GLP-1 vial vs pen: what is the difference?
A pen is prefilled and gives one set dose per click. A vial holds liquid you draw up with a syringe. Vials usually cost less, and compounded GLP-1 injections usually come in vials.
Branded options
Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro come as pens. LillyDirect sells Zepbound as single-dose vials as well as pens, with the vials priced below the pen. Wegovy is also sold as a daily pill.
Two cash programs to check.
No insurance needed.
- Check price →
- Check price →SnagRx's homepage shows its 12-month prepaid prices first
Compounded options
Compounded injection programs ship multi-dose vials with syringes. The dose depends on the vial's strength in mg/mL, so read the label at every refill. Some programs also sell compounded tablets or drops.
What it means for the price
Vials are usually the cheaper route. The chart shows each form's monthly price where the seller publishes one.
Questions
Is the Zepbound vial the same drug as the pen?
Yes. Both are FDA-approved Zepbound from Eli Lilly. The vial is single-dose and needs a syringe.
Sources
- Zepbound label (DailyMed, NIH)
- FDA, Medications containing semaglutide marketed for type 2 diabetes or weight loss
Prices on GLP Chart are read from each program's own pricing page. How: how we check prices. Every program's price this month: the GLP-1 price index.