Last checked: August 21, 2026. Figures are U.S. monthly or 28-day costs where the source defines a month that way. We checked official manufacturer price and self-pay pages, CMS and Medicare program pages, and used third-party retail data only as context. Prices, taxes, fees, eligibility and refill conditions change often. Confirm the current figure at the source before you buy. Follow broader policy and access changes in the GLP-1 updates log, and see the FDA-sourced availability tracker for national shortage records. Spot a change? Tell us and we'll update it.
GLP-1 monthly cost by channel
Published list or cash price alongside example lower-cost routes 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) | $1,349.02 published package list price | $149 for certain tablet doses; $199 intro, then $349 for standard injection doses; Wegovy HD is listed separately at $399 (NovoCare offers) | Offer may reduce eligible commercial-insurance cost; terms apply | $50 for eligible Bridge users |
| Zepbound (weight) | See current Lilly WAC/list source | $299–$449 through LillyDirect self-pay, with dose and refill conditions | Offer may reduce eligible commercial-insurance cost; terms apply | $50 for eligible Bridge users using KwikPen |
| Ozempic (diabetes) | $1,027.51 published list price | $199 intro for eligible new patients; other self-pay tiers may apply | Offer may reduce eligible commercial-insurance cost; terms apply | Not listed for the weight-loss Bridge |
| Mounjaro (diabetes) | $1,112.16 published list price | See current Lilly program terms | Offer may reduce eligible commercial-insurance cost; terms apply | Not listed for the weight-loss Bridge |
| Saxenda (weight) | Verify at manufacturer source | Program availability varies | Plan and offer dependent | Not listed for the current Bridge |
| Rybelsus (diabetes pill) | Verify at manufacturer source | See current NovoCare program terms | Plan and offer dependent | Not listed for the weight-loss Bridge |
*The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge provides eligible beneficiaries a $50 copay for certain covered products, including Wegovy and Zepbound KwikPen, from July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027. The single-dose Zepbound vial is not listed for the Bridge. See the CMS Bridge page and our Medicare guide. Savings offers have separate eligibility rules.
The cash programs, by dose
| Program | Drug | Monthly self-pay (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| LillyDirect | Zepbound (vials or KwikPen) | $299 (2.5 mg) · $399 (5 mg) · $449 with qualifying refill timing for 7.5–15 mg |
| NovoCare | Wegovy | $149 for certain tablet doses; $199 for the first two standard-injection fills for eligible new patients, then $349; restrictions apply |
| Ozempic | Offers vary by product, dose and eligibility; check the current NovoCare price page |
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 is an important cash route. Current published offers include roughly $299–$449 for Zepbound and $199–$349 for standard Wegovy or Ozempic offers, with eligibility and product restrictions.
- List price and out-of-pocket price are different measures. A self-pay program, savings card or Medicare Bridge may reduce the amount for eligible people, but each has separate terms.
- Medicare now has a time-limited weight-loss route. The $50 Bridge copay applies only to eligible members and covered products under the CMS demonstration.
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 separate formulation, dose, offer type and eligibility instead of presenting one blended price. 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 and Zepbound offer terms.
- NovoCare Wegovy price information, including tablet, pen and HD pen pricing, and NovoCare Ozempic savings information.
- NovoCare Wegovy list price, NovoCare Ozempic list price and Lilly Mounjaro pricing information.
- CMS Medicare GLP-1 Bridge terms.
- GoodRx is used only as a secondary retail-price reference, not as a guarantee.
Methodology and change log
Scope: U.S. prescription products and public affordability programs. We record the price type exactly as the source presents it, such as list price, WAC, self-pay offer or copay. We do not combine those figures into a single “true cost.” Insurance estimates are not used as individual quotes.
Review process: We check official manufacturer and government pages first, record the date checked, separate formulation, dose, offer type and eligibility restrictions, and preserve the source link. Third-party price pages are supporting context only. A program may end or change without notice, so readers must confirm terms before purchase.
Change log: August 21, 2026, refreshed manufacturer and CMS links; corrected the Medicare Bridge note to distinguish the covered Zepbound KwikPen from the unlisted single-dose vial; added Wegovy HD pricing context; added the current tablet and pen price distinction; replaced unsupported broad price claims with source-specific descriptions. July 2026, previous tracker snapshot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest GLP-1 in 2026? +
There is no single cheapest option for everyone. Current public offers include Zepbound self-pay pricing from $299 to $449 depending on dose and refill conditions, and NovoCare offers for some Wegovy and Ozempic products starting at $149 for certain tablet doses or $199 for eligible new injection patients. Offers, eligibility and covered products change.
How much does Zepbound cost without insurance? +
LillyDirect currently shows self-pay prices from $299 for 2.5 mg, $399 for 5 mg and $449 for 7.5 mg through 15 mg when qualifying refill conditions are met. Confirm the current offer and eligibility at LillyDirect or the official Zepbound savings page.
How much does Wegovy cost without insurance? +
NovoCare currently lists a $1,349.02 package list price. Self-pay pricing depends on the formulation and dose, including $149 for certain tablet doses and a $199 first-two-month offer for eligible new injection patients followed by $349 under the listed terms. Confirm the current offer at NovoCare.
How often is this tracker updated? +
The page shows a last-checked date for each published snapshot. Official manufacturer and government pages are checked first, while third-party retail pages are secondary context. Confirm current terms at the linked source before purchase.