GLP-1 Cost Comparison (November 2026): Pill vs Pen vs Compounded, US, Canada and Australia

In the US, the cheapest official self-pay GLP-1s are now pills: the Wegovy pill and Lilly's Foundayo both start at $149 a month. Pens start at $199 (Wegovy, first two fills) and $299 (Zepbound KwikPen), and top doses run $299 to $499. In Canada, generic semaglutide is roughly C$100 a month. In Australia, most people still pay privately, often $200 to $700 a month.

Every price below comes from the manufacturer's own self-pay page, the US government's TrumpRx site, or a named news report, all checked Oct 25, 2026. Prices change often (several offers on this page end December 31, 2026), and nothing here is medical advice. Which drug and which dose is right for you is a conversation for your doctor or pharmacist.

How much do GLP-1s cost per month in 2026?

"Self-pay" means paying cash without insurance, usually through the maker's own pharmacy (LillyDirect or NovoCare).

Option	Typical monthly self-pay	How you get it	Notes
Wegovy pill (semaglutide)	$149 to $299	Prescription, NovoCare home delivery or savings offer	$149 at 1.5 mg, $199 at 4 mg, $299 at 9 mg and 25 mg (NovoCare, checked Oct 25, 2026)
Foundayo pill (orforglipron)	$149 to $299	Prescription, LillyDirect	2.5 mg and 5.5 mg prices temporarily reduced through Dec 31, 2026; top doses $299 if you refill within 45 days (LillyDirect, checked Oct 25, 2026)
Wegovy pen (semaglutide)	$199 to $399	Prescription, NovoCare	$199 for the first 2 fills of the lowest doses for new patients through Dec 31, 2026, then $349; Wegovy HD $399 (NovoCare, checked Oct 25, 2026)
Zepbound KwikPen or vials (tirzepatide)	$299 to $449	Prescription, LillyDirect	$449 for higher doses only if you refill within 45 days, otherwise $499 to $699 (LillyDirect, checked Oct 25, 2026)
Ozempic pen (semaglutide)	$199 to $499	Prescription, NovoCare	Approved for type 2 diabetes; $349 for most doses, $499 for 2 mg (NovoCare, checked Oct 25, 2026)
Mounjaro pen (tirzepatide)	$499	Prescription, LillyDirect	Approved for type 2 diabetes; $499 listed per dose shown (LillyDirect, checked Oct 25, 2026)
Compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide	No official price	Telehealth or compounding pharmacy	Not FDA approved; recalls and FDA inspection findings in October 2026 (see below)
With commercial insurance that covers it	As little as $25	Savings card at your pharmacy	Max savings of $100 a month on Novo cards; eligibility rules apply
Medicare GLP-1 Bridge	$50	Medicare Part D, clinical criteria	Covers Wegovy, Zepbound KwikPen, and Foundayo for eligible patients (NovoCare and LillyDirect, checked Oct 25, 2026)

Short version: pills are the cheapest entry point, pens cost more at top doses, and covering insurance is still the biggest discount.

Pill vs pen: which GLP-1 is cheaper?

At the starting doses, the pills win. Both the Wegovy pill and Foundayo list $149 a month for their lowest doses, while the cheapest pens (Wegovy and Ozempic) are $199 for a new patient's first two fills.

At the top doses, the gap gets bigger. The highest Foundayo and Wegovy pill doses both list $299 a month. The higher Zepbound doses list $449 with the 45-day refill rule, and Wegovy pen doses list $349. Over a year, that adds up:

• Foundayo or Wegovy pill at $299 a month: 299 × 12 = $3,588
• Zepbound KwikPen at $449 a month: 449 × 12 = $5,388
• Difference: (449 - 299) × 12 = $1,800 a year

That math is price only. Pills and pens are different drugs with different results, side effects, and routines. CNBC reported at Foundayo's approval that it "doesn't produce as much weight loss" as Zepbound. Cost is a fair thing to raise with your prescriber, not a reason to switch on your own.

What is Foundayo and how much does it cost?

Foundayo (orforglipron) is Lilly's once-daily GLP-1 pill for weight loss. The FDA approved it on April 1, 2026, and CNBC reported it began shipping from LillyDirect shortly after. Unlike the Wegovy pill, Lilly says it can be taken any time of day without food or water restrictions.

LillyDirect lists these self-pay prices (checked Oct 25, 2026):

Foundayo dose	Self-pay price	Condition
0.8 mg	$149/month	Starting dose
2.5 mg	$149/month	Temporarily reduced through Dec 31, 2026
5.5 mg	$199/month	Temporarily reduced through Dec 31, 2026
9 mg	$299/month
14.5 mg	$299/month	If refilled within 45 days
17.2 mg	$299/month	If refilled within 45 days

With commercial insurance that covers it, Lilly says you could pay as low as $25 a month. The $50 figure you may have seen is the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: eligible Medicare Part D patients can get Foundayo or the Zepbound KwikPen for $50 a month. One note on timing: Lilly's third-quarter results are scheduled for Oct 29, 2026, after this post was checked, so any new pricing announced there is not reflected here.

How much is the Wegovy pill vs the Wegovy pen on NovoCare?

NovoCare lists the Wegovy pill at $149 (1.5 mg), $199 (4 mg), and $299 (9 mg and 25 mg) a month, where one month is a bottle of 30 tablets. The Wegovy pen is $199 a month for the first two fills of 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg for new patients through December 31, 2026, then $349 a month at every dose, and $399 for Wegovy HD (7.2 mg).

A worked example: a new self-pay patient on the pen for a year pays $199 × 2 + $349 × 10 = $3,888. NovoCare says its pricing is "to be updated after December 31, 2026," so treat any 2027 math as a guess.

Is TrumpRx cheaper than LillyDirect or NovoCare?

Not for these drugs. TrumpRx.gov lists the same starting prices you get from the makers: Wegovy pill $149, Wegovy pen $199, Ozempic $199, and Zepbound $299 a month (checked Oct 25, 2026). It also shows the old list prices those replace: $1,349 for Wegovy, $1,028 for Ozempic, and $1,087 for Zepbound. CNBC reported the $149 starting price came from an agreement Lilly and Novo struck with the Trump administration in fall 2025.

Are compounded GLP-1s safe, and what happened in October 2026?

Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA approved. The FDA says plainly that it "does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are marketed." There is no official price to compare, which is why the table says so. We do not recommend any compounded seller.

Two stories this month are worth knowing:

• A nationwide recall. As reported by USA Today and Fox Business on Oct 20, 2026, Apothecary Pharma recalled 22 vials of compounded tirzepatide (plus one NAD+ vial) because sterility could not be assured. The FDA classified it as Class II on Oct 8. Fox Business reported no illnesses or injuries in the FDA notice. It is a small recall, but it followed a December 2025 FDA warning letter to the same company.
• Mold at ingredient plants. Bloomberg reported on Oct 15, 2026 that FDA inspectors found "gross contamination," including mold and bugs, at two Chinese facilities supplying semaglutide and tirzepatide ingredients for compounders. Both were placed on an FDA import alert. The finished drugs themselves were not tested.

The FDA's consumer red flags include medicine "at deep discounts or prices that seem too good to be true." If cost is what pushed you toward compounded options, ask your pharmacist about the $149 pills or a savings card first.

How much do GLP-1s cost in Canada?

Canada has generic semaglutide, and the US does not. Health Canada approved generics from Dr. Reddy's and Apotex in spring 2026, and Sandoz announced its approval in September. CBC reported on May 29, 2026 that pharmacies had brought the price to roughly C$100 a month, compared with up to C$400 a month one patient had paid for brand Ozempic. The generics are approved for type 2 diabetes; the BBC noted they can be prescribed off-label for weight loss.

Supply has been bumpy:

• Quebec shortage. The Montreal Gazette reported on Sep 28, 2026 that generic semaglutide was out of stock at pharmacies across Quebec amid recalls and high demand, and that the shortage might not be resolved until early 2027, according to Quebec's association of pharmacy distributors.
• Dr. Reddy's relaunch. Reuters reported on Oct 23, 2026 that Dr. Reddy's recalled batches of its generic semaglutide in Canada in August over an impurity issue and plans to relaunch in Canada this quarter.
• Brand price cuts. Novo Nordisk Canada expanded its Ozempic Savings Card on July 6, 2026 to price Ozempic "aligned with generic alternatives" for eligible patients, everywhere except Quebec.

Brand Wegovy is still pricey: the BBC reported one Ontario patient paying C$350 to C$500 a month out of pocket.

How much do GLP-1s cost in Australia, and are they on the PBS?

Most Australians using GLP-1s for weight pay privately. RACGP's newsGP reported in August 2026 that about half a million Australians use them, with almost half paying $200 to $700 a month out of pocket for conditions other than diabetes. Health Minister Mark Butler said price agreement with Novo Nordisk and Lilly is "the main barrier" to a broad PBS listing.

What exists today, per newsGP: a staged PBS rollout of Wegovy for people with obesity and cardiovascular disease risk, announced in January 2026 for people with established cardiovascular disease and a BMI of 35 or higher. PBS scripts cost up to $25 in 2026, or $7.70 with a concession card, according to ABC. Lilly said in April it would not proceed with a PBS listing for Mounjaro, and ABC reported it can cost as much as $700 a month privately.

The pill question. As of Oct 25, 2026, we could not find an approved oral GLP-1 for weight loss in Australia. The AFR reported on Oct 9 that more than 10,000 Australians had joined a wait-list for weight-loss pills "expected to arrive by Christmas," and that the TGA is expected to follow the US and Europe. Novo told 7NEWS in July it is working through TGA approval for the Wegovy pill, and the AFR reported in March that Lilly confirmed Foundayo is under TGA evaluation. Neither is approved as far as we could verify, so no Australian price exists yet. Check the TGA before believing any "available now" ad.

Protect your muscle on any GLP-1

Whatever you pay, you want the weight you lose to be mostly fat. It is not all fat by default. A 2025 joint advisory from four obesity and nutrition societies notes that in the STEP 1 semaglutide trial, of an average 13.6 kg lost, 5.3 kg (38%) was lean body mass. It names protein and strength training as the levers, recommending strength training "at least three times weekly" and listing protein reference points from the 0.8 g/kg RDA up to the 1.2 to 1.6 g/kg proposed during active weight loss. Your clinician picks your number.

The hard part is appetite. The same advisory reports calorie intake drops of 16% to 39% on GLP-1s, and protein shrinks with everything else. Our protein on GLP-1s guide has small, protein-dense portions that fit a tiny appetite, and the GLP-1 protein calculator turns the advisory's ranges into grams for your body. For calorie context, see How Many Calories on Ozempic, and if you are planning a stop, Coming Off Ozempic. If you have a history of disordered eating, please work with a doctor or registered dietitian on any intake targets.

Tracking protein on a small appetite with Nouri

I built Nouri because tracking was too slow to stick. My first tracker had fine numbers, but adding a normal dinner took several minutes, and after a long day I just would not do it. On a GLP-1, that problem gets sneakier: five tiny meals means five chances to skip one, and the skipped one might be the yogurt that carried your protein.

So in Nouri, tracking is one sentence. Type "half a cup of cottage cheese," say it, snap a photo (Nouri turns it into a sentence first so you can check what it saw), or use Siri from the lock screen: "Hey Siri, track food in Nouri." Each entry shows per-item reasoning and a confidence rating, and protein sits right next to calories with its own daily goal. Turn on Prioritize Protein and your targets lean toward protein automatically.

Your weekly Nouri Report puts average protein next to your target, so you see the trend, not just one rough Tuesday. Nouri is a food tracker, not a medical tool, and it never replaces your prescriber. Most calorie apps give you numbers. Nouri gives you answers.

FAQ

What is the cheapest GLP-1 without insurance in 2026?

In the US, the lowest official self-pay prices are $149 a month for the starting doses of the Wegovy pill and Foundayo (NovoCare and LillyDirect, checked Oct 25, 2026). Higher doses cost more. In Canada, generic semaglutide has been reported at roughly C$100 a month.

How much is Zepbound per month without insurance?

LillyDirect lists the Zepbound KwikPen and vials at $299 (2.5 mg), $399 (5 mg), and $449 for 7.5 mg to 15 mg if you refill within 45 days. Miss that window and the higher doses list at $499 to $699 (checked Oct 25, 2026).

How much is Wegovy per month without insurance?

NovoCare lists the Wegovy pill at $149 to $299 a month by dose and the Wegovy pen at $349 a month, with $199 for a new patient's first two low-dose fills through Dec 31, 2026. Wegovy HD is $399 (checked Oct 25, 2026).

How much does Foundayo cost?

Foundayo lists at $149 to $299 a month self-pay on LillyDirect, depending on dose, with some prices temporarily reduced through Dec 31, 2026. With covering commercial insurance, it can be as low as $25 a month.

Is the Wegovy pill cheaper than the pen?

At list self-pay prices, yes at every dose shown: the pill runs $149 to $299 a month and the pen $349 after the intro offer. Whether the pill fits your situation is a question for your doctor.

Is Ozempic cheaper than Wegovy?

Not really at self-pay: NovoCare lists Ozempic at $349 for most doses and $499 for 2 mg, versus $349 for most Wegovy pens. Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy for weight management, so they are not interchangeable without your prescriber.

Can I get a GLP-1 for $25 a month?

Possibly, if you have commercial insurance that covers the drug. Novo and Lilly savings cards can bring the copay to as little as $25, with limits and eligibility rules. Government insurance is excluded.

What is the $50 GLP-1 program for Medicare?

The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge lets eligible Medicare Part D patients get Wegovy, the Zepbound KwikPen, or Foundayo for weight management for $50 a month. It requires a prescription and meeting clinical criteria.

Are compounded GLP-1s cheaper and safe to use?

Compounded versions are not FDA approved, and the FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness, or quality. October 2026 brought a compounded tirzepatide recall and reports of mold at ingredient plants. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before considering one.

Is generic Ozempic available in Canada?

Yes. Health Canada has approved generic semaglutide from several makers, and CBC reported prices around C$100 a month at launch. Supply has been tight in Quebec, so ask your pharmacist.

Is Wegovy on the PBS in Australia?

Only narrowly. A staged PBS listing covers some people with obesity and cardiovascular disease, while most Australians still pay privately, often $200 to $700 a month. A broad listing is still in price talks.

What is the easiest way to track protein on a GLP-1?

Use a tracker that takes one sentence. Nouri lets you type, say, snap, or Siri what you ate, then shows protein per meal and a weekly Report against your target, so small meals still count.

GLP-1 prices are falling and shifting fast, so recheck the official pages before every refill and ask your pharmacist about savings cards. Whatever you pay, protect what you are paying for: hit your protein with Nouri, size it with the GLP-1 protein calculator, and fill small plates using High-Protein Foods.

Sources

• NovoCare, Wegovy savings offer and self-pay pricing, novocare.com/obesity/products/wegovy/savings-offer.html (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• NovoCare, Ozempic savings offer and self-pay pricing, novocare.com/diabetes/products/ozempic/savings-offer.html (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• LillyDirect, Foundayo self-pay pricing, lilly.com/lillydirect/medicines/foundayo (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• LillyDirect, Zepbound self-pay pricing, lilly.com/lillydirect/medicines/zepbound (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• LillyDirect, Mounjaro self-pay pricing, lilly.com/lillydirect/medicines/mounjaro (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• LillyDirect, Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, lilly.com/lillydirect/medicare (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• Zepbound coverage and savings terms, zepbound.lilly.com/coverage-savings (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• TrumpRx.gov, medication prices, trumprx.gov (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• CNBC, "FDA approves Eli Lilly's GLP-1 pill, opening the next phase of the weight loss drug market," April 1, 2026, cnbc.com (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• Eli Lilly, "FDA approves Lilly's Foundayo (orforglipron), the only GLP-1 pill for weight loss that can be taken any time of day without food or water restrictions," April 1, 2026, investor.lilly.com (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• Eli Lilly, "Lilly confirms date and conference call for third-quarter 2026 financial results announcement," investor.lilly.com (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• FDA, "FDA's concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss," content current as of Oct 1, 2026, fda.gov (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• USA Today, "GLP-1 injections recalled nationwide. See affected products," Oct 20, 2026, usatoday.com (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• Fox Business, "GLP-1 injections recalled nationwide over sterility concerns," Oct 20, 2026, foxbusiness.com (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• BioPharma Dive, "GLP-1 compounder issues recall for copycat Zepbound," Oct 22, 2026, biopharmadive.com (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• Bloomberg, "Black Mold, Bugs Found at Chinese Plants Making GLP-1 Compounding Agents," Oct 15, 2026, bloomberg.com (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• CBC News, "Generic Ozempic is now about $100 a month across the country," May 29, 2026, cbc.ca (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• BBC News, "Why Canadians can now get cheaper generic Ozempic - and Americans can't," June 3, 2026, bbc.com (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• Montreal Gazette, "Generic Ozempic shortage at Quebec pharmacies amid recalls and skyrocketing demand," Sep 28, 2026, montrealgazette.com (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• Reuters via KSL, "Dr Reddy's rolls out new generic Ozempic brands amid Obeda supply disruption," Oct 23, 2026, ksl.com (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• Novo Nordisk Canada, "Ozempic Savings Card Program Expanded for Patients with Private Coverage," July 6, 2026, newswire.ca (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• Sandoz, "Sandoz receives regulatory approval for generic semaglutide in Canada," Sep 18, 2026, sandoz.com (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• RACGP newsGP, "Price talks continue as Health Minister pushes for GLP-1 PBS access," Aug 12, 2026, racgp.org.au (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• ABC News, "Weight loss drug Wegovy to be subsidised for Australians with severe obesity," Jan 12, 2026, abc.net.au (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• ABC News, "Doctors condemn Eli Lilly move to dispense GLP-1 medication Mounjaro direct to door," Oct 1, 2026, abc.net.au (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• Australian Financial Review, "'One of the biggest drugs': Thousands line up for weight-loss pill," Oct 9, 2026, afr.com (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• Australian Financial Review, "Eli Lilly confirms oral GLP-1 weight-loss drug being evaluated by TGA," March 5, 2026, afr.com (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• 7NEWS, "Wegovy weight loss pill could be approved in Australia by Christmas," July 8, 2026, 7news.com.au (checked Oct 25, 2026)
• Mozaffarian D et al., "Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: A joint Advisory," Obesity, 2025;33(8):1475-1503, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12304835 (checked Oct 25, 2026)