How much does Zepbound cost?
Reviewed by Yael Cooperman, MD, Ro,
Written by Felix Gussone, MD, Ro
LAST UPDATED: Nov 08, 2023
2 MIN READ
HERE'S WHAT WE'LL COVER
In November 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) for chronic weight management in people with overweight or obesity. We spoke to Dr. Felix Gussone, MD, about Zepbound, and how much it will cost once it’s available.
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What is Zepbound?
When tirzepatide was first released under the brand name Mounjaro, patients and providers alike noticed just how effective the medication was for helping people with overweight and obesity lose weight. While the drug was approved by the FDA for treating diabetes, it took some time until the FDA granted approval for the drug to be used for weight loss. In November 2023, the FDA approved Eli Lilly’s new drug Zepbound, which has the same active ingredient as Mounjaro, for chronic weight management.
Zepbound is approved for adults with obesity, or those who are overweight and also have weight-related medical problems such as hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Zepbound contains the same active ingredient as Mounjaro and even comes in the same strengths (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg). The only difference is that Zepbound is FDA-approved for weight loss, and Mounjaro is FDA-approved for treating type 2 diabetes.
While licensed healthcare providers have the authority to prescribe medications off-label, allowing them to prescribe Moujaro for example for weight management, insurance companies are less likely to cover the cost of the medication in these circumstances. That’s particularly significant in the case of GLP-1 medications, which can carry a hefty price tag.
How much will Zepbound cost?
Many people now wonder how much Zepbound will cost, knowing that Mounjaro can be expensive. According to Eli Lilly, Zepbound is expected to be available in the U.S. by the end of 2023 and the list price will be $1,059.87 for a month’s supply. In comparison, the list price for Mounjaro is $1,023.04 for a month’s supply, so Zepbound is only slightly more expensive. Zepbound is also about 20% less expensive than the maximum dose of Wegovy (semaglutide).
Like the Mounjaro savings program, Eli Lilly will launch a commercial savings card program for Zepbound. According to Eli Lilly, people who are commercially insured with coverage for Zepbound may be eligible to pay as low as $25 for a 1-month or 3-month prescription. If your insurance doesn’t cover Zepbound, people may be eligible to pay as low as $550 for a 1-month prescription of Zepbound, approximately 50% lower than the list price.
Mounjaro Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.
DISCLAIMER
If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Office of the Commissioner. “FDA Approves New Medication for Chronic Weight Management.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Retrieved from www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-medication-chronic-weight-management Accessed 8 Nov. 2023.
How we reviewed this article
Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.
Current version
November 08, 2023
Written by
Felix Gussone, MD
Fact checked by
Yael Cooperman M.D.
About the medical reviewer
Yael Cooperman is a physician and works as a Senior Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.
