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The Semaglutide Pricing Landscape
Semaglutide is the same active ingredient in both Wegovy (FDA-approved for weight loss) and Ozempic (FDA-approved for diabetes, used off-label for weight). Here's what it costs:
| Option | Monthly Cost | Type | Savings vs Wegovy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hims & Hers Compounded | $79-199 | Compounded | $1,150-1,270 (85-94%) |
| Coreage RX Compounded | $99-299 | Compounded 503B | $1,050-1,250 (78-92%) |
| Ro Compounded | $145-399 | Compounded + Program | $950-1,204 (70-88%) |
| Wegovy (Brand) | $1,349 | FDA-approved | — |
| Ozempic (Brand, off-label) | $935 | FDA-approved (diabetes) | $414 (31%) vs Wegovy |
* Prices as of January 2026 at maintenance dose (2.4mg weekly). Starting doses are cheaper.
Cheapest Semaglutide: Hims & Hers ($79/month)
Hims & Hers: Absolute Lowest Cost
Complete Pricing Breakdown by Dose:
- ✓ Online medical consultation
- ✓ Prescription management
- ✓ Compounded semaglutide
- ✓ Home delivery (3-5 days)
- ✓ Refill reminders
- • Uses multiple compounding pharmacies
- • Mix of 503A and 503B facilities
- • Limited transparency on testing
- • Large established platform
$9,082/year compared to Ozempic ($11,220/year)
Best Value: Coreage RX ($99/month)
Coreage RX: Best Price-to-Quality Ratio
Complete Pricing Breakdown by Dose:
- ✓ Medical consultation + check-ins
- ✓ 503B compounded semaglutide
- ✓ Third-party tested medication
- ✓ 24-48 hour delivery
- ✓ Monthly physician oversight
- • 503B facilities exclusively
- • Third-party sterility testing
- • Potency verification (HPLC)
- • Transparent quality standards
$8,082/year compared to Ozempic
Dose-Specific Cost Analysis: Where Savings Happen
Most people spend 8-12 months per year at maintenance dose (2.4mg). This is where cost differences matter most:
Maintenance Dose (2.4mg) Comparison
Key insight: At maintenance dose, Hims saves you $1,200/year compared to Coreage RX, but $13,800/year compared to Wegovy. The compounded vs brand difference dwarfs the compounded provider differences.
Brand-Name Semaglutide: When It's Worth It
Wegovy: $1,349/month (or less with insurance)
When to consider:
- Your insurance covers it (rare for weight loss, but check)
- You qualify for Novo Nordisk patient assistance (very low income)
- You have significant concerns about compounded medication quality
- Employer offers GLP-1 coverage as a benefit
Ozempic: $935/month (cheaper than Wegovy, same drug)
Why it's cheaper: Approved for diabetes, not weight loss. Some people get it off-label with a diabetes diagnosis.
The catch: Using Ozempic for weight loss (off-label) means insurance often won't cover it unless you have type 2 diabetes. If you're paying out-of-pocket, Ozempic is still $935/month—10x more than compounded options.
Insurance & Discount Programs: Do They Help?
Insurance Coverage Reality
- • Weight loss alone (any BMI)
- • "Cosmetic" weight loss
- • Compounded semaglutide (never)
- • Off-label Ozempic use
- • Type 2 diabetes + obesity (Ozempic)
- • BMI 40+ with heart disease
- • Prior authorization approved
- • Employer-sponsored coverage
Manufacturer Savings Cards
Novo Nordisk offers savings programs, but eligibility is limited:
| Program | Eligibility | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Wegovy Savings Card | Commercial insurance only, must have coverage | Copay as low as $0-$25/mo |
| Ozempic Savings Card | Type 2 diabetes, commercial insurance | $25/mo if covered by insurance |
| Patient Assistance Program | Income < 400% federal poverty level (~$60k single) | Free medication if approved |
Critical limitations:
- ❌ Savings cards require insurance coverage first (reduces copay, not list price)
- ❌ Medicare/Medicaid patients cannot use manufacturer coupons (federal law)
- ❌ "No insurance" patients usually don't qualify
- ❌ Patient assistance has strict income limits and paperwork requirements
Cost-Saving Strategies for Semaglutide
1. Don't Automatically Escalate to Maximum Dose
Strategy: Some people achieve their weight loss goals at 1mg or 1.7mg instead of 2.4mg. Don't escalate just because the schedule says to—if you're seeing good results with tolerable side effects, stay at your current dose.
Potential savings: $50-100/month depending on provider (staying at 1.7mg vs 2.4mg with Coreage RX saves $50/mo)
2. Start with Hims, Evaluate Quality After 3 Months
Strategy: Begin with lowest-cost option ($79/mo Hims). After 3 months, if semaglutide is working for you, decide: continue for cost savings, or upgrade to Coreage RX for verified quality.
Rationale: No point paying premium for quality if semaglutide doesn't work for you. Test first, then optimize.
3. Ask About Multi-Month Discounts
Strategy: Some providers offer 3-month or 6-month prepay discounts (typically 5-10% savings).
Caution: Only prepay once you know semaglutide works for you and you tolerate it well.
4. Use FSA/HSA Funds if Available
Strategy: Compounded semaglutide is prescription medication—eligible for FSA/HSA reimbursement. Use pre-tax dollars to save ~25-30% effective cost.
How: Pay with personal funds, submit receipt to FSA/HSA administrator for reimbursement.
5. Consider Dose Cycling (Advanced Strategy)
Strategy: Once at goal weight, some people maintain with lower doses (1mg vs 2.4mg) or longer intervals (every 10 days vs every 7 days).
Important: Only do this with physician guidance. Some people regain weight rapidly when reducing dose.
What NOT to Do: Dangerous "Cheap" Semaglutide
🚫 Avoid These Scams & Dangerous Options
- ❌Research chemical "semaglutide": Sold as "peptide for research use only"—this is NOT pharmaceutical grade. No quality control, no sterility testing, potentially dangerous.
- ❌International online pharmacies: "Canadian pharmacy" or "Indian generic semaglutide"—illegal to import prescription drugs, often counterfeit, no recourse if fake.
- ❌Social media sellers: Instagram/Facebook "DM for cheap Ozempic"—100% scams or stolen/counterfeit medication.
- ❌Oral semaglutide compounds: Only Rybelsus is FDA-approved oral semaglutide. "Compounded oral semaglutide" has poor bioavailability and questionable effectiveness.
- ❌DIY mixing/reconstitution: Some sites sell raw semaglutide powder to mix yourself. High contamination risk, incorrect dosing, illegal.
- ❌"No prescription needed": All semaglutide (brand or compounded) requires a prescription in the US. This is illegal.
Our Recommendation: Cheapest Safe Approach
Smart Budget Strategy
Cost: $347 total for 3 months
Goal: Determine if semaglutide works for you
Option A: Stay with Hims ($199/mo) for cost
Option B: Upgrade to Coreage RX ($299/mo) for verified quality
Quality maintenance: $299/mo (Coreage) = $3,588/year
Hybrid route: $347 (Hims 3mo) + $2,691 (Coreage 9mo) = $3,038
Quality route: $3,138 (Coreage all year)
Common Questions About Cheap Semaglutide
Is $79/month semaglutide real semaglutide?
Yes, if from legitimate compounding pharmacies. The active ingredient is the same—it's semaglutide. The cost difference reflects:
- No brand marketing budget (Novo Nordisk spends billions)
- No FDA approval process costs (compounded is legal under shortage rules)
- Lower profit margins (telehealth platforms vs pharmaceutical companies)
- Simpler distribution (direct to consumer vs wholesale/retail chain)
Quality depends on the pharmacy. That's why we recommend 503B facilities with third-party testing when possible.
Will compounded semaglutide become illegal?
Possibly, if FDA removes semaglutide from shortage list. Currently legal because Wegovy/Ozempic are on FDA shortage. If Novo Nordisk catches up on manufacturing and FDA removes the shortage designation, compounding would become illegal (with phase-out period).
As of January 2026: Still on shortage list. Compounding remains legal.
Can I negotiate pricing with providers?
Limited negotiation room. These platforms have set pricing. However:
- Some offer first-month discounts or promotions
- Multi-month prepay may get 5-10% discount
- Referral programs sometimes offer credits
Don't expect custom pricing—these are standardized telehealth platforms.
Why is maintenance dose pricing so important?
Because you'll be at maintenance for 8-12 months per year. Starting dose pricing ($79) is misleading—you spend 3-4 months escalating, then stay at maintenance (2.4mg, $199-299) for the rest of the year.
A provider that's $20 cheaper at starting dose but $100 more at maintenance costs you $1,000+ extra annually.
Medical Disclaimer
We're not doctors. Nothing on this page is medical advice. This article compares semaglutide pricing options—it doesn't replace professional medical consultation. Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, compounded) requires prescriptions and physician oversight. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. Individual results and tolerability vary. Talk to your doctor about whether semaglutide is appropriate for your health situation and budget. All programs listed require valid prescriptions.
American Transparency
Wegovy costs $16,188/year—beyond reach for most Americans. Compounded semaglutide from legitimate providers costs $2,138-3,138/year—87-92% less. We believe you deserve honest information about affordable options, quality tradeoffs, and dangerous shortcuts to avoid. This guide gives you the data to make budget-conscious, safety-aware decisions.