How to get free Mounjaro samples

When the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in 2022 to treat Type 2 diabetes, some people hailed the GIP and GLP-1 medication as the next great antidiabetic drug. And it’s not just hype. Not only can it effectively lower blood sugar levels when paired with diet and exercise, but clinical trials have suggested it has greater weight-loss potential than Ozempic. 

Like many brand-name drugs, Mounjaro can be pricey, but if you’re on the fence and want to try it first, you might have that option. Here’s how to get samples of Mounjaro for free and save money on a prescription.

How to get free Mounjaro samples

Yes, it’s possible to get free samples of Mounjaro, but it’s not as simple as strolling into a local pharmacy and requesting them. Pharmaceutical companies typically only provide prescription drug samples to healthcare providers, who keep them in the office for patients to use. Keep in mind that a healthcare provider will only give you free samples if they think it would benefit your specific condition. Samples often come in a package of four 2.5 mg single-use pens, a one-month supply. 

Healthcare providers who don’t have samples on hand, or who run out, can request them from Eli Lilly USA, Mounjaro’s manufacturer. The problem is that high demand has caused recent shortages of certain Mounjaro dosages, so the sample request form on Eli Lilly’s site excludes the drug from available options. 

If your healthcare provider is unable to get free Mounjaro samples from the manufacturer,  it could be due to a shortage of the specific dose they’re requesting. “The inventory for GLP-1 and GIP medications such as Mounjaro and Zepbound is constantly fluctuating due to high national demand and other factors,” says Alex Foxman, MD, physician and medical director for Achieve Health and Weight Loss. 

RELATED: What to do during the Mounjaro shortage

How much does Mounjaro cost?

Free samples allow patients to try Mounjaro before paying its full price. Without health insurance coverage, Mounjaro’s average cash price ranges from $1,400–$1,500 for a pack of four 5 mg/0.5 mL pens—a 30-day supply. That’s not a set price, though, and different pharmacies and locations may charge different amounts.

Some Medicare and insurance plans might help cover that cost—but not always. Sarah Bonza, MD, founder of Bonza Health, says that she’s sometimes had trouble getting providers to cover it, even for patients with diagnoses of diabetes and atrial fibrillation. Plus, insurance companies may also require providers to fill out an annual prior authorization, a process where the prescriber must send additional paperwork before the insurance company considers approving coverage. Per Bonza, that paperwork might include a documented Type 2 diabetes diagnosis, medical test confirmation, and evidence of persistently elevated A1C despite oral therapy. 

Mounjaro alternatives

Mounjaro is part of a family of antidiabetic and weight loss drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists that have gained popularity on social media. Even though it doesn’t currently have a generic version today, there are a few alternatives if your doctor doesn’t think it’s the right option. 

Important note: Like Mounjaro, many of these drugs are in demand—and as of early 2024, some are in short supply, so they could be difficult to get.

Zepbound

Another brand name for tirzepatide, Zepbound is essentially the same drug as Mounjaro. But while Mounjaro is approved for Type 2 diabetes, Zepbound is approved and marketed specifically for weight loss. It’s around the same price as Mounjaro, although insurance companies may only cover one or the other, depending on why it’s prescribed. 

Ozempic

Like Mounjaro, Ozempic has been approved by the FDA for Type 2 diabetes but has also shown weight loss benefits. Instead of tirzepatide, it’s a semaglutide medication. Tirzepatide mimics both the GIP and GLP-1 hormones, while semaglutide just mimics GLP-1. Mounjaro has shown potential for greater weight loss in certain studies, but Ozempic has also been approved to lower the risk of stroke and heart failure in addition to treating Type 2 diabetes. 

Wegovy

If Ozempic is the semaglutide version of Mounjaro, then Wegovy is the semaglutide version of Zepbound. This is the same prescription medication as Ozempic, but it’s approved and marketed for weight loss instead of diabetes. Multiple brand names for one generic medication can complicate insurance claims, so make sure you talk everything through with your prescribing doctor and your insurance company.

RELATED: Wegovy vs. Mounjaro: Differences, similarities & side effects

Rybelsus

Rybelsus is another semaglutide medication, but it’s administered orally instead of injected like Ozempic and Wegovy. There’s limited research on which method is more effective, but some research suggests oral administration could have fewer side effects than subcutaneous administration.

Victoza

Victoza (liraglutide) is another injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist, but one that you inject once a day instead of once a week. Like Ozempic, it’s approved to treat Type 2 diabetes but may also decrease body weight. Plus, it can also reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. 

Saxenda

Like Victoza, Saxenda also has the active ingredient liraglutide. The difference between Victoza and Saxenda is that Saxenda is approved and marketed for weight management instead of blood sugar control. 

Mounjaro discount and savings opportunities

Free samples are great, but they won’t last forever, and when samples are no longer available, it leaves patients looking for financially sustainable ways to keep taking their medication. The good news is that there are ways to make Mounjaro more affordable: 

• Sign up for SingleCare discounts. SingleCare provides coupons for many medications, including Mounjaro, at over 35,000 pharmacies across the country. Signing up for a card is completely free. 
• Get a Mounjaro savings card. Patients whose insurance covers some, but not all, of their Mounjaro prescription might be eligible for the manufacturer’s copay card. Eli Lilly says it can cut the drug’s price to $25 for a one-month or three-month supply for eligible applicants.
• Look into government patient assistance programs. Most states have pharmaceutical assistance programs for Medicare beneficiaries, low-income individuals, and other groups who meet eligibility requirements. 
• See a licensed healthcare provider. Some wellness clinics and medical spas sell Mounjaro or knockoff versions, and they may charge much more than average. 
• Consider substitute medications. The Mounjaro alternatives listed above could all be viable options. However, there’s no guarantee they’ll be cheaper or more available. 
• Check your insurance. Insurance companies alter their formularies regularly, and the landscape for Mounjaro and similar drugs is constantly changing. 
• Shop around. There’s no single set price for Mounjaro, and different pharmacies often charge different prices. 
• Look into compounded options (but be careful). “Due to Mounjaro being placed on the FDA shortage list, compounding pharmacies are able to replicate tirzepatide (generic Mounjaro and Zepbound) at up to 70% discounted cost,” Dr. Foxman says. “But there must be caution, as the quality control and ingredients used may not be well-overseen and may lead to poor outcomes. In addition, once the medications are removed from the FDA shortage list, it will be illegal for compounding pharmacies to replicate these medications due to patent laws.”

Healthcare professionals often have additional information and resources, and they can counsel patients on the best financial route, so be sure to ask at your next appointment. By using one or more of these methods, you can potentially reduce your out-of-pocket cost for Mounjaro.