How Much Do GLP-1 Weight Loss & Diabetes Drugs Cost?

GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are among the most-prescribed (and most expensive) drugs in America. Here are the actual pharmacy acquisition costs (NADAC) from CMS data.

Updated with 2026 NADAC data. Prices shown are what pharmacies pay wholesalers — your cost depends on insurance, pharmacy markup, and discount programs.

GLP-1 Drugs in Database
39
NDC variants with NADAC pricing
Cheapest Monthly
$88
Lowest estimated monthly cost
Most Expensive Monthly
$2,265
Highest estimated monthly cost

GLP-1 Monthly Cost Comparison

WEGOVY
semaglutide
Weight loss
$566.34
$2,265
$27,184
MOUNJARO
tirzepatide
Type 2 diabetes
$538.70
$2,155
$25,858
ZEPBOUND
tirzepatide
Weight loss
$526.16
$2,105
$25,256
TRULICITY
dulaglutide
Type 2 diabetes
$487.68
$1,951
$23,409
OZEMPIC
semaglutide
Type 2 diabetes
$391.06
$1,564
$18,771
RYBELSUS
semaglutide (oral)
Type 2 diabetes
$33.17
$995
$11,940
BYDUREON
exenatide ER
Type 2 diabetes
$191.29
$765
$9,182
BYETTA
exenatide
Type 2 diabetes
$510.68
$511
$6,128
SAXENDA
liraglutide
Weight loss
$87.16
$436
$5,230
VICTOZA
liraglutide
Type 2 diabetes
$87.83
$88
$1,054

Monthly estimates based on typical dosing schedules. Injectable pens: 4 units/month (weekly injection). Oral tablets: 30 units/month (daily). Actual costs depend on dose and pharmacy.

Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus)

Semaglutide is manufactured by Novo Nordisk. Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy for chronic weight management, and Rybelsus is the only oral GLP-1 (tablet form). Semaglutide works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, reducing appetite and slowing gastric emptying. Clinical trials showed 15-17% body weight loss with Wegovy.

OZEMPIC (semaglutide) Type 2 diabetes
$1,564 /mo
Ozempic 1 MG Dose PEN $272.30 Ozempic 1 Mg/dose (2 Mg/1.5 Ml) PEN $285.23 Ozempic 2 Mg/dose (8 Mg/3 Ml) PEN $331.96 Ozempic 1 Mg/dose (4 Mg/3 Ml) PEN $331.99 Ozempic 0.25-0.5 Mg/dose (2 Mg/3 Ml) PEN $332.02 Ozempic 0.25-0.5 MG Dose PEN $544.78 Ozempic 0.25-0.5 Mg/dose (2 Mg/1.5 Ml) PEN $639.14
WEGOVY (semaglutide) Weight loss
$2,265 /mo
Wegovy 2.4 Mg/0.75 ML PEN $435.47 Wegovy 1.7 Mg/0.75 ML PEN $435.68 Wegovy 1 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $653.39 Wegovy 0.25 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $653.50 Wegovy 0.5 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $653.65
RYBELSUS (semaglutide (oral)) Type 2 diabetes
$995 /mo
Rybelsus 3 MG TABLET $33.16 Rybelsus 14 MG TABLET $33.17 Rybelsus 7 MG TABLET $33.17

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)

Tirzepatide by Eli Lilly is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist — the first in its class. Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for weight management. The SURMOUNT trials showed up to 22.5% body weight reduction, making it the most effective weight loss medication to date. Both are weekly injections.

MOUNJARO Type 2 diabetes
$2,155 /mo
Mounjaro 12.5 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $538.58 Mounjaro 15 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $538.64 Mounjaro 10 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $538.71 Mounjaro 7.5 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $538.74 Mounjaro 5 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $538.74 Mounjaro 2.5 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $538.80
ZEPBOUND Weight loss
$2,105 /mo
Zepbound 15 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $525.89 Zepbound 7.5 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $525.94 Zepbound 5 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $526.05 Zepbound 10 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $526.16 Zepbound 12.5 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $526.42 Zepbound 2.5 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $526.49

Dulaglutide (Trulicity)

Trulicity by Eli Lilly is a once-weekly GLP-1 injection for type 2 diabetes. While it has been largely overshadowed by semaglutide and tirzepatide for weight loss, Trulicity remains widely prescribed for blood sugar control and has demonstrated cardiovascular benefits in the REWIND trial.

TRULICITY
$1,951 /mo
Trulicity 1.5 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $487.63 Trulicity 4.5 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $487.63 Trulicity 0.75 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $487.72 Trulicity 3 Mg/0.5 ML PEN $487.74

Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda)

Liraglutide was one of the first GLP-1 drugs. Victoza is for type 2 diabetes, Saxenda for weight management. Both require daily injections (unlike weekly options). Liraglutide is now available as a generic, making it the most affordable GLP-1 option for patients without comprehensive insurance coverage.

VICTOZA Type 2 diabetes
$88 /mo
Victoza 2-PAK 18 Mg/3 ML PEN $87.80 Victoza 3-PAK 18 Mg/3 ML PEN $87.86
SAXENDA Weight loss
$436 /mo
Saxenda 18 Mg/3 ML PEN $87.16

Exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon)

Exenatide was the first GLP-1 drug approved in the US (2005). Byetta is a twice-daily injection while Bydureon is extended-release (weekly). While newer GLP-1 drugs have shown superior efficacy, exenatide remains an option, particularly as generic exenatide has become available.

BYETTA
$511 /mo
Byetta 10 MCG Dose PEN INJ $340.10 Byetta 5 MCG Dose PEN INJ $681.26
BYDUREON
$765 /mo
Bydureon 2 MG VIAL $158.07 Bydureon 2 MG PEN INJECT $181.57 Bydureon Bcise 2 MG AUTOINJECT $234.22

Generic GLP-1 Alternatives

These are generic versions of GLP-1 drugs now available at lower cost. Currently, generic liraglutide and exenatide are available. No generic semaglutide or tirzepatide exists yet.

Exenatide 10 MCG Dose PEN INJ
Generic
$299.50
Liraglutide 2-PAK 18 Mg/3 ML
Generic
$43.60
Liraglutide 3-PAK 18 Mg/3 ML
Generic
$39.43
Liraglutide 5-PAK 18 Mg/3 ML
Generic
$70.64

Insurance Coverage for GLP-1 Drugs

For Type 2 Diabetes

  • Most commercial plans cover Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Trulicity
  • Medicare Part D covers diabetes-indicated GLP-1 drugs
  • Prior authorization is commonly required
  • Step therapy may require trying metformin first
  • Typical copay: $25-$150/month with coverage

For Weight Loss

  • Wegovy and Zepbound coverage varies widely
  • Many employers now adding obesity treatment coverage
  • The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act expanded Medicare coverage
  • BMI requirements typically apply (30+, or 27+ with comorbidities)
  • Without coverage: $1,000-$1,500+/month out of pocket

Patient Assistance & Savings Programs

Novo Nordisk Programs

For Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Victoza, Saxenda:

  • Savings cards: Pay as little as $25/month (commercially insured)
  • Patient Assistance Program (PAP): Free medication for qualifying uninsured patients
  • NovoCare.com — central hub for all programs

Eli Lilly Programs

For Mounjaro, Zepbound, Trulicity:

  • Lilly Savings Card: Reduces copay for eligible patients
  • Lilly Cares: Free medication for qualifying low-income patients
  • LillyDirect.com — direct-to-patient delivery option

Third-Party Discount Programs

  • GoodRx — compare prices across pharmacies
  • RxSaver — discount codes for uninsured patients
  • Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs — transparent pricing
  • NeedyMeds.org — database of assistance programs

Compounding Pharmacies

During FDA-recognized shortage periods, compounding pharmacies can produce semaglutide and tirzepatide formulations at significantly lower cost ($200-$500/month). Check FDA drug shortage databases for current status. Note: compounded versions are not FDA-approved.

GLP-1 Drug Cost FAQs

How much does Ozempic cost per month?

Ozempic's pharmacy acquisition cost (NADAC) averages $391.06 per pen. With weekly dosing (4 pens/month), monthly NADAC cost is approximately $1,564. Retail is typically 20-50% higher. With insurance, expect $25-$150/month.

How much does Wegovy cost per month?

Wegovy costs approximately $2,265/month at NADAC. It is more expensive than Ozempic because the weight-loss doses are higher. Insurance coverage for weight loss is less common than for diabetes.

How much does Mounjaro cost per month?

Mounjaro's estimated monthly cost is $2,155 at NADAC. It is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist with the highest weight loss efficacy in trials (up to 22.5%).

Is there a generic version of Ozempic or Wegovy?

No generic semaglutide injection exists as of 2026. Novo Nordisk's patents protect the formulation. However, generic liraglutide (Victoza's active ingredient) is available and is the most affordable GLP-1 option.

What is the cheapest GLP-1 drug?

Generic liraglutide is the most affordable GLP-1 option. Among brands, Victoza and Saxenda (liraglutide) have the lowest per-unit costs, though they require daily injections rather than weekly.

Does insurance cover GLP-1 weight loss drugs?

Coverage varies significantly. Most plans cover GLP-1 drugs for diabetes. For weight loss (Wegovy, Zepbound), coverage is improving but inconsistent. Medicare coverage has expanded under the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act. Check your specific plan or call the number on your insurance card.

Brand vs Generic Comparison

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All Drug Prices

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All Diabetes Drugs

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Important Disclaimer

Prices shown are NADAC pharmacy acquisition costs from CMS and do not reflect what patients pay at the counter. Actual costs vary by pharmacy, insurance plan, discount programs, and geographic location. Monthly estimates are approximate and based on typical dosing. This is not medical or financial advice. Always consult your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medication costs and alternatives.

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