The four kinds of “GLP-1 sample”
When a website advertises a “free GLP-1 sample,” it's almost always one of four things:
- Manufacturer savings cards. Novo Nordisk (Wegovy, Ozempic) and Eli Lilly (Zepbound, Mounjaro) issue commercial-insurance savings cards that bring out-of-pocket cost down to as low as $0–$25/month for eligible patients.
- Telehealth first-consult-free trials. Companies like Hims, Ro, Found, Henry Meds, and Mochi waive the consult fee. The medication still costs money, but the consult is genuinely free and the first-month price is usually 30–50% off list.
- Compounded first-month-free or first-month-discounted. Compounded pharmacies sometimes run promos that effectively make the first 30-day supply close to free if you commit to a multi-month subscription. Read the cancellation policy before clicking subscribe.
- Manufacturer patient-assistance programs. Income-qualified patients without prescription coverage can sometimes get the brand drug for free directly from the manufacturer, but the application takes weeks and approval is income-tested.
How to read the fine print
Three things to look for before you click any “free sample” CTA:
- Auto-renewal. Many telehealth offers auto-charge after the first month at full list price. Confirm cancellation terms before consenting.
- Eligibility requirements. Most weight-loss programs require BMI ≥30 (or ≥27 with a comorbidity). Diabetes programs are different.
- State coverage. Some compounded pharmacies can't ship to FL, KY, MS, AL, or TX. We list state availability on every provider page.
How we rank providers
Our ranking combines four signals: editor rating (we run the consult flow ourselves), reader trust score (you tell us if an offer is still active when you tried it), recency (last-verified date), and earnings-per-click (we publish what performs — but compensation never overrides editor review).
FAQ
Are GLP-1 samples actually free?
Some programs effectively are: manufacturer savings cards can drop the brand-name price below $25/mo for eligible commercial-insurance patients. Telehealth and compounded providers usually have a free or low-cost first consult and a discounted first month, but the medication itself has a real cost — typically $150–$400 for the first month at compounded pharmacies.
What's the catch with manufacturer savings cards?
They're tied to commercial insurance and exclude patients on Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, and VA. They also have annual caps and can be discontinued without notice. We track active offers weekly and pull expired ones within 24 hours.
Is compounded GLP-1 the same as the brand?
It uses the same active ingredient (semaglutide or tirzepatide), but it's not FDA-approved and isn't bioequivalence-tested against the brand. It's legal when prepared by a registered 503A or 503B pharmacy under specific conditions — most commonly when the brand is on the FDA shortage list.
Do I have to be diabetic?
No. Most providers prescribe GLP-1s for weight management at BMI ≥30, or BMI ≥27 with a comorbidity (hypertension, sleep apnea, dyslipidemia). Each provider's eligibility is listed on their review page.
What should I expect to pay long-term?
Brand-name GLP-1s without insurance run $1,000–$1,400/month. With a manufacturer savings card and commercial insurance, costs can drop to $0–$25/mo. Compounded versions typically run $150–$400/mo. We list every provider's true post-sample price.
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