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How Much Does Wegovy Cost? With and Without Insurance

By Alicia Wooldridge, MD

Medically reviewed

July 14, 2022

Wegovy is a weight loss medication in the class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s).

Manufactured by Novo Nordisk, Wegovy contains the active compound called semaglutide and was granted FDA approval in 2021.

The cost of Wegovy can vary depending on several factors, including your insurance coverage and the rates at your local pharmacy.

If you have insurance coverage, you may pay as little as $25 for a monthly supply of the medication. Without insurance, you could pay $1,350 or more.

In this article, I’ll go over the cost of Wegovy vs. the cost of other weight loss drugs. I’ll also cover how much it costs both with insurance and without, and how to save money on it.

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How Much Does Wegovy Cost?

The cost of Wegovy varies depending on multiple factors, including supply shortages and your insurance company and coverage.

With insurance

With insurance, you could pay as little as $25 per 28-day month for Wegovy.

Without insurance

Unfortunately, the cost of most medications usually increases if you don’t have insurance.

Without coverage, you could pay $1,350 or more per month for Wegovy.

Cost of Wegovy vs. Other Weight Loss Drugs

The cost of any prescription weight loss drug will vary depending on many factors, including your insurance coverage and your location.

Based on an insurance plan that covers the cost of these medications, here’s a comparison of the cost of Wegovy and other GLP-1 weight loss medications:

	Cost for one month with insurance	Cost for one month without insurance
Wegovy	$25+	$1,350+
Ozempic	$25+	$890+
Trulicity	$25+	$770+
Saxenda	$25+	$1,350+

Generic Version of Wegovy

Unfortunately, there is no generic version of Wegovy currently available in the United States.

If you encounter companies claiming to sell generic versions of Wegovy online, these medications may be counterfeit and potentially unsafe.

How to Save on Wegovy

The best way to save on Wegovy is to have private or commercial insurance that covers the majority of the cost of the prescription medication.

In these cases, the out-of-pocket expense can be as little as $25 per 28-day supply (one box) of Wegovy.

If you pay cash for your prescriptions or your commercial insurance does not cover a Wegovy prescription, you can request a discount through the WeGoTogether program, which may help you to save up to $500 per 28-day supply (one box) of the medication.

What Is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a weight loss medication in the class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) and contains the active compound called semaglutide.

GLP-1s work to mimic the effect of the GLP-1 hormone naturally produced in the gastrointestinal tract, helping to slow down the emptying of the stomach, reduce appetite, reduce the amount of sugar produced in the liver, and decrease insulin levels.

Unlike other weight loss drugs, GLP-1s work to improve how your body manages insulin and glucose, rather than simply acting as a stimulant or appetite suppressant.

Wegovy is the first medication to receive FDA approval for the treatment of chronic weight management since 2014.

Wegovy is injected once per week and delivers a higher dose of semaglutide than Ozempic, another GLP-1 medication that contains semaglutide.

Importantly, Wegovy is FDA approved to support chronic weight management when used alongside behavioral modifications including a reduced-fat and reduced-calorie diet and exercise program. Wegovy should not be used as a standalone treatment for weight loss.

Wegovy is only approved for use in people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater or in people with a BMI of 27 or greater who also have a metabolic health condition, like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.

Side Effects

Mild gastrointestinal side effects are common when taking Wegovy.

The most common side effects include:

Serious side effects are rare, but still possible. If you experience any of the following, please seek emergency treatment:

Ongoing pain that begins in the upper left or middle of the stomach but may spread to the back, with or without vomiting
Rash or itching
Swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, tongue, or throat
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Decreased urination
Swelling of legs, ankles, or feet
Vision changes
Fainting or dizziness
Pain in upper stomach
Yellowing of skin or eyes
Fever
Clay-colored stools
Rapid heartbeat

Wegovy may not be right for everyone.

People with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a rare and primarily genetic type of thyroid cancer) may be at risk of thyroid C-cell tumors and should not take Wegovy.

Additionally, it should not be used in people with a rare condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Before taking Wegovy, be sure to tell your provider about any other prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications or supplements you’re currently taking.

Importantly, it should not be combined with any other GLP-1 or weight loss drug.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Wegovy for free?

Many private and commercial insurance providers will cover the majority of the cost of a Wegovy prescription. In these cases, the out-of-pocket expense can be as little as $25 per monthly supply. However, if your insurance doesn’t cover Wegovy or if you pay cash for your prescriptions, there are additional programs that can help you to cover the bulk of the cost of the medication. If you’re interested in learning more about how to save on your prescription, speak to your healthcare provider for more information on cost saving strategies.

Is there a generic for Wegovy?

No, there is no generic version of Wegovy currently available in the United States.

K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

Alicia Wooldridge, MD

Dr. Alicia Wooldridge is a board certified Family Medicine physician with over a decade of experience.

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