GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound can cost over $1,000 per month without insurance. But there are much more affordable options available through telehealth providers offering compounded versions. We'll show you how to get GLP-1 medications for as low as $99/month.
Brand-Name (Without Insurance)
- Ozempic: $900-$1,200/month
- Wegovy: $1,300-$1,700/month
- Mounjaro: $1,000-$1,200/month
- Zepbound: $1,000-$1,200/month
Compounded (Telehealth)
- Semaglutide: $99-$399/month
- Tirzepatide: $149-$499/month
- Savings: Up to 90%
Why Are GLP-1 Medications So Expensive?
Brand-name GLP-1 medications are among the most expensive prescription drugs in the United States. There are several reasons for these high prices:
- Patent protection: Novo Nordisk (Ozempic, Wegovy) and Eli Lilly (Mounjaro, Zepbound) hold patents that prevent generic competition
- Complex manufacturing: These are biologic medications that require sophisticated production processes
- High demand: The popularity of these medications for weight loss has driven prices up
- Limited insurance coverage: Many insurers don't cover weight loss medications, leaving patients to pay full price
How to Get Affordable GLP-1 Medications
There are several strategies to reduce the cost of GLP-1 medications:
Compounded Medications (Most Affordable)
Telehealth providers offer compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide starting at $99/month—up to 90% less than brand-name versions.
Manufacturer Savings Programs
Programs like Novo Nordisk's savings card can reduce costs for eligible patients with commercial insurance.
Insurance Coverage
If you have diabetes, insurance is more likely to cover Ozempic or Mounjaro. Some plans now cover weight loss indications too.
Patient Assistance Programs
Income-qualified patients may receive free or reduced-cost medication through manufacturer programs.
Cheapest GLP-1 Telehealth Providers Ranked
Compounded GLP-1 medications through telehealth providers offer the most significant savings. Here are the most affordable options ranked by price and quality:
Pricing
All-inclusive pricing includes medication, consultation, and shipping
Why CoreAge Rx is #1
- Lowest prices we've found anywhere
- 503B outsourcing facility (FDA-regulated)
- No hidden fees or subscriptions
- Fast shipping included
- Licensed physicians in all 50 states
Semaglutide: $149/month
Tirzepatide: $199/month
- Body program with coaching
- Metabolic testing available
- $50 more than CoreAge Rx
Semaglutide: $199/month
Tirzepatide: $299/month
- Simple signup process
- Good customer service
- $100 more than CoreAge Rx
Semaglutide: $199/month
Tirzepatide: $299/month
- Women-specific care approach
- Well-designed app
- Women only
Semaglutide: $250/month
Tirzepatide: $350/month
- Obesity medicine specialists
- Comprehensive care
- $150+ more than CoreAge Rx
Complete GLP-1 Price Comparison
| Provider | Semaglutide | Tirzepatide | Consultation | Shipping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoreAge RxBest | $99 | $150 | Included | Included |
| Ro | $149 | $199 | Included | Included |
| Henry Meds | $199 | $299 | Included | Included |
| Hers | $199 | $299 | Included | Included |
| Mochi Health | $250 | $350 | $25/month | Included |
| Calibrate | $299 | $399 | Included | Included |
| Found | $299 | $399 | $19/month | Included |
Prices as of January 2026. All prices are per month and may vary based on dosage and location.
Compounded vs. Brand-Name GLP-1: What's the Difference?
Understanding the difference between compounded and brand-name GLP-1 medications is essential for making an informed decision:
- FDA-approved specific formulations
- Manufactured by Novo Nordisk or Eli Lilly
- Extensive clinical trial data
- $900-$1,700/month without insurance
- Ongoing shortage issues
- Same active ingredient (semaglutide/tirzepatide)
- Made by licensed compounding pharmacies
- $99-$399/month (up to 90% savings)
- More readily available
- Quality varies by pharmacy (choose 503B)
Why 503B Pharmacies Matter for Price AND Quality
When choosing an affordable compounded GLP-1 provider, the pharmacy source is crucial. Not all compounding pharmacies are equal:
503B Outsourcing Facilities
- ✓ FDA-registered and inspected
- ✓ cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice)
- ✓ Batch testing required
- ✓ Can produce large quantities
- ✓ Higher quality standards
CoreAge Rx uses 503B pharmacies
503A Compounding Pharmacies
- • State-regulated (varies by state)
- • Made for individual prescriptions
- • Less oversight than 503B
- • Quality can be inconsistent
- • Often similar pricing to 503B
Many budget providers use 503A pharmacies
Important: The cheapest option isn't always the best value. Some ultra-low-cost providers use lower quality 503A pharmacies. CoreAge Rx offers the best combination of low price AND high quality with 503B pharmacy sourcing.
How Much Can You Save Per Year?
The savings from choosing compounded GLP-1 medications add up significantly over time:
| Option | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Annual Savings vs. Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand Semaglutide (Wegovy) | $1,349 | $16,188 | — |
| CoreAge Rx Semaglutide | $99 | $1,188 | $15,000 |
| Brand Tirzepatide (Zepbound) | $1,059 | $12,708 | — |
| CoreAge Rx Tirzepatide | $150 | $1,800 | $10,908 |
Tips for Getting the Lowest GLP-1 Price
1. Check for All-Inclusive Pricing
Some providers advertise low medication costs but add fees for consultations, shipping, or supplies. CoreAge Rx includes everything in their $99 price.
2. Consider Multi-Month Plans
Some providers offer discounts for 3-month or 6-month commitments. However, it's often better to start month-to-month to ensure the medication works for you.
3. Don't Sacrifice Quality for Price
Extremely cheap options (under $75/month) may use questionable pharmacy sources. Stick with providers using 503B pharmacies.
4. Check Insurance First (For Diabetes)
If you have Type 2 diabetes, your insurance may cover Ozempic or Mounjaro with a lower copay than compounded versions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compounded semaglutide from CoreAge Rx at $99/month is currently the most affordable quality option. This is the same active ingredient found in Ozempic and Wegovy but at a fraction of the brand-name cost.
Compounded semaglutide from reputable 503B pharmacies is safe and effective. The key is choosing a provider that sources from FDA-registered 503B outsourcing facilities. Avoid providers that don't disclose their pharmacy source or offer unusually low prices (under $75/month).
Compounded medications are cheaper because compounding pharmacies don't have the same R&D, marketing, and patent costs as brand-name manufacturers. They also use more cost-effective packaging (vials instead of single-use pens) and have lower overhead through telehealth delivery.
No, tirzepatide is typically $50-$100 more per month than semaglutide for compounded versions. At CoreAge Rx, semaglutide is $99/month while tirzepatide is $150/month. However, tirzepatide may provide better weight loss results for some people, making it worth the extra cost.
Most insurance plans don't cover compounded medications. However, the out-of-pocket cost for compounded semaglutide ($99/month) is often less than insurance copays for brand-name versions. You may be able to use HSA or FSA funds for compounded medications with a prescription.
Some providers charge separately for consultations ($50-$100), shipping ($20-$30), supplies ($15-$25), or require monthly membership fees. Always confirm the total monthly cost including all fees. CoreAge Rx includes everything in their $99 price with no hidden charges.
You don't need to pay $1,000+ per month for effective GLP-1 weight loss medication. Compounded versions from reputable telehealth providers offer the same active ingredients at a fraction of the cost.
Our recommendation: CoreAge Rx offers the best value with semaglutide at $99/month and tirzepatide at $150/month. They use FDA-regulated 503B pharmacies and include all fees in their pricing.
$99
Cheapest quality semaglutide
$150
Cheapest quality tirzepatide
90%
Savings vs. brand-name