Tool · Updated March 2026

Brand vs Compounded Savings Calculator

I pay out of pocket for Mounjaro, and the brand price is brutal. This calculator shows exactly how much you could save by switching to a compounded version of the same active ingredient.

Which medication are you taking (or considering)?

Do you have insurance coverage for this medication?

Your monthly brand cost (optional, we use default if blank)

Default: $1,023/mo (list price without insurance)

Brand Monthly Cost

$1,023

Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Compounded Range

$199-$399

Compounded tirzepatide/mo

Monthly Savings

$624-$824

By switching to compounded

Savings Over Time

Monthly

Every month you switch

$624-$824

Annual (12 months)

First year of savings

$7,488-$9,888

2-Year Total

Long-term savings

$14,976-$19,776

Ready to save on compounded tirzepatide?

Compare 50+ providers offering compounded GLP-1 medications with pricing from $199/mo.

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Cost Comparison (Monthly)

Brand (Mounjaro)$1,023/mo

Compounded (avg.)$299/mo

Compounded avg. is 71% less than brand price

How This Calculator Works

Pick your medication and we show you the list price for the brand-name version alongside the typical price range for compounded alternatives. The savings numbers update instantly as you adjust inputs.

Brand prices are based on manufacturer list prices as of March 2026. If you have insurance or a copay card, enter your actual out-of-pocket cost for a more accurate comparison.

Compounded prices reflect the range we see across providers in our directory. Compounded semaglutide runs $149-$299/mo and compounded tirzepatide runs $199-$399/mo, depending on the provider and your dose.

Why Compounded GLP-1 Costs Less

Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide use the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs. The difference is that licensed 503A and 503B compounding pharmacies produce them at a fraction of the cost. No billion-dollar marketing budget, no brand premium.

These compounded versions are legally available while FDA-recognized shortages exist. Your prescribing provider handles the medical oversight, and the pharmacy fills the prescription the same way a regular pharmacy would.

Compare prices across 81+ providers

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is compounded GLP-1 the same as brand-name medication?

Compounded versions use the same active ingredient (semaglutide or tirzepatide) but are made by compounding pharmacies rather than the original manufacturer. They are not FDA-approved products, but they are legally prescribed and dispensed while drug shortages exist. The clinical effect is the same active molecule at the same dose.

Should I switch if my insurance covers the brand?

If your insurance covers Mounjaro or Wegovy with a low copay ($25-$50/mo), sticking with brand-name is usually the better choice. Enter your actual copay in the calculator to compare. Compounded versions make the most sense for people paying full price out of pocket, which is most people right now.

How long will compounded GLP-1 be available?

Compounded versions are available as long as the FDA recognizes a drug shortage. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are working to resolve supply issues, but shortages have persisted since 2022. If the shortage ends, compounding pharmacies may need to stop producing these medications. Some providers are preparing by diversifying their medication offerings.