Every GLP-1 Medication Available in 2026: The Complete List
📋 Quick Reference
As of March 2026, there are 7 FDA-approved GLP-1 medications available in the United States, plus compounded alternatives (with significant regulatory caveats). This guide covers every option — brand-name and compounded — with current doses, formats, indications, and self-pay pricing.
The Complete 2026 GLP-1 Medication Landscape
The GLP-1 market has expanded dramatically. Two years ago, patients had three realistic options. Today, there are seven FDA-approved products spanning injectables, pills, and multiple molecular targets. Here's every one of them.
1. Wegovy (Semaglutide) — Injectable
Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk
FDA Approved For: Chronic weight management (BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with weight-related condition); cardiovascular risk reduction
Format: Once-weekly subcutaneous injection (pre-filled pen)
Mechanism: GLP-1 receptor agonist
| Dose | Titration Phase | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 mg | Starting dose | Weeks 1–4 |
| 0.5 mg | Titration | Weeks 5–8 |
| 1.0 mg | Titration | Weeks 9–12 |
| 1.7 mg | Titration | Weeks 13–16 |
| 2.4 mg | Maintenance | Week 17+ |
Efficacy: STEP 1 trial showed ~15% average body weight loss at 68 weeks. The SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial demonstrated a 20% reduction in major adverse cardiac events, which led to the expanded cardiovascular indication.
Self-Pay Pricing: $349/month for all doses through NovoCare Pharmacy. New patients can access starting doses for $199/month for the first two fills (offer valid through June 30, 2026). With commercial insurance + savings card: as low as $25/month.
Our Take: The most established GLP-1 for weight management. The cardiovascular outcomes data gives it a significant advantage for insurance coverage, especially with Medicare.
2. Wegovy Pill (Oral Semaglutide 25mg)
Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk
FDA Approved For: Chronic weight management (approved December 2025)
Format: Once-daily oral tablet
Mechanism: GLP-1 receptor agonist (same molecule as injectable Wegovy)
| Dose | Phase | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starting doses | Titration | Gradual increase over weeks |
| 25 mg daily | Maintenance | Full therapeutic dose |
Efficacy: OASIS 4 trial showed approximately 16.6% body weight loss — comparable to the injectable version. Requires a specific dosing protocol: take on an empty stomach with a small amount of water, then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other medications.
Self-Pay Pricing: $149/month through NovoCare Pharmacy at the promotional rate (available through August 31, 2026 for the 4mg dose, then $199/month). Currently the lowest-cost entry point for any FDA-approved GLP-1 weight loss medication.
Our Take: A game-changer for people who are needle-averse. The fasting requirement is the main drawback, but for many patients the trade-off is worth it. At $149/month, it's now cheaper than most compounded options.
3. Zepbound (Tirzepatide) — Injectable
Manufacturer: Eli Lilly
FDA Approved For: Chronic weight management; obstructive sleep apnea
Format: Once-weekly subcutaneous injection (auto-injector pen or single-dose vial)
Mechanism: Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
| Dose | Titration Phase | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | Starting dose | Weeks 1–4 |
| 5 mg | Titration | Weeks 5–8 |
| 7.5 mg | Titration | Weeks 9–12 |
| 10 mg | Titration/Maintenance | Weeks 13–16 |
| 12.5 mg | Maintenance | Week 17+ |
| 15 mg | Maximum | If needed |
Efficacy: SURMOUNT-1 trial showed ~22.5% average body weight loss at 72 weeks. SURMOUNT-5, the first head-to-head trial against semaglutide, showed tirzepatide achieved 20.2% weight loss vs. 13.7% for semaglutide at 72 weeks.
Self-Pay Pricing: Through LillyDirect: $299/month for 2.5mg single-dose vials, $399/month for 5mg, $449/month for all higher doses. Also available through Walmart Pharmacy pickup.
Our Take: The most effective FDA-approved GLP-1 by the numbers. The dual-agonist mechanism consistently outperforms single-GLP-1 agents. The main downside: slightly higher pricing than Wegovy and no cardiovascular outcomes trial data yet (SURPASS-CVOT is ongoing).
4. Ozempic (Semaglutide) — Injectable
Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk
FDA Approved For: Type 2 diabetes; cardiovascular risk reduction; chronic kidney disease progression
Format: Once-weekly subcutaneous injection (pre-filled pen)
Mechanism: GLP-1 receptor agonist (same molecule as Wegovy)
| Dose | Max Dose | Key Difference from Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1.0mg → 2.0mg | 2.0 mg | Max is 2.0mg vs. Wegovy's 2.4mg |
Self-Pay Pricing: $349/month through NovoCare (0.25mg–1.0mg) or $499/month (2.0mg).
Our Take: Same molecule as Wegovy, but approved for diabetes — not weight loss. Widely prescribed off-label for weight management. If your insurance covers Ozempic for diabetes but not Wegovy for obesity, this may be your route. The lower maximum dose (2.0mg vs. 2.4mg) means slightly less peak efficacy.
5. Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) — Injectable
Manufacturer: Eli Lilly
FDA Approved For: Type 2 diabetes
Format: Once-weekly subcutaneous injection (auto-injector pen)
Mechanism: Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist (same molecule as Zepbound)
Self-Pay Pricing: Similar to Zepbound through LillyDirect, with diabetes-specific pricing tiers.
Our Take: Zepbound's sister drug. Same active ingredient, different FDA indication. Like Ozempic-to-Wegovy, Mounjaro is the diabetes-approved version of the same tirzepatide molecule. Often prescribed off-label for weight loss when a patient has a diabetes diagnosis that facilitates coverage.
6. Rybelsus (Oral Semaglutide 3mg/7mg/14mg)
Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk
FDA Approved For: Type 2 diabetes only
Format: Once-daily oral tablet
Mechanism: GLP-1 receptor agonist
Key Distinction: Rybelsus was the first oral GLP-1, but at doses of 3mg, 7mg, and 14mg — significantly lower than the 25mg Wegovy pill. At these lower doses, weight loss is more modest (typically 5-8%). It's primarily a diabetes medication that happens to have some weight loss benefit.
Our Take: Not a realistic weight loss option compared to injectable Wegovy/Zepbound or the 25mg oral Wegovy. Its main value is for patients with type 2 diabetes who want an oral option and don't need maximum weight loss efficacy.
7. Saxenda (Liraglutide)
Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk
FDA Approved For: Chronic weight management
Format: Once-daily subcutaneous injection
Mechanism: GLP-1 receptor agonist (older generation)
Dose Range: 0.6mg → 1.2mg → 1.8mg → 2.4mg → 3.0mg (daily)
Efficacy: Approximately 5-8% average body weight loss — significantly less than semaglutide or tirzepatide.
Our Take: The first-generation GLP-1 for weight loss. Requires daily injections (vs. weekly for newer options) and produces substantially less weight loss. Its main remaining relevance: generic liraglutide is expected to become available, which could make it the first generic GLP-1 option. For now, it's largely been superseded by Wegovy and Zepbound.
The Master Comparison Table
| Medication | Type | Frequency | Avg. Weight Loss | Self-Pay/Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy (injectable) | GLP-1 | Weekly injection | ~15% | $349 |
| Wegovy (pill) | GLP-1 | Daily pill | ~16.6% | $149–$199 |
| Zepbound | GIP/GLP-1 | Weekly injection | ~22.5% | $299–$449 |
| Ozempic | GLP-1 | Weekly injection | ~12–15% | $349–$499 |
| Mounjaro | GIP/GLP-1 | Weekly injection | ~20–22% | $299–$449 |
| Rybelsus | GLP-1 | Daily pill | ~5–8% | ~$900+ |
| Saxenda | GLP-1 | Daily injection | ~5–8% | ~$500+ |
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View Provider Comparison → Updated March 2026Compounded GLP-1 Options (2026 Status)
Compounded GLP-1 medications still exist in 2026, but the legal and regulatory landscape has narrowed considerably. Here's where things stand:
Compounded Semaglutide
The FDA declared the semaglutide shortage over in February 2025. Enforcement discretion periods for 503A pharmacies expired in April 2025 and for 503B outsourcing facilities in May 2025. As of March 2026, compounding semaglutide copies of FDA-approved products is only legally permitted for patient-specific medical necessity (such as a documented allergy to an inactive ingredient in the brand-name product).
In practice, many compounding pharmacies and telehealth platforms continue to offer semaglutide products, but they face escalating enforcement risk. The FDA sent enforcement letters to 30+ companies in March 2026 alone. Some compounders have shifted to semaglutide salt forms or added supplementary ingredients (like B vitamins) to argue their products aren't "essentially copies" of approved drugs — but the FDA has pushed back on this approach as well.
Compounded Tirzepatide
The tirzepatide shortage situation evolved differently. While FDA enforcement is also active here, tirzepatide compounding has faced somewhat different legal challenges through the courts. Check current status carefully before relying on compounded tirzepatide as a long-term option.
Typical compounded pricing: $200–$400/month depending on the provider, dose, and format. Available as injectable (subcutaneous), sublingual drops, sublingual troches/lozenges, and oral capsules — though the efficacy of non-injectable formats varies significantly and most clinical trial data applies only to subcutaneous injection.
Synergy Rx
Compounded semaglutide & tirzepatide — injectable, oral, and sublingual
View Plans → All-inclusive pricingChoosing the Right Medication: Decision Framework
With seven approved options and compounded alternatives, the choice can feel overwhelming. Here's how to narrow it down:
If you want maximum weight loss and don't mind injections: Zepbound (tirzepatide). It's the most effective option by clinical trial data, with 22.5% average body weight loss in the SURMOUNT-1 trial.
If you want a pill, not an injection: Oral Wegovy (25mg). FDA-approved for obesity, with comparable efficacy to injectable Wegovy. The $149/month NovoCare price makes it the most affordable FDA-approved option.
If you have diabetes + want weight loss: Mounjaro or Ozempic. Both are diabetes-approved, which typically means better insurance coverage than the obesity-specific brands. Mounjaro delivers more weight loss; Ozempic has cardiovascular and kidney outcomes data.
If you're on Medicare: Wegovy or Zepbound through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge starting July 2026, with $50/month copays. Wegovy may have a slight coverage advantage due to its cardiovascular indication.
If cost is the primary concern: Oral Wegovy at $149/month through NovoCare, or compounded options in the $200–$300/month range (with the regulatory caveats discussed above).
If you want the most clinical data behind your medication: Wegovy injectable. It has the most extensive trial program (STEP, SELECT) with cardiovascular outcomes data, the broadest insurance acceptance, and the longest real-world track record.