We earn a commission from brands on this page, which impacts their display. Advertising disclosure

Compare GLP-1 providers

Comparison

Mounjaro® vs. Zepbound®: what's the difference?

By the TreatmentMD editorial team

Updated 7 min read

A smiling woman holding an injection pen to her stomach

Key takeaways

  • Mounjaro® and Zepbound® are both tirzepatide, made by Eli Lilly, in the same doses. Each is approved for a different job.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources
  • Zepbound® is the one approved for weight loss, and for sleep apnea in adults with obesity. Mounjaro® is approved for type 2 diabetes.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources
  • If you're looking to lose weight, Zepbound® is the usual route, and your clinician will help you find the right fit.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

By the TreatmentMD editorial team

If you've been reading about weight-loss shots, you've probably seen both names. They can sound like rivals, but they're really one medicine with two name tags.

So what's the difference? The short version: same medicine, same doses, two jobs. Here's what that means for you.

01The short answer

Are Mounjaro® and Zepbound® the same?

They're the same medicine, tirzepatide, from the same maker, Eli Lilly. They even come in the same strengths, from 2.5 mg to 15 mg once a week.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sourcesU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. FDA Approves New Medication for Chronic Weight Management. November 8, 2023.Open the source All sources

But they're two separate brands, each approved for its own job.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

Zepbound®Mounjaro®
Approved forWeight loss, and sleep apnea with obesityType 2 diabetes, and lowering heart risk
Who it's forAdultsAdults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes
Weekly doses2.5 mg to 15 mg2.5 mg to 15 mg
Comes asA single-dose pen, a KwikPen or a vialA single-dose pen
Lilly's cash priceFrom $299 a month$499 a month, for type 2 diabetes
From the FDA labels and LillyDirect, checked in October 2026.

02What each is for

What is each one approved for?

Zepbound® is approved, alongside diet and activity, to help adults with obesity, or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, lose weight and keep it off.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

It's also approved to treat moderate to severe sleep apnea in adults with obesity.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

Mounjaro® is approved to manage blood sugar in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. Since August 2026, it's also approved to lower heart risks in adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

It isn't FDA approved for weight loss, though some people taking it lose weight.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

If you've seen Mounjaro® sold for weight loss in UK news or on social media, that's because the UK licenses Mounjaro® for weight loss too. In the U.S., the same medicine for weight loss goes by Zepbound®.Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (UK)SourceMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (UK). MHRA authorises diabetes drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight management and weight loss. November 8, 2023.Open the source All sources

The same pattern holds for semaglutide: Ozempic® is approved for type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy® for weight loss.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources Our Ozempic® vs. Wegovy® article covers that pair, and tirzepatide vs. semaglutide compares the two medicines.

03Doses and pens

Is Zepbound® stronger than Mounjaro®?

A smiling woman in a gray hoodie holding an injection pen at her waist

Not at all. They come in the same strengths, from 2.5 mg to 15 mg, taken once a week.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

Both start at 2.5 mg and can step up by 2.5 mg every four weeks or more.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

What's different is the goal. With Zepbound®, your clinician works toward a dose for weight loss: 5, 10 or 15 mg. With Mounjaro®, the dose follows your blood sugar.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

Missed a dose? The rule is the same for both: take it within four days, or skip it and take the next one on your usual day.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

Zepbound® comes three ways: a single-dose pen with a hidden needle, a KwikPen that holds four doses, or a vial with a syringe.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sourcesEli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): formats, self-pay prices and questions. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources Lilly offers Mounjaro® as a single-dose pen.Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) self-pay prices. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources

Either way, your clinician sets the dose and the pace with you.

04For weight loss

Can you take Mounjaro® for weight loss?

A clinician can prescribe it that way. It's called off-label use, and the FDA allows it when a clinician judges it right for their patient.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Understanding Unapproved Use of Approved Drugs "Off Label". Content current as of February 5, 2018.Open the source All sources

But for weight loss, Zepbound® is the usual route. It's the same medicine at the same doses, approved for that job, and insurance and pricing follow that approval.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sourcesCigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0701: Diabetes, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists. Effective June 15, 2026.Open the source All sources

Lilly's cash price for Mounjaro® is only for its approved uses, like type 2 diabetes.Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLilly. Mounjaro® (tirzepatide): LillyDirect Pharmacy Self Pay Purchase Offer Terms. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources And many plans cover Mounjaro® only with a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0701: Diabetes, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists. Effective June 15, 2026.Open the source All sources

Wondering if Zepbound® could fit you? Our guide to who qualifies for a GLP-1 walks you through it.

05Results

Which helps you lose more weight?

Dose for dose, they're the same medicine, so the name on the box doesn't change the results.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sourcesCigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0701: Diabetes, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists. Effective June 15, 2026.Open the source All sources What differs is who was studied.

Zepbound® was studied for weight loss. In its main study, people without diabetes lost about 15% to 21% of their weight on average, depending on the dose.The New England Journal of MedicineRandomized trial · 2022SURMOUNT-1Mean body weight fell 20.9 percent at the 15 mg dose against 3.1 percent on placebo over 72 weeks.2,539 people · 72 weeks. Adults with BMI 30 or above, or 27 or above with at least one weight-related complication, without diabetes.Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. Jastreboff AM, et al., 2022.Read the study All sources

Mounjaro® was studied for blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. They lost weight along the way, about 12 to 25 pounds on average, depending on the dose.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sourcesEli Lilly and CompanySourceLilly. Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) for type 2 diabetes. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources

Those studies looked at different people over different lengths of time, so they're not a fair head-to-head.

The closest comparison is a Zepbound® study of adults with type 2 diabetes. On the 10 and 15 mg doses, they lost about 13% to 15%, against about 20% to 21% for people without diabetes in the main study.The New England Journal of MedicineRandomized trial · 2022SURMOUNT-1Mean body weight fell 20.9 percent at the 15 mg dose against 3.1 percent on placebo over 72 weeks.2,539 people · 72 weeks. Adults with BMI 30 or above, or 27 or above with at least one weight-related complication, without diabetes.Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. Jastreboff AM, et al., 2022.Read the study All sourcesThe LancetRandomized trial · 2023SURMOUNT-2Mean body weight fell 12.8% at 10 mg and 14.7% at 15 mg, against 3.2% on placebo, over 72 weeks.938 people · 72 weeks. Adults with BMI 27 or above and type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 7% to 10%). Funded by Eli Lilly.Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity in people with type 2 diabetes (SURMOUNT-2). Garvey WT, et al., 2023.Read the study All sources

Because it's the same medicine, the side effects are much the same, mostly an upset stomach early on and after each step up. That's why both start low and go slow.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

06Cost

Is Mounjaro® cheaper than Zepbound®?

Not if you're paying cash. Lilly sells Mounjaro® pens for $499 a month at every dose, while Zepbound® KwikPens and vials start at $299.Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): formats, self-pay prices and questions. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sourcesEli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) self-pay prices. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources

Zepbound® is $299 for 2.5 mg and $399 for 5 mg. Higher doses are $449 a month when you refill within 45 days, plus needles or syringes.Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): formats, self-pay prices and questions. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources

Where Mounjaro® can cost less is with insurance, which usually covers it for type 2 diabetes.Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0701: Diabetes, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists. Effective June 15, 2026.Open the source All sources

Paying cash for weight loss? Our branded vs. compounded guide lays out the other options too.

07Insurance

Why might a plan cover one and not the other?

Plans cover each medicine for what it's approved for, and many leave out weight-loss medicines altogether.KFFSourceKFF. 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey. October 22, 2025.Open the source All sources

So a plan might cover Mounjaro® for type 2 diabetes but not Zepbound® for weight loss, even though they're the same medicine.Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0701: Diabetes, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists. Effective June 15, 2026.Open the source All sourcesKFFSourceKFF. 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey. October 22, 2025.Open the source All sources

Sleep apnea can be its own route: some plans cover Zepbound® for it under separate rules.Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0816: Weight Loss, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists, Zepbound®. Effective September 1, 2026.Open the source All sources And since October 1, 2026, CVS Caremark has added Zepbound® back for employers that choose to cover it.CVS HealthSourceCVS Health. CVS Caremark delivers affordability and access to GLP-1 weight management medications with expanded coverage options. May 28, 2026.Open the source All sources

If you have private insurance that covers the one you're prescribed, Lilly's savings cards can lower your share to as little as $25 a month through December 31, 2026.Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLilly. Zepbound® (tirzepatide) full terms and conditions: savings cards and self-pay. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sourcesEli Lilly and CompanySourceLilly. Mounjaro® savings and coverage. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources

With Medicare, drug plans can cover Mounjaro® for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound® for sleep apnea.Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceCMS. Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: information for providers. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources For weight loss, Medicare's GLP-1 Bridge covers the Zepbound® KwikPen for $50 a month for people who qualify. If you have type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea, your drug plan handles it instead.Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceMedicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources

Our insurance article walks you through checking your plan.

08Switching

Can you switch from Mounjaro® to Zepbound®?

Yes, with your clinician. People usually switch for coverage or price.

Since the strengths are the same, there's no conversion chart to puzzle over, but your clinician will choose your dose for the switch.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sourcesEli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): formats, self-pay prices and questions. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources Your plan may also need a new approval for the new brand.Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0701: Diabetes, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists. Effective June 15, 2026.Open the source All sourcesCenters for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceMedicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources

You'll take one at a time: Zepbound®'s label advises against using it with other tirzepatide medicines.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

If you have type 2 diabetes, Zepbound® can still be an option for weight, since diabetes counts as a weight-related condition.The LancetRandomized trial · 2023SURMOUNT-2Mean body weight fell 12.8% at 10 mg and 14.7% at 15 mg, against 3.2% on placebo, over 72 weeks.938 people · 72 weeks. Adults with BMI 27 or above and type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 7% to 10%). Funded by Eli Lilly.Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity in people with type 2 diabetes (SURMOUNT-2). Garvey WT, et al., 2023.Read the study All sourcesCigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0816: Weight Loss, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists, Zepbound®. Effective September 1, 2026.Open the source All sources

09The pills

Is there a Mounjaro® or Zepbound® pill?

No. Both come only as a weekly shot.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

Lilly's weight-loss pill is Foundayo™ (orforglipron), a different medicine you take once a day.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources Our Foundayo™ guide has the details, and our pills vs. injections article compares the options.

10Choosing

Which one is right for you?

It comes down to your reason for treatment. Here's the quick version:

  1. You want to lose weight

    Zepbound® is the one approved for it, as a pen, a KwikPen or a vial.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

  2. You have type 2 diabetes

    Mounjaro® is approved to manage your blood sugar, and Zepbound® can still be an option for weight. Your clinician will help you weigh them.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

  3. You have sleep apnea

    Zepbound® is approved to treat moderate to severe sleep apnea in adults with obesity.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

  4. Your insurance covers one

    Your plan's rules may point you to one or the other, so it's worth checking first.Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0701: Diabetes, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists. Effective June 15, 2026.Open the source All sources

Frequently asked questions.

How much weight do people lose on Zepbound®?

In the main study of people without diabetes, people lost about 15% to 21% of their weight on average, depending on the dose.The New England Journal of MedicineRandomized trial · 2022SURMOUNT-1Mean body weight fell 20.9 percent at the 15 mg dose against 3.1 percent on placebo over 72 weeks.2,539 people · 72 weeks. Adults with BMI 30 or above, or 27 or above with at least one weight-related complication, without diabetes.Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. Jastreboff AM, et al., 2022.Read the study All sources

Results vary from person to person.

Why are there two names for one medicine?

When the FDA approved tirzepatide for weight loss in 2023, it came under a new name, Zepbound®.

Mounjaro® stayed the name for type 2 diabetes.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. FDA Approves New Medication for Chronic Weight Management. November 8, 2023.Open the source All sources

Is there a generic Mounjaro® or Zepbound®?

Not yet.

Lilly's main patent on tirzepatide runs until 2036.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Orange Book: patent and exclusivity information for Mounjaro® (NDA 215866) and Zepbound® (NDA 217806). Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources

Can I use the Mounjaro® savings card if I don't have diabetes?

No. Lilly's Mounjaro® card is for its approved uses, like type 2 diabetes.Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLilly. Mounjaro® savings and coverage. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources

For weight loss, Zepbound® has its own savings card and self-pay prices.Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): formats, self-pay prices and questions. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sourcesEli Lilly and CompanySourceLilly. Zepbound® (tirzepatide) full terms and conditions: savings cards and self-pay. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources

Can I take Mounjaro® and Zepbound® together?

No. It's one tirzepatide medicine at a time, and your clinician will help you pick the right one.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sourcesU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. FDA Approves New Medication for Chronic Weight Management. November 8, 2023.Open the source All sources

Can teens take Mounjaro® or Zepbound®?

Mounjaro® is approved for children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes.

Zepbound® is for adults only.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.All sources

The bottom line

Mounjaro® and Zepbound® are the same medicine, at the same doses, with two different jobs.

For weight loss, Zepbound® is the one approved for it, and your clinician will help you find the right fit.

When you're ready, compare programs on our ranking to see what each one offers.

By the TreatmentMD editorial team

Medical disclaimerThis content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any weight-loss program or medication. Individual results may vary.

Sources19 sources, and product and safety information
  1. 1FDA prescribing information for Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Wegovy®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Patient Counseling Information.
  2. 2FDA. FDA Approves New Medication for Chronic Weight Management. November 8, 2023. fda.gov
  3. 3Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (UK). MHRA authorises diabetes drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight management and weight loss. November 8, 2023. gov.uk
  4. 4LillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide): formats, self-pay prices and questions. Checked October 7, 2026. lilly.com
  5. 5LillyDirect. Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) self-pay prices. Checked October 7, 2026. lilly.com
  6. 6FDA. Understanding Unapproved Use of Approved Drugs "Off Label". Content current as of February 5, 2018. fda.gov
  7. 7Cigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0701: Diabetes, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists. Effective June 15, 2026. cigna.com
  8. 8Lilly. Mounjaro® (tirzepatide): LillyDirect Pharmacy Self Pay Purchase Offer Terms. Checked October 7, 2026. lilly.com
  9. 9Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(3):205-216. doi.org
  10. 10Lilly. Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) for type 2 diabetes. Checked October 7, 2026. lilly.com
  11. 11Garvey WT, Frias JP, Jastreboff AM, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity in people with type 2 diabetes (SURMOUNT-2): a double-blind, randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2023;402(10402):613-626. doi.org
  12. 12KFF. 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey. October 22, 2025. kff.org
  13. 13Cigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0816: Weight Loss, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists, Zepbound®. Effective September 1, 2026. cigna.com
  14. 14CVS Health. CVS Caremark delivers affordability and access to GLP-1 weight management medications with expanded coverage options. May 28, 2026. cvshealth.com
  15. 15Lilly. Zepbound® (tirzepatide) full terms and conditions: savings cards and self-pay. Checked October 7, 2026. lilly.com
  16. 16Lilly. Mounjaro® savings and coverage. Checked October 7, 2026. lilly.com
  17. 17CMS. Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: information for providers. Checked October 7, 2026. cms.gov
  18. 18Medicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 7, 2026. medicare.gov
  19. 19FDA. Orange Book: patent and exclusivity information for Mounjaro® (NDA 215866) and Zepbound® (NDA 217806). Checked October 7, 2026. accessdata.fda.gov

Product information

  • Zepbound® (tirzepatide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or adults with overweight who have at least one weight-related medical condition. It is also approved for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, and should be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
  • Ozempic® (semaglutide) is a prescription-only injectable medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss; however, weight reduction has been observed in some individuals with type 2 diabetes using the medication.
  • Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss; however, weight reduction has been observed in some individuals using the medication.
  • Wegovy® (semaglutide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or adults with at least one weight-related medical condition, when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
  • All medications require a medical evaluation and prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Individual results may vary.

Important safety information

  • Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are prepared by state-licensed pharmacies and are not FDA approved. The FDA does not review their safety, effectiveness or quality, and clinical trial results for brand-name drugs do not carry over to them.
  • Semaglutide and tirzepatide carry a boxed warning for a risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, based on animal studies, and are not for anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN2, or who is pregnant. Other warnings include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and a higher risk of low blood sugar when combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea. The most common side effects are digestive, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.
  • This is a high-level summary, not a complete list. A licensed clinician will review your health history to decide whether a GLP-1 medication is right for you.

Our #1 pick

Ready to start? Welludr. is our pick.

The lowest advertised price on our list, with unlimited clinician messaging.

Visit Welludr.Compare providers