Wegovy: Cost, Alternatives, and What You Need to Know in 2025

When you hear Wegovy, a prescription weight loss medication containing semaglutide, approved for chronic weight management in adults. Also known as semaglutide injection, it's one of the most talked-about tools in modern weight loss—but it’s not magic, and it’s not cheap. Wegovy works by mimicking a hormone your body naturally makes to control appetite. It slows digestion, makes you feel full faster, and helps reduce cravings. But it’s not a standalone fix. It works best when paired with diet changes and movement. That’s why so many people are asking: Is it worth the price?

The semaglutide, the active ingredient in both Wegovy and Ozempic, originally developed for type 2 diabetes but now widely used for weight loss in Wegovy is the same as in Ozempic, but the dosage and approval are different. Wegovy is specifically dosed for weight loss, while Ozempic is for diabetes. That’s why Wegovy costs more—sometimes over $1,300 a month in Australia. But here’s the twist: Walmart, a major U.S. pharmacy chain offering a generic version of semaglutide at a fraction of the brand-name price sells a generic semaglutide for about $90 a month. That’s not a typo. It’s the same drug, just not branded as Wegovy. Many people are switching to save money, especially if their insurance won’t cover the brand.

People also compare Wegovy to other weight loss drugs, like metformin or GLP-1 agonists, but those work differently. Metformin helps with insulin and can cause modest weight loss, but it’s not designed for that. Wegovy was built for it. Still, not everyone qualifies. Doctors look at your BMI, medical history, and whether you’ve tried lifestyle changes first. And even if you get it, side effects like nausea or fatigue are common at first. It’s not a quick fix—it’s a tool that requires commitment.

What you’ll find below are real, practical answers from people who’ve used Wegovy, compared it to Ozempic, tried the Walmart generic, or wondered if it’s even worth the cost. There’s no fluff here—just facts about pricing, insurance hurdles, what actually works, and what doesn’t. Whether you’re considering it, already on it, or just trying to understand why everyone’s talking about it, these posts cut through the noise and give you what you need to decide for yourself.