Key takeaways
Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a once-weekly injectable drug used for weight management and obstructive sleep apnea.
Without insurance, Zepbound costs about $601 per 2.5 mg KwikPen, which is a one-month supply at the starting dosage.
If your insurance does not cover Zepbound, you can save money by using SingleCare coupons, purchasing a larger supply, or comparing pharmacy prices. You can also discuss alternative medications with your healthcare provider.
Zepbound is a once-weekly injectable prescription drug that contains the active ingredient tirzepatide. It is classified as a GIP/GLP-1 agonist and is currently only available in brand-name form, with no generic yet available. Zepbound is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss and chronic weight management in adults with obesity and in people who are overweight with at least one weight-related health condition. Zepbound is also FDA approved for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity. If your healthcare provider has recommended Zepbound, you’re likely curious about how much you’ll end up paying out of pocket per month.
How much does Zepbound cost per month?
Zepbound costs $601 per month for the 2.5 mg KwikPen. Each KwikPen contains four doses, which is typically a one-month supply, and 2.5 mg is the starting dose. Zepbound is also available in single-dose pens.
The price you pay for Zepbound out of pocket varies by pharmacy and location. Dosage will also play a part, such as if you’re starting at the lowest dose. The table below shows the lowest prices for each pen type by dosage, with a free SingleCare coupon.
Zepbound cost per month by dosage |
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|---|---|---|
| Dosage prescribed | SingleCare cost per month (Single-dose pen) | SingleCare cost per month (KwikPen) |
| 2.5 mg dose injected once per week | $978 at Kroger | $493 at Meijer |
| 5 mg dose injected once per week | $978 at Kroger | $493 at Meijer |
| 7.5 mg dose injected once per week | $978 at Kroger | $492 at Meijer |
| 10 mg dose injected once per week | $972 at Meijer | $689 at Kroger |
| 12.5 mg dose injected once per week | $978 at Kroger | $689 at Kroger |
| 15 mg dose injected once per week | $978 at Kroger | $683 at Meijer |
How dosage affects the price of Zepbound
Regardless of the reason you’re using Zepbound, healthcare providers typically will start you at the lowest dose of 2.5 mg once weekly for one month. Each dose is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) into the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. Your provider will instruct you on how to gradually increase your dose to a level that is effective, yet tolerable in terms of side effects. Everyone is different: Some people will respond more quickly than others. For weight management, patients typically inject 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg once per week. For OSA, patients will typically use 10 mg or 15 mg injected once per week. However, this dose may vary, and patients often use in-between doses (such as 7.5 mg or 12.5 mg) for extended periods. Your healthcare provider will guide you on dosing.
Is Zepbound covered by insurance?
Zepbound coverage varies widely by insurance provider. Some commercial insurance plans pay for weight loss drugs. Others do not pay for weight loss drugs at all, so if you are using Zepbound for weight loss, your plan may not cover the drug. Medicare prescription plans and Medicare Advantage plans do not cover weight loss drugs at this time, but this is a commonly discussed topic among government officials. Although the Trump Administration has announced lower costs, details still have to be approved. Zepbound is also FDA approved for OSA, so your plan may be more likely to cover the drug for this use.
The best way to find out if your specific insurance plan covers Zepbound is to check your plan’s formulary (list of covered drugs and their pricing tiers) or contact the member services department directly for more information. Injectable medications used for Type 2 diabetes or weight loss often require prior authorization. This means that your prescribing healthcare provider will have to submit information to your plan as to why the drug is medically necessary for you.
How to get Zepbound without insurance
It’s never easy to pay for medicine without insurance coverage, and brand-name injectable drugs like Zepbound are no exception. The good news is that there are ways you can save money on your Zepbound prescription. Manufacturer coupons, Zepbound savings cards, patient assistance programs, and other saving programs may be advertised on the Eli Lilly Zepbound website, but not everyone is eligible for these discounts. Here are some dependable ways to save money on your Zepbound prescription, even if you do not have insurance that covers your prescription:
- SingleCare discounts. Your free SingleCare prescription discount card gives you access to coupons you can use at local pharmacies to save on your prescription. You can use SingleCare if you have insurance, too, like if your coinsurance or copay is too high, but you can’t use insurance and SingleCare coupons together.
- Ask about a three-month supply of Zepbound. Some pharmacies charge less when you purchase a larger quantity upfront. Purchasing a three-month supply may seem more expensive upfront, but it costs less per month.
- Check prices at different pharmacies. It’s best to get all your medication at the same pharmacy, so your pharmacist can screen for drug interactions and other issues. However, different pharmacies may offer different prices on Zepbound. It’s worth comparing prices at pharmacies near you. SingleCare.com makes this easy, and so does the SingleCare app.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives. If you have tried all the options, and Zepbound is still not affordable for you, you can check in with your healthcare provider about other alternatives that are effective but more affordable for you. They can give you medical advice based on your specific medical history.
- Zepbound, DailyMed (2025)
- How much should I expect to pay for Zepbound® (tirzepatide)?, Eli Lilly (2026)
- Anti-obesity drugs will not be covered by Medicare and Medicaid in 2026, American College of Gastroenterology (2025)
- Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump announces major developments in bringing most-favored-nation pricing to American patients, The White House (2025)
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