Semaglutide Price: Complete Cost Breakdown
At $1,200-1,500 monthly, semaglutide is expensive for most patients. However, actual out-of-pocket costs vary dramatically based on insurance, manufacturer programs, and sourcing options. This comprehensive price guide breaks down costs for all semaglutide brands and formulations, explores money-saving strategies, and helps you find the most affordable semaglutide for your situation.
Understanding Semaglutide Market Pricing Structure
Semaglutide pricing is complex because brand names, indication, formulation, and distribution channels create different prices.
Novo Nordisk manufactures semaglutide and sets list prices for Ozempic (diabetes indication) and Wegovy (weight loss indication). While the active ingredient is identical, marketing and indication create separate pricing and brand differentiation.
List price refers to manufacturer's recommended retail price, what uninsured patients are quoted at pharmacies. List prices for Ozempic and Wegovy are essentially identical ($1,200-1,500 monthly) since both are Novo Nordisk semaglutide products.
Actual cost to patient depends on: insurance coverage (varies by plan and medication), manufacturer copay assistance programs (reduce out-of-pocket $0-250 monthly), patient assistance programs (free for uninsured qualifying patients), pharmacy discount programs (GoodRx, prescription savings clubs), and alternative sourcing (compounded, international).
Very few uninsured patients actually pay full list price. Most access discounts through manufacturer or patient assistance programs. Understanding all available options prevents overpaying.
Brand-Name Semaglutide Pricing: Ozempic and Wegovy
Ozempic and Wegovy contain identical semaglutide from Novo Nordisk and have nearly identical list prices.
Ozempic list price: $1,200-1,500 monthly ($14,400-18,000 yearly) for the standard 4-pen monthly supply. Individual pen prices vary by dose and pharmacy location.
Wegovy list price: $1,300-1,500 monthly, essentially identical to Ozempic despite separate branding. The price difference reflects regional variation and pharmacy markups rather than medication differences.
A standard 4-pen monthly supply typically costs $900-1,200 depending on dose and which pens are included (starter kits contain lower doses; maintenance phase contains higher doses).
Without any discounts or insurance, expecting to pay $1,200-1,500 monthly for brand-name semaglutide is reasonable. However, this full price is rarely what patients actually pay.
Pharmacy prices vary by location. Urban pharmacies sometimes charge more than rural pharmacies. Walmart and major chains sometimes undercut specialty pharmacies. Checking multiple pharmacies for quotes saves money even at full price.
Rybelsus (Oral Semaglutide) Pricing
Rybelsus is oral semaglutide tablets rather than injectable. It's priced similarly to injectable semaglutide but offers reduced efficacy and dosing convenience challenges.
Rybelsus list price: approximately $900-1,100 monthly for 30-day supply. Tablets come in 3mg, 7mg, and 14mg strengths. Monthly cost varies by strength; 14mg (typical treatment dose) is more expensive than lower doses.
Rybelsus is slightly cheaper than injectable Ozempic/Wegovy at retail ($900-1,100 vs. $1,200-1,500), but not substantially cheaper given the 20-25% cost reduction. For most patients, this modest saving doesn't justify Rybelsus's disadvantages: lower weight loss efficacy (10-13% vs. 14.9%), complex administration requirements (empty stomach, 30 minutes before other medications), and daily dosing (vs. weekly injections).
Rybelsus is appropriate primarily for patients with extreme needle anxiety unable to tolerate injections despite proven efficacy. The cost saving doesn't justify the efficacy reduction for most patients.
Insurance and manufacturer programs provide similar assistance as injectable semaglutide, potentially reducing Rybelsus out-of-pocket costs to $0-250 monthly with copay cards.
Compounded Semaglutide Pricing: The Budget Alternative
Compounded semaglutide is the most cost-effective option, offering 60-75% savings compared to brand-name medications.
Compounded semaglutide price: approximately $200-400 monthly depending on dose, pharmacy, and whether buying in bulk.
A typical compounded semaglutide dose (0.5-2.4 mg) costs $200-350 monthly from most US compounding pharmacies. Higher doses cost more. Buying 3-month supplies sometimes discounts prices 10-15%.
This represents dramatic savings: a patient paying $300 monthly for compounded semaglutide saves approximately $900-1,200 monthly compared to brand-name at list price. Annualized, this is $10,800-14,400 yearly savings.
Pricing varies by pharmacy location, local overhead, and specific preparation. Urban compounding pharmacies sometimes charge more than rural ones due to different overhead. Comparing local pharmacies using GoodRx coupon code often reveals 10-30% price variations.
Compounded semaglutide quality is not FDA-verified, however. Potency, purity, sterility, and stability may not match brand-name standards. Some compounding pharmacies maintain excellent quality while others have variable consistency. Selecting PCAB-certified (Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board) compounding pharmacies ensures higher standards.
Insurance typically doesn't cover compounded semaglutide since it's not FDA-approved, but out-of-pocket cost at $200-400 monthly is so much cheaper that most uninsured patients don't need insurance anyway.
Semaglutide Pricing Comparison Table: All Options
| Product | List Price/Month | With Copay Card | With Insurance | Annual Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozempic (injectable) | $1,200-1,500 | $0-250 | $0-1,500 | $0-18,000 |
| Wegovy (injectable) | $1,300-1,500 | $0-250 | $0-1,500 | $0-18,000 |
| Rybelsus (oral) | $900-1,100 | $0-200 | $0-1,200 | $0-13,200 |
| Compounded (injectable) | $200-400 | N/A | No coverage | $2,400-4,800 |
| Telehealth platform (compounded) | $150-300 | N/A | No coverage | $1,800-3,600 |
Insurance Coverage: Navigating Plan Coverage and Prior Authorization
Insurance coverage for semaglutide varies dramatically by plan and is often unpredictable.
Some insurance plans cover Wegovy for FDA-approved weight loss indication readily, with copay percentages (typically $25-100 monthly after meeting deductible).
Other plans deny Wegovy entirely, citing cost containment, even though it's FDA-approved.
Some plans cover Ozempic for off-label weight loss better than Wegovy, because Ozempic may be cheaper on their formulary or they have established protocols for diabetes indication.
Plans may require prior authorization: your doctor submits documentation justifying medical necessity (BMI > 30, documented weight loss attempts, etc.). Insurance approves or denies based on their criteria. Approval typically takes 1-2 weeks but can be faster with urgent requests.
Plans may use step therapy: you must try and fail other weight loss medications (phentermine, naltrexone/bupropion) before insurance approves semaglutide. Step therapy adds time and cost but is increasingly common.
Plans may restrict by BMI thresholds (only cover if BMI > 30 or 35) or comorbidity requirements (only cover if BMI > 27 with diabetes or cardiovascular disease).
Plans may place semaglutide on non-preferred tier requiring higher copays than preferred tier alternatives.
The best approach is calling your insurance company and asking specifically: "Do you cover Ozempic for weight loss? Wegovy? What's my copay if covered? Do you require prior authorization? Do you require step therapy? What are the BMI/comorbidity requirements?" Document everything. Then discuss covered options with your doctor.
Manufacturer Copay Assistance Programs
Novo Nordisk's copay assistance card is the single most effective cost-reduction tool for insured patients using brand-name semaglutide.
The copay card reduces out-of-pocket costs to $0-250 monthly for most insured patients using brand-name Ozempic or Wegovy. The exact copay depends on your insurance plan's original copay/coinsurance, but the card typically reduces it substantially.
Enrollment is free. Visit novonordisk.com or call 1-844-4NOVO-HELP. Enrollment takes 5-10 minutes. You receive a physical card or digital code to present at the pharmacy.
The copay card works with most insurance plans. It doesn't work with Medicare, Medicaid, military insurance, or VA coverage (these have separate programs). Some insurance plans exclude copay card use, though this is rare.
One major limitation: the copay card has annual maximum benefit. Once you accumulate benefits to the limit (typically $4,000-7,000 yearly), the card stops working and you pay full copay. For year-round treatment at $250 monthly copay, you might hit this limit and pay full copay for 4-6 months of the year.
Despite the annual maximum, the copay card provides meaningful savings for most insured patients. Checking enrollment status annually ensures continuous access.
Uninsured Patient Assistance Programs
Novo Nordisk offers patient assistance programs providing free or reduced-cost semaglutide to uninsured patients meeting income requirements.
Eligibility typically requires household income below 400-500% of federal poverty line. For 2025, this is approximately $50,000-75,000 yearly for an individual, $100,000-150,000 for a family of four. Most uninsured Americans qualify.
Application is straightforward: online form or phone application. You provide income documentation, insurance status, and prescription. Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks. Once approved, Novo Nordisk pays the pharmacy directly for medication. You pick up medication at pharmacy at no cost.
There are no limits on program enrollment duration. You can remain on patient assistance indefinitely if income remains below thresholds.
Patient assistance programs are underutilized. Many uninsured patients don't know they exist and pay for compounded semaglutide or other alternatives when free brand-name medication is available. Always explore patient assistance before choosing compounded options.
Telehealth Platforms and Weight Loss Programs
Various telehealth weight loss platforms offer semaglutide, sometimes at competitive pricing.
WeightWatchers with GLP-1 partners with pharmacies to offer semaglutide. Pricing varies but often competitive. You pay monthly subscription plus medication cost. Some WeightWatchers plans include semaglutide cost in monthly fee ($80-100 monthly), which is inexpensive if true. Others charge separately for medication.
Amazon Pharmacy and RxSaver partner with healthcare providers to offer semaglutide, sometimes at discounted pricing through bulk purchases or negotiated rates.
GLP Direct and similar direct-to-consumer platforms offer semaglutide compounded preparation, often at $150-300 monthly. You pay monthly subscription ($50-100) plus medication. Total cost typically $200-300 monthly, competitive with standalone compounding pharmacies. Bundled coaching and support add value.
Advantages of telehealth platforms include convenience, built-in coaching/support, and sometimes better pricing. Disadvantages include variable quality (especially for compounded versions), variable medical supervision (some platforms have minimal physician oversight), and potential for inadequately dosed products from inexperienced compounders.
For uninsured patients, comparing telehealth platform pricing with local compounding pharmacies often identifies best value. For insured patients, using insurance with copay cards usually beats telehealth pricing.
GoodRx and Prescription Discount Programs
GoodRx and similar prescription discount networks negotiate reduced prices with pharmacies and show you the cheapest options.
For brand-name semaglutide, GoodRx discounts are minimal (2-5% of list price) since brand-name prices are manufacturer-controlled. The copay card provides better discounts.
For compounded semaglutide, GoodRx often identifies significant price variations (10-30% differences) between pharmacies. Using GoodRx coupon at the cheapest identified pharmacy saves money.
Process: visit GoodRx.com, search for your medication and dose, enter your zip code, see pricing from all pharmacies in your area. Apply digital coupon at pharmacy checkout or print coupon.
GoodRx works by negotiating volume discounts with pharmacies. You don't need insurance or membership. GoodRx is free.
For uninsured patients on compounded semaglutide, GoodRx is very useful for finding cheapest local options. For brand-name medication and insured patients, copay cards provide better savings.
International Pricing and Risks
Semaglutide is significantly cheaper outside the US in many countries, but importing carries legal, safety, and quality risks.
Mexico: Ozempic and equivalent products cost $200-400 monthly. Many US residents near the border purchase at Mexican pharmacies. This is technically legal for personal use, though importing requires FDA compliance technically. Practically, small personal supplies are often not intercepted by customs. Quality is generally good as Mexico has reasonable pharmaceutical regulations.
India: compounded semaglutide costs $50-150 monthly from manufacturers in India. Cost is dramatically lower but quality is extremely variable and unverified. Importing from India to the US is technically illegal and carries significant customs interception risk. Buying from India should be last resort only.
Canada: semaglutide costs approximately $800-1,000 monthly, somewhat cheaper than US list price but still expensive. Crossing the border for purchase carries legal liability.
The legal and practical recommendation is exhausting US cost-saving options (copay cards, patient assistance, US compounded options) before considering international sourcing. Quality concerns, legal liability, and medical supervision gaps make international sourcing risky.
Long-Term Cost Sustainability and Weight Loss Maintenance
An often-overlooked pricing consideration is long-term sustainability. Most obesity research shows weight loss requires continuous medication to maintain results.
If you achieve 15% weight loss over 68 weeks but discontinue medication, you'll likely regain most weight within 1-2 years. Maintenance of weight loss requires continuing medication indefinitely.
This means choosing a semaglutide option you can afford long-term is as important as short-term efficacy. Choosing brand-name at $1,200 monthly when you can't sustain that cost yearly results in stop-start treatment cycles (lose weight, stop medication, regain weight, restart, repeat) that wastes money and creates poor outcomes.
Better to choose a sustainable option now: manufacturer assistance programs ($0-250 monthly), compounded semaglutide ($200-400 monthly), or telehealth ($150-300 monthly) that you can afford continuously rather than brand-name medication you can only afford sporadically.
Calculating your sustainable monthly budget before starting treatment helps select the right option for long-term success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ozempic costs approximately $1,200-1,500 monthly at full retail pharmacy price without insurance. A 4-pen pack (one month supply) typically costs $900-1,200 at major US pharmacies. However, actual out-of-pocket cost depends on manufacturer copay cards and patient assistance programs. Novo Nordisk offers copay cards reducing out-of-pocket costs to $0-250 monthly for most insured patients. Uninsured patients meeting income requirements may qualify for free medication through patient assistance programs. Very few uninsured patients actually pay the full retail price; most access discounts through manufacturer programs.
Wegovy costs approximately $1,300-1,500 monthly at full retail pharmacy price, similar to Ozempic since both are Novo Nordisk products containing identical semaglutide. A 4-pen monthly starter kit costs $900-1,200 at pharmacies. Like Ozempic, actual out-of-pocket costs are typically much lower: manufacturer copay cards reduce costs to $0-250 monthly for insured patients. Patient assistance programs provide free medication for uninsured patients meeting income requirements. Insurance coverage varies; some plans cover Wegovy readily while others rarely do. Calling your insurance to check Wegovy coverage is essential for accurate cost prediction.
Rybelsus costs approximately $900-1,100 monthly at full retail price, slightly cheaper than injectable Ozempic/Wegovy ($1,200-1,500), though not dramatically different. Rybelsus is available in 3mg, 7mg, and 14mg tablets. Like other semaglutide products, manufacturer copay assistance and patient assistance programs reduce actual out-of-pocket costs significantly. Insurance coverage varies. Rybelsus requires specific administration (empty stomach, 30 minutes before other medications/food), making it less convenient than weekly injections. Bioavailability is lower than injections, producing less weight loss (10-13% vs. 14.9%). Cost savings are modest compared to injections, not justifying reduced efficacy and administration hassle for most patients.
Compounded semaglutide costs approximately $200-400 monthly depending on dose and pharmacy, representing 60-75% savings versus brand-name Ozempic/Wegovy at $1,200-1,500. Cost varies by: dose strength (higher doses like 2.4 mg cost more than 0.5 mg), pharmacy location and overhead, whether ordering multiple months in advance (bulk ordering sometimes discounts), and specific pharmacy pricing. Some telehealth platforms offer compounded semaglutide at negotiated rates. GoodRx and discount pharmacy programs may identify cheaper compounding pharmacies. Quality varies between pharmacies; PCAB-certified compounding pharmacies generally maintain higher standards than non-certified ones. Compounded semaglutide lacks FDA quality oversight but is legal and widely used. Cost advantage is dramatic but quality differences exist versus brand name.
Annual semaglutide cost varies dramatically by brand and insurance: Brand-name (Ozempic/Wegovy) at retail: $14,400-18,000 yearly (uninsured). Brand-name with copay card: $0-3,000 yearly (most insured). Compounded semaglutide: $2,400-4,800 yearly (uninsured). With insurance that covers brand-name well: sometimes $500-1,500 yearly. Most patients using manufacturer copay cards or insurance coverage pay $1,000-3,000 annually. Uninsured patients without assistance programs face the highest costs ($14,400+ yearly) but should explore patient assistance before resorting to compounded options. Long-term treatment (years to maintain weight loss) requires sustainable pricing; annual cost considerations matter.
Insurance coverage for semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) for weight loss varies dramatically by plan. Some plans cover Wegovy readily for weight loss as an FDA-approved indication. Others deny both Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss entirely. Some plans cover Ozempic off-label for weight loss better than Wegovy. Coverage decisions depend on individual plan design, formulary placement, and cost considerations. Coverage can require prior authorization (physician documentation justifying need) or step therapy (trying other weight loss medications first). Some plans only cover semaglutide if BMI exceeds 30 or 35, or if comorbidities like diabetes exist. The only way to know your plan's coverage is calling the insurance company and asking specifically: "Do you cover Ozempic/Wegovy for weight loss?" Acceptance varies but is increasingly common as weight loss medications become standard care.
Novo Nordisk offers multiple programs reducing semaglutide costs: (1) Copay card: reduces out-of-pocket costs to $0-250 monthly for insured patients. Available free through novonordisk.com. Works with most insurance plans. (2) Patient assistance program: provides free medication for uninsured patients with household income below 400-500% federal poverty level (approximately $60,000-90,000 yearly for individual). Application is free and approval usually occurs within 1-2 weeks. Novo Nordisk pays the pharmacy directly. (3) Savings on prescriptions: different dosage strengths have different pricing; 0.25-0.5 mg pens are cheaper than 2.4 mg, though you're getting less medication. Most patients should first use copay cards (if insured) or patient assistance (if uninsured) before exploring other options.
Telehealth weight loss platforms (WeightWatchers with GLP-1, Amazon Pharmacy, GLP Direct, and others) offer competitive semaglutide pricing, sometimes lower than traditional pharmacy dispensing. Platform pricing varies: some charge $199-299 monthly for compounded semaglutide (cheaper than some standalone pharmacies). Others charge similar to retail ($1,200+) but bundle with coaching/support. Some use GLP-1 drops or supplements (not semaglutide) at lower cost but with unproven efficacy. Advantages include convenience, coaching, and sometimes better pricing. Disadvantages include quality inconsistency for compounded versions, variable medical supervision, and potential for poorly dosed products. For uninsured patients, comparing telehealth platform pricing with local compounding pharmacies often reveals best value. For insured patients, using insurance with copay cards usually beats telehealth pricing.
Semaglutide is dramatically cheaper in some countries: Mexico: Ozempic/Wegovy equivalents cost $200-400 monthly, accessible by purchasing at Mexican pharmacies near the border or through medical tourism. India: compounded semaglutide costs $50-150 monthly from multiple manufacturers, but quality varies and importing to the US is technically illegal. Canada: semaglutide costs approximately $800-1,000 monthly, somewhat cheaper than US list price but still expensive. European countries: pricing varies; some have better prices through national health systems. However, importing medications internationally carries legal risks (customs seizure, legal liability), quality concerns (unverified manufacturing), and safety issues (no US medical supervision). Purchasing abroad to import is technically illegal for personal use in most cases. Better to exhaust legal US options (copay cards, patient assistance, compounded US options) before considering international sourcing.
GoodRx and similar discount pharmacy networks (SingleCare, RxSaver) negotiate lower prices with pharmacies, sometimes reducing semaglutide costs moderately. For compounded semaglutide, GoodRx may identify pharmacies offering 10-30% discounts below typical pricing. For brand-name Ozempic/Wegovy, GoodRx discounts are minimal (2-5%) because brand-name prices are controlled. GoodRx is most useful for identifying cheapest local compounding pharmacies; using GoodRx coupon for generic/compounded semaglutide can reveal better prices than your initial pharmacy. Process: search medication on GoodRx.com, enter your zip code, see pharmacy prices, use coupon at pharmacy to get discount. Free app available. GoodRx works best for compounded products; less useful for brand-name medications where manufacturer copay cards provide better discounts.
See the price comparison table below showing all semaglutide options from cheapest to most expensive at full retail, plus typical out-of-pocket costs after discounts/insurance.