If a medication you need isn't covered by your insurance, or costs more than you can afford, you still have options. This page explains the most common ways our patients lower their medication costs, what compounded medications are, and why we don't prescribe compounded GLP-1 medications. At the bottom, you'll find a table of the lowest published prices we know of for common medications.
Please tell us if cost is a barrier. We would much rather help you find an affordable option than have you go without a medication you need.
Ways to lower your medication costs
The right option depends on your insurance and the medication. It's worth checking more than one, because the cheapest choice is not always the obvious one.
Ask us about a covered alternative
Many medications have a generic version or a similar medication that your plan covers. Your insurance plan's list of covered drugs is called a formulary. If your medication isn't on it, let us know. We can often switch you to something covered, or submit a prior authorization or exception request explaining why you need a specific medication.
Manufacturer copay cards and savings programs
Many drug companies offer copay cards that lower what you pay at the pharmacy. These are usually for people with commercial (private) insurance. They can't be used with Medicare, Medicaid (Apple Health), TRICARE or other government insurance.
Some manufacturers also sell their medications directly to patients paying cash, often at much lower prices than the pharmacy cash price. Search the medication's name plus "savings" or "self-pay," and make sure you're on the manufacturer's official website.
Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company
Cost Plus Drugs is an online pharmacy that posts its prices openly and sells many generic medications at low cash prices, shipped to your home. Look up your medication on their website. If the price works for you, ask us to send your prescription there.
GoodRx and other discount coupons
GoodRx offers free coupons that can lower the cash price of a medication at local pharmacies. Search your medication and zip code, then show the coupon at the pharmacy.
A discount coupon is used instead of your insurance, not together with it.
What you pay with a coupon usually doesn't count toward your insurance deductible.
Compare the coupon price with your insurance copay and choose the lower one.
Patient assistance programs
If you have a low income or no insurance, some drug companies provide medications for free or at very low cost. NeedyMeds and the Medicine Assistance Tool can help you find programs for your medication.
If you have Medicare and a limited income, you may qualify for Extra Help, a federal program that lowers prescription costs. You can apply through Social Security.
More ways to save
Ask whether a 90-day supply costs less than a 30-day supply.
Ask your pharmacist whether a lower-cost strength or form is available.
Check your plan's mail-order pharmacy, which may have lower copays.
What are compounded medications?
A compounded medication is made by a pharmacist who mixes or changes ingredients to create a medication for a specific patient. Compounding has real, important uses. For example, a pharmacy might make a liquid version for someone who can't swallow pills, or leave out a dye or filler that a patient is allergic to.
Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. That means the FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality before patients use them. The FDA recommends using compounded drugs only when a patient's medical needs can't be met by an FDA-approved medication.
Why we don't prescribe compounded GLP-1 medications
We do not prescribe compounded semaglutide (the ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) or compounded tirzepatide (the ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound). We prescribe only FDA-approved GLP-1 medications.
During the national shortage of these medications, pharmacies were temporarily allowed to make compounded versions. The FDA declared the tirzepatide shortage resolved in December 2024 and the semaglutide shortage resolved in February 2025. Since then, the FDA has taken several actions against compounded GLP-1s:
Warning letters. The FDA has sent many warning letters to compounding pharmacies and telehealth companies selling compounded GLP-1s, including large waves in September 2025, March 2026 and June 2026.
February 6, 2026 statement. The FDA announced it would act against compounded GLP-1 drugs that are mass-marketed as alternatives to FDA-approved medications, because it can't verify their quality, safety or effectiveness. It also stated that companies may not claim these products are generic versions of, or the same as, FDA-approved drugs.
Safety concerns. The FDA has reported dosing errors (some leading to hospitalization), products shipped without proper refrigeration, and fraudulent labels naming pharmacies that don't exist. As of May 31, 2026, it had received about 990 adverse event reports for compounded semaglutide and more than 730 for compounded tirzepatide.
Because FDA-approved options are now available, often through lower-cost manufacturer programs, we believe they are the safest choice for our patients. If cost is what's keeping you from a GLP-1, talk with us. We'll help you look at the options on this page.
Lowest published prices for common medications
The table below lists the lowest cash prices we're aware of for common medications, taken from prices posted publicly online. For each medication, it shows where that price is available, the amount and supply the price covers, and the date we last checked it.
Please keep in mind:
Prices change often. Always confirm the current price with the pharmacy or program before filling your prescription.
These are cash prices without insurance. With insurance, you may pay less, or more. Compare before you choose.
Some programs have eligibility rules, such as a commercial insurance requirement or limits on certain doses.
This list is not an endorsement of any pharmacy or company, and we receive nothing from them.
Pharmacy prices vary by location. GoodRx and similar tools can show you prices near you.
If you find a lower price than what's listed here, let us know so we can share it with other patients.
Cash Pay Medication Prices
Cash Pay Medication Prices
Questions?
If you're having trouble affording a medication, call us at 360-727-1641 or email info@lavenderspectrumhealth.com. Current patients can also send us a message through the patient portal. Please don't include medical details in a regular email.
This page is for general information and isn't medical or financial advice. Talk with your provider before changing or stopping any medication.
Sources
FDA Intends to Take Action Against Non-FDA-Approved GLP-1 Drugs (FDA statement, February 6, 2026)
FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss (FDA, updated October 1, 2026)
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