~$935 | ~$25–$150 |
| Ozempic (semaglutide 2 mg) | 4 injections | ~$935 | ~$25–$150 |
| Zepbound (tirzepatide 15 mg) | 4 injections | ~$1,059 | ~$25 |
| Zepbound Self-Pay Vials | 4 vials | ~$399–$549 | N/A (cash pay) |
| Mounjaro (tirzepatide 15 mg) | 4 injections | ~$1,023 | ~$25 |
| Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg) | ~30 injections | ~$1,350 | Variable |
| Rybelsus (semaglutide oral) | 30 tablets | ~$931 | ~$25 |
The True Monthly Cost for Most Patients
For commercially insured patients using manufacturer programs:
- Wegovy: ~$25/month (Novo Nordisk Savings Card)
- Zepbound: ~$25/month (Lilly Savings Card)
- Ozempic: ~$25–150/month (savings card + plan cost-sharing)
- Mounjaro: ~$25–150/month
For uninsured or Medicare patients without additional assistance:
- Expect to pay $400–1,400/month depending on medication and access
For telehealth platform users (bundled pricing):
- $199–600/month all-inclusive (consult + medication + support)
Annual Cost of GLP-1 Treatment
| Scenario | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Insured + savings card | $25 | $300 |
| Medicare/underinsured | $200 | $2,400 |
| No insurance (Zepbound vials) | $499 | $5,988 |
| No insurance (Wegovy list price) | $1,349 | $16,188 |
| Telehealth bundle | $299 | $3,588 |
The annual cost picture shows why insurance coverage matters so dramatically. The difference between insured ($300/year) and uninsured list price ($16,000+/year) is enormous.
What Affects Your Monthly GLP-1 Cost
Insurance plan type: Commercial plans with GLP-1 coverage provide access to manufacturer savings programs. Medicare and Medicaid have different coverage rules. No insurance means full list price unless you qualify for assistance.
Which medication: Zepbound self-pay vials ($399–549/month) offer the most affordable non-savings-card option for self-pay patients.
Dose: All four Zepbound doses (5, 10, 12.5, 15 mg) are the same price — so moving to a higher dose doesn't increase cost. Same for Wegovy (all doses same price in a pen).
Pharmacy choice: Prices vary between pharmacy chains, specialty pharmacies, and mail-order. Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs has negotiated lower prices on some formulations.
Telehealth vs. traditional: Telehealth platforms often bundle consultation fees, making the total monthly spend predictable and sometimes lower than managing separately.
Cost vs. Value: Is It Worth It?
For patients who achieve average results (15% body weight loss), the reduction in obesity-related medical costs can be substantial:
- Reduced blood pressure medication needs
- Reduced diabetes medication (or remission)
- Lower cardiovascular risk
- Improved quality of life
Health economic analyses suggest GLP-1 treatment is cost-effective at prices below $800/year for patients with cardiovascular risk. At $25–300/year with savings programs, it's highly cost-effective. At $16,000/year list price, the calculus is more complex.
Sponsored — Affiliate Disclosure
Find a Lower-Cost GLP-1 Option Through Telehealth
Bottom Line
Most commercially insured patients using manufacturer programs pay $25–100/month for GLP-1 medications — a dramatically different number than the $1,000+ list price. For uninsured patients, Zepbound self-pay vials ($399–549/month) and telehealth bundles offer the most accessible pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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