Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound — three ways to get your prescription GLP-1 pen: online telehealth delivered to your door, a local weight-loss clinic, or your pharmacy with insurance. Compare your options and find licensed clinics near you.
A GLP-1 "pen" is a prefilled, once-weekly injection device. The four brand-name pens are Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide, by Novo Nordisk) and Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide, by Eli Lilly). Ozempic and Mounjaro are FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and used off-label for weight loss; Wegovy and Zepbound are approved specifically for weight management. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are a lower-cost cash-pay alternative shipped as a vial or pen through licensed telehealth pharmacies. The comparison table on this page lays out indication, dosing and price side by side.
You have three routes. Telehealth delivery is the fastest: a licensed provider reviews your assessment online and ships the medication to your home, no insurance required — this is the cheapest cash-pay path for compounded options. Local clinics and med spas give you in-person physician oversight and on-site injections. Retail pharmacy with insurance is the cheapest route if your plan covers a brand-name pen, though prior authorization is usually required. Which is best depends on your budget, coverage and how quickly you want to start.
GLP-1 pens are injected under the skin (subcutaneously) once a week, usually in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm — rotate the site each week to avoid irritation. The needle is short and thin (4–5 mm), and most people find the injection nearly painless. Pens are stored refrigerated until first use. Providers start you on a low dose and increase it gradually over several weeks to limit side effects like nausea. Your prescribing provider or clinic will walk you through your first injection.
Brand-name and compounded options, side by side
| Pen | Molecule | Approved for | Frequency | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozempic | Semaglutide | Type 2 diabetes (off-label weight loss) | Once weekly | $950–$1,350/mo |
| Wegovy | Semaglutide | Chronic weight management | Once weekly | $1,300–$1,400/mo |
| Mounjaro | Tirzepatide | Type 2 diabetes (off-label weight loss) | Once weekly | $1,000–$1,200/mo |
| Zepbound | Tirzepatide | Chronic weight management | Once weekly | $1,000–$1,060/mo |
| Compounded | Semaglutide / Tirzepatide | Cash-pay telehealth option | Once weekly | $199–$499/mo |
Typical U.S. cash-pay ranges without insurance; savings cards and coverage can lower brand-name costs.
Compare by speed, price and how you prefer to be seen
Online consultation with a licensed provider, medication shipped to your door. Fastest cash-pay route, no insurance needed.
In-person medical weight loss clinics near you — physician oversight, injections on site, personalized follow-up.
Brand-name Ozempic/Wegovy/Mounjaro/Zepbound with a prescription, filled at your pharmacy. Cheapest if covered.
Three simple steps, online or at a local clinic
Quick health assessment (BMI 27+). A licensed provider confirms if a GLP-1 is right for you.
Choose a local clinic for in-person care, or an online provider who ships to your door.
Begin your once-weekly injection at a low dose, with provider follow-up as you progress.
Coverage and cash-pay options
Many commercial plans cover GLP-1 therapy for eligible patients. Your provider can submit prior authorization for brand-name options.
GLP-1 medication prescribed by a licensed provider is an eligible HSA/FSA expense.
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly offer savings cards for commercially insured patients who meet eligibility requirements.
Compounded semaglutide/tirzepatide via telehealth offers the lowest cash-pay entry point with no insurance.
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Compare local clinics and online providers, and get matched with a licensed provider today.
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