America faces a significant weight problem, with obesity affecting a large percentage of adults. Prescription weight loss medications have emerged as valuable tools alongside healthy diets and regular exercise. These medications work by curbing appetite, blocking fat absorption, or increasing feelings of fullness. This article provides a detailed cost comparison of various weight loss injections and other medications, offering insights into factors affecting their price and availability.
Understanding Weight Loss Medications
Prescription weight loss medications are designed to help manage body weight. Several FDA-approved options are available, including:
- Semaglutide (Wegovy®, Ozempic®): A GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics a hormone in the body to affect blood sugar levels, appetite, and digestion.
- Tirzepatide (Zepbound®, Mounjaro®): A GLP-1/GIP agonist that mimics gut hormones to regulate blood sugar and promote weight loss.
- Liraglutide (Saxenda®): A GLP-1 medication prescribed for weight loss, similar to Victoza but at a higher dose.
- Phentermine (Adipex-P®, Suprenza®): A stimulant that suppresses appetite but can increase heart rate and blood pressure.
- Phentermine and Topiramate (Qsymia®): A combination drug that combines appetite suppression with a medication that can create a feeling of fullness.
- Naltrexone and Bupropion (Contrave®): A combination drug used to help with weight loss.
- Setmelanotide (Imcivree®): A medication used in specific cases of obesity caused by genetic factors.
- Orlistat (Xenical®, Alli®): A medication that blocks fat absorption.
- Hydrogel (Plenity®): A capsule containing hydrogel particles that, when taken with water, create a feeling of fullness.
Sometimes, multiple brand names rely on the same active ingredient, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which both contain semaglutide.
Cost of Weight Loss Medications: An Overview
The cost of weight loss medications can vary widely. The national average cost can range from $55 per bottle for Alli to $3,670 per 10 milligrams of Imcivree. Brand-name GLP-1s can cost between $1,000 and $2,000 per month if purchased through a typical pharmacy without insurance or savings cards.
Here's a breakdown of the average costs for some common weight loss medications:
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- Wegovy: The average cost is $1,403 per month. The list price is $1,349.02 a month. At retail pharmacies, costs range from about $1,300 to $2,000 a month.
- Ozempic: The average cost is $1,002 per month. The list price is $968.52 a month. At retail pharmacies, costs range from about $900 to $1,800 a month.
- Mounjaro: The list price is $1,069.08 per month. Costs range from about $1,000 to $1,100 a month in pharmacies and online.
- Zepbound: The list price is $1,059.87.
- Rybelsus: The list price is $968.52 a month. Costs range from about $950 to $1,080 a month in pharmacies and online.
These costs are based on research conducted in the 50 United States and the District of Columbia in 2024. Actual costs may vary based on geography, provider, and other variables.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Weight Loss Medications
Several factors can influence the cost of weight loss medications:
- Insurance Coverage: Medical insurance usually covers procedures and medications deemed medically necessary for a specific condition. Coverage for weight loss medications varies greatly. If you are only looking to shed a few pounds and don’t meet the criteria for obesity or an obesity-related health condition, insurance may not cover weight loss medications at all. Some healthcare plans offer support if you meet specific criteria, such as having a body mass index (BMI) above a certain number and/or having a weight-related health condition, like high cholesterol, high blood pressure (hypertension), sleep apnea, or type 2 diabetes.
- Medication Type: Different medications have different pricing structures. For example, some medications are more expensive due to their manufacturing process or patent protection.
- Dosage: The prescribed dosage can also affect the cost. Higher doses typically mean higher prices.
- Pharmacy: Prices can vary between pharmacies, so it's worth comparing costs at different locations.
- Location: Weight loss injection costs vary by location.
- Savings Programs and Coupons: Manufacturer savings programs and coupons can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. For example, Novo Nordisk offers savings cards for Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.
Insurance Coverage for Weight Loss Medications
Coverage of weight loss medications by health insurance providers varies greatly. If you want to take Ozempic for weight loss but don’t have type 2 diabetes, you may need to explore other weight-loss medications that qualify for insurance coverage.
Medicare doesn’t usually cover weight loss medications, but there are some exceptions depending on the plan, state, and medication prescribed. Medicaid coverage can vary widely, with some state programs now covering GLP-1 receptor agonist medications like Wegovy and Zepbound.
Exploring Ozempic Alternatives
Given the rising demand and potential shortages of Ozempic, many people are exploring alternatives. Several GLP-1 medications are approved for treating type 2 diabetes, including Rybelsus (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), Victoza (liraglutide), Bydureon BCise (exenatide), and Byetta (exenatide).
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Additionally, Wegovy (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are approved specifically for chronic weight management.
GLP-1 Medications for Type 2 Diabetes:
- Rybelsus (semaglutide): An oral medication with the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy. Rybelsus isn’t approved for weight loss, but patients in clinical trials lost an average of 5 pounds over 6 months on the lowest dose.
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide): A weekly injection that belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1/GIP agonists. Even though it’s FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes, patients in clinical trials also lost around 20% of their weight after a year of taking Mounjaro along with lifestyle changes.
- Trulicity (dulaglutide): An injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. At the highest dose, clinical trial patients lost about 10 pounds over a 9-month period.
- Victoza (liraglutide): Another GLP-1 medication that helps to treat type 2 diabetes.
- Bydureon BCise (exenatide): An extended-release injectable medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
- Byetta (exenatide): An injectable GLP-1 medication with the same active ingredient as Bydureon BCise. A 200-person study found that participants taking 5 mcg of Byetta lost about 6 lbs after 6 months, while patients on a 10 mcg dose lost around 7 pounds.
GLP-1 Medications for Weight Loss:
- Wegovy (semaglutide): Has the same active ingredient (semaglutide) as Ozempic, and also comes in the form of a weekly injection. The standard Wegovy dosage is 2.4 mg per week, while Ozempic’s dosage is a maximum of 2 mg per week.
- Saxenda (liraglutide): A GLP-1 medication that is prescribed for weight loss. Patients on Saxenda lost between 5-10% of their body weight during a 56-week clinical trial.
- Zepbound (tirzepatide): A higher-dose version of Mounjaro, but is prescribed for weight loss instead of type 2 diabetes. Typical dosing for Zepbound starts at 2.5 mg and may increase depending on how the patient responds to the medication.
Affordable Options and Savings Programs
Weight loss medications can be expensive, but there are affordable options. Look for deals on brand-name GLP-1s and explore compounded GLP-1 options. For example, Hers offers eligible customers access to compounded semaglutide for $199 a month with a 6-month plan paid upfront in full.
Several manufacturers offer savings programs and rebates that can help cut down weight loss injection costs. Novo Nordisk, for instance, provides savings cards for Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.
Hers Weight Loss Program
Hers offers an online weight loss program with a month-to-month subscription that includes a video consultation with a weight loss doctor or specialist, access to prescriptions for weight loss medication if appropriate, unlimited messaging with your provider, and ongoing support.
Hers also offers access to oral weight loss medication kits starting from $89 per month (with a 10-month plan, paid up front in full). These personalized medication kits may include:
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- Bupropion
- Metformin
- Topiramate
- Naltrexone
- Vitamin B12
Considerations and Potential Side Effects
Although there are many FDA-approved weight loss medication options, there are still potential side effects to consider. Gastrointestinal issues are the most common side effect of most weight loss medications. Some weight loss medications may pose additional health concerns to consider.
The Global Perspective on Weight Loss Drug Prices
A recent study compared the prices of semaglutide drugs in the United States with those in other large, wealthy OECD nations. The study found that the U.S. price for semaglutide ($936) is over 5 times that in Japan ($169), and about ten times more than in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Australia, and France.
Wegovy is available in only a few European Union markets at this point and is not available in Australia and some other countries due to shortages for people using semaglutide for diabetes.
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