Tirzepatide is one of the newest medications in the GLP-1 weight loss landscape. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it in November 2023 for adults with obesity or those who are overweight with weight-related health conditions. Zepbound became the first medication approved to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity In December 2024.
Zepbound is part of a class of drugs called dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists. It is approved specifically for weight management rather than type 2 diabetes.
The demand for Zepbound has soared since its FDA approval and for good reason. Clinical trials show that patients taking a weekly 5 mg dose of tirzepatide which is the active ingredient of Zepbound lost an average of 15% of their body weight while those on 10 mg or 15 mg weekly doses lost about 20%. Tirzepatide even outperformed semaglutide which is the active ingredient in Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus in a head-to-head trial.
Zepbound can be very expensive despite its effectiveness especially for patients without insurance. Let’s break down what you can expect to pay out of pocket and share ways to save on this medication in this article.
How Much Does Zepboun Cost without Insurance?
Zepbound can be quite expensive without insurance coverage. Eli Lilly is the manufacturer of the drug that lists the price of Zepbound injector pens at about $1,060 for a one-month supply.
Zepbound is also available in single dose vial form which is generally more affordable. The cash price for a one month supply of 2.5 mg/0.5 mL vials is around $349 while a 5.0 mg/0.5 mL monthly supply costs about $499. These single dose vials are not offered through insurance making them a suitable option for people who are uninsured or whose insurance plans do not cover Zepbound.
Why is Zepbound So Expensive?
Zepbound is expensive like many other GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP medications because it is protected by a patent. This protection allows Eli Lilly and Co. to prevent other pharmaceutical companies from producing their own versions of the drug until the patent expires.
The patent for tirzepatide which is the active ingredient in Zepbound is expected to remain in place until 2036. Generic versions of the medication may become available after that. Prices could decrease once the patent expires since generic drugs are usually much cheaper than brand-name medications. A generic version of Zepbound is unlikely to appear for at least another decade or more.
How Can I Save Money on Zepbound?
Paying $1,060 per month for Zepbound injector pens or even $349 per month for the vial version may not be affordable for many people. There are several ways to help reduce the cost of Zepbound.
Get a prescription through telehealth
You must consult a healthcare provider to obtain a prescription for weight loss medications like Zepbound. One option is to schedule a telehealth appointment which is often more affordable than an in-person visit and can help lower your overall healthcare costs. Your provider can also offer advice on ways to reduce the cost of your medication during the appointment.
Your provider may need to complete prior authorization before your plan will cover the prescription if you have insurance. Providers participating in Healify Clinic can help complete this paperwork during your initial visit to improve your chances of getting coverage. You should consider that some commercial insurance plans may still choose not to cover Zepbound even with prior authorization.
Apply for the Zepbound Savings Card Program
Eli Lilly is the manufacturer of Zepbound that offers a prescription savings card that may help eligible patients reduce the cost of their medication. You must meet several requirements to qualify for the program according to the company.
Eligibility criteria include several requirements. You must have a prescription for Zepbound that follows FDA-approved guidelines. Enrollment in a commercial drug insurance plan is essential. You cannot be enrolled in any state, federal, or government-funded healthcare program such as Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, DoD, VA, TRICARE®/CHAMPUS, or state prescription assistance programs. You must be a resident of the United States or Puerto Rico and must be 18 years of age or older.
Visit Eli Lilly’s Zepbound Savings Card page to learn more about these savings options and determine whether you qualify.
Look for prescription discount programs
Several platforms such as SingleCare and Optum Perks offer discount programs that can help lower the cost of medications at participating pharmacies. You can receive a membership card, coupon, or discount code that you can present when paying for your prescription at the pharmacy after signing up.
The pharmacy then applies the discount through its agreements with the program provider. The amount you save can vary depending on the medication, the pharmacy, and the specific terms of the program. These programs can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs especially for people without insurance or those with high deductible health plans.
Does Insurance Cover Zepbound?
Coverage for Zepbound depends on your insurance provider. Many insurance plans do not cover weight loss medications such as Zepbound or Wegovy. Federal health insurance programs including Medicare and Medicaid also do not provide coverage for Zepbound.
The best way to confirm whether your plan covers Zepbound is to contact your insurance company directly. You can also check your insurer’s online portal where many providers list the medications included in their coverage.
You may still be able to reduce the cost to about $550 per month by using the manufacturer’s prescription savings card if you have commercial insurance that does not cover Zepbound.
The savings program may lower the out-of-pocket cost to as little as $25 per month for patients whose insurance does cover Zepbound but still requires a copay or coinsurance.
Are there alternatives to Zepbound?
Zepbound is one of several GLP-1 agonist medications used to support weight loss. Consider speaking with your healthcare provider if cost or availability makes Zepbound difficult to access. They can help you explore other GLP-1 medications or different treatment options that may be suitable for your needs.
Similar GLP-1 Drugs
Your healthcare provider may prescribe another GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP medication as an alternative to Zepbound to support weight loss. GLP-1 alternatives to Zepbound include the following list of medications.
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
- Ozempic (semaglutide)
- Wegovy (semaglutide)
- Rybelsus (semaglutide)
- Victoza (liraglutide)
- Saxenda (liraglutide)
- Trulicity (dulaglutide)
The medication most similar to Zepbound is Mounjaro as both contain the same active ingredient which is tirzepatide. Mounjaro is currently FDA-approved only for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and it is not approved for weight loss. It is considered off-label use when prescribed for weight management. Therefore, insurance companies will not cover it unless the patient has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The same applies to medications such as Ozempic, Rybelsus, Victoza, and Trulicity which are also approved primarily for diabetes treatment.
Non-GLP-1 Alternatives
Several non-GLP-1 drugs may also support weight loss while there are currently no generic GLP-1 medications available. Non-GLP-1 weight loss medications include Bupropion- naltrexone (Contrave), Orlistat (Alli, Xenical) and Phentermine- topiramate (Qsymia)
Some medications approved for other conditions such as diabetes are sometimes prescribed off-label to support weight loss. These include Topiramate (Topamax), SGLT2 inhibitors (canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin) and Metformin (Glucophage).
You should speak with a healthcare professional to determine which option may be appropriate for you if you are considering alternatives to GLP-1 medications. Be sure to discuss your medical history, existing conditions, and any medications or supplements you are taking to reduce the risk of side effects or drug interactions.
** Phentermine is one of the components of Qsymia that is classified as a controlled substance. Many healthcare providers require an in person visit before prescribing it and may not offer the prescription through telehealth appointments.
How Healify Clinic Help?
Healify Clinic provides an affordable, comprehensive online weight loss program designed to help you kickstart your weight loss journey. This program includes a video consultation with a weight loss doctor or specialist of your choice, access to weight loss prescriptions if appropriate, unlimited messaging with your provider and ongoing guidance and support.
Maintaining a healthy weight can offer numerous health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease, improving mobility, enhancing sleep quality, and boosting overall well being. Start your weight loss journey today with Healify Clinic keeping in mind that all prescriptions are subject to your healthcare provider’s discretion.
