Ozempic and GLP-1 cost calculator
Without insurance, Ozempic costs $199 for your first two fills, then $349 a month (0.25 to 1 mg) or $499 (2 mg) through NovoCare Pharmacy, versus about $1,000 at a retail pharmacy. That is roughly $4,200 to $6,500 for a first year, depending on dose.
A free, dose-aware GLP-1 cost calculator for Ozempic, Wegovy (pen and pill), Zepbound, Mounjaro, Saxenda and Rybelsus. Pick your dose and how you pay to see per-fill, first-year and multi-year totals, with intro pricing and 28-day fills counted. Educational, not medical or financial advice.
By Ian MacCallum, Founder · GLP-Done. Last reviewed . Read our methodology and editorial policy.
Prices checked Oct 2026. Estimates, not a quote.
Per fill (28 days)
$349
First year (13 fills)
$4,886
Over 12 months
$4,886
About $379 a month on average. Pens are 28-day supplies, so a year is 13 fills, not 12. That is $9,086 less than retail cash over 12 months.
Source: NovoCare Pharmacy.
Estimates only. GLP-1 prices change often and depend on your pharmacy, dose, insurance and manufacturer programs. Compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved and is not priced here. This is educational, not medical or financial advice. Never start, stop, or change a medication to save money without talking to your clinician.
Ozempic and GLP-1 cost by dose and by how you pay
| Medication | Form | Dose | Self-pay per fill | Retail cash per fill | Per year (13 fills, cheapest path) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozempic | pen | 0.25, 0.5, 1 mg | $349 | $998 | $4,886 | NovoCare Pharmacy |
| Ozempic | pen | 2 mg | $499 | $998 | $6,986 | NovoCare Pharmacy |
| Wegovy pen | pen | 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.7, 2.4 mg | $349 | $1,349 | $4,886 | NovoCare Pharmacy |
| Wegovy pen | pen | 7.2 mg | $399 | $1,349 | $5,586 | NovoCare Pharmacy |
| Wegovy pill | pill | 1.5 mg | $149 | $149 | $2,086 | NovoCare Pharmacy |
| Wegovy pill | pill | 4 mg | $199 | $199 | $2,786 | NovoCare Pharmacy |
| Wegovy pill | pill | 9, 25 mg | $299 | $299 | $4,186 | NovoCare Pharmacy |
| Zepbound | vial | 2.5 mg | $299 | $1,086 | $4,186 | LillyDirect (vials) |
| Zepbound | vial | 5 mg | $399 | $1,086 | $5,586 | LillyDirect (vials) |
| Zepbound | vial | 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 mg | $449 | $1,086 | $6,286 | LillyDirect (vials) |
| Mounjaro | pen | 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 mg | No program | $1,080 | $15,117 | List price |
| Saxenda | pen | 3 mg | No program | $1,349 | $18,886 | List price |
| Rybelsus | pill | 3, 7, 14 mg | No program | $998 | $13,966 | List price |
Prices checked Oct 2026. Typical US cash prices; your pharmacy and plan may differ.
What a year of Ozempic actually costs
Ozempic pens hold a 28-day supply, so a year is 13 fills, not 12. Through NovoCare Pharmacy a new patient on 0.25 or 0.5 mg pays $199 for the first two fills, then $349 a fill. That makes a first year about $4,237, versus about $12,974 at a typical retail cash price. At 2 mg the self-pay price is $499 a fill, about $6,487 a year.
With insurance: savings cards and Medicare
Manufacturer savings cards can bring a commercial-insurance copay down to as little as $25, but only when your plan covers the drug, and they cap the savings each month. They do not work without insurance or with government plans. Medicare coverage depends on the diagnosis and your Part D plan, so enter the copay your plan quotes. If coverage changed, read what to do when insurance stops covering a GLP-1.
Cheaper FDA-approved options to ask your clinician about
The Wegovy pill starts at $149 a month on the lowest dose through NovoCare, and LillyDirect sells Zepbound vials for less than the pen list price. Whether any of these fits you is a question for your clinician. Compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved, prices vary widely, and the FDA has warned companies about how they market it.
How we calculate
Total = intro fills x intro price + remaining fills x price per fill, with fills = months x 30.44 / 28, rounded up. Prices are pulled from manufacturer pages and list prices and re-checked monthly. See our methodology, the full guide to Ozempic cost without insurance, and the cost of staying on vs an off-ramp. Drug details: Ozempic, Wegovy. Planning to stop? Lay out your prescriber's steps in the taper calculator.
Questions about this tool
How much does Ozempic cost without insurance?
Through NovoCare Pharmacy, new patients pay $199 for the first two fills at 0.25 or 0.5 mg, then $349 a fill for 0.25 to 1 mg and $499 for 2 mg. A typical retail cash price is about $1,000 a fill. Prices checked Oct 2026 and change often.
How much does a year of Ozempic cost?
Pens are 28-day supplies, so a year is 13 fills. Through NovoCare with intro pricing, a first year at 1 mg is about $4,237 (2 x $199 + 11 x $349). At 2 mg it is about $6,487, and at retail cash about $12,974.
How many pens do I need a month?
One pen covers a 28-day fill at a steady dose, so you need about 13 fills a year. Ask your pharmacist if your dose or pen size changes.
Can I use the $25 savings card without insurance?
No. Manufacturer savings cards need commercial insurance that covers the drug, cap the monthly savings, and do not work with Medicare or Medicaid.
Is the $199 Ozempic price permanent?
No. It is for new patients, covers two fills on 0.25 or 0.5 mg, and is listed through December 31, 2026. After that the regular self-pay price applies.
Does Medicare cover Ozempic?
Part D plans often cover Ozempic for type 2 diabetes. Coverage for weight management alone is limited and depends on your plan, so enter the copay your plan quotes.
Is compounded semaglutide the same?
No. Compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved, its contents and prices vary widely, and the FDA has warned companies about how they market it. This calculator does not price it.
What happens to my results if I stop for cost?
Appetite tends to return within weeks and a share of the weight often comes back, which is physiology, not failure. A deliberate plan for the first 90 days off helps. Never stop or change a medication to save money without your clinician.
Read more
Sources & further reading
Every claim on this page is drawn from peer-reviewed research, clinical trials, or recognized health authorities. Read the source before making any decision about your health.