The short answer
Paying cash in October 2026, Zepbound KwikPen or vials from LillyDirect cost $299 to $449 a month depending on strength (higher-strength prices require refilling within 45 days), while the Wegovy pen from NovoCare costs $349 a month, with a $199 intro price for new patients’ first two low-strength fills through Dec. 31, 2026. The GLP-1 pills start at $149 a month, people whose commercial plan covers the drug may pay as little as $25, and eligible Medicare Part D enrollees pay $50.
This guide is educational and not medical advice. It does not give dosing instructions. Talk to your prescriber or pharmacist about your own situation.
Lilly sells Zepbound self-pay through LillyDirect in two formats: the multi-dose KwikPen and single-dose vials. Prices as listed on 2026-10-20:
| Zepbound strength | KwikPen or vial, self-pay (per month) |
|---|---|
| 2.5 mg (starting strength) | $299 |
| 5 mg | $399 |
| 7.5 mg | $449 if refilled within 45 days (otherwise $499) |
| 10, 12.5 or 15 mg | $449 if refilled within 45 days (otherwise $699) |
Pen needles (KwikPen) or needles and syringes (vials) are bought separately. The $299 self-pay price does not apply to the single-dose autoinjector pen; with commercial insurance that doesn’t cover Zepbound, Lilly lists that pen at as low as $499 a month.
Novo Nordisk sells Wegovy self-pay through NovoCare Pharmacy and local pharmacies with its savings offer:
| Wegovy product | Self-pay (per month) |
|---|---|
| Pen 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg, new patients | $199 for the first 2 monthly fills (offer through Dec. 31, 2026) |
| Pen 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.7 or 2.4 mg (standard) | $349 |
| Wegovy HD pen 7.2 mg | $399 |
| Wegovy pill 1.5 mg / 4 mg / 9 mg / 25 mg | $149 / $199 / $299 / $299 |
Using the official cash prices above, at the higher maintenance strengths Zepbound is $449 a month (if you refill on time) and the Wegovy pen is $349—a difference of about $100 a month, or roughly $1,200 a year. At the starting strengths, Wegovy’s $199 intro offer is cheaper for the first two months than Zepbound’s $299.
Price isn’t the only factor. The two medicines contain different active ingredients (tirzepatide vs semaglutide), have different trial results and side-effect profiles, and come in different devices. Which one fits you is a decision for you and your prescriber; this guide only covers what each costs.
Both FDA-approved weight-management pills now start at $149 a month self-pay. Foundayo (orforglipron) is $149 for 0.8 mg and 2.5 mg, $199 for 5.5 mg (the 2.5 mg and 5.5 mg prices are temporarily reduced through Dec. 31, 2026) and $299 for 9 mg, 14.5 mg and 17.2 mg (the top two require refilling within 45 days). The Wegovy pill runs $149 to $299. See GLP-1 pills explained.
TrumpRx.gov doesn’t sell medicine. It lists cash prices and points you to each maker’s program or a pharmacy coupon. On 2026-10-20 its home page showed the Wegovy pill from $149, the Wegovy pen from $199, Ozempic from $199 and Zepbound from $299—the same starting prices the makers offer directly. Medicare.gov notes that discount-card purchases like these don’t count toward Medicare deductibles or out-of-pocket limits.
All prices change. Confirm on the official pages before you fill a prescription. We never list compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide; the FDA warns these are not FDA-approved.
The makers define a month differently, which matters when you compare. Lilly defines a Zepbound self-pay month as 28 days (one KwikPen or four vials). Novo Nordisk defines a Wegovy month as one box of four pens or one bottle of 30 tablets. Lilly defines a Foundayo month as 30 days. Zepbound KwikPens need pen needles and vials need needles and syringes, sold separately. Taxes and fees may apply.
Zepbound’s $449 price for 7.5 mg and above comes from Lilly’s Zepbound Journey Program: you must refill within 45 days of receiving your previous fill. Miss that window and the regular price applies—$499 for 7.5 mg and $699 for 10, 12.5 or 15 mg. Foundayo’s 14.5 mg and 17.2 mg prices have the same 45-day rule. Wegovy’s $199 intro price applies only to new patients’ first two monthly fills of 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg, through Dec. 31, 2026. Setting a refill reminder can protect the lower price.
On LillyDirect in October 2026, Zepbound KwikPen or vials cost $299 a month for 2.5 mg, $399 for 5 mg, and $449 for 7.5 mg through 15 mg if you refill within 45 days (otherwise $499 for 7.5 mg and $699 for 10–15 mg). Needles are extra.
NovoCare lists the Wegovy pen at $349 a month for all standard strengths, with a $199 offer for new patients’ first two fills of 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg through Dec. 31, 2026. Wegovy HD 7.2 mg is $399, and the Wegovy pill is $149 to $299.
At maintenance strengths, the Wegovy pen ($349) is about $100 a month cheaper than Zepbound KwikPen or vials ($449 with on-time refills). At starting strengths, Wegovy’s $199 new-patient offer is cheaper than Zepbound’s $299 for the first two months.
TrumpRx.gov lists the same starting cash prices the makers offer (Wegovy pill from $149, Wegovy pen from $199, Ozempic from $199, Zepbound from $299 on Oct. 20, 2026) and links to their programs or pharmacy coupons. It doesn’t sell drugs or process insurance.
Eli Lilly's direct-to-patient pharmacy for Zepbound, Foundayo, and other Lilly medicines, with home delivery.
Why it helps on a GLP-1: Self-pay Zepbound vials and KwikPens start at $299/month for the starter dose, and Foundayo pills start at $149/month—no insurance needed (prescription required).
Novo Nordisk's own pharmacy for self-pay Wegovy (pen and pill) and Ozempic, delivered to your door.
Why it helps on a GLP-1: New patients pay $199/month for the first two fills of the two lowest Wegovy pen doses (through 12/31/2026), then $349/month; Wegovy pill starts at $149/month.
Lilly's official savings program for Zepbound, plus self-pay and Medicare options on one page.
Why it helps on a GLP-1: With commercial insurance that covers Zepbound pens, eligible patients may pay as little as $25 for up to a 3-month fill. Government insurance excluded.
Novo Nordisk's official savings program for Wegovy with commercial insurance or self-pay.
Why it helps on a GLP-1: Brings the cash price down at local pharmacies too, not just home delivery—useful if you'd rather pick up in person.
Federal website listing negotiated cash prices for brand-name GLP-1s and linking to each maker's program.
Why it helps on a GLP-1: A quick way to compare starting cash prices for Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, and Foundayo in one place. It doesn't sell drugs itself.
Temporary Medicare program (from July 1, 2026) covering Wegovy, Zepbound KwikPen, and Foundayo for eligible Part D enrollees.
Why it helps on a GLP-1: Eligible people with Medicare drug coverage pay a $50 monthly copay. Check the BMI and health-condition criteria on Medicare.gov.
Browse related categories: 💸 Savings 🩺 Telehealth
Every official way to pay less for Zepbound, Wegovy, Foundayo, Ozempic or Mounjaro in 2026: savings cards, direct pharmacies, TrumpRx and Medicare.
Read the guide →MedicareThe Medicare GLP-1 Bridge (July 2026–Dec 2027) in plain English: covered drugs, BMI and health criteria, who is excluded, the $50 copay and how to start.
Read the guide →MedicinesThe two FDA-approved GLP-1 weight-loss pills compared: how to take them, trial results, side effects, October 2026 prices and Medicare coverage.
Read the guide →Prices and program terms change often; we re-check them on the official pages listed above. Listings are not endorsements, and we never list compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide sellers. Spot something outdated? Email hello@glp1sidekick.com.