Zepbound vs Retatrutide: Weight Loss, Side Effects, Price
Zepbound is FDA approved and sold now; Retatrutide is not FDA approved and is only available in trials. Zepbound is approved for weight loss and sleep apnea.
A quick look at Zepbound
Its half-life is 5 to 6 days. After 5.5 d, half is gone, and about 3% remains after five half-lives, which equal 27.5 days.
In SURMOUNT-1, 72 weeks, weight loss was 20.9% of body weight, versus 3.1% on placebo.
The maker's price page lists monthly price points in US dollars, including the list price and self-pay offers.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), Eli Lilly 1 2, cnbc.com.
A side-by-side look at Zepbound and Retatrutide
| Zepbound | Retatrutide | |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | Zepbound | Retatrutide |
| Active ingredient | tirzepatide | Not listed |
| Manufacturer | Eli Lilly | Eli Lilly |
| 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 | 22.6% |
| Weeks | Not listed | 80 weeks |
| Expected | Not listed | BLA submission Q1 2027 |
| Expected approval | Not listed | BLA submission Q1 2027 |
Sources: FDA label, FDA label (DailyMed), pricinginfo.lilly.com, TrumpRx.
Price 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 | Pay on your own: LillyDirect 7.5 mg to 15 mg (45-day refill window) | $449 per month |
| Zepbound | Without a refill within 45 days, self-pay uses the regular price | each month is $499 at $7.5 mg, or $699 at $10 to $15 mg |
| Zepbound | Self-pay via TrumpRx | $299 per month |
| Zepbound | Medicare GLP-1 Bridge (Zepbound KwikPen, eligible Part D) | $50 per month |
pricinginfo.lilly.com, zepbound.lilly.com, Eli Lilly, TrumpRx, CMS are sources for price data checked November 2026.
Where Retatrutide stands now
| Retatrutide | |
|---|---|
| Weight loss pct | 22.6% |
| Weeks | 80 weeks |
| Expected | BLA submission Q1 2027 |
| Expected approval | BLA submission Q1 2027 |
Source: prnewswire.com.