Oral vs. Injectable Total Cost: A 12-Month Side-by-Side
Key Takeaways
- 12-month total cost of oral Wegovy (NovoCare): $2,688–$3,588 depending on dose progression
- 12-month total cost of injectable Wegovy (NovoCare): $3,538–$4,788 (standard) or $3,948 (subscription)
- 12-month compounded oral (MadeMed): $1,068–$1,428
- 12-month compounded injectable (GobyMeds): $1,188 (sema) or $1,596 (tirz)
- The cheapest oral option is $89/mo compounded; the cheapest injectable is $99/mo compounded
The real cost of GLP-1 treatment isn't the monthly price — it's the 12-month total, including titration months (which are cheaper for some pathways) and maintenance months (which make up most of the year). Here's a side-by-side comparison across every major pricing pathway.
12-Month Cost: Brand-Name Oral Options
| Product | Months 1–4 (titration) | Months 5–12 (maintenance) | 12-Month Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Wegovy (NovoCare) | $149/mo × 2 + $149/mo × 2 = $596 | $299/mo × 8 = $2,392 | $2,988 |
| Foundayo (LillyDirect) | $149/mo × 2–3 = $298–$447 | $299–$349/mo × 8–9 | ~$2,690–$3,588 |
| Oral Wegovy (insurance) | $25/mo × 4 = $100 | $25/mo × 8 = $200 | $300 |
| Oral Wegovy (Medicare Bridge) | $50/mo × 4 = $200 | $50/mo × 8 = $400 | $600 |
12-Month Cost: Brand-Name Injectable
| Product | Months 1–4 (titration) | Months 5–12 (maintenance) | 12-Month Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy pen (NovoCare intro*) | $199/mo × 2 + $349/mo × 2 = $1,096 | $349/mo × 8 = $2,792 | $3,888 |
| Wegovy pen (NovoCare standard) | $349/mo × 4 = $1,396 | $349/mo × 8 = $2,792 | $4,188 |
| Wegovy pen (subscription) | $329/mo × 4 = $1,316 | $329/mo × 8 = $2,632 | $3,948 |
| Zepbound (LillyDirect) | $299/mo × 1 + $399–$449/mo × 3 | $449/mo × 8 = $3,592 | $4,888+ |
*NovoCare intro pricing ($199/mo for 0.25/0.5 mg) available through Aug 31, 2026.
12-Month Cost: Compounded Options
| Provider | Format | Monthly Cost | 12-Month Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| MadeMed oral sema (quarterly) | Oral tablet | $89/mo | $1,068 |
| MadeMed oral tirz (quarterly) | Oral tablet | $89/mo | $1,068 |
| MadeMed oral (monthly) | Oral tablet | $119/mo | $1,428 |
| Telos Rx oral tirz | Oral | $40 first, then $160–249/mo | ~$1,800–$2,780 |
| GobyMeds sema (injectable) | Injectable | $99/mo | $1,188 |
| GobyMeds tirz (injectable) | Injectable | $133/mo | $1,596 |
The Real Comparison
1. MadeMed oral (quarterly) .............. $1,068
2. GobyMeds injectable sema .............. $1,188
3. MadeMed oral (monthly) ................ $1,428
4. GobyMeds injectable tirz .............. $1,596
5. Oral Wegovy (NovoCare) ................ $2,988
6. Foundayo (LillyDirect) ................ ~$3,140
7. Wegovy pen subscription ............... $3,948
8. Wegovy pen (NovoCare) ................. $4,188
9. Zepbound (LillyDirect) ................ $4,888+
MadeMed
Oral SemaglutideCompounded oral semaglutide in tablet form. Quarterly plan brings cost to $89/month; monthly refill is $119/month.
GobyMeds
Budget PickInjectable compounded semaglutide ($99/mo) and tirzepatide ($133/mo). Also offers NAD+ and Sermorelin. Direct affiliate — not gated through /go/.
Over 12 months, the cheapest oral option (MadeMed quarterly at $89/mo = $1,068/year) costs less than the cheapest injectable option (GobyMeds at $99/mo = $1,188/year). But the cheapest overall option with FDA approval is insurance-covered oral Wegovy at $25/month = $300/year — if you can get coverage. For self-pay patients, compounded oral formats offer meaningful savings over brand-name products in both oral and injectable categories.
All prices as of July 2026. Costs may vary by provider, plan length, and dose. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. Consult your healthcare provider about treatment options.