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Semaglutide vs. tirzepatide: what each costs in 2026
By the Everlon founding team ·
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are the two active ingredients behind most GLP-1 prescriptions for weight management. Semaglutide is sold as Wegovy® and Ozempic® by Novo Nordisk; tirzepatide as Zepbound® and Mounjaro® by Eli Lilly. Both are also prepared by compounding pharmacies and prescribed through telehealth programs. This page compares what each costs today, paying cash or through Medicare. Which one, if either, is right for you is not a price question: a licensed provider decides that.
Side by side: the brand self-pay prices (checked September 25, 2026)
These are the manufacturers' self-pay prices for the weight-management brands, Wegovy® (semaglutide) and Zepbound® (tirzepatide), for the medication only.
| Starting dose | $199 for a new patient's first two monthly fills at 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg, then $349 | $299 at 2.5 mg |
|---|---|---|
| Next step up | $349 at 1 mg, 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg | $399 at 5 mg |
| Higher doses | $399 for Wegovy® HD 7.2 mg | $449 at 7.5 mg to 15 mg if each refill is bought within 45 days; otherwise $499 at 7.5 mg and $699 at 10 mg to 15 mg |
| Where | NovoCare Pharmacy, TrumpRx | LillyDirect, TrumpRx |
| Temporary pricing | The $199 first fills run through December 31, 2026 | Lilly says the savings end December 31, 2026 |
Neither brand is cheaper at every dose. Wegovy®'s first two fills cost less than Zepbound®'s lowest dose, and Zepbound®'s 2.5 mg costs less than Wegovy® at 1 mg or more. At the top of the range, Zepbound® with on-time refills is $449 and Wegovy® HD is $399. Miss a Zepbound® refill window and the higher doses go to $699.
The other brands
Ozempic® (semaglutide) is approved for type 2 diabetes. Through NovoCare Pharmacy or TrumpRx it is $199 for a new patient's first two monthly fills at 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg, then $349; $349 at 1 mg; and $499 at 2 mg.
The Wegovy® pill (semaglutide), through NovoCare Pharmacy or TrumpRx, is $149 at 1.5 mg, $199 at 4 mg and $299 at 9 mg or 25 mg, for 30 tablets.
Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) is approved for type 2 diabetes. Lilly's self-pay prices above are for Zepbound®; check your plan or pharmacy for Mounjaro®.
Medicare
Medicare's GLP-1 Bridge runs from July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027. For people with a Part D plan who meet its eligibility criteria, and with prior authorization, it covers Wegovy® (injection or pill) and Zepbound® in the KwikPen® form for a $50 copay per one-month supply. If you qualify, that is likely to beat any cash price on this page for either ingredient. Medicare.gov lists who qualifies.
Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide
Compounded versions of both are prepared by licensed compounding pharmacies on a licensed provider's prescription. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, and they are not interchangeable with the brand-name products. Telehealth programs set their own prices, and what's included varies: some bundle the provider and follow-up, some charge more as the dose rises.
At Everlon, semaglutide is $129 first month, then $249/mo from month 2, if prescribed. Tirzepatide is $315/mo, if prescribed. Each monthly price includes the provider evaluation, check-ins, dose adjustments and standard shipping, and it doesn't change with your dose. The medication is compounded by a state-licensed 503A pharmacy.
Which one is right for you?
That is a clinical decision, not a price comparison. A licensed provider reviews your health history and decides whether either medication is appropriate for you, and which. If neither is, nothing is prescribed. What you can do is compare the cost of the options you're offered.
How to compare the cost
- Price the dose you'd actually be on, not only the starting dose. Brand prices change with the dose; the table shows how much.
- Check when temporary prices end. Several brand prices above end December 31, 2026.
- Check the refill rules. Zepbound®'s lower prices at 7.5 mg and above need a refill within 45 days.
- Add the care. The manufacturer programs sell the medication. You arrange and pay for your own prescriber and follow-up.
- Check coverage first. Insurance or the Medicare Bridge usually costs less than cash.
FAQ
Is tirzepatide more expensive than semaglutide? It depends on the dose. At the manufacturers' self-pay prices, Zepbound® 2.5 mg is $299 a month and Wegovy® is $349 a month from 1 mg up, after two $199 first fills at the lowest doses. At the highest doses, Zepbound® is $449 with on-time refills or $699 without, and Wegovy® HD 7.2 mg is $399.
Does the price go up when my dose changes? With the brand self-pay programs, usually yes. Some all-in telehealth programs charge one monthly price at every dose.
Does Medicare cover semaglutide or tirzepatide for weight management? Through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, for eligible people with Part D: Wegovy® (injection or pill) and Zepbound® KwikPen®, for a $50 copay per one-month supply, with prior authorization.
Is a prescription guaranteed? Never. A licensed provider reviews your health history and prescribes only when clinically appropriate.
Sources
- Wegovy® pen — TrumpRx.gov, accessed 2026-09-25
- Ozempic® — TrumpRx.gov, accessed 2026-09-25
- Wegovy® pill — TrumpRx.gov, accessed 2026-09-25
- Wegovy® self-pay offer — NovoCare Pharmacy (Novo Nordisk), accessed 2026-09-25
- Zepbound® — TrumpRx.gov, accessed 2026-09-25
- Zepbound® coverage, affordability and savings — Eli Lilly, accessed 2026-09-25
- Medicare GLP-1 Bridge — CMS, accessed 2026-09-25
- Weight loss drugs — Medicare.gov, accessed 2026-09-25
Ozempic® and Wegovy® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Zepbound®, Mounjaro® and KwikPen® are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. NovoCare, LillyDirect and TrumpRx are programs of their respective owners. Everlon is not affiliated with or endorsed by Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly or TrumpRx.gov.
Where to go next
Compounded medications are prepared by a state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacy and are not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness, or quality before they are dispensed.
Individual results vary. Treatment is prescribed only when clinically appropriate, and a prescription is never guaranteed. This article is for education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If this is a medical emergency, call 911.