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

Some providers advertise lower-priced compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide. Compounded products are not FDA-approved or generic versions of the brand drugs, and FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness, or quality before marketing.

The national semaglutide and tirzepatide shortages ended in 2025. Patient-specific compounding may still be permitted in limited circumstances when legal requirements are met, but mass production of copies cannot rely on the former shortage exception.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Compounded products are not FDA-approved generics and FDA has warned marketers not to describe them as the same as approved brands. Their safety, effectiveness, and quality are not reviewed by FDA before marketing. A clinician should use one only when a patient's needs cannot be met by an approved drug and applicable compounding rules are satisfied.

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?

The national semaglutide and tirzepatide shortages have already ended. Broad shortage-based enforcement discretion ended in 2025. Limited patient-specific compounding may still occur when statutory requirements are met, but availability can change and should be confirmed directly with the prescriber and pharmacy.