Are GLP-1s Worth The Cost? Monthly Spending Is Down For 75% of Users [Survey]

While weight loss trends aren't new to the American cultural experience, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (colloquially referred to as GLP-1 medications), are the center of the national conversation about weight loss. This class of medications (commonly-branded as Ozempic, Wegovy, Trulicity, Mounjaro, and more), which were initially developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, have become the weight loss method in the last half-decade, with more Americans seeking them out as a new way to lose weight, if they can access them.

This boom in demand has also made things expensive for GLP-1 users (and prospective users). With years of supply shortages, prices for GLP-1s for weight loss are often high to begin with and are sparingly covered by health insurers. While costs for the medication may be expensive, they're also changing the spending habits of people who use them, and with more and more adoption, are likely to shift American consumer spending in new ways.

To get a better understanding of the current GLP-1 landscape in America, our team at FinanceBuzz surveyed U.S. adults to understand more about GLP-1 adoption, how they change spending behaviors, and how GLP-1 trends may impact Americans' everyday budgets.

Key findings

• GLP-1 adoption is on the rise:
• 19% of Americans have used a GLP-1 medication. Among them, about half say they've used GLP-1s for weight loss.
• Looking ahead: 17% of people not currently using GLP-1 medications are considering or planning to start using them for weight loss in the next year.
• More than half of GLP-1 users, 52%, report that they spend less money on dining out since starting the medications. 37% report reduced spending on alcohol and 29% say they spend less on groceries.
• Regardless of whether they are currently using them or not, more than a third of people, (36%) are concerned about the cost of GLP-1 medications.

GLP-1 usage

While these medications have hit the market relatively recently, a significant portion of the adult population in the United States reports that they have already tried them.

Nearly one-fifth of people, 19%, report that they have used a GLP-1 medication before. That includes 11% that report using them specifically for weight loss as well as 11% who use GLP-1s to treat diabetes. While not everyone who has tried these medications continues using them, the fact that nearly 20% of the population has taken the time to get a prescription and purchase GLP-1 medications indicates just how popular they have become in a short time.

Experiences of current GLP-1 users

GLP-1 medications can be expensive, costing users around $1,000 per month if their insurance plan does not help to cover the costs.

Fortunately, the vast majority of people who use GLP-1 medications for weight loss have some level of insurance coverage to help defray the costs. In fact, more than half of respondents who use GLP-1 for weight loss (54%) said that insurance covered the entirety of the costs for the medications, while an additional 35% say that insurance covered at least some of the costs.

As a result, respondents reported spending $120 of their own money per month on average on their GLP-1 medications, which is significantly lower than the costs would be otherwise.

In addition to the savings many GLP-1 users receive thanks to their insurance coverage, lifestyle changes brought on by use of GLP-1 medications have created additional savings for many. More than half of GLP-1 users (52%) say they spend less money eating out than they used to, and 42% say they have reduced or eliminated the amount they used to spend on other weight loss programs or methods. Additionally, 37% say they are spending less money on clothes and alcohol compared to before they started using GLP-1 medications for weight loss.

GLP-1 concerns

While GLP-1 medications have been a positive experience for many, there are still potential concerns for current and potential users to worry about.

Chief among those concerns are side effects, with 51% of respondents citing current side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, and more as a top concern when it comes to GLP-1 medications, while 40% said they are worried about potential long-term side effects that may develop with use. More than a third of people, 36%, said that the cost for the medication is among their chief worries when it comes to GLP-1. Less than a quarter of respondents, just 23%, said they have no concerns about the medications at all.

Future interest and intent from non-users

GLP-1 medication usage has been increasing rapidly in recent years, a trend that shows no signs of stopping.

Among those not currently using GLP-1 medications, 4% of respondents said they have concrete plans to begin using GLP-1 in the next 12 months, while an additional 13% said they are considering starting the medication. Around a third of people not already using GLP-1 medications (32%) said they would like to lose weight but still are not planning to begin using GLP-1s. However, more than half of this cohort, 56%, said that if cost and availability were not an issue they would begin using GLP-1 medications for weight loss.

Don't overspend on your medical bills

• Reconsider your coverage. One easy way to save money is through weighing the options of different insurance plans and being aware of your annual deductible.
• Keep track of your expenses. Setting a budget can allow you to better manage your monthly spending.
• Maximize your rewards. Explore the best credit cards for large purchases to stretch your dollar further while taking care of your health.

Advice from our experts

While the study gave us a better understanding about the cost of GLP-1 medications, we had our own questions about budgeting for any out-of-pocket expenses. For more insight, we asked a panel of experts.



Emilia Simeonova, Ph.D.

Professor, Economics and Health | Johns Hopkins Carey Business School

As GLP-1 drugs continue to become more expensive, what are some ways people can budget for them?

GLP-1s are still not widely covered by insurance (though that might change soon), and thus need to be covered out of pocket (OOP). I see the purchase of GLP-1 drugs by eligible patients as investments, rather than discretionary spending. Based on current evidence, these drugs can be reasonably expected to reduce long-term health care costs, including OOP costs for medications and procedures.

With appropriate use, they could also increase and prolong productivity, leading to higher wages and later retirement. So investing in these drugs should be thought of in the same way as investing in retirement plans and other portfolios, but with the added benefit that bigger investments in health have positive spillovers into other long-term investments. For those with HSAs and FSAs, I would strongly recommend increasing the amounts contributed to these accounts, as they offer the benefit of no tax.

For those struggling to budget, are there any options to reduce overall healthcare costs as a consumer?

The easiest fix for those who are offered several insurance options through their employer is to re-consider the type of plan they have and whether that is the optimal plan for their health utilization. For example, relatively healthier folks might want to pick a plan with high deductibles but lower costs, especially if that plan comes with a generous HSA.

There aren't any easy fixes for reducing health care costs in the short-term. The GLP-1s are the way to reduce overall healthcare costs. It is a case of short-term pain, long-term gain.



Joyce Lee, MD, MPH

Professor, Pediatrics, Communicable Diseases, Nutritional Sciences | University of Michigan, School of Public Health

As GLP-1 drugs continue to become more expensive, what are some ways people can budget for them?

Because of how expensive they are, most individuals or families would not be able to purchase the drugs out of pocket. If they have options they could try and investigate which insurance plans might provide coverage of these medications as it may differ by plan.

For those struggling to budget, are there any options to reduce overall healthcare costs as a consumer?

Some individuals have been using compounding pharmacies because of the cost but I would not recommend using them because the medication may not be safe or effective and there have been stories of individuals getting a lot more medicine than intended, leading to severe illness and hospitalizations.



John Batsis, MD, FACP, AGSF, FGSA, FTOS

Associate Professor, Medicine/Geriatric Medicine, and Public Health/Nutrition | Associate Director of Clinical Research, Center for Aging and Health | UNC School of Medicine

As GLP-1 drugs continue to become more expensive, what are some ways people can budget for them?

Unfortunately, these medications are still considerably expensive, and unless third-party payers cover them, much of the financial burden ends up falling on the patient. Thus, as with other medical expenses, using FSA or HSA accounts are ways to consider budgeting for them. As with most healthcare expenses, there are no easy answers to this.

For those struggling to budget, are there any options to reduce overall healthcare costs as a consumer?

Ask your provider many questions about the medical necessity of tests and inquire about coverage. There are laws about price transparency that consumers should be aware of, and I would encourage patients to do the same.


Responses may have been slightly edited for clarity and brevity.

Methodology

FinanceBuzz surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults aged 18 or older using a survey platform. Responses were collected in February 2025. Respondents were asked whether they have used GLP-1 drugs and for what purpose, with their answer impacting which questions they were subsequently asked.

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