Semaglutide Weight Loss Price Guide

Brand Name Medication vs. Compounded

One of the biggest contributors to how much you will pay for semaglutide is whether you are using a brand-name version like Ozempic or Wegovy, or you are using a compounded version.

Brand-name drugs go through full FDA approval and are sold by major pharmaceutical companies, so you can expect to pay between $900 and $1,400 per month for Wegovy or Ozempic without insurance or discounts.

The price of compounded semaglutide can be significantly less and is made by specialty pharmacies. Compounded semaglutide costs usually run between $270 and $350 per month, but these special formulations can only be prescribed for patients with certain exceptions because the FDA has strict rules about when they are allowed to be used.

Insurance

If you have insurance and it covers semaglutide for weight loss, your monthly cost might be significantly lower than the semaglutide cost without insurance. Most insurance plans still consider weight loss “lifestyle-related,” so they often will not cover the cost of semaglutide unless it is related to a medical condition like type 2 diabetes or a cardiovascular issue.

Some employer health plans may offer partial coverage, but approval usually requires justification through a diagnosis, paperwork, and sometimes they require a detailed history of trying other weight loss methods first.

The Strength of the Dose and How It Is Administered

Semaglutide is administered using a titration schedule, which starts at the lowest dose and gradually increases in strength until it begins to trigger weight loss in your body. This is done to allow your body to get used to the medicine without experiencing severe side effects. The strength of the dose impacts the semaglutide price because the cost escalates as the dose increases, and the higher the dose, the more it usually costs.

Another thing that can affect your semaglutide cost is how it is packaged and administered. Some use a pen-like injector, some use vials, and it may also be offered as an oral version. Prefilled pens are more expensive than vials, and oral versions can vary in price as well.

How You Fill Your Prescription

Obtaining your monthly prescription may be more expensive if you are getting it from a mainstream pharmacy. Some doctors offer telehealth consultations and special subscription programs that include consultations, medication, shipping, and supervised support for a flat rate, which can make the costs a bit more predictable.

Special Savings Programs or Discount Plans

There are a few other ways you may be able to lower the semaglutide weight loss price, depending on your situation. If you have commercial insurance and your plan covers brand-name options like Wegovy or Ozempic, you might qualify for a manufacturer savings card that can drop your monthly cost to anywhere from $0 to $225.

If you do not have insurance, have type 2 diabetes, and meet certain income limits, you may qualify for a patient assistance program that offers Ozempic or Rybelsus, which is oral semaglutide, for free.

If you are paying out of pocket, sometimes pharmacy discount cards like GoodRx or SingleCare can help reduce the retail price by up to 80%, but it will vary by pharmacy.

Another lower-cost option may be available if you have extenuating circumstances, such as needing a dosage that is not available through the manufacturer or experiencing severe side effects and requiring a special formulation; you may be eligible for a compounded prescription.