Zepbound costs $299 to $449 a month without insurance in 2026
Eli Lilly sells Zepbound directly to cash-paying patients. The 2.5 mg starting dose is $299 a month, 5 mg is $399, and 7.5 mg to 15 mg is $449 if you refill within 45 days. Miss that window and the higher doses cost $499 to $699. With commercial insurance that covers Zepbound, the savings card can bring it down to $25.
Zepbound prices from Eli Lilly
| 2.5 mg (starting dose), self-pay | $299 a month |
|---|---|
| 5 mg, self-pay | $399 a month |
| 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg or 15 mg, refilled within 45 days | $449 a month |
| 7.5 mg, regular self-pay price (late refill) | $499 a month |
| 10 mg, 12.5 mg or 15 mg, regular self-pay price (late refill) | $699 a month |
| Pen, commercial insurance that covers Zepbound, with savings card | As little as $25 a month |
| Pen, commercial insurance that does not cover Zepbound, with savings card | As low as $499 a month |
| Medicare Part D, if eligible for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge | No more than $50 a month |
| First 2 months (2.5 mg, then 5 mg) | $698 |
|---|---|
| One year at 7.5 mg to 15 mg (13 fills of 28 days) | $5,837 |
Lilly counts one month as 28 days: 4 single-dose vials or 1 KwikPen. The self-pay price works for vials and KwikPens alike. Self-pay cannot be billed to insurance. The savings card for insured people excludes Medicare, Medicaid and other government plans. Sources: Eli Lilly, Zepbound Coverage, Affordability and Savings (updated August 2026).
What this price covers
Zepbound is tirzepatide, a weekly shot for weight management in adults. Lilly's self-pay program sells it through LillyDirect, with home delivery or pharmacy pickup. You still need a prescription. The prices are Lilly's own and do not include the cost of your doctor visit.
What changes your price
- Your dose. The price steps up from $299 to $449 as the dose rises.
- Refill timing. Refill the higher doses within 45 days to keep the $449 price. Late refills cost $499 to $699.
- Insurance. If your commercial plan covers Zepbound, the savings card can cut the cost to $25.
- Medicare. Eligible Part D members may pay no more than $50 under the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge.
Ways to pay less
- Set a reminder around day 30 so you never miss the 45 day refill window.
- Check if your insurance covers Zepbound before paying cash. The $25 card price beats self-pay by far.
- If you have Medicare Part D, ask your doctor about the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge.
How we got these numbers
Every price on this page comes from the drug maker's own website: Eli Lilly for Zepbound and Novo Nordisk for Wegovy and Ozempic. These are the cash prices the makers sell at through their own pharmacy programs, and the savings card prices they post for people with insurance. Where we show a total, we only multiply the maker's monthly price by months, so you can see a yearly cost. We do not add our own guesses. We leave out list prices that other websites report differently. Drug prices in this area change often, so check the maker's page before you buy. We last checked on September 26, 2026.
Common questions
How much is Zepbound without insurance?
$299 a month for 2.5 mg, $399 for 5 mg, and $449 for higher doses when refilled within 45 days.
What happens if I refill Zepbound late?
The 7.5 mg dose goes to $499 and the 10 mg to 15 mg doses go to $699 for that fill.
How much is Zepbound with insurance?
As little as $25 a month with the savings card, if your commercial plan covers it.
How much is Zepbound with Medicare?
No more than $50 a month for eligible Part D members under the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge.