, MD, who is board-certified in obesity medicine and previously served as the president of the Obesity Medicine Association, says the appeals process can take hours without that streamlined technology. \u201cIt\u2019s a lot of time that isn\u2019t compensated, and many clinics do not have time or resources to do it.\u201d She warns that decisions can take months to arrive.<\/span><\/p>\nBecause it can take a while to hear back from the insurance company, contact your healthcare provider as soon as you learn about the dropped drug coverage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n3. Don\u2019t suddenly stop taking your GLP-1.<\/span><\/h3>\nQuitting a medication cold turkey may lead to withdrawal symptoms, so it\u2019s best not to make any changes to your dose until you talk to your healthcare provider.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cI generally do not advise patients to discontinue abruptly, not only because of the increased risk of rebound, but also because it can cause uncontrolled sugar spikes initially,\u201d Dr. Robbins says. It\u2019s safer to slowly taper off the medication under your healthcare provider\u2019s guidance.<\/span><\/p>\nDr. Fitch agrees that weight gain is likely to occur when someone stops taking a GLP-1 medication, so she recommends talking to your healthcare provider about more affordable options.<\/span><\/p>\nGLP-1 alternatives for weight loss<\/span><\/h2>\nGLP-1 agonists have surged in popularity over the last few years, but they\u2019re not the only weight loss medications available. \u201cWe\u2019ve been using medications to successfully treat obesity for many years before GLP-1s,\u201d Dr. Fitch says. \u201cMedications such as Contrave and Qsymia can be effective for treatment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nIf you can\u2019t afford your GLP-1 medication without insurance, talk to your healthcare provider about some alternatives:<\/span><\/p>\n\nQsymia<\/span> (phentermine-topiramate), an appetite suppressant available as a once-daily oral capsule<\/span><\/li>\nContrave<\/span> (naltrexone-bupropion), an oral tablet typically taken twice per day to manage cravings and reduce appetite<\/span><\/li>\nAdipex-P<\/span> (phentermine), an appetite-suppressing tablet typically taken once per day\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\nDiethylpropion extended-release<\/span>, a long-lasting appetite-suppressing tablet typically taken once per day\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\nPhendimetrazine tartrate<\/span>, available as a tablet that\u2019s taken before meals (up to three times per day) to increase the body\u2019s metabolism and reduce appetite<\/span><\/li>\nAlli<\/span> (orlistat), an oral capsule that limits how much fat the body absorbs and can be taken up to three times per day, about an hour before eating\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\nXenical<\/span> (orlistat), a capsule that contains the same active ingredient as Alli but in a higher dose<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nYour healthcare provider may also prescribe a generic GLP-1 agonist: liraglutide or exenatide. These are FDA approved to treat Type 2 Diabetes, but healthcare providers may prescribe them off-label for weight loss. Because they\u2019re generic, they have a lower out-of-pocket cost than the brand-name versions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nGLP-1 alternatives: Cost comparison and savings<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n\nQsymia <\/span>(phentermine-topiramate)<\/span><\/td>\n $278 per 30, 7.5\/46 mg capsules<\/span><\/td>\n $78 per 30, 7.5\/46 mg capsules of generic phentermine-topiramate<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nContrave <\/span>(naltrexone-bupropion)<\/span><\/td>\n $843 per 120, 8\/90 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\n $614 per 120, 8\/90 mg tablets of brand-name Contrave<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nAdipex-P<\/span> (phentermine)<\/span><\/td>\n $115 per 30, 37.5 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\n $10 per 30, 37.5 mg tablets of generic phentermine<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nDiethylpropion<\/span><\/td>\n $90 per 30, 75 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\n $50 per 30, 75 mg tablets of generic diethylpropion<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nPhendimetrazine tartrate<\/span><\/td>\n $60 per 90, 35 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\n $13 per 90, 35 mg tablets of generic phendimetrazine<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nAlli (orlistat)<\/span><\/td>\n $97 per 120, 60 mg capsules<\/span><\/td>\n $94 per 120, 60 mg capsules of brand-name Alli<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nXenical (orlistat)<\/span><\/td>\n $926 per 90, 120 mg capsules<\/span><\/td>\n $631 per 90, 120 mg capsules of generic orlistat<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nLiraglutide<\/span> (generic Victoza)<\/span><\/td>\n $345 per 1, 3 mL of 18 mg\/3 mL pen<\/span><\/td>\n $139 per 1, 3 mL of 18 mg\/3 mL pen of generic liraglutide<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nExenatide (generic Byetta)<\/span><\/td>\n $1,106 per 1, 2.4 mL of 10 micrograms (mcg)\/0.04 mL pen<\/span><\/td>\n $792 per 1, 2.4 mL of 10 mcg\/0.04 mL pen of generic exenatide<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n*Drug prices fluctuate and vary by location. This is the most current price at the time of publication.<\/span><\/h5>\nHow to save on your GLP-1 without insurance<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you still want to take your GLP-1 without insurance coverage, a free <\/span> prescription discount card<\/span> can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nHere\u2019s how to use it:<\/span><\/p>\n\nSearch for your GLP-1 on the website, enter your ZIP code, and find your preferred pharmacy in the list.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\nClick the Get Free Coupon button to generate your unique discount code.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\nPrint it, email it to yourself, or save it in your account for easy access.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\nWhen you collect your prescription, show your coupon to the pharmacist before paying.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nOnly pharmacies listed on the coupon page will accept a discount card. You may need to switch pharmacies to get the best price on your GLP-1.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nBased on our data, generic liraglutide is the cheapest GLP-1 without insurance:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nGLP-1 cost comparison and savings<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n\nMounjaro<\/span> (tirzepatide)<\/span><\/td>\n $1,517 per 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg\/mL pens<\/span><\/td>\n $872 per 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg\/mL pens of brand-name Mounjaro<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nZepbound<\/span> (tirzepatide)<\/span><\/td>\n $1,519 per 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg\/0.5 mL pens<\/span><\/td>\n $950 per 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg\/0.5 mL pens of brand-name Zepbound<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nOzempic<\/span> (semaglutide)<\/span><\/td>\n $1,382 per 1, 3 mL of 2 mg\/3 mL pen<\/span><\/td>\n $825 per 1, 3 mL of 2 mg\/3 mL pen of brand-name Ozempic<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nRybelsus<\/span> (semaglutide)<\/span><\/td>\n $1,388 per 30, 7 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\n $875 per 30, 7 mg tablets of brand-name Rybelsus<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nWegovy<\/span> (semaglutide)<\/span><\/td>\n $1,849 per 4, 0.75 mL of 2.4 mg \/ 0.75 mL pens<\/span><\/td>\n $1,225 per 4, 0.75 mL of 2.4 mg \/ 0.75 mL pens of brand-name Wegovy<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nSaxenda<\/span> (liraglutide)<\/span><\/td>\n $1,803 per 5, 3 mL of 18 mg\/3 mL pens<\/span><\/td>\n $1,213 per 5, 3 mL of 18 mg\/3 mL pens of brand-name Saxenda<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nVictoza<\/span> (liraglutide)<\/span><\/td>\n $1,440 per 3, 3 mL of 18 mg\/3 mL pens<\/span><\/td>\n $139 per 3, 3 mL of 18 mg\/3 mL pens of generic liraglutide<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nTrulicity<\/span> (dulaglutide)<\/span><\/td>\n $1,340 per 4, 0.5 mL of 1.5 mg\/0.5 mL pens<\/span><\/td>\n $774 per 4, 0.5 mL of 1.5 mg\/0.5 mL pens of brand-name Trulicity<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nExenatide<\/span><\/td>\n $1,106 per 1, 2.4 mL of 10 mcg\/0.04 mL pen<\/span><\/td>\n $792 per 1, 2.4 mL of 10 mcg\/0.04 mL pen of generic exenatide<\/span><\/td>\n Get coupon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n*Drug prices fluctuate and vary by location. This is the most current price at the time of publication.<\/span><\/h5>\nBottom line<\/span><\/h2>\nYour weight loss journey doesn\u2019t have to be put on hold just because insurance stopped covering your GLP-1. You have options. Start by talking to a healthcare provider who is familiar with your health history and any other conditions you may have. They may be able to appeal to the insurance company or help you find a safe and affordable alternative. Use a coupon to save even more money on out-of-pocket costs.<\/span><\/p>\n\n \n \n
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