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GLP-1 Cost Without Insurance: Zepbound, Wegovy, Ozempic and Every Brand Compared (2026)

Jeff Zorn · · 15 min read

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By Jeff Zorn, founder of Zornava. Former college basketball player, degree in exercise science and nutrition, two years on GLP-1 medications. My experience, not medical advice. Talk to your prescriber or a registered dietitian about your own situation.

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Short answer: as of November 13, 2026, paying cash straight from the maker, Zepbound vials or KwikPens cost $299 to $449 a month by dose through LillyDirect,[1] Wegovy costs $349 a month for the injection up to 2.4 mg and $149 to $299 for the pill,[2] and Ozempic costs $349 to $499 for the pen.[3] List prices before insurance run from about $1,000 to $1,350 a month.[4] The $25 savings cards are for commercial insurance only, and people on Medicare Part D may qualify for the $50-a-month GLP-1 Bridge from July 1, 2026.[1][5]

New to eating less? Start with what to eat when you're eating less, the guide the rest of Lighter Days builds on.

This page puts every FDA-approved GLP-1 brand in one dated table: list price, the maker's cash price, savings cards, Medicare and Medicaid. Then it sets out the legal ways to pay less. What each medicine is and does is on our map of GLP-1 medications. General information, not medical or financial advice. Prices change often; every figure below is "as of November 13, 2026" and cited to the maker, a government page or a named report. Check the maker's page and your plan before you rely on any of it.

GLP-1 prices without insurance, brand by brand (as of November 13, 2026)

Monthly prices as published by the sources cited, checked November 13, 2026. "List" is the maker's price to wholesalers before rebates. Savings cards are for commercial insurance only.
Brand (maker), use List price a month Maker's cash (self-pay) price Savings card, commercial insurance only Medicare
Zepbound single-dose pen (Lilly), weight management, sleep apnea $1,087[4] Not sold as self-pay; see vials and KwikPen As little as $25 if the plan covers it; as low as $499 if it does not. Ends December 31, 2026[1] GLP-1 Bridge: no more than $50 a month if eligible[1]
Zepbound vials and KwikPen (Lilly), via LillyDirect Self-pay channel only[6] $299 (2.5 mg), $399 (5 mg), $449 (7.5–15 mg) with a refill within 45 days; otherwise $499 (7.5 mg) and $699 (10–15 mg) for the KwikPen[1][7] Cash only; cannot be billed to insurance[1] Not for government beneficiaries[1]
Mounjaro (Lilly), type 2 diabetes $1,080 (2025)[8] No self-pay price published[9] As little as $25 if covered; as low as $499 if not. Ends December 31, 2026[9] Part D covers it for diabetes; Lilly says about 8 in 10 pay $0 to $50 for 28 days[9]
Wegovy injection (Novo Nordisk), weight management, heart risk, MASH $1,349; $675 from January 1, 2027[4][10] $349 (0.25–2.4 mg); $399 (7.2 mg). New patients: $199 for the first two fills of 0.25 or 0.5 mg, through December 31, 2026[2] As little as $25, up to $100 a month in savings[2] GLP-1 Bridge: $50 a month if eligible[2][5]
Wegovy pill (Novo Nordisk), weight management, heart risk $1,349[4] $149 (1.5 mg), $199 (4 mg), $299 (9 or 25 mg)[2] As little as $25, up to $100 a month[2] Named in CMS's BALANCE model[11]
Ozempic pen (Novo Nordisk), type 2 diabetes $1,028; $675 from January 1, 2027[4][10] $349 (0.25–1 mg), $499 (2 mg). New patients: $199 for two fills of 0.25 or 0.5 mg[3] As little as $25, up to $100 a month; Medicare and Medicaid enrollees not eligible[3] Part D plans cover diabetes drugs; plan copays vary
Ozempic tablets (Novo Nordisk), type 2 diabetes Not published on the pages we checked $149 (1.5 mg), $199 (4 mg), $299 (9 mg)[3] As little as $25[3] Plan copays vary
Rybelsus (Novo Nordisk), type 2 diabetes $998 for 30 tablets (2025); $675 from January 1, 2027[8][10] Not published on the pages we checked Check the maker's page Plan copays vary
Foundayo (Lilly), weight management, approved April 1, 2026 Not published on the pages we could read From $149 for the lowest dose; $349 reported for the highest[12][13] As little as $25 if covered[12] Announced at $50 a month, from as soon as July 1, 2026[12]
Saxenda (Novo Nordisk), weight management, and generic liraglutide $1,349.02 (brand)[14] None; the savings offer closed to new enrollees on June 30, 2023. Saxenda is being discontinued, last shipments late January 2027[15] None for new enrollees[15] Part D cannot cover obesity-only use[16]
Victoza (Novo Nordisk), type 2 diabetes, and generic liraglutide $815 for 3 pens (2025)[8] First generic approved December 23, 2024[17] Check the maker's page Plan copays vary
Trulicity (Lilly), type 2 diabetes $987 for 4 pens (2025)[8] Not published on the pages we checked Check the maker's page Plan copays vary

How to read the table. List prices for Zepbound, Wegovy and Ozempic are the "original price" figures on the federal TrumpRx site; those for Mounjaro, Rybelsus, Victoza and Trulicity are 2025 wholesale prices per 30-day supply from an Oregon state affordability review, which takes them from the Medi-Span database.[4][8] Few people pay the list price, but it drives what you owe under a deductible or coinsurance. Novo Nordisk said its January 2027 list price cut does not change its self-pay prices.[10] Medicaid is in its own section below, because it is decided state by state. Compounded copies are not FDA-approved and are not in the table.

How much is Zepbound without insurance?

$299 to $449 a month, if you buy vials or the 4-dose KwikPen through LillyDirect with a prescription and refill on time. The regular price is $299 for 2.5 mg and $399 for 5 mg; for 7.5 mg to 15 mg the $449 price needs each refill bought within 45 days of the last delivery, and without that the KwikPen costs $499 for 7.5 mg and $699 for 10 to 15 mg.[1] Lilly sells vials and KwikPens only through that self-pay channel.[6]

The single-dose pen is the version pharmacies stock. With commercial insurance that covers it, the savings card can bring it to as little as $25 a month; with commercial insurance that does not cover it, as low as $499. Both cards end December 31, 2026, and exclude anyone on Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, the VA or another government program.[1] The federal TrumpRx site lists Zepbound from $299 a month against an original price of $1,087.[4]

What is the cheapest way to get Zepbound? For someone without coverage, the lowest legal price we found is LillyDirect's $299 for 2.5 mg, rising with the dose. But 2.5 mg is a starting dose: the label says it "is for treatment initiation and is not approved as a maintenance dosage."[18] The realistic monthly figure on a maintenance dose is $399 or $449. Whether insurance would be cheaper depends on the plan, which is why the steps further down start with the plan.

How much is Wegovy without insurance?

$349 a month for the injection at any dose from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg, and $399 for the 7.2 mg dose, from Novo Nordisk's NovoCare pharmacy or with the self-pay offer at a retail pharmacy. New self-pay patients pay $199 a month for their first two fills of 0.25 or 0.5 mg through December 31, 2026. The pill is $149 for 1.5 mg, $199 for 4 mg and $299 for 9 or 25 mg. Novo says these prices will be updated after December 31, 2026.[2]

Two details matter. Money paid at the self-pay price does not count toward an insurance deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, NovoCare says,[2] and KFF makes the same point about TrumpRx purchases.[19] And the commercial $25 card is capped at $100 of savings a month, so with a high-deductible plan the cash price can be lower.[2]

How much is Ozempic without insurance?

$349 a month for the 0.25, 0.5 or 1 mg pen, and $499 for 2 mg; new patients pay $199 for their first two fills of 0.25 or 0.5 mg, an offer that runs through December 31, 2026. Ozempic tablets are $149, $199 and $299 by strength.[3] The list price is $1,028 a month,[4] falling to $675 on January 1, 2027.[10]

Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy, the same molecule at different doses, for chronic weight management.[20] Which one a prescription names decides how insurance treats it. The semaglutide page has the details: semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Wegovy pill).

Mounjaro, Foundayo, Saxenda and the older GLP-1s

  • Mounjaro is tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes, the same molecule as Zepbound.[21] Lilly publishes no self-pay price for it. The commercial card brings a covered pen to as little as $25, or as low as $499 a month if the plan does not cover it, until December 31, 2026.[9] More on tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound).
  • Foundayo (orforglipron), Lilly's daily pill, was approved on April 1, 2026.[22] Lilly announced self-pay pricing from $149 a month for the lowest dose; the highest dose was reported at $349.[12][13] TrumpRx lists $199 for 2.5 mg and $299 for 5.5 mg.[23] See orforglipron (Foundayo).
  • Saxenda (liraglutide, a daily injection) lists at $1,349.02 a month. A generic of it from Teva was approved and launched in August 2025.[14] Novo Nordisk says it will discontinue Saxenda, with last shipments to wholesalers in late January 2027, not because of any safety or quality concern.[15]
  • Victoza and Trulicity are older diabetes GLP-1s, at 2025 list prices of $815 and $987 per package.[8] The FDA approved the first generic liraglutide, for Victoza, on December 23, 2024.[17]

What does Medicare cover?

Medicare Part D is barred by law from covering drugs used for obesity alone, KFF explains.[16] Part D plans do cover GLP-1s prescribed for type 2 diabetes, such as Mounjaro and Ozempic; for Mounjaro, Lilly says about 8 in 10 Part D patients pay $0 to $50 for a 28-day supply.[9]

For weight management, the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge runs from July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027. Eligible Part D beneficiaries get certain GLP-1 drugs for a $50 copay, with prior authorization; the Part D deductible does not apply, and the low-income subsidy is not provided under it.[5] Lilly lists Zepbound under the Bridge and Novo lists Wegovy.[1][2] CMS's related BALANCE model names Mounjaro, Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy, the Zepbound KwikPen and Foundayo.[11] Makers' savings cards cannot be used by anyone on Medicare.[1][3]

What does Medicaid cover?

Medicaid must cover drugs approved for diabetes; coverage for obesity is each state's choice. KFF counted 13 state Medicaid programs covering GLP-1s for obesity under fee-for-service as of January 2026, down from 16 in October 2025.[16] State Medicaid agencies can also join CMS's BALANCE model.[11] Your state Medicaid office or plan can say whether a given drug needs prior authorization.

What are the cheapest legal ways to pay for a GLP-1?

  1. Ask your plan first. Get the formulary and ask whether the drug is covered, at what tier, and whether it needs prior authorization or step therapy. In KFF's 2026 survey, 18% of firms with 200 or more workers covered GLP-1s used mainly for obesity, rising to 33% of firms with 5,000 or more.[24] If your employer offers a choice of plans, coverage can differ between them.
  2. If it is covered, use the maker's savings card. With commercial insurance, Lilly's and Novo's cards bring a covered prescription to as little as $25 a month, within monthly and yearly caps.[1][2] They are not for Medicare, Medicaid or other government coverage.
  3. If it is denied, appeal. You have the right to ask your insurer for a full review of a denial, and the right to take it to an independent third party, an external review, after which the insurer no longer has the final say.[25] Your prescriber can resubmit a prior authorization with the clinical details the plan asks for.
  4. If it is not covered, compare the maker's cash price. LillyDirect, NovoCare and TrumpRx list the self-pay prices in the table above. Cash payments usually do not count toward your deductible.[2][19]
  5. Ask about the form and dose. Prices differ by form: the Wegovy pill starts below the injection, and Zepbound vials and KwikPens cost less in cash than the single-dose pen.[2][1] Which form and dose are right is your prescriber's call.
  6. Use pre-tax money if you have it. The IRS counts prescribed medicines as medical expenses, and counts a program to reduce body weight as one when it treats a disease a physician has diagnosed, such as obesity.[26] That generally makes a prescribed GLP-1 eligible for a health savings account or flexible spending account; check with your plan administrator.
  7. On Medicare Part D, ask whether you qualify for the GLP-1 Bridge.[5]

Why there are no compounded prices on this page

Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved, and the FDA does not check compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are sold.[27] Since both drugs came off the shortage list, copying them is legal only in narrow cases.[28] A low price says nothing about what is in a vial, so we quote none and link to no seller or telehealth brand. The full story is in compounded GLP-1s explained. The FDA's advice is to buy only from state-licensed pharmacies, with a prescription.[29]

The food side of the budget

Whatever you pay for the medicine, a smaller appetite means fewer chances to get protein, fluids and micronutrients. The 2025 joint advisory on nutrition with GLP-1 therapy puts protein first, with small, frequent, nutrient-dense meals and enough fluid.[30] The GLP-1 food list and the protein calculator are free.

For transparency about why this page exists on our site: we make one product, Zornava Replenish, a lemon-lime daily hydration and nutrient powder for lighter appetite days, including for people on GLP-1 medications. It is a dietary supplement, not a medication, and it does not replace or imitate any medicine on this page. It is not on sale yet; early access opens February 9, 2027, and the early-access list is open now.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Zepbound without insurance?

As of November 13, 2026, Zepbound vials or KwikPens through LillyDirect cost $299 a month for 2.5 mg, $399 for 5 mg and $449 for 7.5 to 15 mg when each refill is bought within 45 days; otherwise the KwikPen is $499 for 7.5 mg and $699 for 10 to 15 mg. The single-dose pen is as low as $499 with Lilly's card if your commercial plan does not cover it.

What is the cheapest way to get Zepbound?

If your commercial plan covers it, Lilly's savings card can bring it to as little as $25 a month. Without coverage, the lowest legal price is LillyDirect's self-pay vials or KwikPen, from $299 for the 2.5 mg starting dose to $449 on maintenance doses with on-time refills. On Medicare Part D, the GLP-1 Bridge caps it at $50 a month if you are eligible.

How much is Wegovy without insurance?

Novo Nordisk's self-pay price is $349 a month for the injection at 0.25 to 2.4 mg and $399 for 7.2 mg, with $199 for the first two fills of 0.25 or 0.5 mg for new patients through December 31, 2026. The Wegovy pill is $149 to $299 a month by strength.

How much is Ozempic without insurance?

$349 a month for the 0.25, 0.5 or 1 mg pen and $499 for 2 mg, with $199 for two starting fills for new patients through December 31, 2026. Ozempic tablets are $149 to $299 a month. The list price is $1,028, falling to $675 on January 1, 2027.

Can I use a savings card on Medicare?

No. Lilly's and Novo Nordisk's savings cards exclude people on Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, the VA and other government programs. On Medicare Part D, the GLP-1 Bridge offers certain GLP-1 drugs for weight management at a $50 copay from July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027, with prior authorization.

Can I use my HSA or FSA for a GLP-1?

Generally yes for a prescribed GLP-1. The IRS counts prescribed medicines as medical expenses, and treatment to reduce body weight counts when it is for a disease a physician has diagnosed, such as obesity. Your plan administrator may ask for a prescription or a letter of medical necessity.

Does Medicaid cover GLP-1 medications?

For type 2 diabetes, Medicaid must cover approved diabetes drugs. For obesity it is a state choice: KFF counted 13 state programs covering GLP-1s for obesity as of January 2026. Ask your state Medicaid office or plan.

Is compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide a cheaper legal option?

Compounded versions are not FDA-approved, the FDA does not check their quality before sale, and since the shortages ended they are legal only in narrow cases. We do not quote their prices. The makers' self-pay programs are the lowest-priced FDA-approved options for people without coverage.

References

  1. Eli Lilly and Company. Zepbound coverage and savings. zepbound.lilly.com. 2026. (self-pay and savings card terms) zepbound.lilly.com. Maker price page and offer terms read 2026-11-13; savings card terms end 2026-12-31. ↩︎
  2. Novo Nordisk. Wegovy savings offer and self-pay pricing. NovoCare. 2026. (self-pay prices and offer terms) novocare.com. Maker price page read 2026-11-13; prices stated to be updated after 2026-12-31. ↩︎
  3. Novo Nordisk. Save on Ozempic. ozempic.com. 2026. ozempic.com. Maker price page read 2026-11-13. ↩︎
  4. US Department of Health and Human Services. TrumpRx.gov. TrumpRx.gov. 2026. trumprx.gov. Federal price listing read 2026-11-13: "Lowest Presidential Deal" and "Original Price" per month for Wegovy pill ($149; $1,349), Wegovy pen ($199; $1,349), Ozempic ($199; $1,028) and Zepbound ($299; $1,087). ↩︎
  5. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. cms.gov. 2026. cms.gov. Page read (last modified 2026-07-13). ↩︎
  6. Eli Lilly and Company. How do I get Zepbound (tirzepatide) vials or multi-dose KwikPens? Lilly Medical (medical.lilly.com). 2026. medical.lilly.com. Maker medical-information page; date of last review 2026-02-23. ↩︎
  7. Pharmaceutical Executive. Lilly Reduces Price of Zepbound Single-Dose Vials for Self-Pay Patients. Pharmaceutical Executive. 2025. pharmexec.com. Trade-press report of 2025-12-01 on Lilly's LillyDirect vial prices (Lilly's own pages refuse scripted requests). ↩︎
  8. Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board (Department of Consumer and Business Services). Mounjaro (tirzepatide) affordability review, version 4.0. dfr.oregon.gov. 2026. (Table 12, WAC per 30-day supply, 2025) dfr.oregon.gov. State review dated 2026-09-14. Table 12 gives 2019–2025 wholesale acquisition cost per 30-day supply for Mounjaro and its alternatives (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Trulicity, Victoza, Byetta), from Medi-Span. ↩︎
  9. Eli Lilly and Company. Mounjaro savings and resources. mounjaro.lilly.com. 2026. mounjaro.lilly.com. Maker price page read 2026-11-13: $25 for up to a 3-month fill with commercial coverage; as low as $499 for a 1-month single-dose pen fill with commercial insurance that does not cover it; card expires 2026-12-31; not for Medicare/Medicaid enrollees; about 8 in 10 Medicare patients pay $0-$50 per 28-day supply (IQVIA Oct 2024-Sep 2025). No self-pay price listed. ↩︎
  10. Novo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk announces significant reduction in US list price for Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus (semaglutide medicines), building on continued efforts to expand access. Press release (PR Newswire, via BioSpace). 2026. biospace.com. Press release of 2026-02-24. List price change effective 2027-01-01. ↩︎
  11. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. BALANCE (Better Approaches to Lifestyle and Nutrition for Comprehensive hEalth) Model. cms.gov. 2026. cms.gov. Page read (last modified 2026-09-29). ↩︎
  12. Eli Lilly and Company. Press release (PR Newswire, via BioSpace). 2026. biospace.com. Press release of 2026-04-01. Company statements on pricing and access. ↩︎
  13. Vinluan F (MedCity News). Eli Lilly Gets Speedy FDA Nod for Oral GLP-1 Drug, a Competitor to New Novo Nordisk Pill. MedCity News. 2026. medcitynews.com. News report of 2026-04-01; the $349 highest-dose price is attributed to a UBS analyst note. ↩︎
  14. Managed Healthcare Executive. Teva launches first generic GLP-1 drug for obesity. Managed Healthcare Executive. 2025. managedhealthcareexecutive.com. Trade-press report of 2025-08-28 on Teva's FDA approval and launch of generic Saxenda (liraglutide); source for Saxenda's $1,349.02 list price. The generic's price is not stated. Secondary. ↩︎
  15. Novo Nordisk. Saxenda: savings and support. novocare.com. 2026. novocare.com. Maker page read 2026-11-13: savings offer closed to new enrollees 2023-06-30; advance notice that Saxenda will be discontinued, last shipments to wholesalers late January 2027, not for safety or quality reasons. ↩︎
  16. KFF. Medicaid Coverage of and Spending on GLP-1s. kff.org. 2026. kff.org. Analysis of 2026-01-16. ↩︎
  17. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Approves First Generic of Once-Daily GLP-1 Injection to Lower Blood Sugar in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. fda.gov. 2024. fda.gov. Press announcement of 2024-12-23 (generic Victoza, liraglutide 18 mg/3 mL, Hikma). ↩︎
  18. Eli Lilly and Company. Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection, prescribing information and Medication Guide. DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine. 2026. (section 2) DailyMed. ↩︎
  19. KFF. TrumpRx: What's the Value for Customers? kff.org. 2026. kff.org. Analysis of 2026-02-24. ↩︎
  20. US Food and Drug Administration. Drugs@FDA: Ozempic (NDA 209637), Rybelsus and Ozempic tablets (NDA 213051), Wegovy injection (NDA 215256) and Wegovy tablets (NDA 218316), approval history. Drugs@FDA. 2026. accessdata.fda.gov. Approval dates read from the Drugs@FDA submission records via openFDA (api.fda.gov/drug/drugsfda.json) and checked against the FDA approval letters for NDA 215256 S-005, S-023 and S-029, NDA 213051 S-020 and S-024, and NDA 218316 (original approval 2025-12-22). ↩︎
  21. US Food and Drug Administration. Drugs@FDA: Mounjaro (NDA 215866) and Zepbound (NDA 217806), approval history. Drugs@FDA. 2026. accessdata.fda.gov. Approval dates read from the Drugs@FDA submission records via openFDA and checked against the FDA approval letters for NDA 215866 S-039 (pediatric, 2025-12-19), S-044 and S-045 (2026-08-27), and NDA 217806 S-041 (2026-08-26). ↩︎
  22. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Approves First New Molecular Entity Under National Priority Voucher Program. fda.gov. 2026. fda.gov. Press announcement of 2026-04-01. ↩︎
  23. US Department of Health and Human Services. Foundayo. TrumpRx.gov. 2026. trumprx.gov. Federal price listing read 2026-11-13; 2.5 mg and 5.5 mg temporarily reduced through 2026-12-31 (reduced amounts not shown). ↩︎
  24. KFF. 2026 Employer Health Benefits Survey. kff.org. 2026. (section on coverage of GLP-1 medications) kff.org. Survey released 2026-10-22. ↩︎
  25. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (HealthCare.gov). Appealing a health plan decision. HealthCare.gov. 2026. healthcare.gov. Page read 2026-11-13. ↩︎
  26. Internal Revenue Service. Publication 502 (2025): Medical and Dental Expenses. irs.gov. 2026. (entry "Medicines" and the entry on programs to reduce body weight) irs.gov. For use in preparing 2025 returns. ↩︎
  27. US Food and Drug Administration. Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers. fda.gov. 2025. fda.gov. Page read (content current as of 09/16/2025). ↩︎
  28. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA clarifies policies for compounders as national GLP-1 supply begins to stabilize. fda.gov. 2026. fda.gov. Page read (content current as of 04/01/2026); dated entries from 2024-10-02 onward. ↩︎
  29. US Food and Drug Administration. fda.gov. 2026. fda.gov. Page read (content current as of 10/01/2026). ↩︎
  30. Mozaffarian D, Agarwal M, Aggarwal M, et al. Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: a joint advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2025;33(8):1475–1503. (sections on protein, meal pattern and fluids) Full text. PMID: 40445127. doi: 10.1002/oby.24336. ↩︎
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