Short answer: Wegovy generally costs more over time than Ozempic, mainly because Wegovy uses a higher weekly dose (2.4 mg maintenance) and its list price is higher. Exact out-of-pocket costs depend a lot on your insurance, discount programs, and where you live.
Common ballpark (U.S., before insurance discounts)
- Wegovy (weight-management dose): roughly $1,300–$1,500 per month.
- Ozempic (diabetes dose): roughly $800–$1,000 per month.
What that means over time
- Annual pre-insurance cost (approximate): Wegovy around $15,600–$18,000; Ozempic around $9,600–$12,000.
- With insurance, copays/coinsurance can shift these numbers widely. Some plans cover Ozempic more easily for diabetes; Wegovy coverage varies and may require prior authorization for obesity.
Important caveats
- Prices vary by country, pharmacy, and time. Manufacturer savings cards, patient assistance programs, and insurance formulary placement can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for both drugs.
- If you don’t need the full Wegovy maintenance dose (2.4 mg/week) and only need lower doses, your cost could be different, but the approved indications and dosing targets are different for obesity vs diabetes.
- Over a longer horizon, adherence, duration of therapy, and whether the drug achieves the intended weight loss or glucose control can influence overall value or cost-effectiveness.
If you’d like, tell me your country, your insurance plan, and whether you’re asking about out-of-pocket costs or list price. I can help estimate more precisely and suggest ways to compare costs (e.g., check cash prices at local pharmacies, look up formulary coverage, or explore savings programs).