GLP-1 Medication Cost Calculator
Compare treatment costs and estimate your monthly and annual expenses for GLP-1 medications
Medical Disclaimer: This tool provides general educational estimates. Always consult your prescribing physician or healthcare provider before making medication changes or interpreting results from population-based models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Without insurance, GLP-1 medications typically cost between $800 and $1,500 per month at retail pharmacy prices. Compounded versions may range from $150 to $500 per month. Prices vary by pharmacy and location.
Coverage varies widely. Many commercial plans cover GLP-1 medications for type 2 diabetes but may exclude or restrict coverage for weight management indications. Prior authorization, step therapy, and BMI documentation are common requirements.
Options include manufacturer savings programs, patient assistance programs, pharmacy discount cards, mail-order pharmacies, HSA/FSA accounts, and compounded versions where legally available.
Treatment duration varies. Clinical trials run 52 to 72 weeks, but many patients continue longer. Studies show weight regain is common after discontinuation — approximately two-thirds of lost weight within a year of stopping.
Brand-name GLP-1 medications are FDA-approved finished products with extensive clinical trial data. Compounded versions are prepared by compounding pharmacies and may differ in formulation, concentration, and delivery method. They are not FDA-approved as finished products.
Sources
- Wilding JPH, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989-1002. Link
- Jastreboff AM, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(3):205-216. Link
- Aronne LJ, et al. Continued Treatment With Tirzepatide for Maintenance of Weight Reduction (SURMOUNT-4). JAMA. 2024;331(1):38-48. Link
- KFF. The Cost of GLP-1 Drugs for Weight Loss and Diabetes. Kaiser Family Foundation. 2024. Link
Methodology
This calculator performs cost arithmetic based on user-provided monthly medication costs and treatment duration. Total cost is monthly cost multiplied by duration. Daily cost is derived by dividing monthly cost by 30.44 (average days per month). When comparison mode is enabled, savings are the absolute difference between primary and alternative total costs.
This calculator does not predict or verify actual pharmacy prices, insurance coverage, or eligibility for savings programs. Users should verify actual costs with their pharmacy and insurance provider.
GLP-1 medication costs without insurance: semaglutide (brand) $800-$1,500/month, tirzepatide (brand) $900-$1,500/month, compounded semaglutide $150-$500/month. With commercial insurance, copays typically $25-$500/month. Manufacturer savings programs can reduce costs for commercially insured patients.
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