Comparisons

Updated August 14, 2026: Oral Wegovy produced 16.6% weight loss in OASIS vs Foundayo's 12.4% in ATTAIN-1; these were separate trials. Both manufacturer-direct cash-pay floors now start at $149/mo. Foundayo follows a $149-$349 dose/refill ladder and requires no fasting; NovoCare's Wegovy pill price is dose-dependent and requires a 30-minute pre-dose fast.

Updated July 2026: Tirzepatide produces 20.2% weight loss vs semaglutide's 13.7% in the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial (NEJM 2024): a 47% greater relative reduction confirmed by 2026 systematic meta-analyses. Tirzepatide activates GLP-1 + GIP dual receptors; semaglutide activates GLP-1 only. Full cost and side-effect comparison.

As of August 2026, two FDA-approved oral GLP-1 weight-loss pills exist: Foundayo (orforglipron, 12.4% in ATTAIN-1, LillyDirect from $149/mo at 0.8 mg with a dose/refill ladder to $349, no fasting) and the Wegovy pill (semaglutide 25mg, 16.6% in OASIS, NovoCare from $149/mo, dose-dependent, 30-minute pre-dose fast). These were separate trials. Medicare covers both pills at a $50/mo Bridge copay for eligible patients.

Updated August 2026: SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial (NEJM): Zepbound 20.2% vs Wegovy 13.7% weight loss at 72 weeks. Wegovy HD (7.2mg, FDA-approved March 2026) closes the gap at 20.7%. NovoCare lists the Wegovy pen at $199/mo for the first two low-dose fills, then $349/mo at standard strengths ($399 for HD) and pill from $149/mo, prescription required and dose-dependent; LillyDirect lists Zepbound from $299/mo with higher-dose pricing. Both may be as low as $25/mo for eligible commercially insured patients using a savings card.

Verified August 14, 2026: Ozempic and Wegovy are both semaglutide from Novo Nordisk. Ozempic ($1,027.51/mo list) is approved for type 2 diabetes at max 2mg. Wegovy ($1,349/mo list) is approved for weight loss at max 2.4mg (or 7.2mg HD). NovoCare lists each pen at $199/mo for the first two low-dose fills; Wegovy then costs $349/mo at standard strengths ($399 HD), while Ozempic costs $349/mo at 0.25-1mg or $499/mo at 2mg. Pills start at $149/mo and are dose-dependent.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both FDA-approved only for type 2 diabetes, neither is approved for weight loss (that's their sister brands, Zepbound and Wegovy). In the first head-to-head trial, SURMOUNT-5, tirzepatide beat semaglutide for weight loss (−20.2% vs −13.7% over 72 weeks), and in SURPASS-2 tirzepatide cut A1C more. But Ozempic's semaglutide has the SELECT cardiovascular outcome data Mounjaro doesn't. Here's the data-driven breakdown, plus the cheaper cash-pay paths if your insurance says no.

IvyRx offers compounded semaglutide from $175/month and tirzepatide from $275/month with a rare flat-rate model, your price never increases as your dose goes up. We reviewed their pricing, clinical oversight, and transparency. Key finding: the flat-rate pricing is genuinely valuable, but IvyRx doesn't publicly disclose a named medical director or their compounding pharmacy partners, which are meaningful gaps for patients who want to verify clinical quality.

Verified July 2026: Zepbound and Mounjaro are the exact same drug (tirzepatide) at the same doses. Mounjaro was FDA-approved May 2022 for Type 2 diabetes. Zepbound was FDA-approved November 2023 for chronic weight management and December 2024 for obstructive sleep apnea. List price is ~$1,087/mo for both; with commercial insurance + savings cards both drop to $25/mo (max $1,950/yr). The real differences: which one your insurance covers, what the FDA label allows, and Zepbound's LillyDirect self-pay vials at $299-$449/mo, a program Mounjaro does not offer.

Verified August 2026: Oral Wegovy (25mg daily pill) produced 16.6% weight loss in OASIS vs 14.9% for injectable Wegovy (2.4mg weekly) in STEP-1. NovoCare lists the pill from $149/mo and pen from $199/mo, prescription required and dose-dependent. Full cross-trial comparison.

Two of the biggest telehealth platforms now offer branded Wegovy and GLP-1 programs. We compare Ro and Hims on pricing, medications, insurance, clinical support, and what actually changed after the Novo Nordisk lawsuit.