How and Where To Get Zepbound

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a once-a-week injectable weight-loss medication. It helps reduce your appetite by influencing two hormones: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Taking Zepbound may help with weight loss when paired with exercise and a balanced diet.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved Zepbound to help with sleep apnea in people with obesity.

A valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider is needed to get Zepbound. Online and in-person clinics, programs, healthcare providers, and pharmacies may write or fill a prescription.

You need a prescription from a healthcare provider to get Zepbound. You may be able to see a healthcare provider in person or online using a telehealth service. They will likely ask questions about your medical history and weight goals, complete a physical exam, and order lab tests to see if Zepbound is a good treatment option for you.

Zepbound can be filled at a pharmacy or clinic, either online or in person, once prescribed.

Online

Telehealth services can connect you with licensed healthcare providers to prescribe Zepbound. Your usual healthcare provider’s office or insurance may have telehealth services. Talk to them to see if this is an option for you.

Some companies also offer online weight-loss programs that provide weight-loss counseling services and prescriptions for drugs like Zepbound. The cost of these programs varies, but may be covered by insurance.

Zepbound can be purchased online with a prescription. Some companies and weight loss programs offer the drug directly.

When purchasing online, only buy Zepbound from trusted and licensed sellers. Once you get the medication, make sure the package is closed, sealed, and the medication has not expired. The FDA also has a program called BeSafeRx that gives tips on safely buying prescription medicines online.

Talk to a healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are unsure about a program, pharmacy, or medication you found online. They can help you decide if it’s safe and legitimate.

In-Person

You can also see a healthcare provider in person to get a prescription for Zepbound, either through your usual office, or you can find someone through your insurance plan.

Some companies offer in-person weight-loss programs that provide testing, coaching, and prescriptions for Zepbound. The cost depends on where you go and whether you have insurance. These companies may also provide Zepbound directly. You can talk with the weight loss program and your insurance provider to see how much it may cost.

Once you get a prescription for Zepbound, you can go to your pharmacy to get the medication. The pharmacy may have to order it for you if it’s not in stock. The cost will vary depending on whether you have insurance and what your insurance is willing to pay.

Zepbound is FDA-approved to lower weight in adults who are obese or overweight and have at least one weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease. The medication should be taken with a balanced, low-calorie diet and exercise.

The medication has also been approved to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity. OSA is a sleep disorder in which your airway is blocked during sleep. The block leads to pauses in your breathing, which can affect your sleep and overall health.

No matter how you get Zepbound, a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider is required. This medication is not approved for children and adolescents under 18 or adults without a weight-related condition.

Your access to Zepbound may vary for many reasons, including cost, whether you have insurance, and supply chain availability.

Cost

The cost of weight-loss medications like Zepbound is often one of the most challenging aspects. Without insurance, a one-month supply of Zepbound vials ranges from $349-$699. A one-month supply of the Zepbound injector pens costs about $1,000 before insurance.

Depending on insurance coverage, you can pay as low as $25 for a one-month supply of Zepbound. Talk to your healthcare provider, insurance company, or pharmacy to see if your insurance plan covers Zepbound.

Eli Lilly, the drug company that makes Zepbound, offers a program called LillyDirect to help you save. All you need is a valid prescription from a healthcare provider. The program offers all doses in vial and injector pen forms and sends them directly to your home. The price depends on your dosage and whether you have insurance.

Insurance Approval

Some health insurances may or may not cover weight loss drugs, including Zepbound. You may need to complete several steps before your insurance company approves the drug, including taking a different medication first or getting prior authorization from your healthcare provider.

To see if Zepbound would be approved, talk with your insurance company or review your plan.

Supply Chain and Shortages

Drug manufacturers have sometimes struggled to make enough Zepbound to meet the demand. According to Eli Lilly, Zepbound supply chain shortages are no longer an issue.

Because of shortages, price, and accessibility of weight loss drugs, some pharmacies make (or compound) their version of drugs like Zepbound. The FDA warns against using compounded drugs because they have not been tested for safety.

A healthcare provider may recommend you try a different medication if Zepbound is unavailable. The active ingredient in Zepbound (the main ingredient that causes it to work) is tirzepatide. Tirzepatide is also available under the brand name Mounjaro, which is approved to lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

Other GLP-1 medications include:

• Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide)
• Victoza (liraglutide)
• Trulicity (dulaglutide)

Zepbound is currently the only FDA-approved medication to help treat obstructive sleep apnea.

Zepbound is a medication that may help you lose weight or improve your obstructive sleep apnea. A prescription from a licensed healthcare provider is needed to get Zepbound.

Getting a prescription in person or through a telehealth appointment is possible. You can visit weight-loss clinics, programs, and pharmacies online or in person to fill the prescription. Factors such as cost, insurance coverage, and supply issues may affect your ability to get Zepbound.