How Much Does Tirzepatide Cost? A Complete Price Guide

Pharmaceutical Tirzepatide Costs: Mounjaro and Zepbound

List Prices Without Insurance

Mounjaro and Zepbound are brand names for the same active ingredient: tirzepatide. Eli Lilly manufactures both medications and sets the list price at $1,086 for a 28-day supply as of January 2025.

Each monthly package contains four pre-filled injection pens or single-dose vials. Strengths range from 2.5mg up to 15mg, with your doctor determining the appropriate level based on your response and treatment goals.

Annual Cost Reality

Since you inject once weekly, you need 13 refills per year. At full price, that totals approximately $14,118 annually. A significant expense that most people can’t sustain without financial assistance.

These prices remain fairly consistent across U.S. pharmacies, though you might see small variations depending on location and which pharmacy you use.

Insurance Coverage Reality

Whether your insurance covers tirzepatide depends on several factors: which medication your doctor prescribes, your specific plan’s formulary, and what medical condition you’re treating.

Mounjaro generally gets approved more easily for diabetes since that’s its FDA-approved indication. Many commercial plans will cover it after you’ve tried other diabetes medications first. This process requires prior authorization.

Coverage Challenges for Weight Loss

Zepbound coverage varies widely. Many insurers require prior authorization, BMI-based criteria, or step-therapy protocols before approval. 

As of 2025, Medicare does not provide broad coverage for anti-obesity medications. Medicaid coverage policies vary significantly by state; some include diabetes indications, while others exclude anti-obesity drugs (some cover Mounjaro for diabetes while completely excluding Zepbound).

What You’ll Actually Pay

With approval secured, your out-of-pocket costs depend on your deductible, copay structure, and formulary tier placement. Copays typically range from $25 (with manufacturer assistance) to $500 or more monthly.

Manufacturer Savings Programs

Manufacturer savings cards may reduce copays to as little as $25 per month for eligible commercially-insured patients. Maximum savings and annual caps vary by program year.

These savings come with limits: up to $463 per prescription fill and $6,019 annually. Still, for people with qualifying coverage, this represents substantial relief from full retail pricing.

Direct Purchase Options

As of early 2025, LillyDirect’s Zepbound Self-Pay Journey Program lists 2.5 mg vials at $349 and 5 mg vials at $499 per month (7.5 mg and 10 mg vials also $499 with eligible refills)

GoodRx coupons offer another discount avenue at participating pharmacies. These can reduce costs to around $995-$1,071 per month—still expensive but lower than full retail. However, Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries can’t use these discounts.

Research-Grade Tirzepatide: An Affordable Alternative

What is Research Use Only (RUO) Tirzepatide?

Research-grade tirzepatide serves laboratory applications rather than medical treatment. Designated as Research Use Only (RUO), these peptides support scientific work by researchers and academic institutions.

The key difference lies in regulatory classification, not quality. RUO products can’t be sold for human consumption or medical purposes, but many maintain pharmaceutical-level purity standards through independent testing.

Peptide Therapy Pricing Structure

Peptide Therapy offers transparent tirzepatide pricing without hidden fees. The base price is $139.99 per 10mg vial—dramatically lower than pharmaceutical alternatives.

A subscription option reduces costs to $132.99 monthly with 12-month commitments. This provides consistent supply at predictable pricing for ongoing research needs.

Volume Discounts Available

Volume discounts provide additional savings for bulk purchases. Orders of 5-8 vials receive 5% off, reducing the price to $132.99 per vial. Orders of 9 or more vials qualify for 10% off at $125.99 each.

Free shipping applies to orders over $100 domestically and $275 internationally. All orders include discreet packaging and tracking information.

Calculate your total savings with bulk ordering using our peptide dosage calculator.

Payment Flexibility

Payment options include Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, Zelle, bank transfers, and major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover). Orders process within 1-3 business days.

The delivery guarantee covers refunds or replacements if international shipments face customs issues, providing peace of mind for global orders.

Quality Standards Maintained

Despite lower pricing, quality remains uncompromised. Peptide Therapy Labs maintains ≥98% purity through HPLC verification, nearly identical to pharmaceutical ≥99% standards.

Each batch undergoes independent third-party testing. Certificates of Analysis document purity, potency, and contamination absence. These reports are available upon request for verification purposes.

Download sample Certificates of Analysis and view current batch testing results for Peptide Therapy Labs tirzepatide here.

Why Research-Grade Costs Less

The price difference stems from distribution models and regulatory frameworks, not quality compromises. Pharmaceutical tirzepatide includes FDA approval costs, extensive clinical trial expenses, physician marketing, insurance billing infrastructure, and retail pharmacy markups.

Research suppliers operate with direct-to-consumer models, eliminating these intermediary expenses. The RUO designation restricts usage to laboratory applications, avoiding the regulatory overhead required for medical products.

The peptide’s molecular structure remains identical regardless of designation: C225H348N48O68 with molecular weight 4813.5 g/mol. The difference lies purely in intended use and regulatory classification.

Complete Cost Comparison Analysis

Annual Cost Breakdown

Direct comparisons reveal substantial savings potential. Pharmaceutical Mounjaro or Zepbound costs $14,118 annually at list prices without insurance or manufacturer assistance.

With insurance reducing costs to $300 monthly, you still pay $3,600 yearly—plus deductibles, prior authorization hassles, and potential coverage changes.

Research-Grade Annual Costs

Research-grade tirzepatide from Peptide Therapy costs $1,679.88 annually (12 vials at $139.99 each). The subscription option reduces this to $1,595.88 yearly.

This represents 87.8% savings compared to uninsured pharmaceutical costs and 55.7% savings compared to insured rates at $300 monthly.

Volume Purchase Savings

Volume purchasing amplifies savings further. Twelve vials with 10% bulk discount cost $1,511.88 annually. $10,606.12 less than retail pharmaceutical prices.

For research institutions purchasing in volume, cumulative cost savings over multiple years can be significant compared to pharmaceutical list prices.

Qualified research buyers can place orders for RUO tirzepatide directly through Peptide Therapy, with same-day processing and free domestic shipping on eligible orders.