How to Afford Zepbound (Tirzepatide) Safely

For many patients struggling with obesity, Zepbound (tirzepatide) has emerged as a promising treatment option. Other well-known drugs indicated for weight loss include Wegovy (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), and – albeit prescribed off-label – the widely discussed Ozempic (semaglutide). But like its counterparts, Zepbound’s price tag can feel out of reach. At U.S. pharmacies, even discounted prices can add up to many thousands of dollars annually. How exactly are patients supposed to afford this? Let’s take a closer look at your options.

Related: The Rise of Ozempic and Wegovy: High Demand Necessitates a Cautious Consumer

Why Is Zepbound So Expensive?

Zepbound is priced at over $1,000 per fill out-of-pocket at U.S. pharmacies. One major reason for the high cost is that Zepbound is still under patent protection and market exclusivity, which block lower-cost generics from entering the market. Generic manufacturers can begin challenging certain Zepbound patents via what’s called a Paragraph IV certification starting in November 2027, but the most important patent for patients seeking the drug for weight loss is the one covering the use of tirzepatide for chronic weight management, which is in place until June 2039. This means that even if a generic version of tirzepatide enters the market before then, it may not be legally marketed for weight loss until that later date unless a legal challenge to the patent is successful.

Without generic competition for some time,  Zepbound’s manufacturer, Eli Lilly, is allowed to set prices based on what the U.S. market will bear. The lack of generic competition, combined with the absence of federal price regulation, results in high list prices.

Zepbound is not an isolated case. Americans consistently pay some of the highest prices in the world for branded prescription medications, largely due to how the U.S. allows pharmaceutical companies to price drugs without facing government price regulation. 

Are There International Options to Buy Zepbound for Less?

Currently, there are no international online pharmacies accredited in the PharmacyChecker International Pharmacy Verification Program (IPVP) that list prices for Zepbound or brand names that share its active ingredient, tirzepatide, on PharmacyChecker.com. 

While many patients turn to international online pharmacies for savings, Zepbound poses a unique challenge: it requires refrigerated storage and shipment. The PharmacyChecker IPVP holds the highest standards for pharmacies shipping temperature-sensitive products internationally. Only accredited pharmacies in Canada, the United Kingdom, or the U.S. that also hold PharmacyChecker’s cold chain certification are authorized to dispense and/or ship refrigerated products internationally. 

Notably, the name “Zepbound” is unique to U.S. and, soon, Canadian shelves. As of May 2025, Health Canada has approved Zepbound, but it is not yet available in Canadian pharmacies. Most other countries, including Australia and Poland, have only approved tirzepatide under the name Mounjaro, Eli Lilly’s original brand approved by the U.S. FDA in May 2022 for type 2 diabetes. The FDA later approved Lilly’s tirzepatide as Zepbound for chronic weight management in 2023. 

PharmacyChecker Consumer Alert: This makes for easy spotting of a rogue online pharmacy. When you see Zepbound advertised internationally, it's a red flag: They are most likely referring to either compounded tirzepatide or, worse, they are a potentially rogue seller using the U.S./Canadian brand name to target patients seeking lower prices online.

Where Is Tirzepatide Approved for Weight Loss?

Tirzepatide (as Mounjaro or Zepbound) is approved for type 2 diabetes and/or weight management in the following countries:

Additionally, in December 2024, the United States FDA revised the indication for tirzepatide (branded as Zepbound) to include the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Tirzepatide Drug Pricing Barriers in Australia and the UK 

Australia

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is not currently listed on Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has reviewed submissions for tirzepatide but has not recommended it for PBS listing due to concerns over cost-effectiveness at current prices. Their decision also cited concerns about whether once-weekly tirzepatide 5 mg offered significantly better glycemic control or weight loss compared to semaglutide. Mounjaro is approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and available via private prescription. 

UK

In June 2023, the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) declined to approve Mounjaro for NHS coverage. Although recognizing its potential, NICE requested more long-term data. In 2024, NICE issued draft guidance supporting tirzepatide for obesity in adults with a BMI of at least 35 kg/m2, and with at least one weight-related comorbidity, while recommending phased rollout and continued review.

Can I Use a Compounding Pharmacy to Get "Generic" Tirzepatide?

PharmacyChecker strongly advises against entertaining compounded versions of weight loss medicine. First of all, no FDA-approved generic versions of tirzepatide currently exist. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved and may fall short in safety,effectiveness, or quality control. As shortages for these weight loss medications resolve, the FDA has issued timeline updates to compounders before taking action against violations for compounded versions of both tirzepatide and semaglutide. 

See: FDA’s Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss

In general, patients should be extremely cautious, always consult their care provider, and thoroughly vet any pharmacy they consider for compounded medications.

How to Save on Zepbound

Zepbound Discount Coupons Available in the U.S.

There are no international mail-order prices currently listed for Zepbound on PharmacyChecker.com. If you are a U.S. resident, you can compare discount drug prices offered by pharmacies in your neighborhood using our price comparison tool. 

Compare Zepbound U.S. Coupon Prices on PharmacyChecker.com

Zepbound Patient Assistance Programs

One of the more straightforward avenues for cost relief is through manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs (PAPs) or copay savings programs. Eli Lilly offers the Zepbound Savings Card for eligible commercially insured patients. Additionally, nonprofit organizations such as the PAN Foundation and NeedyMeds may offer financial assistance resources for eligible patients with chronic diseases.

Do international online pharmacies offer alternatives?

While injectable GLP-1 drugs like Zepbound require refrigeration, Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) may be a non-refrigerated pill option that may be suitable for some patients. Though only approved for type 2 diabetes, doctors may prescribe it off-label, particularly if injectables are not tolerated, but it’s not the standard approach for weight management.

Rybelsus is currently the only GLP-1 drug that may be safely ordered from online pharmacies accredited in the PharmacyChecker International Pharmacy Verification Program. Among the requirements of pharmacies accredited by PharmacyChecker are:

• Maintain a valid pharmacy license
• Accept only verified prescriptions from licensed physicians in the jurisdiction in where the patient resides
• Do not sell controlled substances
• Prescription orders dispensed by licensed pharmacies
• Quantities marketed on website restricted to a maximum of 3 months' supply at a time
• Marketing claims are truthful and not misleading

While Rybelsus may not be the ideal alternative for everyone — particularly if your doctor specifically recommends injectable tirzepatide — it's a non-refrigerated online option for certain patients to discuss with their healthcare providers.

Be Cautious with “Too Good to Be True” Weight Loss Offers

The desperate desire for affordable weight-loss drugs has made patients vulnerable to aggressive marketing by medspas, telehealth companies, and rogue online websites. As appealing as these offers may sound, many involve compounded or non-FDA-approved products with dubious sourcing. Patients have been injured from counterfeit injectables.

Where Is Zepbound Manufactured?

Zepbound, marketed and sold in the United States, is manufactured by Eli Lilly at multiple facilities in the United States. In 2024, Eli Lilly reported that it more than doubled its investment in a Lebanon, Indiana facility in order to boost manufacturing capacity for both Zepbound and Mounjaro. In that announcement, the company reiterated that they have committed more than $16 billion since 2020 to develop new manufacturing sites in the U.S. and Europe. Aside from their operations in India, targeted investments include those facilities in Research Triangle Park and Concord, North Carolina; Limerick, Ireland; and Alzey, Germany.

Image Source: The National Library of Medicine

PharmacyChecker’s Takeaway

At PharmacyChecker, we receive many inquiries from patients desperately seeking affordable access to Zepbound, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Ozempic. While we passionately support lowering drug prices and improving patient access, we will always first and foremost advocate for safety first.

Zepbound’s pricing is undeniably unaffordable for many, but cutting corners by turning to unverified or sketchy sources can carry catastrophic risks. We will alert you as better pricing regulations or global access solutions emerge.