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Drug vs. Drug

Zepbound vs. Wegovy cost comparison

GLP-1s can be expensive, and insurance coverage is ever-changing
Rosemary Black
By | Jul. 10, 2025 Medically reviewed by Leslie Greenberg, MD
Two GLP-1 pens: Zepbound vs. Wegovy cost comparison

Key takeaways

  • Wegovy is approved for weight loss and cardiovascular risk reduction. Zepbound is approved for weight loss and also to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity. 

  • Insurance coverage varies by plan and can depend on what these drugs are prescribed for. Medicare and Medicaid coverage vary.

  • Without insurance or discounts, Zepbound and Wegovy cost an average of $1,528 and $1,821 respectively a month, but you can save close to $600 with your SingleCare prescription discount card.

In this article:

Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are brand-name prescription drugs that help people lose weight. These drugs are injected under the skin once weekly. There is no generic form of either drug, although compounded versions of tirzepatide and semaglutide were temporarily permitted during drug shortages. One drug may be more expensive than the other, but the price you ultimately pay for Wegovy or Zepbound depends on several factors, such as whether your health insurance covers it and your reason for taking it.  

What’s the difference between Zepbound and Wegovy?

Wegovy (semaglutide) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2021 for chronic weight management in people ages 12 and older with obesity and in adults who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. In 2024, the FDA also approved Wegovy for reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in adults with cardiovascular disease and either obesity or a BMI of 27 or higher. Wegovy is made by Novo Nordisk and available in five dose strengths: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg. 

 Zepbound (tirzepatide) is FDA approved to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long-term in adults with obesity or who are overweight and who have at least one weight-related comorbid condition. It is also approved to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity. Zepbound is made by Lilly and is available in six dose strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg per 0.5 mL single-dose pen.

Zepbound and Wegovy mimic hormones in the gut that help with blood sugar regulation and digestion, suppressing appetite and helping people feel fuller longer. Both medications are intended to be used as part of a healthy diet and exercise plan. “The primary difference between Wegovy and Zepbound is that Zepbound is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) receptor agonist, while Wegovy is only a GLP-1 receptor agonist,” says Gianna R. D’Angelo, Pharm.D., a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the D’Youville School of Pharmacy in Buffalo, New York.”

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine comparing the two drugs found that the active ingredient in Zepbound (tirzepatide) was more effective than the active ingredient in Wegovy (semaglutide). The researchers observed that while both drugs are highly effective for obesity management, people who took tirzepatide lost an average of 20.2% of their body weight at 72 weeks, while people who took semaglutide lost an average of 13.7% of their body weight. Also, participants who took tirzepatide lost an average of 18.4 centimeters (cm) from their waist circumference, while participants who took semaglutide lost an average of 13 cm.

RELATED: Zepbound vs. Wegovy for weight loss

How much does Zepbound cost without insurance?

The average retail price of Zepbound is $1,528 per 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg/0.5 mL pens. Costs can vary by pharmacy and location. With a SingleCare coupon for Zepbound, you could pay $950 for 4, 5 mg/0.5 mL pens, saving close to $600. 

How much does Wegovy cost without insurance?

The average retail price of Wegovy is $1,821 per 4, 0.75 mL of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL pens, but you can pay $1,225 with a SingleCare coupon for Wegovy, depending on your choice of pharmacy. 

Zepbound vs. Wegovy cost comparison
Zepbound Wegovy
Typically covered by insurance? Varies Varies
Typically covered by Medicare Part D? Not for weight loss Not for weight loss
Cost without insurance* $1,528 $1,821
SingleCare cost* $950 $1,225
Savings Get coupon Get coupon
*Average cost at time of publication. Drug prices fluctuate and vary by pharmacy and location.

Does insurance cover Zepbound?

Whether or not your insurance covers Zepbound depends on why you are taking it and what type of insurance you have. 

Medicare Part D plans typically do not provide coverage for Zepbound if taken for weight loss but may be more likely to cover it for obstructive sleep apnea. Contact your plan provider for more information.

Medicaid coverage of Zepbound varies by state. In July 2023, only nine states covered GLP-1s for obesity. As of August 2024, the number of state Medicaid programs covering GLP-1s increased to 13: California, Delaware, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia. With coverage increasing, be sure to check with your state’s Medicaid office to monitor and verify coverage. 

Does insurance cover Wegovy?

As is the case with Zepbound, insurance coverage for Wegovy varies. Coverage is always changing, so be sure to check with your plan provider for specifics. If your insurance plan doesn’t cover Wegovy for weight loss, it may be more likely to cover it for reducing cardiovascular risk. The Wegovy website has a tool that allows you to check your coverage. 

Medicare also isn’t likely to cover Wegovy for weight loss but may cover it to reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with established heart disease and a BMI of 27 or higher.

Medicaid coverage for Wegovy is similar to that of Zepbound: It is more likely to cover both drugs for their approved indications other than weight loss, but coverage varies by state. 

Monitoring insurance coverage for GLP-1s

Insurance coverage for GIP and GLP-1 drugs like Zepbound and Wegovy is complex and constantly changing. Coverage can vary significantly from one plan to another. Although the American Medical Association classifies obesity as a chronic disease, some insurance companies and Medicare don’t cover weight loss medications, and Medicaid coverage is limited. Until obesity is more widely recognized as a chronic disease, people are more likely to get coverage for weight-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk reduction, and obstructive sleep apnea than they are for weight loss itself. 

How to get coverage for GLP-1s

There may be ways to get insurance to cover Wegovy and Zepbound, even if your insurance company initially denies coverage. For example, you could ask your healthcare provider to submit a request asking the insurance company to reconsider benefits, or you may send an appeal to your insurance company to document that you meet the FDA requirements for either drug. 

Although not many insurance companies cover medications specifically for weight loss, Cigna has recently announced that it will cap out-of-pocket costs for both Zepbound and Wegovy at $200 per month for certain plans. If you have private insurance, check with your insurance company for specific drug coverage and copay details. 

Bottom line

If you can’t get coverage for either drug, remember that SingleCare coupons for Wegovy and Zepbound can help you save close to $600 per month. They’re free and accepted at pharmacies across the country.