Zepbound and Mounjaro Price Guide for 2026

Zepbound and Mounjaro both list at $1,499 per month in 2026. Same active ingredient (tirzepatide), same manufacturer (Eli Lilly), different FDA indications. Insurance coverage varies: Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes has broader formulary placement than Zepbound for weight management. This guide covers retail pricing, savings programs, insurance scenarios and how compounded alternatives compare.

Brand-Name Tirzepatide Pricing in 2026

Zepbound Retail Price

Zepbound was approved by the FDA in November 2023 for chronic weight management in adults with BMI 30+ or 27+ with a weight-related comorbidity. The list price is $1,499 per month regardless of dose. Doses available: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg and 15 mg in pre-filled auto-injector pens.

List Price per Dose

The list price does not change by dose strength. A patient on 2.5 mg and a patient on 15 mg both pay $1,499 per month at retail. This is standard for GLP-1 medications where pricing is set per course of treatment rather than per milligram.

Manufacturer Savings Card

Eli Lilly offers the Zepbound Savings Card for eligible commercially insured patients. The card may reduce the copay to as low as $25 per month. Eligibility requires commercial insurance (not government programs). Terms change; check the Zepbound website for current offers. Uninsured patients may qualify for a separate savings program with different terms.

Mounjaro Retail Price

Mounjaro was approved in 2022 for type 2 diabetes. Same $1,499 monthly list price as Zepbound. The clinical distinction matters for insurance: diabetes indications generally have better formulary coverage than weight-management-only indications.

List Price per Dose

Like Zepbound, Mounjaro's retail price is the same across all dose strengths (2.5 mg through 15 mg). Patients start low and escalate under provider guidance.

Insurance Coverage for Type 2 Diabetes

Mounjaro has broader insurance coverage than Zepbound because GLP-1 medications for diabetes are more commonly included in formularies. Many commercial plans cover Mounjaro as a preferred or non-preferred brand for type 2 diabetes, often with prior authorization. Medicare Part D plans may also cover Mounjaro for diabetes (but not for weight loss alone).

Insurance and Coverage Landscape

Insurance coverage is the biggest variable in what tirzepatide actually costs a patient.

Commercial Insurance

Coverage varies by employer plan and carrier. Some plans cover Zepbound for weight loss with prior authorization and step therapy (trying another medication first). More plans cover Mounjaro for diabetes. Copays with coverage range from $25 (with savings card) to $200+ depending on the plan tier.

Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D generally does not cover weight-loss medications. Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes may be covered by some Part D plans. The Inflation Reduction Act caps out-of-pocket spending for Part D enrollees, which helps patients whose plans include Mounjaro.

Medicaid

Medicaid coverage for GLP-1 medications varies by state. Some state Medicaid programs cover Mounjaro for diabetes. Very few cover Zepbound for weight management. Check with your state Medicaid program for current formulary status.

How Compounded Tirzepatide Compares

Compounded tirzepatide from verified providers costs a fraction of the brand-name list price. The trade-off is FDA approval status.

For patients without insurance coverage for brand-name tirzepatide, compounded options reduce monthly cost by 73-91%. Our compounded vs Zepbound comparison covers the trade-offs in detail.