Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, or Mounjaro: which GLP-1 is right for you and what will it cost?

GLP-1 medications have become some of the most talked-about prescriptions in the country, and for good reason. They can produce meaningful, sustained weight loss and help manage blood sugar for people with type 2 diabetes. But with several options on the market, it's not always clear how they differ or why the cost varies so much. Here's a look at the four most in-demand GLP-1s and what you might expect to pay.

The four most popular GLP-1s

Wegovy (semaglutide)

Approved for: Chronic weight management

Form: Weekly injectable pen

Wegovy is FDA-approved specifically for weight loss and is one of the most prescribed options for that purpose. Clinical trials showed participants losing around 15% of their body weight on average. It also received FDA approval to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events in adults with obesity and cardiovascular disease. Because it's a weight-loss drug rather than a diabetes drug, insurance coverage is less consistent, which puts more people in the position of paying out of pocket.

Retail price without insurance: $1,300–$2,000/month

With Inside Rx: Savings of up to 80% may be available. Check your price for Wegovy at InsideRx.com/drugs/wegovy.

Ozempic (semaglutide)

Approved for: Type 2 diabetes

Form: Weekly injectable pen

Ozempic contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy (semaglutide) but at a lower dose, and it's FDA-approved for diabetes management. It's also widely prescribed off -label for weight loss. Because it carries a diabetes indication, insurance tends to cover it more often than Wegovy. It remains one of the most searched and recognized GLP-1s on the market.

Retail price without insurance: $900–$1,800/month

With InsideRx: Savings of up to 80% may be available. Check your price for Ozempic at InsideRx.com/drugs/ozempic

Zepbound (tirzepatide)

Approved for: Chronic weight management

Form: Weekly injectable pen

Zepbound is the newest of the major weight-loss GLP-1s and works a bit differently, it targets two receptors (GLP-1 and GIP) instead of one. That dual mechanism has translated into some of the strongest clinical results to date, with trials showing up to 21% body weight reduction. For patients who haven't gotten the results they were hoping for with other GLP-1s, Zepbound is increasingly the next conversation with their doctor.

Retail price without insurance: Varies by dose; manufacturer direct pricing starts at $349–$499/month

With Inside Rx: Savings may be available at participating pharmacies. Check your price for Zepbound at InsideRx.com/drugs/zepbound

Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Approved for: Type 2 diabetes

Form: Weekly injectable pen

Mounjaro is Zepbound's diabetes counterpart, same active ingredient (tirzepatide), different FDA indication. For patients managing type 2 diabetes, insurance coverage is more common than with weight-loss-specific drugs. It's also sometimes prescribed off-label for weight management, making it a popular choice for people whose insurance covers diabetes medications but not weight-loss ones.

Retail price without insurance: Varies by dose and pharmacy

With Inside Rx: Savings may be available. Check your price for Mounjaro at InsideRx.com/drugs/mounjaro

Which one is right for you?

That's a question for your doctor, and the answer depends on factors like your primary goal (weight loss vs. blood sugar management), your insurance coverage, how much weight you're looking to lose, and how you tolerate each medication. What your plan covers, or doesn't, often ends up being the deciding factor.

How Inside Rx can help with the cost

Whichever GLP-1 you've been prescribed, Inside Rx is a free discount card accepted at over 60,000 pharmacies nationwide. No sign-up, no membership fee, no insurance required. Just present your card at the pharmacy to access Inside Rx pricing, savings of up to 80% off retail may be available, though actual savings vary by medication and pharmacy location.

Inside Rx is not insurance and cannot be combined with insurance benefits or government programs like Medicare or Medicaid.

See what you'd pay when you visit InsideRx.com.