Tirzepatide for Teens: Evidence, Eligibility, Coverage
Yes, for some brands: Mounjaro from age 10 for type 2 diabetes. Zepbound is for adults only.
- Brands
- Mounjaro and Zepbound
A look at Zepbound
A half-life lasts 5 to 6 days. Once 5.5 d pass, half is gone; after five half-lives (27.5 d), about 3% is left.
In SURMOUNT-1, over 72 weeks, people lost 20.9% of body weight, compared with 3.1% on placebo.
The maker's price page lists monthly prices in US dollars for both the list price and self-pay offers.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), Eli Lilly 1 2, cnbc.com.
Who qualifies?
| Medicine | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
 Mounjaro | This medicine lowers blood sugar for adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes, when used alongside diet and exercise. |
| Mounjaro | For adults with type 2 diabetes at high risk, taking this medicine lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death. |
 Zepbound | With diet and activity, it supports weight loss and long-term maintenance for adults who have obesity, or who are overweight with a weight-related condition. |
| Zepbound | It treats moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. |
What is different for teens?
| What changes | What the label says | Labels |
|---|---|---|
| Acute Pancreatitis | Can cause inflammation of the pancreas. Get medical care and stop the medicine if severe stomach pain persists and sometimes spreads to your back. | All of them |
| Acute Gallbladder Disease | Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation can happen. Report any belly pain in your upper-right area, fever, or yellow skin or eyes. | All of them |
From FDA labels: FDA DailyMed label.
Label warnings from FDA (DailyMed).
Coverage for teens
- Tirzepatide Coupon and Savings Card
- Tirzepatide Cost With Insurance
- Tirzepatide Cost Without Insurance
- Tirzepatide Insurance Coverage
- Does Medicare Cover Tirzepatide? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Does Kaiser Permanente Cover Tirzepatide? Criteria, Copay, How
- Does Medicaid Cover Tirzepatide? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Tirzepatide? Criteria, Copay
- Does Cigna Cover Tirzepatide? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
Alternatives for teens
| Medicine | For teens | How it is taken | Trial result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mounjaro | From age 10, for type 2 diabetes | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Wegovy | From age 12, for weight loss | weekly injection or daily tablet | 16.1% drop in BMI |
 Trulicity | From age 10, for type 2 diabetes | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Saxenda | From age 12, for weight loss | daily injection | Not listed |
 Victoza | From age 10, for type 2 diabetes | daily injection | Not listed |
| Zepbound | Adults only | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Ozempic | Adults only | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Rybelsus | Adults only | daily tablet | Not listed |
 Foundayo | Adults only | daily tablet | Not listed |
| Byetta | Adults only | twice-daily injection | Not listed |
These sources are listed: FDA label on DailyMed, PubMed.
Questions to ask your prescriber
- Based on this medicine's label, is my child old enough?
- How will growth and eating be tracked?
- My child may want to stop taking it. What then?