GLP-1 Cost Calculator

Why GLP-1 prices vary so much

The same molecule can cost several times more depending on how it reaches you. Brand-name pens such as Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound and Mounjaro carry manufacturer list prices that have historically sat above $1,000 a month. Manufacturer self-pay programs, compounded versions and insurance coverage all change what you actually pay.

Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are prepared by licensed pharmacies to a prescribed dose. They cost far less, but they are not FDA-approved as finished products, which is a real difference and not just a label.

Insurance coverage for weight loss is patchy. Many plans cover GLP-1s for type 2 diabetes but exclude them for weight management, and those that do cover them often require prior authorization and proof of earlier attempts.

Think in years, not months

The trial results everyone quotes took 68 to 72 weeks to reach. Most of the loss happens in the first eight to ten months, and stopping usually brings a large share of the weight back. That makes the yearly cost a more honest number to plan around than the first month.

Doses also step up over the first few months. A price that looks low at the starting dose can rise once you reach a maintenance dose, so check what the price will be at the dose you are likely to end on.

What cost per pound tells you

Tirzepatide costs more per month than semaglutide, but it also produced larger average weight loss in its trials: 20.9% against 14.9%. Dividing the cost by the expected loss puts the two on the same footing.

The figure uses trial averages. Some people lose much more and some much less, so treat it as a way to compare options, not a forecast.

Costs people forget

Lab work before starting and during treatment, needles and sharps disposal, clinician visits, and shipping can add up. Voltameds prices include the clinician and follow-up, but not every provider does, so compare like for like.