Last weekend, a friend at my favorite pub put down his beer and suddenly asked me how much those new weight loss pills are that come in tablet form. Everyone perked up, and the conversation about that was hotter than the beer.

So, I did some research. Currently, there are two oral GLP-1 medications approved for obesity treatment in the U.S. They are Novo Nordisk's Wegovy tablets and Eli Lilly's Foundayo.

The Wegovy tablet received FDA approval at the end of December 2025. It was the first oral GLP-1 weight loss medication.

Foundayo, with the active ingredient orforglipron, was approved on April 1, 2026. Both are taken once a day.

Now, let's get to the most curious part: the prices. This is based on self-pay without insurance, buying directly from the manufacturer.

The Wegovy tablet starts at $149 for a one-month supply of the initial dose of 1.5mg at NovoCare Pharmacy. The 4mg dose is $199.

The higher doses of 9mg and the maximum dose of 25mg are both $299 for a one-month supply. Here, a month refers to a bottle containing 30 tablets.

Foundayo starts at $149 for a one-month supply of the initial dose of 0.8mg at LillyDirect. The 2.5mg dose is $199, while the 5.5mg and 9mg doses are $299.

However, the maximum doses of Foundayo, 14.5mg and 17.2mg, come with a condition. If you refill within 45 days, it's $299, but if you miss that window, it goes up to $349.

In summary, both start at the same price of $149. For higher doses, Wegovy tablets are fixed at $299, while Foundayo can add $50 if you miss the refill timing.

Honestly, I was a bit surprised by these numbers. The injectable Wegovy self-pay is $349 a month, regardless of the dose. So, the tablets are actually cheaper.

By the way, the injectable version has a promotional price of $199 for the first two low-dose refills until the end of the year. After that, it's $349.

For those with insurance, the situation changes. Lilly announced that Foundayo can drop to as low as $25 a month with a savings card if you have commercial insurance.

However, that card also has limits on how much it can support per refill and annually. Government insurance holders, like Medicare or Medicaid, cannot use this card.

Additionally, the amount paid out of pocket does not count towards the deductible or out-of-pocket maximum for government insurance. NovoCare has clearly stated this.

As for Medicare, Foundayo is set to be offered for less than $50 a month to eligible Part D enrollees starting July 2026. There are criteria like prior authorization and BMI, so it's best to check with your plan first.

As important as the price is the method of taking the medication. This is where the two drugs differ significantly.

The Wegovy tablet must be taken on an empty stomach in the morning, swallowed with less than 4 ounces of water. You also cannot eat or drink anything else, or take other medications for at least 30 minutes.

For someone who reaches for coffee in the morning, this can be quite a hurdle. For people like me, that 30 minutes might feel like the longest wait.

Foundayo's key advantage is that it can be taken at any time without restrictions on food or water. This aspect was emphasized during its FDA approval.

Of course, we have to talk about effectiveness. According to Lilly, those who took the maximum dose of Foundayo lost an average of 12.4% of their body weight.

The Wegovy tablet showed an average weight loss of 13.6% among all participants in the 25mg clinical trial. However, since these are different trials, we shouldn't rank them based on these numbers.

Side effects for both, as expected from the GLP-1 class, commonly include gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and constipation. There is also a boxed warning related to thyroid tumors.

Additionally, both medications do not start at the maximum dose; they increase from the starting dose step by step. So, if you budget based only on the first month's $149, your wallet might be in for a surprise a few months down the line.

Thus, it's definitely not a decision to make based solely on the price tag. The right medication can vary depending on pre-existing conditions and current medications, so be sure to consult with a doctor or pharmacist first.

Also, these prices are part of a conditional program that the manufacturers can change at any time. It's wise to double-check on the official site before placing an order.

If I were considering self-pay, I would approach it this way. For someone with a consistent morning routine, the fixed price of Wegovy tablets at the higher dose seems easier to calculate.

On the other hand, for someone with an unpredictable morning schedule or who can't give up their morning coffee, I think the convenience of Foundayo is worth the price. Just make sure to mark the 45-day refill date on your calendar.

That day at the pub, we came to one conclusion. While comparing medication prices is good, it's best to schedule a consultation with a doctor first, and then we can discuss the rest over another beer.