Zepbound generic: Availability, cost, and weight loss alternatives

In this article:

• Is there a generic for Zepbound?
• How much is generic Zepbound?
• Zepbound prices
• Is Zepbound covered by insurance?
• Generic alternatives

In this article

• Is there a generic for Zepbound?
• How much is generic Zepbound?
• Zepbound prices
• Is Zepbound covered by insurance?
• Generic alternatives

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a weekly injectable medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of long-term weight management and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in combination with a diet and exercise regimen. As of now, there’s no generic for Zepbound, but one will likely be made once the drug’s patent expires, which is estimated to be 2036 or later.

Is there a generic for Zepbound?

Zepbound is a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist that helps reduce appetite, slow digestion, and improve the body’s processing of fat and sugar. The injectable medicine, sold and patented by Eli Lilly and Company, contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, which was first approved under the brand name Mounjaro in May 2022 to improve glycemic control in people with Type 2 diabetes. Tirzepatide was later approved by the FDA in November 2023 for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight, who have at least one weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol), in addition to diet and exercise. In December 2024, Zepbound was approved for adults with OSA, making it the first prescription medication for certain people with the sleep disorder. 

Rekha Kumar, MD, MS, an endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist, as well as Medical Advisor at Found in New York City, states that there is currently no Zepbound generic available. “That’s pretty typical with newer medications as the company that developed it holds a patent, which means they have a period of time before generics can come to market,” she explains. “It usually takes years before we see generic versions of breakthrough drugs like this one.”

Eli Lilly Company’s four U.S. patents for the active ingredient in Zepbound, tirzepatide, are set to expire on May 13th, 2026, which is when they’ll be open to patent challenges. Based on estimates, the launch of the Zepbound generic is not expected to be available until June 2039. 

While there’s no generic Zepbound available yet, here are some insights into the injectable medication, including uses, dosages, side effects, and more:

	Zepbound
Uses	Chronic weight management for people who are obese or overweight with one or more of the following conditions: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) High blood pressure (hypertension) Type 2 diabetes High cholesterol (dyslipidemia) Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity
Standard dosage	Initially, 2.5 milligrams (mg) once weekly for four weeks Dosages can increase to 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg once weekly
Common side effects	Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Constipation Stomach pain Burping Heartburn Indigestion Tiredness Dizziness Hair loss  Injection site reactions Allergic reactions
Contraindications	Hypersensitivity (severe allergic reaction) to the drug, such as anaphylaxis or angioedema Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) Caution in pregnancy and breastfeeding Caution in people with diabetic retinopathy (a type of diabetic eye disease) Caution in using oral contraceptives, such as birth control pills
Other considerations	May cause psychiatric symptoms like suicidal ideation and behavior Potential risk of thyroid tumors May cause inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) Taking it with another glucose-lowering medication (e.g., insulin, sulfonylureas) may increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) Notify your healthcare provider if you have surgery or a procedure planned that uses anesthesia

How much is generic Zepbound?

Here’s a look at the typical costs of Zepbound:

Zepbound prices
	Brand-name Zepbound
Average cost without insurance	$1,535.75 for 4, 5 mg/0.5 ml pens of Zepbound
SingleCare’s lowest price	$949.92 for 4, 5 mg/0.5 ml pens of Zepbound
Free coupons	Zepbound coupons

Is Zepbound covered by insurance?

“Yes, commercial insurance mostly covers Zepbound if with prior authorization,” says Sarah Bonza, MD, MPH, FAAFP, a family medicine physician, founder of Bonza Health, and hospitalist physician at Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, Ohio. “However, coverage is a bit unpredictable and less consistent for Medicaid and Medicare.” 

It’s also important to note that if insurance companies do cover Zepbound, it’s often for OSA, and not just chronic weight management alone. “Some of my patients have been able to get it covered, especially if they have diabetes, but many who are seeking it specifically for obesity run into denials,” Dr. Kumar says. It’s best to speak with the provider of your plan to determine if you have health insurance coverage for Zepbound that meets your health needs. 

If it’s not covered, you can explore other options to obtain your prescription. “I often find myself helping patients explore manufacturer savings programs because the out-of-pocket cost is so high,” Dr. Kumar says.

Generic alternatives to Zepbound

If you’re unable to get Zepbound due to reasons such as lack of insurance coverage, contraindications, or its active ingredient, your healthcare provider may recommend alternative medications. 

Below are some alternatives to the weight loss drug:

• Wegovy (semaglutide)
• Saxenda (liraglutide)
• Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate)
• Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion)
• Xenical and Alli (orlistat)

“There are also several other FDA-approved medications for obesity that have been around for decades and work through different mechanisms,” Dr. Kumar says. “While those older options generally aren’t as effective as the newer GLP-1 medications, they can still be a good fit for the right patients.”

While the FDA only approves the use of Zepbound for chronic weight management related to Type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea, it is being studied to see if it can improve or prevent other medical conditions.

Here’s the research we have so far:

• Type 1 diabetes: An observational study found that tirzepatide significantly reduced HbA1c levels and body weight in adults with Type 1 diabetes. A case study revealed that weekly tirzepatide injections helped one patient improve their glycemic control, reduce insulin needs, and lose weight.
• Heart health: A clinical trial led by Eli Lilly and Company found that Zepbound weekly injections led to a 38% lower risk of urgent care visits and hospitalizations, cardiovascular death, and need for more oral diuretics for patients with a type of heart failure known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obesity.
• Neurodegenerative conditions: A large cohort study discovered that people with Type 2 diabetes and obesity taking tirzepatide had a significantly lower risk of developing dementia.
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD): Researchers found that tirzepatide can help slow the progression of chronic kidney disease in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Many of these studies involve preliminary research, indicating that further trials are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of using Zepbound to manage or prevent specific medical conditions. With that being said, please consult your healthcare provider before using Zepbound for any off-label purposes.

Something to also consider when taking Zepbound is withdrawal, which may occur if you skip a dose or run out of your prescription. “I would say that if you skip a dose of Zepbound, the change you’ll feel won’t be withdrawal in the traditional sense, but patients often notice a strong return of food noise, appetite, and regain of weight in the first few weeks off the drug,” Dr. Bonza says. If you experience withdrawal symptoms, please reach out to your healthcare provider for medical guidance. 

It may take up to a decade for the generic version of Zepbound to become available to the public, due to the lengthy patent protection. If you think the injectable medication could benefit your health but don’t have insurance coverage, consult your healthcare provider to see if you can get it at a lower cost or explore alternatives that can provide similar benefits as Zepbound. If prescribed an alternative medication, be sure to follow your provider’s instructions to minimize adverse side effects and achieve the best possible outcomes for your health.