Zepbound Cost Without Insurance: 2026 Pricing Guide
Complete breakdown of Zepbound prices without insurance coverage. Learn actual cash prices by dose, pharmacy-specific pricing, manufacturer savings programs, and strategies to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Updated for 2026: Pricing information current as of February 2026. Always verify with your pharmacy and manufacturer programs for real-time pricing.
Zepbound Base Pricing: Full Retail Cost
Cash Prices by Dose (Without Any Discounts)
| Dose | Weekly Injection | Per Month (est.) | Per Year (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 mg | $219-245 | $876-980 | $10,512-11,760 |
| 5 mg | $236-260 | $944-1040 | $11,328-12,480 |
| 7.5 mg | $255-285 | $1020-1140 | $12,240-13,680 |
| 10 mg | $275-305 | $1100-1220 | $13,200-14,640 |
| 15 mg | $305-335 | $1220-1340 | $14,640-16,080 |
Note: Prices vary significantly by pharmacy. These ranges reflect typical 2026 pricing from major chains (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart) and specialty pharmacies. Always ask your pharmacy for exact pricing.
Why Such High Prices?
Zepbound is a brand-name biologic drug manufactured by Eli Lilly. Biologics are expensive to produce, and manufacturers set high prices for uninsured patients. Insurance companies negotiate lower rates, so insured patients pay less through copays. Uninsured patients pay the full retail price.
Generic versions of tirzepatide are not available (patent protected until ~2031-2033). This means no cheaper generic option exists yet.
Most Popular Dose
The 2.4 mg dose is the maintenance dose and most commonly used for weight loss. This costs ~$900-1000/month without discounts. Higher doses (5-15 mg) are for diabetes management and cost proportionally more.
How to Reduce Zepbound Costs
Strategy 1: Eli Lilly Coupon (Zepbound Savings Card)
What it is:
Eli Lilly offers a coupon card (Lilly Cares) that reduces Zepbound prices. The coupon typically saves $200-250 per month, bringing costs from ~$1300 down to ~$1050-1100.
How to get it:
Go to zepboundcoupon.com (or mounjaro coupon—same program) and download the coupon. Print it or use your phone. No income requirements. Limited to uninsured and underinsured patients.
Savings:
$200-250/month = $2400-3000/year. This is automatic and easy. Every uninsured patient should use this.
Limitations:
Only for uninsured patients. If you have insurance, even bad coverage, you can\'t use this coupon.
Strategy 2: GoodRx and Prescription Discount Cards
What it is:
GoodRx, SingleCare, RxSaver, and Prescription Discount Cards are discount networks that negotiate lower pharmacy prices. They work separately from insurance.
Typical savings:
Zepbound 2.4 mg: $650-900/month (vs. $950-1100 retail). 10-40% savings depending on pharmacy and program.
How to use:
Visit goodrx.com, enter Zepbound dose, and see prices at nearby pharmacies. Prices vary dramatically by location. You may find the same dose $200 cheaper at one pharmacy vs. another. Print the coupon and give to pharmacist.
Best for:
Insured patients, or uninsured patients who want to compare before using manufacturer coupon. Always check GoodRx first to find the best local price.
Strategy 3: Eli Lilly Patient Assistance Program
What it is:
Eli Lilly provides free or heavily discounted Zepbound to uninsured and underinsured patients who qualify based on income.
Income eligibility:
Generally up to 400% of federal poverty level. In 2026, this is roughly $60,000/year for an individual, $123,000 for a family of four.
Apply:
Visit lillycares.com or call 1-833-LILYCARES. You\'ll need proof of income and documentation that you\'re uninsured. Processing takes 5-10 business days.
Cost:
Free to $50/month depending on your income level. This is a game-changer if you qualify.
Limitations:
Only for uninsured patients (or those with insurance that doesn\'t cover Zepbound). Documentation requirements. Re-certification may be required annually.
Strategy 4: Pharmacy Price Shopping
The approach:
Different pharmacies charge different prices for Zepbound. Major chains (CVS, Walgreens) often charge more than independent pharmacies or online pharmacies.
Price variations (real examples):
- • CVS: $1100/month
- • Walgreens: $980/month
- • Walmart: $850/month
- • Local independent pharmacy: $750/month
- • Specialty pharmacy: $650-800/month
How to shop:
Call pharmacies directly and ask the cash price for Zepbound 2.4 mg. Compare at least 5 locations. Use GoodRx to confirm pricing. Best prices are often at specialty pharmacies or online pharmacies with local pickup.
Savings potential:
$100-400/month just by switching pharmacies. Over a year, that\'s $1200-4800 savings by doing 10 minutes of phone calls.
Strategy 5: Compounded Tirzepatide (Use With Caution)
What it is:
Compounded tirzepatide is tirzepatide manufactured by compounding pharmacies (not Eli Lilly) to individual prescriptions. Costs $300-500/month, significantly cheaper than brand Zepbound.
Major risks:
- • Not FDA-approved (compounding pharmacies are less regulated)
- • Variable quality (potency may differ batch-to-batch)
- • Mislabeling: Many compounded "tirzepatide" are actually semaglutide (Ozempic) relabeled
- • No standardized testing (you don\'t know what you\'re getting)
- • Sterility concerns (compounding pharmacies have had contamination issues)
Bottom line:
Compounded tirzepatide saves money but comes with real risks. Use only if you cannot afford brand Zepbound after exhausting legitimate programs. Talk to your doctor about the risks.
Realistic Price Scenarios: What You\'ll Actually Pay
Scenario 1: Uninsured, Low Income (Best Case)
- •Strategy: Eli Lilly Patient Assistance Program
- •Cost: Free to $50/month
- •Yearly: $0-600
- •Note: Requires proof of low income and uninsured status
Scenario 2: Uninsured, Moderate Income
- •Strategy: Eli Lilly coupon + GoodRx comparison
- •Cost: $650-900/month (if GoodRx cheaper) or $1050-1100/month (with coupon)
- •Yearly: $7800-13,200
- •Note: Shop pharmacies first; coupon is automatic
Scenario 3: Insured but High Deductible
- •Strategy: GoodRx (won\'t interfere with insurance) + insurance after deductible
- •Cost: $650-900/month until deductible met, then copay ($25-50)
- •Yearly: Varies; plan-dependent
- •Note: Use GoodRx until deductible met, then switch to insurance
Scenario 4: Insured with Good Coverage
- •Strategy: Use insurance; verify coverage before filling
- •Cost: $0-100/month copay (depends on plan)
- •Yearly: $0-1200
- •Note: Verify insurance covers Zepbound (some still don\'t for weight loss)
Scenario 5: Can\'t Afford Any Option
- •Strategy: Consider compounded tirzepatide or switch to Ozempic (sometimes cheaper)
- •Cost: $300-500/month (compounded) or explore state assistance programs
- •Yearly: $3600-6000
- •Note: Consult your doctor about quality and risk concerns
Zepbound vs. Ozempic: Cost Comparison
| Factor | Zepbound (Tirzepatide) | Ozempic (Semaglutide) |
|---|---|---|
| Full retail price | $900-1300/month | $900-1300/month |
| Manufacturer coupon | $200-250 off (Lilly Cares) | $200-250 off (Novo Nordisk) |
| With coupon | $1050-1100/month | $1050-1100/month |
| Patient Assistance Program | Free-$50/month | Free-$50/month |
| GoodRx typical price | $650-900/month | $700-1000/month |
| Compounded version | $300-500/month | $200-400/month |
| Winner? | Comparable. Pricing is nearly identical. Ozempic may be slightly cheaper in compounded form. Choose based on efficacy preference, not cost. | |
Bottom line: Zepbound and Ozempic cost essentially the same without insurance. Both have similar manufacturer programs and discount options. Price should not be your deciding factor between them.
Step-by-Step Plan to Get the Lowest Price
Check income and insurance status
Are you uninsured? Do you qualify for Eli Lilly Patient Assistance? (under $60k individual income)? If yes, apply immediately at lillycares.com.
Get the manufacturer coupon (if not in PAP)
Download Eli Lilly coupon at zepboundcoupon.com. Saves $200-250/month automatically.
Compare pharmacy prices with GoodRx
Go to goodrx.com, enter Zepbound dose, zip code. Compare prices. Call the cheapest pharmacy and confirm cash price.
Get prescription from doctor
Have your doctor write the prescription. Request they send it to the cheapest pharmacy you identified.
Fill at cheapest pharmacy with discount
Use GoodRx coupon at the cheapest pharmacy, or if uninsured, use manufacturer coupon. Verify price before filling.
Re-check prices quarterly
Prices change. Every 3 months, re-check GoodRx and call pharmacies. You might find a new cheaper option.
Alternatives if Zepbound is Unaffordable
1. Try Ozempic Instead
Ozempic costs about the same but sometimes has better insurance coverage or cheaper compounded versions. Your doctor may try Ozempic before Zepbound anyway since it\'s older and more established.
Compounded semaglutide is often $200-400/month (cheaper than compounded tirzepatide).
2. Explore Compounded Tirzepatide
Costs $300-500/month but carries quality and mislabeling risks. Only if you can\'t access legitimate options. Discuss risks with your doctor.
Many compounded versions are NOT actually tirzepatide—verify with the compounding pharmacy and your doctor.
3. Try Natural GLP-1 Approaches
The viral "oatzempic" smoothie ($30-90/month) or berberine supplements ($30-50/month) provide modest appetite suppression without pharmaceutical cost. Not as powerful but sustainable.
Better than nothing if weight loss medication is completely unaffordable.
4. Apply for State Medicaid
Some states cover weight loss medications under Medicaid, especially for people with BMI +30 and related conditions (diabetes, hypertension). Worth exploring even if you think you don\'t qualify.
Contact your state Medicaid office for specific coverage details.
5. Ask Your Doctor About Payment Plans
Some specialty pharmacies offer payment plans (0% interest) or discount programs for uninsured patients. Your doctor\'s office may have relationships with pharmacies offering special pricing.
Always ask—there may be options you don\'t know about.
Related Guides and Cost Resources
Zepbound Costs and Coupons
Comparing GLP-1s
Alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Cash prices for Zepbound range from $900-1500 per month depending on dose and pharmacy. The lowest dose (2.4mg) costs ~$900-1100. Higher doses (7.5mg) cost ~$1200-1500. Using manufacturer coupons, patient assistance programs, or GoodRx can reduce this to $600-800 per month.
Prices are similar. Both cost $900-1500 per month at full retail price without insurance. Zepbound (tirzepatide) may be slightly more expensive at the highest doses. Manufacturer coupons and programs apply to both. Overall, they're comparable in cost structure.
Yes. Eli Lilly offers the Mounjaro (tirzepatide) coupon, which also applies to Zepbound (same drug). The coupon typically provides $200-250 per month discount, bringing costs down from ~$1300 to ~$1050-1100. Valid for most people regardless of income.
Yes. GoodRx, SingleCare, and RxSaver often offer better prices than pharmacy retail. Prices vary by pharmacy and discount card program. Use GoodRx to compare prices at local pharmacies—some offer Zepbound $200-400 cheaper than others. Worth checking before each fill.
Yes. Eli Lilly Patient Assistance Program provides free or low-cost Zepbound to uninsured and underinsured patients who meet income criteria (generally under 400% federal poverty level). You must apply; it requires verification of income and medical need.
Yes, but with important caveats. Compounded tirzepatide exists but is not FDA-approved and quality varies. Prices are lower (~$300-500/month) but you're bypassing regulation. Many compounded versions are actually semaglutide (Ozempic) relabeled, not tirzepatide. Talk to your doctor before considering compounded versions.
Tirzepatide is not approved in many countries, and importing it to the US legally is restricted. Importing prescription medications without a US prescription is illegal. Online pharmacies claiming to ship from Canada are often scams. Stick to legal US options.
Options: (1) Try Ozempic—sometimes cheaper or better insurance coverage. (2) Consider compounded semaglutide (cheaper but unregulated). (3) Explore natural GLP-1 approaches (oat smoothies, berberine). (4) Talk to your doctor about payment plans or alternatives. (5) See if you qualify for state medical assistance programs.
Final Summary
Zepbound costs $900-1300/month without insurance, putting it out of reach for many people. However, you have multiple options to reduce costs:
- ✓Best case: Qualify for Eli Lilly Patient Assistance ($0-50/month)
- ✓Good case: Use manufacturer coupon + cheapest pharmacy ($650-900/month)
- ✓Okay case: Insured patient with reasonable copay ($25-100/month)
Don\'t assume you can\'t afford it. Check every option: Patient Assistance, manufacturer coupon, GoodRx, and pharmacy shopping. The difference between the most expensive and cheapest option is often $300-500/month—that\'s massive savings.
Important Warnings:
- • Do NOT buy from unlicensed online pharmacies claiming to ship from other countries. Likely scams or counterfeit.
- • Compounded tirzepatide is unregulated. Verify quality with your doctor and pharmacist.
- • Always verify pricing with pharmacy before filling. GoodRx prices are estimates.
- • Manufacturer programs and coupons can change. Check current eligibility.
Disclaimer
This pricing guide reflects 2026 information based on current pharmacy practices and manufacturer programs. Prices and programs are subject to change. Always verify with your pharmacy and manufacturers directly for current pricing, coupon availability, and patient assistance program eligibility. This is not financial or medical advice. Discuss all options with your healthcare provider.