Zepbound vs Compounded Tirzepatide: Same Drug? Price and Legality
Zepbound is a brand of tirzepatide, so the medicine inside is the same; Mounjaro is the other tirzepatide brand. Zepbound is approved for weight loss and sleep apnea.
- Ingredient
- tirzepatide
- Manufacturer
- Eli Lilly
- Other tirzepatide brands
- Mounjaro
- Lowest tirzepatide self-pay
- $299 per month, Zepbound
A quick look at Zepbound
The drug has a half-life of 5 to 6 days. After 5.5 d, half has cleared, and about 3% is left once five half-lives pass (27.5 d).
In SURMOUNT-1 over 72 weeks, the result was 20.9% of body weight, compared with 3.1% on placebo.
Prices per month in US dollars cover the list price and self-pay offers, all read from the maker's price page.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), Eli Lilly 1 2, cnbc.com.
Tirzepatide and Zepbound side by side
Every row lists the same ingredient, and each brand’s label sets out its approved uses, forms, and price.
| Medicine | Ingredient | How it is taken | Approved for | Trial weight loss | Most common side effect | Self-pay from | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Zepbound | tirzepatide | Weekly injection | Weight loss and sleep apnea | 20.9% | Nausea 29% vs 8% on placebo | $299 per month | $499 to $1,086 per fill |
 Mounjaro | tirzepatide | Weekly injection | Type 2 diabetes and heart risk | Not listed | Nausea 18% vs 4% on placebo | Not listed | $1,112.16 per fill |
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed) 1 2, TrumpRx, pricinginfo.lilly.com 1 2.
Prices and coverage compared
| Medicine | How you pay | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Zepbound | List price before insurance | $499 to $1,086 per fill |
| Zepbound | Zepbound Savings Program (insured) | from $25 for up to a 3-month fill |
| Zepbound | Commercial plan that does not cover it | $299 per month |
| Zepbound | Self-pay: LillyDirect vial or KwikPen 2.5 mg | $299 per month |
| Zepbound | Self-pay: LillyDirect vial or KwikPen 5 mg | $399 per month |
| Zepbound | Self-pay through LillyDirect: 7.5 mg through 15 mg, if you refill within 45 days | $449 per month |
| Zepbound | Self-pay: standard rate if you do not refill within 45 days | your monthly price is $699 for $10 to $15 mg, or $499 for $7.5 mg |
| Zepbound | Self-pay via TrumpRx | $299 per month |
| Zepbound | Medicare GLP-1 Bridge (Zepbound KwikPen, eligible Part D) | $50 per month |
| Mounjaro | List price before insurance | $1,112.16 per fill |
| Mounjaro | Mounjaro Savings Card (insured) | from $25 for up to a 3-month fill |
| Mounjaro | Commercial plan that does not cover it | $499 per month |
Prices checked November 2026 (7)
pricinginfo.lilly.com 1 2, zepbound.lilly.com, Eli Lilly, TrumpRx, CMS, mounjaro.lilly.com.
Generic and compounded tirzepatide
Shortage resolved. The FDA confirmed this on December 19, 2024.
Sources: FDA.