How much does Zepbound cost without insurance?

Key takeaways

• Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a prescription weight management medication approved by the FDA for adults with obesity or overweight who also follow a balanced diet and increased physical activity.
• Without insurance, the list price of Zepbound is $499 to $1,086.37 per fill, but the amount you’ll pay will largely depend on your prescription drug insurance plan.
• Financial assistance options include manufacturer savings cards that may reduce costs to as low as $25 or $650 per month, depending on your insurance coverage, plus prescription discount cards like Optum Perks.

Overview

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a brand-name weight management medication. It is both a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drug that comes in the form of a prefilled injection pen.

Several factors can affect the cost of Zepbound. Some health insurance companies may cover all or part of the cost of Zepbound when it’s prescribed for its FDA-approved uses. But if you are uninsured, you might have to pay out of pocket for this medication.

Zepbound is only available as a brand-name drug, which means there aren’t cheaper generic versions available.

Even so, there are ways to save money on a Zepbound prescription. Everyone, regardless of insurance status, can use programs like Zepbound savings cards, as well as the Optum Perks prescription discount card, which may help reduce the cost of Zepbound.

If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.

What is the typical cost of Zepbound without insurance coverage?

Zepbound is manufactured by a company called Eli Lilly. As of June 2026, the manufacturer listed the out-of-pocket cost of a month’s supply of Zepbound prefilled injection pens as a maximum of $1,086.37.

With that said, Eli Lilly has come out with a more affordable option for Zepbound: a single-dose vial. A one-month supply of the 2.5 milligrams (mg) single-dose vial, for example, is listed at $299, and the 5 mg dose is $399.

The costs listed above are what you would pay without insurance coverage. To fully understand your estimated costs, talk with your prescribing doctor about the current price of Zepbound with or without insurance.

People who take Zepbound typically use either one injection pen or one single-dose vial per week. A month’s supply of Zepbound will last about 4 weeks.

What factors can influence the cost of Zepbound?

There are many factors that can influence the price of Zepbound without insurance, such as:

• the pharmacy you use
• the dosage you’re prescribed
• the form you’re prescribed (prefilled injection pens or single-dose vials)
• the cost to purchase needles and syringes to use with Zepbound single-dose vials 
• whether you’re able to get a 90-day supply
• whether you qualify for any financial assistance or online savings programs

Prescription drugs may have a high cost for several reasons. According to the American Medical Association, pricing might be influenced by pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy benefit managers, and health insurance companies.

Zepbound is also a brand-name drug. Brand-name drugs can be expensive due to the extensive research needed to test how safe and effective they are, a process that can take several years to complete. Typically, generics are cheaper than branded drugs. But Zepbound is currently not available in a generic version.

What financial assistance programs are available?

Several options may help reduce the cost of Zepbound. These may help make Zepbound more affordable if you don’t have health insurance coverage.

Some examples of financial assistance programs include:

• Manufacturer coupons and online savings programs: Eli Lilly offers a few different savings options to help you save on your Zepbound prescription. Note that savings options associated with commercial insurance do not apply to Medicaid, Medicare, or Medicare Part D. You can learn more about the terms and conditions for these programs online.
  • Cash pay option: If you do not have insurance, this option ensures that you only pay the list price for Zepbound single-dose vials.
  • Savings card without drug coverage: If you have commercial insurance, but Zepbound isn’t covered, you can use the manufacturer savings card to pay as low as $299 for a month’s supply of Zepbound prefilled injection pens.
  • Savings card with drug coverage: If you have commercial insurance and Zepbound is covered, you can use the savings card to pay as low as $25 for a one- to three-month supply of Zepbound prefilled injection pens.
• Government programs: TrumpRx is a government platform that allows people to find and access discounted drug prices for some prescription drugs, including GLP-1s. Medicare is also expanding coverage for GLP-1s.
• Prescription discount cards: The Optum Perks Discount Card may help you save on prescription medications.

How can Optum Perks help?

Prescription discount cards help you save on prescription medications, but you cannot use them with health insurance copays or benefits.

The free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save on prescription drugs, such as Zepbound. You can search for a specific drug to see how much you could save on your medication with an Optum Perks drug coupon.

Online care for GLP-1s

If a doctor has prescribed a GLP-1, it’s important to take the medication as directed for as long as your doctor recommends. However, some people might face barriers to accessing GLP-1s, including high costs and access to healthcare appointments.

With Optum Perks Online Care, you can request a new weight loss prescription, get a refill, or get help with an existing prescription.

With this service, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your condition, and a licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after — without the need to make an in-person appointment.

Summary

The cost of Zepbound depends on many factors, including whether or not you have insurance coverage. If you don’t have health insurance, or your insurance doesn’t cover Zepbound, you may qualify for the Zepbound manufacturer savings card or cash pay option, which can help reduce the cost of this drug.

Prescription discount cards, such as the Optum Perks Discount Card, can also help reduce the cost of Zepbound. Anyone can use discount cards, regardless of insurance status. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about ways to save on the cost of Zepbound.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.