GLP-1 Prices Are Crashing — Here's Who's Cheapest Right Now (May 2026)
Twelve months ago, a month of brand-name Wegovy or Zepbound cost over $1,000 out of pocket. Today, you can start an FDA-approved GLP-1 for $149. Here's every major pricing shift in one place.
May 2026 Price Snapshot
| Medication | Format | Starting Dose | Maintenance Dose | With Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy Pill | Daily oral | $149/mo (1.5–4 mg) | $299/mo (9–25 mg) | As low as $25/mo |
| Foundayo | Daily oral | From $149/mo | TBD | As low as $25/mo |
| Wegovy Injection | Weekly pen | $199/mo (first 2 mo) | $349/mo (thru 2.4 mg), $399 (HD 7.2 mg) | As low as $25/mo |
| Zepbound Vials | Weekly injection | $299/mo (2.5 mg) | $449/mo (7.5 mg+) | As low as $25/mo |
| Medicare (July 2026) | Various | $50/mo for qualifying beneficiaries | N/A | |
What's Driving Prices Down
Competition. For the first time, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are competing head-to-head in the oral GLP-1 space. Foundayo launched at $149/mo — the same starting price as Wegovy pill. Neither company wants to cede the self-pay market.
The compounding pressure. Love them or hate them, compounded GLP-1s forced Big Pharma to lower prices. When patients could access semaglutide for $150–200/mo through telehealth compounders, brand manufacturers had to respond. The LillyDirect and NovoCare self-pay programs are a direct result.
Legislative action. The Inflation Reduction Act's Medicare negotiation provisions and the upcoming Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program (July 2026) are creating downward pressure on out-of-pocket costs across the system.
The Compounded Market: Where Things Stand
Compounded GLP-1 programs through telehealth providers currently range from about $149 to $400/month depending on the provider, medication, and dose. With the FDA's April 30, 2026 proposal to exclude these medications from 503B bulk compounding, the future of compounded GLP-1 pricing is uncertain.
For now, compounded options still compete on price at maintenance doses, where brand-name costs climb to $299–$449/mo. But the gap is smaller than ever.
Best Value Picks Right Now
If you have commercial insurance: Check coverage first. Most brand-name GLP-1s now offer copay cards that can bring your cost to $25/mo.
If you're self-pay, needle-tolerant: Compounded programs through vetted telehealth providers remain competitive, especially at maintenance doses.
If you're self-pay, needle-averse: Oral Wegovy or Foundayo at $149/mo starting dose. No compounding uncertainty, no injection anxiety.
If you're on Medicare: Mark your calendar for July 1, 2026. The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program will cover select medications at $50/mo for qualifying beneficiaries.
Price Trend: Where Are We Headed?
All signs point toward continued price decreases. Generic Saxenda (liraglutide) is arriving soon. The IRA's Medicare negotiation provisions set a reference price for Ozempic. And with four competitive brand-name options now on the market, manufacturers are motivated to compete on affordability.
We update this pricing comparison monthly. Bookmark this page or check back for the latest figures.