How Much Does Tirzepatide Cost?

With clinical trial results showing an average weight loss of over 20% for many people, there’s no question that tirzepatide is an effective drug. Under the brand names Mounjaro® (for type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound® (for obesity and sleep apnea), it’s now one of the most in-demand GLP-1/GIP medications on the market. However, it’s also one of the most expensive.

With high out-of-pocket costs and concerns about insurance coverage, many people find themselves wondering how to lower the price. Let’s walk through how much tirzepatide costs with and without insurance and potential ways to lower out-of-pocket costs, such as self-pay and telehealth options.

Average U.S. List Price	Around $1,080–$1,086 per 4-week supply
Typical Self-Pay Range	$349–$499 per month or more, without manufacturer self-pay programs
Cost with Insurance	$100–$350+ (copay and coinsurance vary by plan), or as low as $25 for a 1- or 3-month prescription with the manufacturer savings card
Current Shortage Status	The FDA has officially declared tirzepatide shortages resolved
Compounded Version Availability	The production of compounded versions has been reduced since the shortage ended in 2024. Compounded versions are still available but may face greater restrictions.

What Determines the Cost of Tirzepatide?

Two people on the exact dosage of tirzepatide can pay two very different prices. That’s because other factors can come into play when purchasing tirzepatide, such as insurance coverage, the quantity purchased, and where you buy it.

Prescribed Dose

Tirzepatide is started at a low dose that is gradually increased over time, usually in 4-week intervals. The approved dosage is 2.5 mg once weekly to start. After 4 weeks on this initial dosage, the dosage is increased to 5 mg once weekly. The dosage can be increased in 2.5 mg increments every 4 weeks until reaching a maximum of 15 mg once weekly.

For pre-filled pens, the list price usually stays the same regardless of the pen’s dose. However, for vials, pricing may be tiered by dose, especially for those in the manufacturer’s self-pay program. For example, the cost of a 10 mg/0.5 mL vial will generally be higher than that of a 2.5 mg/0.5 mL vial.

Brand-Name vs. Compounded Forms

Brand-name drugs are typically more expensive than generic versions. However, tirzepatide is currently FDA-approved as a brand-name drug only. There are no approved generics of tirzepatide on the market.

Your main options are:

Brand-name Mounjaro (for type 2 diabetes)
Brand-name Zepbound (for obesity and obstructive sleep apnea)
Compounded tirzepatide from 503A/503B pharmacies, made from bulk drug powder or API

Compounded tirzepatide may be a more affordable option that contains the same active ingredient as the brand-name versions. Pharmacies that compound drugs follow strict federal and state standards to ensure they’re safe and effective. While compounded medications aren’t FDA approved, they can be helpful for patients with specific needs or who need a more accessible option.

The Prescribed Indication (diabetes vs obesity)

Coverage and costs with insurance can significantly depend on the condition being treated.

Type 2 diabetes: Tirzepatide may be more likely to be covered by commercial insurance plans when it’s prescribed for diabetes. However, prior authorization may still be required.
Weight loss: Weight-loss coverage is still considered optional in most plans, and cash prices may be slightly higher for this use due to higher demand.
Sleep apnea: Some private insurance and Medicare plans may now cover tirzepatide for sleep apnea.

In some cases, tirzepatide may be prescribed for diabetes and used off-label for weight loss. For example, a healthcare provider may prescribe Mounjaro (approved for diabetes) for weight loss as an off-label use.

Insurance Coverage

The cost of Mounjaro and Zepbound can differ depending on the type of coverage you have:

Employer-sponsored plans
- Some employer plans may cover weight-loss medications like tirzepatide. However, coverage is still expanding. In 2025, roughly 16% to 43% of employers, regardless of size, covered GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, with coverage increasing at larger companies.
Individual/Marketplace plans
- Some plans found on the Health Insurance Marketplace may offer GLP-1 coverage, but the plan benefits can change year by year.
Medicaid
- All states typically cover GLP-1s when they’re prescribed for diabetes, but coverage for obesity can vary. As of 2025, several states have Medicaid programs that cover GLP-1 drugs for weight loss.
Medicare
- Medicare Part D may cover tirzepatide for diabetes, but not for weight loss alone. However, policies are expected to change in 2026 as the federal government expands coverage of FDA-approved weight-loss medications, which may prompt many private plans to update their own coverage.

There’s no universal price that patients with insurance will pay for tirzepatide. It’s often best to check prices with your insurance plan.

PBMs (Pharmacy Benefit Managers)

PBMs can heavily affect the price of medications like tirzepatide with insurance. They negotiate discounts and rebates with manufacturers, which can determine whether tirzepatide is placed on a preferred tier and which dosage forms or indications they’ll cover. They also help determine whether restrictions, such as prior authorization, are needed.

Telehealth and Clinic Fees

Many people get tirzepatide from telehealth platforms or in-person weight-loss clinics. However, there may be fees associated with these platforms and clinics. For example, they might have fees for monthly memberships, medication management, lab testing, or other onboarding processes.

In some cases, you might see the total medication price with all fees included, or a separate line on your bill for these fees. For this reason, the cost of tirzepatide can vary depending on the clinic you go to.

Supply Chain and Shortages

The cost of tirzepatide, like any other drug, can change depending on what’s available in your area and how fast the supply can be restocked in the event of a shortage. Compounded tirzepatide costs can also vary based on the price of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and batch costs. In addition, supply chain and shipping delays may affect the prices that compounding pharmacies charge.

These factors are not mutually exclusive. It’s often a combination of factors that determines the price of tirzepatide for many people.

How Much Does Tirzepatide Cost Without Insurance?

The cost of tirzepatide without insurance can vary. If your plan doesn’t cover tirzepatide or you don’t have insurance at all, you may have to pay the full cash price for Mounjaro or Zepbound. Your options to pay for tirzepatide without insurance typically include paying the following:

Compounded tirzepatide through telehealth clinics or other providers

Full cash price for brand-name pens

Lilly’s self-pay vial program

List Prices for Brand-Name Pens:

As of late 2025, list prices are still just over $1,000 per month.

Mounjaro: The list price for Mounjaro at any dose strength is around $1,080 for a 28-day supply (four pens).
Zepbound: The list price is around $1,086 for a 28-day supply of pens.

Remember that the list price, or wholesale acquisition cost (WAC), isn’t typically what patients will pay. Although some people could end up paying close to these amounts, there are potential savings options for most.

Zepbound Self-Pay Vial Program (LillyDirect)

Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Zepbound, has launched a self-pay program under LillyDirect. Those without insurance can purchase Zepbound vials at a reduced cost, which may help bypass barriers imposed by retail pharmacies and PBMs.

The approximate costs with this program are as follows:

2.5 mg/0.5 mL vial: $349/month
5 mg/0.5 mL vial: $499/month
7.5 mg/0.5 mL vial: $499/month for on-time refills within a 45-day window. Regular pricing is $599/month
10 mg/0.5 mL vial: $499/month for on-time refills within a 45-day window. Regular pricing is $699/month
12.5 mg/0.5 mL vial: $499/month for on-time refills within a 45-day window. Regular pricing is $849/month
15 mg/0.5 mL vial: $499/month for on-time refills within a 45-day window. Regular pricing is $1,049/month.

While still expensive for some people, this program allows them to access tirzepatide at half or less of the list price that many pharmacies charge for pens.

Compounded Tirzepatide Pricing

Individuals without insurance and those who have specific medical needs can pay for compounded tirzepatide out of pocket. There’s a wide range of prices for compounded tirzepatide since the costs depend on the clinic or platform selling it. The average price is around $250 to $500 per month, but it can vary depending on:

Dosage and form, such as vials or pre-filled syringes
Whether it’s combined with other ingredients like vitamin B12
The quality and third-party certifications of the product and the compounding pharmacy

Compounded tirzepatide contains the same active ingredient as Mounjaro and Zepbound, and it’s prepared by state-licensed or FDA-registered compounding pharmacies. When it’s prescribed and overseen by a qualified healthcare professional, compounded tirzepatide can be a safe and effective option that’s often more accessible than other options.

If you’re considering a compounded medication, it’s best to discuss the risks and benefits with a healthcare provider.

While the cost of the drug itself may be cheaper than brand-name versions, some clinics and platforms may charge fees on top of the sale of the drug. That might include consultations, monthly fees, lab work, coaching, and follow-up visits, which could add up over time.

Product	Typical Dose Range	Typical List Price	Potential Discount or Self-Pay Price
Mounjaro pens	2.5–15 mg once weekly	$1,080/month	$500–$950 or more
Zepbound pens	2.5–15 mg once weekly	$1,086/month	$950–$1,100 or more
Zepbound vials	2.5–15 mg once weekly	Not typically sold at retail list price	$349–$499
Compounded tirzepatide	Custom titration	Not applicable	$250–$500

*These ranges are examples, not guarantees. What you pay can depend on the pharmacy, zip code, and eligibility for savings programs.

How Much Does Tirzepatide Cost With Insurance?

With insurance, the cost of tirzepatide can go lower than the cash price you’d pay otherwise. However, because there are so many insurance plans and policies available, out-of-pocket costs can vary widely.

Your monthly cost for Mounjaro or Zepbound could be determined by answering some key questions:

Is tirzepatide on your plan’s formulary (preferred drug list)?
Is it covered for your diagnosed condition, such as diabetes or obesity?
What tier is the drug on?
Do you have to pay a flat copy or a percentage of the cost (coinsurance)?
Have you met your deductible?

One of the main factors with insurance coverage is whether the drug is on your plan’s formulary and what tier it’s on. Drugs on lower tiers, like generic drugs, usually have lower copays than drugs on higher tiers, such as specialty or specific brand-name drugs.

Potential Price Ranges With Insurance

Since prices can change quite a bit depending on the plan, here are some potential scenarios with prices:

Medicaid (for diabetes): Coverage with Medicaid typically offers a lower copay than other options, ranging from $0 to $10.

Commercial insurance plus the manufacturer copay card: About $25 for a 1- to 3-month supply for patients who meet eligibility requirements.

Low-deductible PPO plan with the drug on a preferred tier: Around $30 to $75 per month as a flat copay, especially if tirzepatide is placed on a preferred brand or specialty tier.

High-deductible health plan (HDHP): 10% to 30% coinsurance of the full list price before the deductible is met, which may cost around $100 to more than $300 per month. After the deductible is met, monthly costs range from $30 to $100, depending on the plan.

Medicare Part D (for diabetes): The cost can vary by phase, but the average out-of-pocket cost of Mounjaro with Part D may be around $40 to $100 per month.

Prior Authorization

Even if Mounjaro or Zepbound is covered, you may still need prior authorization. In other words, your healthcare provider will need to show documentation to your insurance plan why this medication is medically necessary before the plan will pay for it. Your plan may also include other restrictions, such as quantity limits and step therapy requirements.

Your healthcare provider may fill out a prior authorization form that includes information about:

Your body mass index (BMI) and whether it’s 30 or over (obesity) or 27 or ever with a weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea
Past attempts at weight loss, including diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors
Other medications that have been tried for diabetes or obesity, and why they weren’t compelling enough

Some plans may require that you enroll in a weight-management program or show evidence of consistent weight loss over time. If the prior authorization is denied, you and your clinician can file an appeal, especially if you have a strong case to use tirzepatide.

Here are some steps if the prior authorization is denied:

Ask for the denial letter. It should explain why the drug was denied.
Talk to your prescriber. They can send a letter of medical necessity showing your BMI, comorbid conditions, previous treatments, and risks of not using the drug.
File an internal appeal. Follow your plan’s process and deadlines, which may sometimes overturn an initial denial.
External review (if available). Some states allow an independent review if internal appeals don’t work.

Every plan is different, and two people with similar prescriptions but different coverage could end up paying very different amounts. The best way to find out how much tirzepatide costs with insurance is to check your plan’s formulary, call member services on the back of your card, or ask your pharmacy to run it through your insurance to get an estimate of your out-of-pocket costs.

Cost-Effectiveness & Value: What Does Research Say?

Tirzepatide isn’t a cheap drug for patients or insurers, which raises the question: Is paying for it worth it?

When looking at the cost-effectiveness of a medication, studies typically look at QALY (quality-adjusted life-year) and ICER (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio):

QALY is a way of combining how long you live and how well you feel into a single number.
ICER assesses how much extra money a treatment costs per extra QALY it provides, compared with usual care.

You might see it as “If we spend more on tirzepatide, how much health do we buy back?”

One 2025 modeling study found that trizepatide, alongside lifestyle changes, had an estimated net price of around $6,236 per year. There would need to be a 30% price reduction (or about $4,334 per year) for tirzepatide to be considered cost-effective under U.S. standards.

However, other studies and a recent ICER obesity report suggest that the net prices, or the negotiated prices after rebates, of tirzepatide and semaglutide may be at or near the cost-effective range. This analysis considers the potential long-term benefits of treating diabetes, heart disease, and other health conditions.

Another factor to consider when determining whether tirzepatide is a cost-effective drug is the difference between clinical trials and real-world use. Results from clinical trials are based on patients sticking to their exact dosage regimen over months or years. Real-world results are different since people sometimes stop and restart treatment due to side effects, reduce their dosage, and regain weight after stopping the drug. As a result, these behaviors could lower the cost-effectiveness of tirzepatide.

How to Save on Tirzepatide

While Mounjaro and Zepbound can be expensive brand-name drugs with no generic available, there are still ways to save. Consider the following strategies to save on tirzepatide.

Manufacturer Savings Programs

Eli Lilly offers various savings programs for Mounjaro and Zepbound. The Mounjaro savings card can allow those with commercial insurance to pay as little as $25 for up to 3 months of pens if the drug is covered. The Zepbound savings card is identical and allows people with commercial insurance coverage to also pay as little as $25 for a 1- or 3-month prescription. In addition, their self-pay program for vials allows those without insurance or enough coverage to get Zepbound vials for $349 to $499 per month.

Prescription Discount Cards

If you can’t use a manufacturer savings card, you can try a prescription discount card from a number of programs, such as SingleCare. These prescription savings platforms often allow people to enter their zip code and find the lowest prices at the nearest pharmacies. That way, you can compare the lowest prices using a discount card.

Patient Assistance Programs

For people with low incomes and no insurance, patient assistance programs may be available to help cover up to the entire cost of the medication. The Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation is a nonprofit program that may provide medications at no cost to eligible patients who meet income criteria.

The eligibility for these types of programs can vary by medication and insurance status, and you typically need to show proof of income, U.S. residency, and other documentation that suggests you don’t have different options to help with costs.

Telehealth Self-Pay Clinics

Some online weight-loss clinics can offer bulk rates or compounded tirzepatide to lower patient costs. You’ll want to consider the following when choosing this option:

Check whether there are any fees associated with the purchase of the medication, including monthly membership fees, labwork fees, etc.
Make sure the prescribing healthcare provider is licensed in your state and that the pharmacy they use is properly licensed and transparent about sourcing.
Stick with platforms that use state-licensed 503A pharmacies or FDA-inspected 503B outsourcing facilities that follow USP quality standards.

For many people, compounded tirzepatide is the cheapest and most effective option, especially if they don’t have insurance, don’t qualify for patient assistance, and are still unable to afford the drug with manufacturer savings options. Providers may offer personalized dosing and other features, such as customized guidance or other programs, to ensure you get the best results.

Trends & What to Watch in 2026

The landscape for GLP-1 medications is constantly changing. The prices you see today could be drastically different a year from now. Here are some potential changes to look out for.

The end of shortages and compounding crackdowns.
Stricter requirements for eligibility, mandatory coaching programs, time-limited coverage, or completely dropped coverage for GLP-1 drugs.
Increased coverage by federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid, especially for weight loss
Increased competition from other manufacturers with new products and efforts by PBMs to negotiate lower prices

It’s hard to predict the market for medications like tirzepatide. Because there are so many players in this market, it may be hard to say for sure how much, if any, savings will reach the individual in the coming year.

FAQs

Do the costs of tirzepatide vary by state?

Yes, prices can change based on your pharmacy, location, and your insurance details in your state. The medication itself isn’t priced differently by law, but what you pay often is.

Why does obesity coverage differ from diabetes coverage?

Most insurance plans cover diabetes medication, which is why diabetes drugs are usually approved more often. Coverage for weight-loss drugs varies widely by plan.

Is it safe to buy tirzepatide from online wellness clinics?

It can be safe if the clinic works with licensed U.S. pharmacies and offers a real consultation with a healthcare provider. There may be risks when clinics cut corners or work with obscure compounding facilities.

Why is compounded tirzepatide cheaper, and is it legal?

Compounded versions don’t have the exact manufacturing costs as brand-name drugs, which can make them much cheaper. They’re legal when made by state-licensed or FDA-registered compounding pharmacies and used for patients who medically need an alternative.

Will tirzepatide prices drop as more GLP-1 drugs launch?

As more competitors and newer GLP-1 drugs enter the market, prices usually decline over time. However, this doesn’t typically happen overnight.

What happens if insurance denies coverage?

If insurance denies coverage, you can appeal the decision or switch to a plan that covers GLP-1s. Many people end up paying cash, using telehealth platforms, or trying compounded options.

How can I lower the cost of tirzepatide if I’m uninsured?

Look at manufacturer savings programs, prescription discount cards, and patient assistance programs. You can also try a reputable telehealth clinic or ask a licensed pharmacist about compounded versions.