How Much Does Semaglutide Cost? A Detailed Breakdown

Published: 2025-04-09

Updated: 2025-04-10

4 mins

Semaglutide is a medication that was originally developed to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. More recently, it’s gained attention for its role in weight loss, as it helps regulate appetite and reduce cravings. You may recognize it under brand names like Ozempic® and Wegovy® – two of the most talked-about prescriptions for weight management and diabetes care.

While semaglutide has shown impressive results, one major hurdle for many people is the cost. Without insurance, the price can be steep, and even with coverage, not everyone qualifies for reimbursement – especially if they’re using it for weight loss rather than diabetes.

Several factors influence how much you’ll pay for semaglutide, including whether you’re getting a brand-name version or a compounded alternative, whether your insurance helps cover the cost, and what discounts or savings programs you can find. In this article, we’ll break it all down so you know exactly what to expect when budgeting for semaglutide treatment.

How Much Does Semaglutide Cost?

The cost of semaglutide depends on a few key factors, but in general, the price of the medication can range anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars per month. 

Brand-name versions like Ozempic and Wegovy tend to be the most expensive, with a monthly supply typically costing around $900 to $1,300 if you’re paying out of pocket. 

Several factors influence how much you’ll end up paying if you’re prescribed the medication. Whether you have insurance, whether your plan covers semaglutide for weight loss, and even where you get your prescription filled can all make a big difference. Some people may qualify for savings programs or manufacturer discounts, while others may need to explore other more cost-effective options. 

If you have insurance, you may pay much less – assuming your plan covers semaglutide. However, coverage isn’t guaranteed, especially for weight loss, and copays or prior authorization requirements can add extra hurdles. If you’re paying out of pocket, finding the best price often means looking into alternative options like discount programs or different medications altogether.

Compounded Semaglutide Cost vs. Branded Semaglutide Options

Compounded semaglutide is an alternative to the brand-name versions like Ozempic and Wegovy. Compounded semaglutide is a custom-made version of these medications that are mixed and prepared by compounding pharmacies rather than being mass-produced by pharmaceutical manufacturers. 

Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, meaning they are not subject to the same quality control and safety testing as branded drugs. However, compounding is legal under specific conditions. Pharmacies are only allowed to compound a medication if there is a legitimate medical need – such as a drug shortage or a patient requiring a customized formulation. In the case of GLP-1 medications, this could include adjustments like adding B12 for potential energy support or modifying the formulation to help with nausea management, both of which are common and well-established practices in compounding.

Compounding pharmacies cannot legally compound exact copies of FDA-approved drugs when those drugs are commercially available.

As of March 2025, the FDA has declared the semaglutide shortage over, which means compounding pharmacies are no longer authorized to produce compounded versions of the medication. 

One of the biggest effects of this decision is on cost. With compounded semaglutide off the market, patients who were paying significantly less for their medication may need to switch to brand-name options like Ozempic and Wegovy, making affordability a major concern for those paying out of pocket. However, this shift could also lead to manufacturers expanding patient assistance programs or increasing availability of coupons and savings programs to make the medication more accessible.

On the positive side, the end of compounded semaglutide means patients no longer have to navigate the inconsistency that sometimes came with non-FDA-approved versions. Brand-name semaglutide is rigorously tested for quality, dosing accuracy, and safety, which provides a level of reliability that compounded versions couldn’t always guarantee. Additionally, with the shortage resolved, pharmacies should have a more stable supply of semaglutide, reducing wait times and prescription delays that were common during the shortage period.

Are There Any Other Brand-Name Semaglutide Options Available?

Semaglutide is available in both injectable and oral forms, but there are some key differences in pricing and accessibility that patients should consider. The injectable versions (Ozempic and Wegovy) are more commonly prescribed and available, but oral semaglutide – known as Rybelsus® – offers an alternative for those who prefer to avoid injections. 

Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) is slightly less expensive than the injections, averaging $800 to $1,100 per month without insurance. Since it’s approved for type 2 diabetes rather than weight loss, insurance coverage may vary depending on the prescription reason.

If cost is a primary concern, comparing insurance coverage and available discounts can help determine which form of semaglutide makes the most financial sense. Those paying out of pocket may find savings programs can offer better pricing, especially for the injectable versions.

Are There Alternatives to Semaglutide?

For those looking for a weight loss or diabetes medication similar to semaglutide, tirzepatide is a popular alternative. Like semaglutide, tirzepatide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, but it also targets another hormone called GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). This dual action may enhance weight loss and blood sugar control for some patients.

Tirzepatide pricing and accessibility

Without insurance, branded tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) typically costs $1,000 to $1,200 per month, which is comparable to or slightly less expensive than Ozempic and Wegovy. Insurance coverage can significantly lower out-of-pocket costs, particularly for those prescribed tirzepatide for diabetes treatment.

Zepbound, the version of tirzepatide that’s FDA-approve for chronic weight management, is available in two formats:

• Vials: Start at $349 per month for self-pay patients – about half the price of the pen – though costs may increase with dosage titration.

• Pens: Prefilled and ready to use, with a higher price point but the same medication.

Manufacturer savings programs for Mounjaro and Zepbound pens may reduce costs for eligible patients, sometimes as low as $25 per month.

Other GLP-1 alternatives

In addition to tirzepatide, liraglutide (Saxenda®) is another GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for weight loss. While liraglutide requires daily injections (compared to the weekly dosing of semaglutide and tirzepatide), it remains a potential option for those seeking an alternative.

If semaglutide is too expensive or unavailable, tirzepatide or liraglutide may be viable alternatives. Some studies even suggest that tirzepatide leads to greater weight loss than semaglutide, which could be an important factor for those using it for weight management.

When it comes to price, tirzepatide can sometimes be a more affordable option than brand-name semaglutide, depending on your insurance and available discounts.

• Without insurance, branded tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) typically costs around $1,000 to $1,200 per month, which is comparable to or slightly less expensive than Ozempic and Wegovy. 

• With insurance, copays can be much lower, especially if the medication is covered for diabetes treatment.

• Zepbound, the FDA-approved weight loss medication containing tirzepatide, is available in two formats: vials and pens. For self-pay patients, the Zepbound vial starts at $349 per month – about half the price of the pen – though costs may increase depending on dosage titration. The vial is a single-dose option shipped directly to patients, while the Zepbound pen is a prefilled, ready-to-use alternative. Both options contain the same medication, but their pricing and dosage structures offer flexibility based on personalized treatment needs.

• Manufacturer savings programs for Mounjaro and the Zepbound pen often make it significantly cheaper for eligible patients, with some paying as little as $25 per month.

How to Find the Most Affordable Semaglutide Options

• Check insurance coverage: If you have insurance, verify if semaglutide is covered and what your copay will be.

• Compare prices at different pharmacies: Prices can vary widely depending on the pharmacy, so it’s worth checking multiple locations.

By exploring these savings strategies, you can significantly reduce the cost of semaglutide and make treatment more accessible.

Where Can I Learn More About Semaglutide?

If looking for help with reaching your weight loss goals, the Rex MD Weight Management Program can provide you with access to a licensed healthcare provider, brand-name GLP-1 medications approved for weight loss, metabolic testing, and more.

See if you qualify for the Rex MD Weight Management Program.