Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a brand-name subcutaneous injection, an injection under the skin, that’s prescribed for weight loss and weight management in adults. The cost of the drug, with and without insurance, can depend on several factors.
Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Zepbound along with diet and exercise for weight loss and weight management in adults with:
- a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more
- a BMI of 27 or more in addition to at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes
As with all medications, the cost of Zepbound can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Zepbound has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Zepbound will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or look below in the next section to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.
To save money on your Zepbound prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.
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Retail price refers to the manufacturer’s published list price and is up to date as of 3/2023. Retail and discounted prices are U.S.-only and can vary based on region and pharmacy. We cannot guarantee that the discounted price listed here will exactly match the price at your pharmacy. Please contact your pharmacy for the exact price.
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Zepbound is only available as a brand-name drug. It doesn’t come in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication.
Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
If you take Zepbound long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Zepbound. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Zepbound may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.
You may be able to have your Zepbound prescription shipped to your home through Lilly Direct. To learn more, visit their website.
If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need financial support to pay for Zepbound, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A program called the Zepbound Savings Card is available for Zepbound. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, visit the program website.
- Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Zepbound.
How much does Zepbound cost with insurance vs. without it?
The price you’ll pay for Zepbound if you have insurance compared with what you’ll pay without insurance depends on several factors.
Factors that may affect what you pay for this drug without insurance include:
- the quantity you’re prescribed (such as a 90-day or 30-day supply)
- whether you apply and qualify for any available savings programs
- your dosage and treatment plan
- the pharmacy you use
These same factors may affect your price for Zepbound if you have insurance. But the price you pay with insurance will also depend on:
- your specific plan benefits
- any prior authorization requirements you have for drug coverage
To learn more about what you’d pay for Zepbound with or without insurance, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).
You can also visit Optum Perks* for price estimates for this drug when using coupons from their site. However, Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance benefits or copays.
* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.
Is Zepbound covered by Medicare?
It may be. You can call your Medicare plan provider to learn whether your particular plan covers the cost of this drug. There are many types of Medicare plans, so your coverage and what you pay for prescriptions will be based on your particular plan’s benefits.
Your doctor may also be able to provide information about your cost for Zepbound if you have Medicare.
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Zepbound.
If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Zepbound. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Zepbound in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered.
If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Zepbound requires prior authorization.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Zepbound, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Zepbound. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Zepbound.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage: To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare prescription drug plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- More details: For details about other aspects of Zepbound, refer to this article.
- Dosage: Learn about Zepbound and dosage by viewing this article.
- Side effects: For details about Zepbound’s side effects, see this article. You can also look at the Zepbound prescribing information.
- Interactions: You can find out more about what Zepbound interacts with by visiting this article.
- Information about weight loss: For more information about weight management, see our weight management hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.