A year is the honest unit for a chronic medication. This compares annual compounded cost against FDA-approved self-pay annual cost, because the 2026 price drops on Zepbound and Wegovy changed the math.
Provider data may change · advertised price · last checked 2026-06-25 · availability may vary by state and prescribing basis.
| Option | Effective monthly | Annual | FDA-approved? | Provenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compounded tirz (flat, Henry Meds) | $179 | ~$2,148 | No | secondary |
| Compounded tirz (flat, NexLife) | ~$186–$215 | ~$2,232–$2,580 | No | primary |
| Zepbound (FDA-approved, LillyDirect) | ~$449–$499 | ~$5,388–$5,988 | Yes | primary |
| Wegovy (FDA-approved, NovoCare) | ~$349 | ~$4,188 | Yes | primary |
Compounded is still lower annually, but the gap narrowed: FDA-approved Wegovy self-pay (~$4,188/yr) buys a reviewed, standardized product. With commercial insurance, branded copays can fall to ~$25/mo (~$300/yr), often cheaper than compounded. Price your own dose and coverage. Compounded GLP-1 is not FDA-approved.
The FDA resolved the tirzepatide (Dec 2024) and semaglutide (Feb 2025) shortages, and wind-down deadlines passed in 2025. On Apr 30, 2026 the FDA proposed excluding these drugs from the 503B bulks list (comment closed Jun 29, 2026). Patient-specific 503A compounding continues only narrowly, and cost alone is not a clinical need. Full regulatory status →
Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved and are not the same as Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, or Mounjaro. The FDA does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness, or quality before marketing. Primary source: FDA — Human Drug Compounding.