{"id":631955,"date":"2025-04-15T21:08:11","date_gmt":"2025-04-16T01:08:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=631955"},"modified":"2026-03-05T19:16:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T00:16:56","slug":"mounjaro-generic-availability-cost-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/mounjaro-generic-availability-cost-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Mounjaro generic availability, cost, and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> is an FDA-approved medication for Type 2 diabetes in adults and children over 10. It helps manage blood sugar levels as a dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist. There is no generic version of Mounjaro currently available, and one might not be available until at least the early 2030s. The manufacturer, <\/span>Eli Lilly<\/span><\/a>, currently holds patent rights that prevent other companies from making a generic. Still, using savings options like discount cards or trying a different medication may help with managing costs.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Mounjaro generic availability<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Generic name<\/b><\/td>\nTirzepatide<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.?<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
When will a generic be available?<\/b><\/td>\nEarly 2030s (tentative and based on FDA approval)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Is there a generic for Mounjaro?<\/span><\/h2>\n

No, there is no generic approved drug of Mounjaro.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Mounjaro is relatively new, and I don’t expect an FDA approval for the generic version anytime soon,” says <\/span>Mir Ali, MD<\/span><\/a>, a bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mounjaro is much newer than<\/span> Victoza<\/span><\/a> or<\/span> Byetta<\/span><\/a>, the GLP-1s that are now available in generic form. Dr. Ali says both those drugs have been around for at least 12 years longer than Mounjaro, which was<\/span> approved for diabetes management in 2022<\/span><\/a> (it is still not FDA-approved for obesity or weight management). <\/span>Zepbound<\/span><\/a>, another drug with the active ingredient tirzepatide, is approved for weight loss, but there is no generic for Zepbound either. There are also no generic alternatives for the GLP-1s<\/span> Ozempic<\/span><\/a> (semaglutide), <\/span>Wegovy<\/span><\/a> (semaglutide), or<\/span> Trulicity<\/span><\/a> (dulaglutide).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When will a generic Mounjaro be available?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Generic versions of medications become available only after the brand-name drug’s patent and exclusivity rights expire. In the case of <\/span>Mounjaro<\/span><\/a>, the pharmaceutical company<\/span> Eli Lilly holds a patent for both the medication and its injection delivery device<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To be approved, a generic drug needs to be bioequivalent to the brand-name product and work the same way. That means it needs to contain the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, and route of administration. However, a generic manufacturer can\u2019t submit an application until patent protections expire.<\/span><\/p>\n

“In the United States, brand-name drugs are protected by patents for about 20 years, but companies often extend that through additional patents and exclusivity agreements,” explains Marlee Bruno, a certified physician’s assistant and the founder of <\/span>Mind Body & Soul Medical<\/span><\/a> in Pensacola, Florida. \u201cA generic version [of Mounjaro] likely won’t be available until at least the early 2030s.”<\/span><\/p>\n

While it’s not possible to predict exactly when a generic Mounjaro will be available, it’s safe to say that it will take several more years.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the differences between generic vs. brand-name Mounjaro?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Although there are no generic versions of Mounjaro, compounded tirzepatide is often suggested as an alternative. <\/span>Compounded tirzepatide<\/span><\/a> is a custom-mixed version of Mounjaro’s active ingredient. As a brand-name drug, Mounjaro can cost<\/span> more than $1,400 per month without insurance<\/span><\/a>. Compounded tirzepatide may be available at a lower price, but insurance companies generally don\u2019t cover it since it\u2019s not FDA-approved.<\/span><\/p>\n

“A lot of people assume compounded tirzepatide is just a cheaper, generic version of Mounjaro. It’s not,” emphasizes Bruno.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, why is compounded tirzepatide even available? The answer has to do with supply and demand. Pharmacies were allowed to start selling compounded tirzepatide because of a<\/span> Mounjaro shortage<\/span><\/a>. But in December 2024, <\/span>the FDA announced that the tirzepatide shortage had ended<\/span><\/a>. Compounded versions are now facing more scrutiny from the FDA.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Mounjaro covered by insurance?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Insurance coverage for Mounjaro will depend on the plan. In many cases, Mounjaro may be covered by commercial insurance plans when it\u2019s prescribed for Type 2 diabetes. Some <\/span>Medicare<\/span><\/a> and Medicaid plans may also cover diabetes medications like Mounjaro.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, patients may have to pay out-of-pocket costs, such as copays or coinsurance, even with insurance coverage. Out-of-pocket costs can also depend on whether deductibles have been met.<\/span><\/p>\n

All things considered, the cost of Mounjaro with insurance can still be high for some people. That\u2019s why the manufacturer offers a <\/span>savings card<\/span><\/a> for those with commercial insurance that can help reduce costs. In addition, prescription savings cards like the one from SingleCare may help reduce the retail price of Mounjaro.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How do you get Mounjaro covered by insurance?<\/span><\/h2>\n

If Mounjaro isn\u2019t covered by insurance, you can contact your insurance provider for the exact reason. Oftentimes, they require <\/span>prior authorization<\/span><\/a>, meaning your healthcare provider must submit documentation explaining why Mounjaro is medically necessary. They may have to provide evidence of your medical history and overall condition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many insurance plans also require <\/span>step therapy<\/span><\/a>, since Mounjaro may not be a preferred drug on their formulary. With step therapy, you\u2019ll have to try lower-cost alternatives to Mounjaro before your insurance plan will cover it. If coverage is still denied, you can always file an appeal with help from your healthcare provider.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generic alternatives to Mounjaro<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mounjaro isn\u2019t the only option for treating Type 2 diabetes. Although it\u2019s effective, there are other medications that can act as alternatives and that may have lower-cost generic forms available.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alternatives to Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n