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How much does semaglutide cost per month?

What you can expect to pay for brand-name vs. compounded semaglutide
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By | Mar. 10, 2025 Medically reviewed by Karen Berger, Pharm.D.
A syringe with dollar signs next to it: How much does semaglutide cost per month?

Key takeaways

  • Semaglutide can cost between $129 (for compounded products that are not FDA approved) and $1,850 per month (for FDA-approved products) without insurance, but you may pay less by using your insurance coverage, a patient assistance program, or a prescription discount card.

  • Many major insurance companies may cover semaglutide, depending on factors such as your individual insurance plan and the reason you’re prescribed the medication.

  • Insurance plans often have limited coverage for compounded medications, including compounded semaglutide.

  • Alternatives for semaglutide include tirzepatide, liraglutide, and metformin for managing Type 2 diabetes and weight.

In this article:

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in popular weight loss and Type 2 diabetes medications Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus. It’s a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which means the drug mimics the effects of GLP-1 (a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels, appetite, and digestion, among other functions). The medication is available in both brand-name and compounded forms, although the compounded forms are not FDA approved. Compounded semaglutide is made by special compounding pharmacies rather than pharmaceutical companies. The cost of semaglutide can vary on whether you’re getting a brand-name or compounded version and whether you have insurance coverage. A monthly supply of semaglutide ranges from about $129–$1,850 without insurance. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at semaglutide, its costs, and alternatives that may be offered. 

Is semaglutide covered by insurance?

Insurance coverage for semaglutide can depend on a few factors, like your specific plan, the type of semaglutide prescribed, the reason your healthcare provider is recommending it, and its approved indications. 

Ultimately, however, coverage varies by policy. Megan Horsham, a medical weight loss doctor at The Sanctuary Wellness Institute in Lakeland, Florida, shares some reasons why insurance plans may not cover semaglutide. “Many plans do not consider weight loss medications necessary, and some insurance companies may be concerned by inappropriate prescribing,” she says.

Does insurance cover Ozempic?

Some insurance plans may cover Ozempic for managing Type 2 diabetes, which is an indication that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat. If your healthcare provider prescribes Ozempic for weight management, which is an off-label use, insurance isn’t as likely to cover it.

Medicare Part D may cover Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes, but coverage varies by plan. Certain insurance plans (such as ones from Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Healthcare) may cover Ozempic but require prior authorization for coverage, meaning the prescriber needs to provide information such as blood tests or documentation to prove a treatment is medically necessary. Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, has an online tool to help you find out whether your insurance covers Ozempic.

Read more about how to get insurance to cover Ozempic for weight loss.

Does insurance cover Wegovy?

Insurance plans may cover Wegovy if it’s prescribed for weight loss and you meet certain criteria. Depending on the insurance plan, your healthcare provider may need to submit prior authorization before your plan covers it. For example, some plans from Cigna and Aetna may require prior authorization. Currently, Medicare plans typically don’t cover Wegovy for weight loss, but they may cover it for cardiovascular risk reduction. Some Medicaid plans may cover Wegovy, depending on the state. Novo Nordisk offers some resources to help patients find out whether their insurance may cover Wegovy. 

Learn more from our article on how to get Wegovy covered by insurance.

Does insurance cover Rybelsus?

Rybelsus is another form of semaglutide, but unlike Wegovy and Ozempic (which are weekly injections), it comes as a pill taken once daily. Similar to Ozempic, the FDA has approved Rybelsus for treating Type 2 diabetes alongside diet and lifestyle changes. If your healthcare provider prescribes Rybelsus for Type 2 diabetes, it may be covered by some insurance plans, including Medicare Part D.

Does insurance cover compounded semaglutide?

Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus are the only FDA-approved drugs that contain semaglutide. Most insurance plans are not likely to cover compounded semaglutide, for several possible reasons: 

  • Lack of FDA approval: Compounded medications don’t go through the same FDA approval process as commercially available drugs. This means they haven’t met the same standards for manufacturing and safety, making insurance companies less likely to cover them. Read more on what to consider about compounded semaglutide.
  • Limited ingredient coverage: Some insurance plans may only cover the cost of specific ingredients within a compounded medication. For example, Medicare Part D may cover some ingredients in a compounded formula, as long as they’re not covered under Part B or available commercially. 
  • Exclusion of self-administered medications: Insurance plans may exclude coverage for compounded medications that patients can administer themselves, like self-injected compounded semaglutide. For example, even if Medicare Part D covers some compounded ingredients, it typically doesn’t cover medications that you can take at home. 
  • Restrictions on off-label use: Insurance plans may not cover a medication prescribed off-label, that is, if it’s not prescribed for its FDA-approved use. 

Similar to getting coverage for Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus, getting insurance coverage for compounded semaglutide often requires showing that it’s medically necessary and proving that no other commercially available alternatives are appropriate or available (e.g., affected by a shortage). Your healthcare provider will need to provide documentation to support your request for coverage. Now that the semaglutide shortage is over, pharmacists and physicians have been ordered to stop compounding, distributing, and dispensing compounded semaglutide. For those licensed by the state, the deadline is April 22, 2025. For those licensed by the FDA, the deadline is May 22, 2025. 

How much is semaglutide without insurance?

The list price of brand-name forms of semaglutide ranges from $998–$1,349 per package, typically a month’s supply, depending on the dosage prescribed. However, most people don’t pay the list price—the original price the drug manufacturer sets for a medication before rebates and discounts are applied. The cost of semaglutide without health insurance can depend on the specific product, dosage, and pharmacy you get it from. We found the average cash prices for brand-name semaglutide to be:

  • Ozempic: $1,351 per 1, 3 mL of 2 mg/3 mL multiple-dose injector pen
  • Wegovy: $1,850 per 4, 0.75 mL of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL single-dose pens
  • Rybelsus: $1,358 per 30, 7 mg tablets

The cost of compounded semaglutide can vary significantly, but online providers tend to advertise rates between $129–$497 per month. It’s important to note that this range generally reflects the cost of the medication itself and may not include additional fees. Be sure to factor in potential extras like membership fees, prescriber visit fees, and the cost of any necessary medical tests that may be required for a prescription. Also, keep in mind that advertised prices might be tied to first-month promotions or longer-term treatment contracts. Most importantly, talk to your healthcare provider before purchasing compounded semaglutide. It is not FDA approved, and the FDA has issued warnings about its safety. 

RELATED: Is compounded semaglutide safe?

Compare semaglutide prices
Drug name FDA-approved use* Price without insurance   SingleCare price Savings options
Ozempic Type 2 diabetes in adults 

To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with Type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease 

To reduce the risk of sustained eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease, and cardiovascular death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease

 $1,351 per 1, 3 mL of 2 mg/3 mL injector pen $811 per 1, 3 mL of 2 mg/3 mL injector pen of brand-name Ozempic  See latest prices
Wegovy Chronic weight management in adults and children 12 and older with obesity and adults who are overweight with a weight-related health condition 

To reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with heart disease who either have obesity or are overweight 

 $1,850 per 4, 0.75 mL of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL single-dose pens $1,217 per 4, 0.75 mL of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL single-dose pens of brand-name Wegovy See latest prices
Rybelsus Type 2 diabetes in adults  $1,358 per 30, 7 mg tablets $857 per 30, 7 mg tablet of brand-name Rybelsus See latest prices
Compounded semaglutide Not FDA approved $129–$497 per month

(Varies by provider)  

 N/A N/A
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
*These medications are typically recommended in combination with lifestyle changes like a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

Semaglutide alternatives

Semaglutide is only one type of GLP-1 agonist medication. “There are also other options worth considering,” says Melanie Abeyta, nurse practitioner and owner of Harmony Aesthetics Center in Los Angeles, California. The FDA has approved other GLP-1 drugs for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss. Mounjaro (tirzepatide), which is a GIP/GLP-1 agonist, and Victoza (liraglutide), a GLP-1 agonist, are used to treat Type 2 diabetes while Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Saxenda (liraglutide) are used for weight loss. Zepbound is also the only FDA-approved prescription medicine for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.

Metformin is a common medication that healthcare providers may recommend for managing Type 2 diabetes instead of (or in addition to) GLP-1 medications. “Outside of GLP-1s, medications such as metformin, SGLT-2 inhibitors (such as Jardiance) or even certain off-label medications such as low-dose naltrexone may also support weight management or blood sugar control when used as part of a comprehensive approach,” Abeyta says. The best medication for you will ultimately depend on various factors, so it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider about which drug options would be best for you. 

Compare semaglutide alternatives
Drug name FDA-approved use* Price without insurance   SingleCare price Savings options
Mounjaro  (tirzepatide) Type 2 diabetes in adults  $1,461 per 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg/0.5 mL single-dose pens $872 per 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg/0.5 mL single-dose pens of brand-name Mounjaro  See latest prices
Zepbound

(tirzepatide)

 Chronic weight management in adults with obesity and adults who are overweight with a weight-related health condition

Moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity

 $1,492 per 4, 0.5 mL of 2.5 mg/0.5 mL single-dose pens $947 for 4, 0.5 mL of 2.5 mg/0.5 mL single-dose pens of brand-name Zepbound See latest prices
Victoza 

(liraglutide)

 Type 2 diabetes in adults and children 10 and older 

To reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

 $1,440 for 3, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL pens $123 for 1, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL generic liraglutide pens See latest prices
Saxenda

(liraglutide)

 Chronic weight management in adults with obesity or adults who are overweight with a weight-related health condition; and in children 12 and older with obesity and a weight above 60 kg (132 lbs) $1,802 for 5, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL pens   $1,196 for 5, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL pens of brand-name Saxenda See latest prices
Metformin Type 2 diabetes in adults and children 10 and older  $165 for 60, 500 mg tablets $4 for 60, 500 mg tablets of generic metformin See latest prices
*These medications are typically recommended in combination with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

What about compounded tirzepatide?

Similar to semaglutide, compounded tirzepatide became an option when the FDA added tirzepatide to its drug shortage list in December 2022. This allowed compounding pharmacies to offer compounded tirzepatide and provide an alternative to the drug in shortage. However, the FDA announced on October 2, 2024, that the tirzepatide shortage has ended, which would begin to impact the availability of compounded tirzepatide. 

State-licensed compounding pharmacists and physicians have been given until April 22, 2025, to wind down compounding, distributing, and dispensing compounded tirzepatide. FDA-licensed compounding pharmacies (outsourcing facilities) have until May 22, 2025 to do the same. 

How to get semaglutide without insurance 

The cost of semaglutide without insurance can vary widely, from $129 per month for compounded semaglutide (which is not FDA-approved) to $1,850 for brand-name, FDA-approved forms. While exploring cost-saving options is understandable, the FDA and healthcare providers encourage FDA-approved medications such as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus instead since they meet strict safety and quality standards. If insurance isn’t an option, consider looking into patient assistance programs offered by the drug manufacturer or using a prescription discount card. SingleCare’s prescription discount card is an easy way to get semaglutide discounts at local pharmacies.

RELATED: 8 ways to save money on Ozempic │ How to save on Wegovy for weight loss