Wegovy’s maintenance month costs $349 on the maker’s self-pay offer[4]. Zepbound’s runs $399 to $449, by dose[3]. Both makers count a month as 28 days. Compounded prices are on the tirzepatide price board.
$349
Wegovy pen, 1.7 or 2.4 mg, per 28-day box
Source: Novo Nordisk self-pay terms
$399
Zepbound 5 mg, per 28-day month
Source: LillyDirect
$449
Zepbound 15 mg, on-time refill
Source: LillyDirect
Price by stage, dose for dose
Both labels start low and step up every four weeks[1][2]. So the first two months cost less than the months after. The table puts each stage side by side.
| Stage | Zepbound (vial or KwikPen) | Wegovy pen |
|---|---|---|
| First month | $299 at 2.5 mg | $199 at 0.25 mg (new patients) |
| Second month | $399 at 5 mg | $199 at 0.5 mg (new patients) |
| Lower maintenance dose | $399 at 5 mg | $349 at 1.7 mg |
| Recommended maintenance dose | $449 at 10 mg or $449 at 15 mg | $349 at 2.4 mg |
| Top dose, refill late | $699 at 15 mg | $399 at 7.2 mg |
Wegovy’s introductory price applies to new self-pay patients only[4]. It covers two fills, at 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg[4]. Zepbound’s 2.5 mg month is a starting dose. The label says it is not a maintenance dose[1].
The dose decides Zepbound’s bill
The Zepbound label lists 5, 10 or 15 mg as maintenance doses for weight[1]. LillyDirect prices each of those doses separately[3]. The table above shows where the price rises.
The higher-dose prices carry a condition. Refill within 45 days, or pay the higher rate[3]. At 15 mg, a late refill costs $699[3].
Wegovy prices every dose from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg the same[4]. The label’s 7.2 mg step, sold as Wegovy HD, costs $399[4]. The label allows it only after at least four weeks at 2.4 mg[2].
The arithmetic for a year at the recommended top dose: 13 fills of 28 days. Zepbound 15 mg comes to $5,837. Wegovy 2.4 mg comes to $4,537. The gap is $1,300 a year, if every Zepbound refill lands on time.
What the extra spend buys
One trial compared the two drugs directly. SURMOUNT-5 randomized 751 adults with obesity and without type 2 diabetes[5]. It was open-label and funded by Lilly[5].
Each group took its maximum tolerated dose for 72 weeks[5]. Tirzepatide meant 10 or 15 mg; semaglutide meant 1.7 or 2.4 mg[5]. Mean weight change was −20.2% with tirzepatide and −13.7% with semaglutide[5].
Those are averages across a trial group. They do not say which drug suits one person. A clinician weighs side effects, other conditions and coverage too.
With insurance, the math changes
With commercial coverage, both copay cards start at $25[6][4]. Zepbound’s card caps savings at $100 a month[6]. Wegovy’s caps them at $100 per one-month fill[4].
On Medicare, the GLP-1 Bridge charges $50 a month for either brand, if you qualify[7]. For Zepbound, it covers the KwikPen only[7]. Details are in does Medicare cover Zepbound.
Before you pay
Price the dose you expect to reach, not the first fill. Add any visit or membership fee with the all-in monthly calculator. Then read Zepbound price and Wegovy cost for each maker’s full terms.