Is There a Cheaper Alternative to Wegovy? What to Know

Key Takeaways

Unfortunately, there is currently no lower-cost generic version of Wegovy available.
The monthly cost of Wegovy without insurance is $1,349.02. Saxenda and Zepbound are also available as brand name products. Saxenda’s cost is comparable to Wegovy, but Zepbound is about 20% less.
You may be able to save money on Wegovy through insurance coverage, manufacturer coupons, BuzzRx discounts, and other discount cards.

Wegovy (semaglutide) is an injectable weight-loss medication that is prescribed for chronic weight management in obese and overweight individuals. Just like any weight management therapy, Wegovy works best when used in addition to a healthy diet and adequate exercise routine. But taking prescription drugs like Wegovy for weight loss is expensive. This weight loss drug costs over $1,300 for a month’s supply without insurance or discounts.

Please continue reading to find out if there are cheaper alternatives to Wegovy to treat obesity and help you lose weight in addition to lifestyle modifications. We will also talk about how you can save on this and other prescription weight-loss medications.

Is there a generic version of Wegovy?

Currently, Wegovy is only available as a brand name. No generic equivalent is available at this time.

Wegovy contains semaglutide as the active ingredient. This medication was originally developed to treat diabetes and is sold under the brand name Ozempic for this purpose. Unfortunately, there is no lower-cost generic version of Wegovy available at the moment. Learn more about semaglutide for weight loss.

Is there anything comparable to Wegovy?

There are other prescription medications for weight reduction that are comparable to Wegovy. The best Wegovy alternatives are:

Saxenda (liraglutide): This is also a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) receptor agonist and is a once-daily injectable prescription drug for chronic weight management.
Zepbound (tirzepatide): This is a dual GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptor agonist and is a once-weekly injectable prescription medication for weight reduction.

Saxenda (liraglutide) is made by Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company that also makes Wegovy. It has a list price of $1,349 per month, which is similar to Wegovy.

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is made by Eli Lilly. It has a list price of $1,059.87, which is approximately 20% less than Saxenda or Wegovy. Learn more about tirzepatide for weight loss.

Note: The list price of a prescription drug does not necessarily reflect the typical out-of-pocket cost to patients after accounting for insurance coverage and discounts.

What is the monthly cost of Wegovy without insurance?

The monthly cost of Wegovy without insurance is $1,349.02 per package of 4 pens (one for each week). This is the list price that you would pay for a one-month supply of Wegovy without insurance or discounts.

How can I reduce the cost of Wegovy?

You can reduce the cost of Wegovy in the following ways:

Insurance coverage

Check if your health insurance plan covers Wegovy. Many private insurers cover this drug when it’s prescribed by a healthcare provider to promote weight loss, lower the risk of chronic health conditions, and help maintain health overall.

BuzzRx prescription savings card

Use a free BuzzRx Wegovy discount coupon and effectively achieve savings of up to 73% on this weight loss drug at any participating pharmacy in our network, including Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, Rite-Aid, Kroger, and more. Ask your pharmacist to enter your BuzzRx Wegovy discount coupon when you drop off your prescriptions at the pharmacy counter.

Manufacturer coupon

Novo Nordisk has a Wegovy savings program in which people with commercial insurance plans and coverage for Wegovy may pay as little as $0 for up to 13 refills of a one-month supply of Wegovy (subject to maximum savings of $225 for 1 box, $450 for 2 boxes, and $675 for 3 boxes). After 13 refills, people with insurance coverage may pay as little as $25 for 1 box, $50 for 2 boxes, or $75 for 3 boxes of Wegovy (subject to maximum savings of $200 for 1 box, $400 for 2 boxes, and $600 for 3 boxes).

People who don’t have commercial insurance or whose health insurance plan doesn’t cover Wegovy can save up to $500 for 1 box, $1,000 for 2 boxes, or $1,500 for 3 boxes of Wegovy.

How does Wegovy help you lose weight?

Wegovy belongs to a group of prescription weight-loss drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs mimic the action of a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the body. Similar to the action of the hormone GLP-1, these medications slow the emptying of the stomach, increase feelings of fullness, reduce food cravings, and suppress appetite. This causes you to eat fewer calories, thus promoting weight loss. Learn more about how Wegovy works for weight loss.

Taking Wegovy can result in substantial weight loss when combined with a balanced diet and exercise regimen to boost metabolism. Learn more about Wegovy’s uses and side effects.

Who can take Wegovy?

Wegovy is for weight reduction in obese adults (18 years and older) with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher or overweight adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m² or higher and at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or high cholesterol.

Wegovy is also approved to use in children aged 12 and older for chronic weight management. Children in this age group can be candidates to receive Wegovy if their BMI is in the 95^thpercentile or greater, standardized for age and sex.

Check out our blog to learn: who should not take Wegovy?

How much body weight can you lose on Wegovy?

Controlled clinical trials have shown that, on average, taking Wegovy can help you lose 15% of your initial body weight over a period of 68 weeks. This means if your initial body weight is 232 lbs, taking prescription medication such as Wegovy could result in a significant weight loss of 35 lbs. Learn about what happens when you stop taking Wegovy.

What other medications can help me in my weight loss journey?

You can use one of the following Wegovy alternatives to help you in your weight loss journey:

Off-label use of anti-diabetic drugs

Rybelsus (oral semaglutide), also sometimes called “Wegovy in a pill.” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) did not approve Rybelsus for weight loss. However, Rybelsus contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy and can cause weight loss. Find out about the strongest weight loss prescription pill.
Ozempic (semaglutide injection), which is a once-weekly injectable medication for diabetes. It also contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as Wegovy. However, it is dosed differently and contains a lower dose of semaglutide to treat diabetes. Ozempic is sometimes used off-label for weight loss as a Wegovy alternative. Learn more about the differences between Ozempic vs Wegovy for weight loss.

Other prescription weight loss medications

There are several FDA-approved prescription weight loss medications that can help you lose weight. Some of these drugs work by suppressing appetite and preventing you from eating more calories. Others decrease the amount of fat absorbed from food in the intestines. Wegovy alternatives (OTC and prescription) include:

Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave)
Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia) (Compare Wegovy vs phentermine for weight loss)
Orlistat (Xenical) (there is also an over-the-counter alternative for this drug called Alli)
Liraglutide (Saxenda)
Tirzepatide (Zepbound)

Natural supplements

There are dozens of natural alternatives to prescription weight loss drugs on the market. These include natural caffeine, chromium picolinate, chitosan, conjugated linoleic acid, green tea extract, yerba mate, capsimax powder, and many more.

Remember that just because an all-natural supplement contains natural ingredients or plant-based components, it is not necessarily safe or useful. Most herbal ingredients carry potential risks. They can also interact with your prescription drugs and cause serious side effects.

Always check with your healthcare provider before taking any herbal supplement or natural remedies. Keep in mind that the FDA does not regulate these natural weight loss supplements, so you cannot be sure if a particular natural supplement is safe and actually does what it claims to do.

Key Takeaways

Wegovy is a prescription injectable drug that suppresses appetite, thus reducing hunger levels. It can help you lose a substantial amount of weight when used with a holistic approach that includes lifestyle changes.

However, achieving your weight loss goals with Wegovy can be expensive, costing up to $1,349 per month without insurance or discounts. You can save on Wegovy costs by using a BuzzRx discount card, other discount coupon cards, or a savings card from the manufacturer. Find out how to get a Wegovy prescription.

Cheaper alternatives to Wegovy include other prescription medications that are FDA-approved for weight reduction and natural alternatives. However, these Wegovy alternatives may not result in as much weight loss as Wegovy.

Save on Your Medication with BuzzRx!

Manage your medication costs with BuzzRx coupons. Here are direct links to substantial savings for each medication:

Remember, these coupons are widely accepted at over 60,000 pharmacies, including major chains like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid. Just present your coupon at the pharmacy to ensure you're getting the best possible price.

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