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Compounded vs brand-name GLP-1 prices: what each really costs

Updated Sep 30, 2026. Numbers in brackets link to the source each fact comes from.

The price gap between compounded and brand-name GLP-1s is smaller than most ads suggest. Brand-name self-pay prices from the makers now start at $149 a month for the lowest Wegovy pill and Foundayo doses and $299 for the lowest Zepbound dose [1] [6] [3], while one telehealth company that publishes its compounded prices charges $299 a month for the medicine plus a $49 monthly membership on a month-to-month plan [8] [9] [10]. What you actually pay on either side depends on your dose, the plan length and the fees around the drug.

Brand-name self-pay prices

These are the prices on the makers’ own pharmacy pages. They cover the medicine only; you still need a prescriber.

Medicine Lowest dose Highest dose
Wegovy pill $149 (1.5 mg) [1] $299 (9 mg or 25 mg) [1]
Wegovy injection $199 for the first 2 fills, then $349 [2] $349 up to 2.4 mg, $399 for 7.2 mg [2]
Zepbound $299 (2.5 mg) [3] $449 (15 mg, refilled within 45 days) [4]
Foundayo $149 (0.8 mg) [6] $299 (17.2 mg, refilled within 45 days) [7]

Watch the Zepbound refill rule: miss the 45-day refill window on 10 mg or more and the regular price is $699 a month [5].

Compounded prices from two sellers’ own pages

Two compounded sellers publish prices on pages we could read and cite, and we found no FDA warning letter to either. Their pages show how the headline number and the real bill differ. We name them only as examples of pricing, not as recommendations.

Plan Monthly cost What the page says is included
Lemonaid, compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide, month to month $299 for the medicine plus $49 membership [8] [9] [10] Medicine billed separately from membership [9]
Lemonaid, 3-month plan $249 a month for the medicine plus membership [9] [10] Same
Lemonaid, compounded tirzepatide, 6-month plan $229 a month for the medicine plus membership [9] Same
Found, cash plan paid 12 months up front from $169 per 28-day cycle [12] [13] Compounded medicine included [14]
Found, cash plan paid monthly from $289 [13] Compounded medicine included [14]

Three things stand out. The lowest compounded figures need you to pay months ahead: Found’s $169 rate is for a 12-month plan paid up front [13]. Found bills per 28-day cycle rather than per calendar month [12]. And at Lemonaid, month-to-month compounded tirzepatide costs the same $299 as the starting dose of brand-name Zepbound vials, which the same company offers through LillyDirect [9] [11].

The FDA’s February 2026 warning letter to Strut Health says the compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide on its website carried the Strut name on the label even though Strut is not the compounder [15].

Comparing fairly

  • Match the dose. Brand prices climb with the dose. Compare what you would pay once you reach your maintenance dose, not the first month.
  • Count every fee. A membership, visit or lab fee on top of the drug belongs in the monthly total.
  • Read the plan length. Prepaid plans lower the monthly rate but lock in your money.
  • Compare like with like. Compounded products vary: the FDA notes that concentrations differ between compounders, and one compounder may sell several [20].

Why GLPLens lists only brand-name medicines

Compounded GLP-1s are not FDA-approved, so the FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are sold [16]. The shortages that allowed wide compounding are over: neither semaglutide nor tirzepatide is on the FDA’s shortage list or its 503B bulks list [17]. The FDA has also proposed keeping both off that bulks list [18] and said it intends to restrict GLP-1 ingredients used in mass-marketed compounded drugs [19], so the rules these offers depend on are still moving. And the FDA knows of compounded products sold with false labels [21].

We can check a brand-name price against the maker’s page every week. We cannot check what is inside a compounded vial. That is why our price table and savings check cover FDA-approved medicines only. For the full picture on compounding rules, see what the FDA says about compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide.

26 verified prices, 8 not ranked (full cost not published)

GLP-1 programs sorted by what the first 52 weeks cost at the starting dose, all fees included. Prices are self-pay unless the Insurance filter is on.
#ProgramMedicationPrice, starting doseActions
1LillyDirectDirect from the makerChecked Sep 28, 2026FoundayoPill, 0.8 mg$149 per 30 daysFirst 52 weeks: $1,937
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2NovoCare PharmacyDirect from the makerChecked Sep 30, 2026WegovyPill, 1.5 mg$149 per 30 daysFirst 52 weeks: $1,937
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3WeightWatchers Med+Online clinicChecked Sep 28, 2026FoundayoPill, 0.8 mg$149 per 30 days+ $74 per month ($25 for the first one) membershipFirst 52 weeks: $2,776
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4WeightWatchers Med+Online clinicChecked Sep 30, 2026WegovyPill, 1.5 mg$149 per 30 days+ $74 per month ($25 for the first one) membershipFirst 52 weeks: $2,776
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5SesameOnline clinicChecked Sep 30, 2026WegovyPill, 1.5 mg$149 per 30 days+ $99 per month membershipFirst 52 weeks: $3,125
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6SesameOnline clinicChecked Sep 28, 2026FoundayoPill, 0.8 mg$149 per 30 days+ $99 per month membershipFirst 52 weeks: $3,125
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7RoOnline clinicChecked Sep 30, 2026WegovyPill, 1.5 mg$149 per 30 days+ $149 per month ($39 for the first one) membershipFirst 52 weeks: $3,615
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8RoOnline clinicChecked Sep 28, 2026FoundayoPill, 0.8 mg$149 per 30 days+ $149 per month ($39 for the first one) membershipFirst 52 weeks: $3,615
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9FoundOnline clinicChecked Sep 30, 2026WegovyPill, 1.5 mg$149 per 30 days+ $149 per 28 days membershipFirst 52 weeks: $3,874
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10FoundOnline clinicChecked Sep 28, 2026FoundayoPill, 0.8 mg$149 per 30 days+ $149 per 28 days membershipFirst 52 weeks: $3,874
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11LillyDirectDirect from the makerChecked Sep 28, 2026ZepboundInjection, vial, 2.5 mg$299 per 28 daysFirst 52 weeks: $3,887
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12LillyDirectDirect from the makerChecked Sep 28, 2026ZepboundInjection, pen, 2.5 mg$299 per 28 daysFirst 52 weeks: $3,887
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13PlushCareOnline clinicChecked Sep 28, 2026ZepboundInjection, vial, 2.5 mg$299 per 28 days+ $19.99 per month ($0 for the first one) membership+ $129 first visit without insuranceFirst 52 weeks: $4,235.89
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14NovoCare PharmacyDirect from the makerChecked Sep 30, 2026WegovyInjection, pen, 0.25 mg$349 per 28 days$199 for the first 2 fillsFirst 52 weeks: $4,237
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15PlushCareOnline clinicChecked Sep 30, 2026WegovyInjection, pen, 0.25 mg$349 per 28 days$199 for the first 2 fills+ $19.99 per month ($0 for the first one) membership+ $129 first visit without insuranceFirst 52 weeks: $4,585.89
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16WeightWatchers Med+Online clinicChecked Sep 28, 2026ZepboundInjection, vial, 2.5 mg$299 per 28 days+ $74 per month ($25 for the first one) membershipFirst 52 weeks: $4,726
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17WeightWatchers Med+Online clinicChecked Sep 28, 2026ZepboundInjection, pen, 2.5 mg$299 per 28 days+ $74 per month ($25 for the first one) membershipFirst 52 weeks: $4,726
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18SesameOnline clinicChecked Sep 28, 2026ZepboundInjection, vial, 2.5 mg$299 per 28 days+ $99 per month membershipFirst 52 weeks: $5,075
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19SesameOnline clinicChecked Sep 28, 2026ZepboundInjection, pen, 2.5 mg$299 per 28 days+ $99 per month membershipFirst 52 weeks: $5,075
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20WeightWatchers Med+Online clinicChecked Sep 30, 2026WegovyInjection, pen, 0.25 mg$349 per 28 days$199 for the first 2 fills+ $74 per month ($25 for the first one) membershipFirst 52 weeks: $5,076
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21Noom MedOnline clinicChecked Sep 28, 2026ZepboundInjection, vial, 2.5 mg$299 per 28 days+ $129 per month ($39 for the first one) membershipFirst 52 weeks: $5,345
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22SesameOnline clinicChecked Sep 30, 2026WegovyInjection, pen, 0.25 mg$349 per 28 days$199 for the first 2 fills+ $99 per month membershipFirst 52 weeks: $5,425
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23RoOnline clinicChecked Sep 28, 2026ZepboundInjection, pen, 2.5 mg$299 per 28 days+ $149 per month ($39 for the first one) membershipFirst 52 weeks: $5,565
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24FoundOnline clinicChecked Sep 28, 2026ZepboundInjection, vial, 2.5 mg$299 per 28 days+ $149 per 28 days membershipFirst 52 weeks: $5,824
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25RoOnline clinicChecked Sep 30, 2026WegovyInjection, pen, 0.25 mg$349 per 28 days$199 for the first 2 fills+ $149 per month ($39 for the first one) membershipFirst 52 weeks: $5,915
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26FoundOnline clinicChecked Sep 30, 2026WegovyInjection, pen, 0.25 mg$349 per 28 days$199 for the first 2 fills+ $149 per 28 days membershipFirst 52 weeks: $6,174
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Not ranked: full cost not published (8)

These match your filters, but we cannot rank them yet. The reason is next to each one.

  • Calibrate, Wegovy (injection, pen): Medication price not published.
  • Calibrate, Foundayo (pill): Medication price not published.
  • knownwell, Zepbound (injection, vial): Self-pay follow-up visits cost $149 each, but how often you need one is not published.
  • knownwell, Wegovy (injection, pen): Self-pay follow-up visits cost $149 each, but how often you need one is not published.
  • knownwell, Wegovy (pill): Self-pay follow-up visits cost $149 each, but how often you need one is not published.
  • knownwell, Foundayo (pill): Self-pay follow-up visits cost $149 each, but how often you need one is not published.
  • Form Health, Wegovy (injection, pen): Medication price not published.
  • Form Health, Foundayo (pill): Medication price not published.

Sources

  1. Patients pay $149 for each month of 1.5 mg, $199 per month for 4 mg, and $299 per month for 9 mg and 25 mg. novocare.com, read Sep 27, 2026.
  2. Patients new to the Wegovy® Savings Offer or NovoCare® Pharmacy pay $199 for each month of 0.25 mg & 0.5 mg. Offer is for 2 monthly fills through December 31, 2026, then $349 per month for Wegovy® 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, or 2.4 mg, and $399 per month for Wegovy® HD (semaglutide) injection 7.2 mg. novocare.com, read Sep 27, 2026.
  3. 2.5 mg/0.5 mL (starting dosage) Self-pay price: Starting at $299/month* lilly.com, read Sep 27, 2026.
  4. 15 mg/0.5 mL Self-pay price: Starting at $449/month* when you refill within 45 days† lilly.com, read Sep 27, 2026.
  5. †For 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg and 15 mg doses, prices reflect monthly cost with Zepbound Journey Program. Regular prices will apply if prescription is not refilled within 45 days ($499 for 7.5mg, $699 for 10mg, $699 for 12.5mg, and $699 for 15mg). lilly.com, read Sep 27, 2026.
  6. 0.8 mg dose (starting dosage) Self-pay price: Starting at $149/month^ lilly.com, read Sep 27, 2026.
  7. 17.2 mg dose Self-pay price: Starting at $299/month^ when you refill within 45 days† lilly.com, read Sep 27, 2026.
  8. The cost of your medication will depend on the membership term and the prescribed medication. Monthly membership terms are $49/month. lemonaidhealth.com, read Sep 27, 2026.
  9. For compounded tirzepatide: Monthly $299 (billed separately); 3-month plan $249/mo; 6-month plan $229/mo. lemonaidhealth.com, read Sep 27, 2026.
  10. For compounded semaglutide: Monthly $299 (billed separately); 3-month plan $249/mo. lemonaidhealth.com, read Sep 27, 2026.
  11. Zepbound single-dose vials are offered via LillyDirect and are available as a cash pay-only offering starting at $299/mo for the 2.5 mg dose and $449 for higher dosages. lemonaidhealth.com, read Sep 27, 2026.
  12. Cash plans from $169/mo, insurance plans from $99/mo, billed per 28-day cycle. joinfound.com, read Sep 27, 2026.
  13. *Pricing based on 12-month plans paid up-front. Monthly plans start at $199/mo for insurance and $289/mo for cash-pay. joinfound.com, read Sep 27, 2026.
  14. Compounded medications are included in the cost of both insurance and cash-pay plans joinfound.com, read Sep 27, 2026.
  15. The compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide products displayed on your website identify “Strut” on the pictured label, suggesting Strut is the compounder of those drugs when in fact it is not. fda.gov, read Sep 27, 2026.
  16. However, compounded drugs are not FDA approved. This means the agency does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are marketed. fda.gov, read Sep 27, 2026.
  17. Tirzepatide and semaglutide do not currently appear on the 503B bulks list or on FDA’s drug shortage list. fda.gov, read Sep 27, 2026.
  18. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced it is proposing to exclude semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide on the 503B bulks list, finding no clinical need for outsourcing facilities to compound these drugs from bulk substances. fda.gov, read Sep 27, 2026.
  19. Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is announcing its intent to take decisive steps to restrict GLP-1 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) intended for use in non-FDA-approved compounded drugs that are being mass-marketed by companies fda.gov, read Sep 27, 2026.
  20. Product concentrations also may vary depending on the compounder, and a single compounder may offer multiple concentrations of compounded semaglutide products. fda.gov, read Sep 27, 2026.
  21. FDA is aware of fraudulent compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide marketed in the U.S. that contain false information on the product label. In some cases, the compounding pharmacies identified on the labels of the products do not exist. fda.gov, read Sep 27, 2026.