Zepbound cost: $299 to $449 self-pay, by dose (2026)
Zepbound cost in September 2026 runs from $25 a month for eligible people whose commercial insurance covers the drug to $699 a month for the top doses when a self-pay buyer misses Lilly's refill window. Lilly's own self-pay price for the KwikPen or single-dose vial starts at $299 a month for the 2.5 mg starting dose. Your number depends on how you pay, which device your prescriber writes, and which dose you are on.
Each price below belongs to one device. The $25 card price applies to the single-dose pen only. The $299 to $449 self-pay prices apply to the KwikPen and the vial only. The $50 Medicare price applies to the KwikPen only. Every current price below comes from a Lilly, Novo Nordisk, CMS, Medicare.gov, or TrumpRx page read on September 30, 2026, with the device named beside it.
Zepbound side effects have their own guide. Lilly launched vials in August 2024, cut prices in February 2025 and December 2025, and set the savings card to expire on December 31, 2026.
Quick reference: Zepbound cost, September 2026
- Self-pay, KwikPen or vial: $299 for 2.5 mg, $399 for 5 mg, $449 for 7.5 to 15 mg with refills inside 45 days
- Regular price outside the 45-day window: $499 for 7.5 mg and $699 for 10, 12.5, or 15 mg
- Savings card with commercial coverage: as low as $25 on the single-dose pen, up to $1,300 saved a year, expires 12/31/2026
- Commercial insurance that does not cover the single-dose pen: as low as $499
- Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: $50 a month for the KwikPen only, July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027
- One month means 28 days on every Lilly program, so a year holds 13 fills
Educational information, not medical advice. Talk to your prescriber before changing how you take any medication.
Zepbound cost by how you pay
As of September 2026, Zepbound costs between $25 and $699 a month depending on how you pay, and the price is tied to the device as much as to the payer. The table lists every route Lilly, CMS, or the White House publishes, with the device each one covers. Sources sit in the sections that follow.
| How you pay | Device | Monthly price | Main condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| List price (wholesale acquisition cost) | Not specified | $499 to $1,086.37 per fill | Lilly's pricing page, WAC data accessed January 1, 2026. The White House cites $1,088 in a White House fact sheet from February 2026 |
| Self-pay, 2.5 mg | KwikPen or vial | $299 | Valid prescription |
| Self-pay, 5 mg | KwikPen or vial | $399 | Valid prescription |
| Self-pay, 7.5, 10, 12.5, or 15 mg | KwikPen or vial | $449 | Refill within 45 days of delivery, otherwise $499 or $699 |
| TrumpRx | KwikPen | $299 to $449 | Same prices as LillyDirect self-pay. The order completes on LillyDirect |
| Savings card, commercial insurance that covers Zepbound | Single-dose pen | As low as $25 | Up to $1,300 saved per year, expires 12/31/2026 |
| Savings card, commercial insurance that does not cover Zepbound | Single-dose pen | As low as $499 | Up to 13 fills a year |
| Savings card, commercial insurance that does not cover the KwikPen | KwikPen | $299 to $449 | Up to 11 fills a year |
| Employer plan built on Lilly Employer Connect | KwikPen | Varies | Lilly's price to network pharmacies is $449 for every dose |
| Medicare Part D through the GLP-1 Bridge | KwikPen only | $50 | Prior authorization, BMI and condition criteria, through 12/31/2027 |
| Medicaid | Varies | Varies by state | Weight-loss coverage is optional for states |
The two insurance tiers of the savings card exclude government coverage. Lilly's terms exclude anyone enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, TRICARE, VA, or a state drug assistance program. Those buyers can use the self-pay price or the Medicare Bridge. The self-pay KwikPen card has no such list but bars reimbursement from any government program. To find a prescriber, our directory lists weight loss doctors by state and city.
Zepbound price: the list price and why few people pay it
Zepbound's list price, called the wholesale acquisition cost or WAC, is $499 to $1,086.37 per fill according to Lilly's pricing page. The page cites WAC data accessed on January 1, 2026 and does not say which format carries which price. A White House fact sheet from February 2026 puts the monthly price at $1,088 before the federal deal and says it falls to an average of $346 and as low as $299, depending on dose. The top of Lilly's range and the White House figure differ by less than $2, so Lilly's figure is used here.
Lilly's pricing page describes list price as what Lilly charges wholesalers and notes that pharmacy prices may differ. Most patients pay less because insurers and pharmacy benefit managers negotiate the price, Lilly's savings card lowers it for commercial patients, and the self-pay channel sells the KwikPen and vial at $299 to $449. Against $1,086.37, $449 is about 59 percent lower and $299 about 72 percent lower. That is arithmetic on published figures, not a Lilly claim.
LillyDirect Zepbound self-pay price by dose
The LillyDirect Zepbound self-pay price is $299 a month for 2.5 mg, $399 for 5 mg, and $449 for 7.5, 10, 12.5, or 15 mg when you refill within 45 days, as of September 2026. Lilly's LillyDirect Zepbound page shows the same price for the KwikPen and the single-dose vial. The table gives the price for each dose, plus the regular price that applies if a refill comes late.
| Dose | Price with refill inside 45 days | Regular price |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 mg (starting dose only) | $299 | $299 |
| 5 mg | $399 | $399 |
| 7.5 mg | $449 | $499 |
| 10 mg | $449 | $699 |
| 12.5 mg | $449 | $699 |
| 15 mg | $449 | $699 |
The lower price for 7.5 mg and above is a condition, not a permanent rate. Lilly's savings card terms say you must complete each refill within 45 days of the delivery date of your previous fill, or the offer does not apply. Lilly adds that taxes and fees may apply and that pen needles are required and sold separately.
Two self-pay formats exist. The KwikPen holds a full month, which Lilly defines as 28 days and one pen, and the vial price covers four single-dose vials. The single-dose pen is not sold at self-pay prices. It goes through LillyDirect's insurance pharmacy, as Lilly's medical information page says. Every format needs a prescription, which your prescriber sends to LillyDirect Pharmacy for delivery to your home. Since March 2026 participating Kroger pharmacies also stock the KwikPen and honor Lilly's KwikPen self-pay card, as Kroger's announcement describes.
The table dates each change. These come from Lilly press releases, read through their wire copies and Lilly's investor site.
| Date | What changed | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 27, 2024 | Vials launch at $399 for 2.5 mg and $549 for 5 mg | Lilly release |
| Feb 25, 2025 | 2.5 mg drops to $349 and 5 mg to $499. 7.5 mg and 10 mg vials launch at $499 with the Zepbound Self Pay Journey Program | Lilly release |
| Jun 16, 2025 | 12.5 mg and 15 mg vials announced at $499, or $849 and $1,049 outside the 45-day window (regular prices then, now $699) | Lilly release |
| Dec 1, 2025 | 2.5 mg falls to $299, 5 mg to $399, and 7.5 to 15 mg to $449 | Lilly release |
| Feb 23, 2026 | KwikPen approved and offered at the same self-pay prices as the vial | Lilly release |
Zepbound savings card terms, tier by tier
The Zepbound savings card is a Lilly program with three separate tiers, and it is set to expire on December 31, 2026. Which tier you fall into depends on whether your commercial insurance covers Zepbound and which device you are prescribed. The terms below are quoted from Lilly's coverage and savings page.
| Tier | Device | You pay | Savings limit | Fill limit per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial insurance covers Zepbound | Single-dose pen | As little as $25 per 1, 2, or 3 month fill | $100 per 1-month fill, $200 per 2 months, $300 per 3 months, and $1,300 per year | 13 |
| Commercial insurance does not cover Zepbound | Single-dose pen | As low as $499 per 1-month fill | Wholesale acquisition cost minus $499 | 13 |
| Self-pay KwikPen card, cash patients only, no reimbursement from any insurer or program | KwikPen | $299 for 2.5 mg, $399 for 5 mg, $449 for 7.5 to 15 mg | $215, $115, $65, and $271 per fill, in that order | 11 |
A month is 28 days and up to four single-dose pens on the pen tiers, or one KwikPen on the KwikPen tier. The two insurance tiers require a valid HIPAA authorization, and Lilly states that the card is not insurance. Lilly can terminate, rescind, revoke, or amend the terms at its sole discretion, without notice, and for any reason. Lilly's terms also bar combining the card with other discounts or coupons, and the KwikPen self-pay card can require a reimbursement claim filed by March 31, 2027 when the price is not applied at the pharmacy. The stated expiry is 12/31/2026.
On the two insurance tiers, government beneficiaries are excluded. The list names Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, DoD, VA, TRICARE, and state prescription drug assistance programs. On the top tier, the $1,300 annual cap equals $100 of savings on each of 13 one-month fills, so the cap and the fill limit line up.
Zepbound coupon: the savings card, discount cards, and TrumpRx
When people search for a Zepbound coupon, the program that matches is Lilly's manufacturer savings card. The self-pay KwikPen tier of that card reaches people without insurance. The $25 tier does not, because it requires commercial coverage for Zepbound.
Third-party discount cards from pharmacy-price websites are not Lilly programs and do not appear in Lilly's savings card terms. Kroger's release says its pharmacy staff help patients weigh insurance benefits, manufacturer programs and discount cards. Compare any card price against the self-pay table above.
TrumpRx is a federal website, not a coupon. As of September 30, 2026, its Zepbound KwikPen page says "up to 40% off", tells you that this is an out-of-pocket price and to check your insurance copay first, and sends you to LillyDirect to get started. Its price selector shows $299 for 2.5 mg, $399 for 5 mg, and $449 for 7.5 mg and 10 mg on a first fill or a refill within 45 days. Those match LillyDirect's self-pay prices. The White House fact sheet puts Zepbound at as low as $299, with an average of $346, and $299 is Lilly's 2.5 mg price. A Lilly release from November 2025 described the deal as a multi-dose pen at $299 for the lowest dose and up to $449 for higher doses, and said it carried no pricing obligations in the commercial channel.
Zepbound insurance coverage and prior authorization
Whether your insurance covers Zepbound depends on your plan, and on May 28, 2026 Lilly announced that all three of the largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) will cover its obesity medicines. In that release Lilly said CVS Caremark's commercial template coverage for current Zepbound patients continues uninterrupted, with access broadening across template plans by October 1. The release headline says CVS Caremark resumes Zepbound coverage by October 1. A PBM adding a drug to its template does not mean your employer chose to turn it on, so your own plan still decides.
Lilly's coverage page offers a checker and says the result is not a guarantee. A plan that covers Zepbound may require prior authorization, which is a request your prescriber files to show you meet the plan's criteria. Medicare's prior authorization rule appears in full in the next section.
Zepbound and Mounjaro contain the same molecule, tirzepatide, but they carry different labels. The Mounjaro label lists type 2 diabetes, including reducing cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes at high risk. The Zepbound label lists weight reduction and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity. Coverage of one says nothing certain about the other. Our pages on Mounjaro, Zepbound, and Mounjaro vs Zepbound lay out the differences.
The sleep apnea indication touches coverage too. Lilly's coverage page says Medicare coverage can vary by condition and lists obesity, overweight with weight-related medical problems, and moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea with obesity. Employers have their own route. Lilly's Employer Connect program makes the KwikPen available to network pharmacies at $449 for all doses, and Lilly says employee cost depends on the cost-share model the employer picks.
Zepbound cost with Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare covers the Zepbound KwikPen for weight management at a $50 monthly copayment through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, a temporary program that runs from July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027. Medicare.gov says the Bridge covers Zepbound KwikPen only, and that it does not cover single-dose Zepbound vials or pens. KFF reports that current law prohibits Medicare from covering obesity drugs, and that the Bridge is a payment demonstration that operates outside Part D plan coverage.
You must be 18 or older, be in a Part D plan of an eligible type, and meet one of three clinical tiers when you start. Medicare.gov lists them as a BMI of 35 or higher, a BMI of 30 or higher with diastolic heart failure, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or chronic kidney disease at stage 3a or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher with prediabetes, a previous heart attack or stroke, or symptomatic peripheral artery disease. Your prescriber must request prior authorization and certify that you use the drug as part of a diet and exercise program. The authorization stays valid through December 31, 2027, including refills and dose changes, unless you change GLP-1 drugs.
Several groups are excluded. Medicare.gov says you are not eligible if your Part D plan already covers your GLP-1, or if you have type 2 diabetes, moderate-to-severe sleep apnea, or fatty liver disease, adding that "your Part D plan might cover your GLP-1s" in those cases. The $50 copay does not count toward your Part D deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, and low-income subsidies do not apply, according to CMS. KFF notes it is uncertain how coverage continues after the Bridge ends.
Medicaid is different because federal law makes weight-loss coverage optional for states. KFF reports that only 13 states covered GLP-1 drugs for obesity as of January 2026, down from 16 states in 2025. Our own state tracker, refreshed in April 2026, counts the same 13. Lilly's November 2025 government agreement said states would have the ability to expand access to Zepbound through Medicaid. Copays and prior authorization rules come from your state Medicaid office, so check it directly.
Tirzepatide cost and compounded tirzepatide
Tirzepatide cost can look lower outside Lilly's channels because compounded versions circulate, and the FDA's position is that tirzepatide is not on its drug shortage list. The FDA's compounding policy page, with entries through April 1, 2026, says that tirzepatide and semaglutide do not currently appear on the 503B bulks list or on the drug shortage list. Section 503B covers outsourcing facilities, and section 503A covers state-licensed pharmacies and physicians.
For tirzepatide, the FDA says the period of enforcement discretion for 503A pharmacies and physicians has ended, following a March 5, 2025 court decision. FDA declared the tirzepatide shortage resolved on December 19, 2024, and its 503B enforcement discretion ran until March 19, 2025. It treats a compounded product as "essentially a copy" of an approved drug when the active ingredient, strength, and route match, unless a prescriber documents a significant difference for an identified patient. It also says that, at this time, it does not intend to act against a compounder that fills four or fewer prescriptions of such a product in a calendar month. The FDA-approved tirzepatide products are Zepbound and Mounjaro, both made by Lilly, and Lilly's self-pay channel sells tirzepatide only under the Zepbound brand name. Our tirzepatide page explains the molecule.
Zepbound cost vs Wegovy cost
Zepbound's self-pay price of $299 to $449 sits close to Wegovy's $349 self-pay price, and both drugs cost $50 a month under the Medicare Bridge. The Wegovy figures come from Novo Nordisk's Wegovy savings page, read September 30, 2026. This compares prices only. It says nothing about which drug is right for you, and the Wegovy vs Zepbound page covers trial results.
| Route | Zepbound | Wegovy pen |
|---|---|---|
| Self-pay | $299 (2.5 mg), $399 (5 mg), $449 (7.5 to 15 mg with 45-day refills) | $349 for 0.25 to 2.4 mg, $399 for the 7.2 mg HD pen |
| Introductory offer | None listed | $199 a month for the first 2 fills of 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg, new patients, through 12/31/2026 |
| Commercial insurance with coverage | As little as $25, up to $1,300 saved a year | As little as $25, up to $100 saved a month |
| Medicare GLP-1 Bridge | $50, KwikPen only | $50, all pen and pill doses |
Wegovy's pill has separate self-pay prices of $149 for 1.5 mg, $199 for 4 mg, and $299 for 9 mg and 25 mg. Our Wegovy page covers that drug. Our Wegovy dosage guide has the dose schedules.
Zepbound cost per year, by dose
A year of Zepbound at the self-pay price runs from $3,887 at 2.5 mg, a starting dose only, to $5,837 at 7.5 mg or higher, if you fill 13 times and refill on time. A Lilly month is 28 days, and 364 days divided by 28 is 13 fills. The table multiplies each published monthly price by 13, and it assumes 28-day fills for Medicare too. It is arithmetic on Lilly's prices, not a quote, and it holds only while those prices stay in place.
| Route or dose | Monthly price | 13 fills |
|---|---|---|
| Self-pay 2.5 mg | $299 | $3,887 |
| Self-pay 5 mg | $399 | $5,187 |
| Self-pay 7.5 to 15 mg, refills inside 45 days | $449 | $5,837 |
| Regular price 7.5 mg | $499 | $6,487 |
| Regular price 10 to 15 mg | $699 | $9,087 |
| Savings card with coverage, pen, best case | $25 | $325 |
| Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, KwikPen | $50 | $650 |
Self-pay tiers are set by dose. The label says the starting dosage is 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks, which is not a maintenance dose, then 5 mg, with further increases in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose. Recommended maintenance doses are 5, 10, or 15 mg for weight reduction and 10 or 15 mg for sleep apnea, per the FDA label. Your prescriber sets your schedule. Our guide to tirzepatide dosing for weight loss in units explains the steps.
The average Zepbound weight loss calculator maps SURMOUNT-1 results to a starting weight and returns an estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Zepbound cost per month without insurance?
Without insurance, Zepbound's self-pay price from Lilly, as of September 2026, is $299 a month for the 2.5 mg dose, $399 for 5 mg, and $449 for 7.5 mg through 15 mg when you refill within 45 days. If a refill comes later than that, the regular prices apply, which are $499 for 7.5 mg and $699 for 10, 12.5, and 15 mg. Those prices cover the KwikPen and the single-dose vial. The single-dose pen is not sold at self-pay prices. Lilly says additional taxes and fees may apply, and every format needs a prescription.
Is there a Zepbound coupon in 2026?
The Zepbound coupon most people mean is Lilly's savings card, which is active through December 31, 2026. With commercial insurance that covers Zepbound, the card can bring the single-dose pen to as little as $25, with savings capped at $1,300 a year. A KwikPen tier of the card also exists for people without coverage. Government beneficiaries are excluded from the two insurance tiers, and Lilly can change or end the card without notice. Third-party discount cards are separate from Lilly's program.
Does the Zepbound savings card work without insurance?
The Zepbound savings card has a tier for people without coverage, but the price depends on the device. Lilly's terms list the KwikPen at $299 for 2.5 mg, $399 for 5 mg, and $449 for 7.5 to 15 mg, with up to 11 fills a year. For the single-dose pen, commercial insurance that does not cover Zepbound gets a price of as low as $499. The two insurance tiers exclude anyone enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare, or other government programs and require a HIPAA authorization. The self-pay KwikPen tier lists neither, but it requires you to pay cash and not seek reimbursement from any insurer or government program.
Does Medicare cover Zepbound?
Medicare covers the Zepbound KwikPen for weight management at a $50 monthly copay through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, from July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027. You need Part D coverage, a prior authorization from your prescriber, and a qualifying BMI and condition. People with type 2 diabetes, moderate-to-severe sleep apnea, or fatty liver disease are not eligible for the Bridge, though Medicare.gov says their Part D plan might cover a GLP-1. Single-dose vials and pens are not part of the Bridge.
What happens to the $449 Zepbound price if I refill late?
The $449 Zepbound price for 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15 mg depends on refilling within 45 days of the delivery date of your previous fill. If a refill happens after 45 days, Lilly's terms say the purchase offer no longer applies, and the regular price is charged instead. That is $499 for 7.5 mg and $699 for 10, 12.5, and 15 mg on the KwikPen. Lilly can also amend the offer at any time, so check the current terms before ordering.
Can you use HSA or FSA money for Zepbound?
Lilly's coverage page marks Zepbound as HSA and FSA eligible, and it adds that eligibility may vary by plan and that you should check with your benefits administrator. An HSA is a health savings account and an FSA is a flexible spending account, and both hold pre-tax money for medical costs. Plan terms differ, so confirm the rules for your own account before you pay with those funds. Your benefits administrator can say which receipt or letter of medical necessity the plan asks for.
Is tirzepatide cheaper than Zepbound?
Tirzepatide is not cheaper than Zepbound at Lilly's prices, because Zepbound is tirzepatide. Lilly's self-pay price, as of September 2026, is $299 a month for 2.5 mg, $399 for 5 mg, and $449 for 7.5 to 15 mg with on-time refills. Mounjaro is the same molecule with a type 2 diabetes label. The FDA says compounded tirzepatide is subject to limits, and that tirzepatide is not on its drug shortage list. For a comparison of the two branded tirzepatide products, see Mounjaro vs Zepbound.