Zepbound vs Cagrisema: Weight Loss, Side Effects, Price
Zepbound is FDA approved and sold now; CagriSema (cagrilintide plus semaglutide) is not FDA approved and is only available in trials. Zepbound is approved for weight loss and sleep apnea.
A quick overview of Zepbound
Half-life 5 to 6 days: after 5.5 d, half is gone, and about 3% remains after five half-lives (27.5 d).
SURMOUNT-1, 72 weeks: the figure for body weight was 20.9%, compared with 3.1% on placebo.
Monthly prices in US dollars cover list prices and self-pay offers. Each figure comes from the maker's price listing.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), Eli Lilly 1 2, cnbc.com.
Side by side: Zepbound and CagriSema
| Zepbound | CagriSema (cagrilintide plus semaglutide) | |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | Zepbound | CagriSema (cagrilintide plus semaglutide) |
| Active ingredient | tirzepatide | Not listed |
| Manufacturer | Eli Lilly | Novo Nordisk |
| How it is taken | Weekly injection | Not listed |
| Approved for | Weight loss and sleep apnea | Not listed |
| First FDA approval | 2023 | Not listed |
| Average weight loss in trials | 20.9% (SURMOUNT-1, 72 weeks) | Not listed |
| Most common side effect | Nausea 29% vs 8% on placebo | Not listed |
| List price | $499 to $1,086 per fill | Not listed |
| Self-pay from | $299 per month | Not listed |
| Medicare GLP-1 Bridge | $50 per month, eligible Part D | Not listed |
| FDA shortage | Resolved December 19, 2024 | Not listed |
| Weight loss pct | Not listed | 20.4% |
| Weeks | Not listed | 68 weeks |
| Expected | Not listed | FDA review in 2026 |
| Expected approval | Not listed | FDA review in 2026 |
Sources: FDA label, FDA label (DailyMed), pricinginfo.lilly.com, TrumpRx.
Coverage and prices 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 | Refill within 45 days and LillyDirect self-pay covers 7.5 mg through 15 mg | $449 per month |
| Zepbound | For self-pay: The regular price applies if you do not refill within 45 days | costs are $499 each month for $7.5 mg, or $699 for $10 to $15 mg doses |
| Zepbound | Self-pay via TrumpRx | $299 per month |
| Zepbound | Medicare GLP-1 Bridge (Zepbound KwikPen, eligible Part D) | $50 per month |
Prices come from Eli Lilly, TrumpRx, CMS, zepbound.lilly.com, and pricinginfo.lilly.com. The prices were checked in November 2026.
CagriSema (cagrilintide plus semaglutide): where it stands now
| CagriSema (cagrilintide plus semaglutide) | |
|---|---|
| Weight loss pct | 20.4% |
| Weeks | 68 weeks |
| Expected | FDA review in 2026 |
| Expected approval | FDA review in 2026 |
Source: prnewswire.com.