GLP-1 pill vs shot
Pick any 2 FDA-approved GLP-1 weight-loss medicines to compare side by side. Facts from FDA labels and maker price pages.
By the Peptide Science Desk Editorial TeamFact-checked against FDA and official sources · Not yet reviewed by a licensed clinician. How we check facts
Pill, daily
Pill, daily
Shot, weekly
Shot, weekly
Pill, daily
Pill, daily
Shot, weekly
Shot, weekly
FDA status
FDA approved for weight loss
FDA approved for weight loss
FDA approved for weight loss
FDA approved for weight loss and sleep apnea
FDA approved for weight loss
FDA approved for weight loss
FDA approved for weight loss
FDA approved for weight loss and sleep apnea
How often
Once a day
Once a day
Once a week
Once a week
Once a day
Once a day
Once a week
Once a week
How you take it
In the morning on an empty stomach, with up to 4 ounces of plain water. Swallow it whole. Wait at least 30 minutes before food, drinks or other pills.
Any time of day, with or without food. Swallow it whole.
A shot under the skin of the belly, thigh or upper arm. Change the spot each time.
A shot under the skin of the belly, thigh or upper arm. Change the spot each time.
In the morning on an empty stomach, with up to 4 ounces of plain water. Swallow it whole. Wait at least 30 minutes before food, drinks or other pills.
Any time of day, with or without food. Swallow it whole.
A shot under the skin of the belly, thigh or upper arm. Change the spot each time.
A shot under the skin of the belly, thigh or upper arm. Change the spot each time.
Weight lost in main trial (highest strength)
13.6% vs 2.4% on placebo (64 weeks, 307 adults)
11.1% vs 2.1% on placebo (72 weeks, 3,127 adults)
14.9% vs 2.4% on placebo (68 weeks, 1,961 adults)
20.9% vs 3.1% on placebo (72 weeks, 2,539 adults)
13.6% vs 2.4% on placebo (64 weeks, 307 adults)
11.1% vs 2.1% on placebo (72 weeks, 3,127 adults)
14.9% vs 2.4% on placebo (68 weeks, 1,961 adults)
20.9% vs 3.1% on placebo (72 weeks, 2,539 adults)
Most common side effects
Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, headache, tiredness, hair loss
Nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, stomach pain, headache, hair loss
Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, headache, tiredness, hair loss
Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, injection site reactions, tiredness, allergic reactions, hair loss
Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, headache, tiredness, hair loss
Nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, stomach pain, headache, hair loss
Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, headache, tiredness, hair loss
Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, injection site reactions, tiredness, allergic reactions, hair loss
Stopped because of side effects
About 7% vs 5.9% on placebo
Up to 10% vs 3% on placebo
6.8% vs 3.2% on placebo
Up to 6.7% vs 3.4% on placebo
About 7% vs 5.9% on placebo
Up to 10% vs 3% on placebo
6.8% vs 3.2% on placebo
Up to 6.7% vs 3.4% on placebo
Price without insurance
$149 to $299 a month self-pay (NovoCare)
$149 to $349 a month self-pay (Lilly)
$199 to $399 a month self-pay (NovoCare)
$299 to $449 a month for vials, self-pay (LillyDirect)
$149 to $299 a month self-pay (NovoCare)
$149 to $349 a month self-pay (Lilly)
$199 to $399 a month self-pay (NovoCare)
$299 to $449 a month for vials, self-pay (LillyDirect)
Medicare GLP-1 Bridge ($50 a month)
Yes, covered by the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge
Yes, covered by the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge
Yes, covered by the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge
Only the KwikPen. Vials and single-dose pens are not covered
Yes, covered by the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge
Yes, covered by the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge
Yes, covered by the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge
Only the KwikPen. Vials and single-dose pens are not covered
Foundayo is not a peptide. It is a small-molecule GLP-1 pill, but people often group it with peptide drugs.
Do not switch, start or stop a GLP-1 on your own. Doses and changes are for your doctor. We list strengths only to explain prices and trials.
GLP-1 pill vs shot: weight lost in the main trial
Average % of body weight lost at the highest strength vs placebo, from each FDA label
Wegovy pillsemaglutide tablet · 307 adults · 64 weeks
Foundayo pillorforglipron · 3,127 adults · 72 weeks
Wegovy shotsemaglutide weekly · 1,961 adults · 68 weeks
Zepbound shottirzepatide weekly · 2,539 adults · 72 weeks
These were 4 different trials with different people and lengths. Numbers from different trials cannot be fairly compared. No trial has tested these pills and shots head to head.
Show the numbers as a table
| Medicine (FDA label) | On the medicine | On placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Wegovy pill semaglutide tablet · 307 adults · 64 weeks | −13.6% | −2.4% |
| Foundayo pill orforglipron · 3,127 adults · 72 weeks | −11.1% | −2.1% |
| Wegovy shot semaglutide weekly · 1,961 adults · 68 weeks | −14.9% | −2.4% |
| Zepbound shot tirzepatide weekly · 2,539 adults · 72 weeks | −20.9% | −3.1% |
GLP-1 pill vs shot: lowest and highest self-pay price per month
Maker cash prices without insurance, US dollars per month. Prices change often.
Wegovy pillNovoCare, read Oct 28, 2026
Foundayo pillLilly, read Oct 28, 2026
Wegovy shotNovoCare, read Oct 28, 2026
Zepbound shot (vials)LillyDirect, checked Oct 23, 2026
Wegovy shot: $199 is a new-patient offer for the first 2 fills of the lowest strengths through Dec 31, 2026, then $349; $399 is the highest-strength pen. Foundayo: the top 2 strengths are $299 if you refill within 45 days, otherwise $349. Zepbound: higher vial strengths need on-time refills for the lower price.
Show the numbers as a table
| Medicine (maker program) | Self-pay price per month |
|---|---|
| Wegovy pill NovoCare, read Oct 28, 2026 | $149 to $299 |
| Foundayo pill Lilly, read Oct 28, 2026 | $149 to $349 |
| Wegovy shot NovoCare, read Oct 28, 2026 | $199 to $399 |
| Zepbound shot (vials) LillyDirect, checked Oct 23, 2026 | $299 to $449 |
Is the GLP-1 pill better than the shot?
Not better, just different. In trials, the shots led to a bit more weight loss. The Wegovy pill came close to the Wegovy shot.
The pill means no needles, but you take it every day. The Wegovy pill must be taken first thing in the morning with a little water and then you wait 30 minutes. Foundayo has no food rules.
The shot is once a week. Shots can cause skin reactions where you inject. Injection site reactions: when to worry
Do GLP-1 pills have fewer side effects than shots?
Not really. The pills and shots list the same kinds of common side effects: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation. Pills skip injection site reactions.
All 4 FDA labels carry a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents. GLP-1 side effects guide
Does Medicare cover GLP-1 pills and shots?
Since July 1, 2026, Medicare.gov says the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge covers Foundayo, Wegovy (pill or shot) and the Zepbound KwikPen for a $50 monthly copay, for people who qualify. Medicare.gov lists these groups:
- BMI of 35 or more, or
- BMI of 30 or more plus heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or kidney disease stage 3a or worse, or
- BMI of 27 or more plus prediabetes, a past heart attack or stroke, or leg artery disease with symptoms.
Medicare.gov says people with type 2 diabetes, moderate-to-severe sleep apnea or fatty liver disease are not eligible for the Bridge, since other Medicare drug coverage may apply. Your doctor must get prior approval. Read Medicare.gov · Will insurance cover my peptide?
FAQ
Is the GLP-1 pill as good as the shot?
In separate trials, the Wegovy pill (13.6%) came close to the Wegovy shot (14.9%). Foundayo was 11.1% and Zepbound was 20.9%. No trial has compared them head to head, so your doctor is the best guide.
What GLP-1 pills are FDA approved for weight loss?
Two, as of October 28, 2026: the Wegovy pill (semaglutide tablets) and Foundayo (orforglipron). Rybelsus is a semaglutide pill too, but it is approved for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss.
How much does the Wegovy pill cost?
NovoCare lists self-pay prices of $149 a month for the lowest strength, $199 for the next, and $299 for the 2 highest. With commercial insurance that covers it, it can be as low as $25.
How much does Foundayo cost?
Lilly lists self-pay prices starting at $149 a month for the lowest strength, up to $349. The top strengths are $299 if you refill within 45 days. A savings card can bring it down to $25 with commercial insurance; the card expires Dec 31, 2026.
Does Medicare cover the GLP-1 pill?
From July 1, 2026, the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge covers Foundayo and Wegovy (pill or shot) for $50 a month for people who qualify by weight and certain health problems. Zepbound is covered only as the KwikPen.
Why do you have to wait 30 minutes after the Wegovy pill?
The FDA label says to take it on an empty stomach with a little plain water and wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking other pills. In studies on the label, the body absorbed more of the drug when people waited longer before eating, and when they took it with less water.
Is an oral GLP-1 a peptide?
The Wegovy pill is semaglutide, a peptide, made in a form that can be swallowed. Foundayo (orforglipron) is not a peptide; it is a small-molecule drug that acts on the same GLP-1 signal.
Related pages
- Oral peptides vs injectionsGuide
- Semaglutide vs tirzepatideGuide
- Retatrutide vs tirzepatideGuide
- GLP-1 guideHub
- GLP-1 price trackerTool
- Which GLP-1 is right for me? GLP-1 quizTool
- Online GLP-1 providers comparedTool
- Peptide side effects checkerTool
Sources
- Wegovy (semaglutide) tablets and injection, FDA label (June 2026)
- Foundayo (orforglipron), FDA label (July 2026)
- Zepbound (tirzepatide), FDA label (Aug 2026)
- NovoCare: Wegovy savings offer and self-pay prices (read Oct 28, 2026)
- Lilly: Foundayo coverage and savings, self-pay terms (read Oct 28, 2026)
- LillyDirect: Zepbound self-pay prices (checked Oct 23, 2026)
- Medicare.gov: Weight loss drugs (GLP-1 Bridge, read Oct 28, 2026)