Last updated: July 2026. Figures are U.S. monthly costs, verified against manufacturer programs (LillyDirect, NovoCare), GoodRx retail data and CMS. Prices in this category change often — treat these as a current snapshot and confirm at the source before you buy. Spot a change? Tell us and we'll update it.
GLP-1 monthly cost by channel
List (cash) price versus the cheapest legitimate route for each drug. "Off-label" means it's a diabetes brand often used for weight loss.
| Drug | List / cash price | Manufacturer self-pay | Insurance + savings card | Medicare Bridge* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy (weight) | ~$1,350–$1,640 | ~$199 intro → ~$349 (NovoCare) | as low as ~$0–$25 | $50 |
| Zepbound (weight) | ~$1,271 | ~$299–$449 (LillyDirect) | as low as ~$0–$25 | $50 |
| Ozempic (diabetes) | ~$1,028 | ~$199 intro → ~$349 (NovoCare) | as low as ~$0–$25 | — |
| Mounjaro (diabetes) | ~$1,000–$1,080 | varies | as low as ~$0–$25 | — |
| Saxenda (weight) | ~$1,300+ | varies | as low as ~$25 | — |
| Rybelsus (diabetes pill) | ~$1,000 | varies | as low as ~$0–$25 | — |
*Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: a $50/month copay for eligible Part D members getting Wegovy or Zepbound for weight loss (July 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2027); see our Medicare guide. Savings-card floors apply to people with commercial insurance and exclude Medicare/Medicaid.
The cash programs, by dose
| Program | Drug | Monthly self-pay (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| LillyDirect | Zepbound (vials) | $299 (2.5 mg) · $399 (5 mg) · $449 (7.5–15 mg) |
| NovoCare | Wegovy | ~$199 intro (new patients, limited fills) → ~$349 ongoing ($399 HD) |
| Ozempic | ~$199 (0.25–1 mg) → ~$349; ~$499 (2 mg) |
Introductory offers and dose tiers change; some require refilling within a set window to keep the price. Always confirm on the official LillyDirect and NovoCare pages before purchasing.
What the numbers tell us
Three shifts stand out from tracking these prices through 2026:
- Manufacturer self-pay has become the default cash route. A year ago, uninsured buyers leaned on discount coupons; now the cheapest legitimate cash prices come straight from the makers — roughly $299–$449 for Zepbound and $199–$349 for Wegovy/Ozempic, about 70–85% below list.
- The "sticker shock" list price is largely a myth for most buyers. Very few people pay the $1,000–$1,640 list once a self-pay program, savings card or Medicare Bridge is in place.
- Medicare finally has a weight-loss route. The $50 Bridge copay is now the lowest advertised price for eligible members — a first for weight-loss GLP-1s under Medicare.
How we track this
We compile these figures from manufacturer self-pay pages (LillyDirect, NovoCare), published retail/list prices (including GoodRx data), and CMS/Medicare program terms, and we re-check them as programs change. We publish ranges rather than a single number because price depends on dose, pharmacy, insurance and timing. This is educational information, not a price guarantee — confirm the current figure at the source before you buy, and see our full cost & insurance guide for how each route works.
Sources
- LillyDirect — Zepbound self-pay pricing (Eli Lilly).
- NovoCare — Wegovy and Ozempic self-pay price guides (Novo Nordisk).
- GoodRx — GLP-1 retail prices and savings guidance.
- CMS / Medicare.gov — Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program terms.