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Dual GIP / GLP-1 receptor agonistFDA-approved November 2023Rx · Subcutaneous injection · Once weekly

Zepbound® providers &
prescriptions in Santa Cruz, CA

Dr. Fahad Akhtar, M.D.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Fahad Akhtar, M.D.
Physician at g1v.me, an affiliated practice

Physicians near Santa Cruz, CA from the federal NPI registry. Ask each office whether it prescribes Zepbound.[9]

average Zepbound weight loss →trial-anchored estimate
city providers
26
as of today

Same molecule (tirzepatide): Tirzepatide in Santa Cruz, Mounjaro in Santa Cruz

Other GLP-1 medicines: Ozempic in Santa Cruz, Wegovy in Santa Cruz, Semaglutide in Santa Cruz

§ 02Provider directory: California
26 of 26 shown

Find a Zepbound provider in Santa Cruz.

Every entry comes from the federal NPI registry. Ask each office what it prescribes. We do not accept payment for placement.

Filter →
Type
Provider
City
Insurance / phone
Zepbound by California town, physicians per town
§ 03Getting Zepbound in Santa Cruz
26 providers · Santa Cruz, CA

How to get Zepbound in Santa Cruz.

26 GLP-1 prescribers and 7 local resource types are on record for Santa Cruz, plus 3 nearby towns in the directory.

Physicians in Santa Cruz
26 physicians
26 physicians from the federal NPI registry in Santa Cruz, most listed as Family Medicine (10), Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism (7) and Internal Medicine (5). A licensed clinician who evaluates you decides whether an FDA-approved GLP-1 fits. Telehealth rules vary by state. The nearest towns on record are Watsonville (25 providers), Los Gatos (32 providers) and Saratoga (14 providers).
Around the prescription in Santa Cruz
7 listed nearby
16 dietitians, 8 nutritionists, 6 gyms, 6 fitness clubs, 5 trainers, 6 physiotherapists and 6 places to move are on record near Santa Cruz.
Medicaid (weight loss)
Diabetes only
As of April 2026, California Medicaid covers GLP-1s for diabetes but not for weight loss. Employer and private plans can still cover them; that is a plan-design choice, not a state rule.

Medicaid status above is for weight-loss use and was compiled April 2026 from KFF and public Medicaid trackers; only 13 states cover it and several are mid-change, so confirm California’s current Medicaid and plan rules before booking. GLPHelper provides information and provider matching, not medical or coverage advice.

§ 04Medication factsheet
cited · last review 2026.05.19

An injectable medication for chronic weight management in adults. Same molecule as Mounjaro.

Zepbound is the brand name Eli Lilly uses for tirzepatide approved for chronic weight management. It is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection and the first approved dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. The identical molecule, marketed as Mounjaro, is the FDA-approved formulation for type 2 diabetes.[2][3]

In SURMOUNT-1, adults with obesity (without diabetes) lost a mean of 20.9% of body weight on the 15 mg dose at 72 weeks, versus 3.1% with placebo. That is among the largest average weight reductions reported for an anti-obesity medication. Zepbound is approved as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.[1]

Bar chart of Zepbound dose strengths on the FDA label: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg
Zepbound comes in 6 strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg. The chart shows what the label lists. A prescriber sets the dose.[1]
At a glanceMultiple (per dose)
Active ingredient
tirzepatide
Drug class
Dual GIP / GLP-1 receptor agonist
Manufacturer
Eli Lilly
FDA approved
November 2023
Approved use
Chronic weight management (adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition) and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity
Off-label use
Type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro is the FDA-approved tirzepatide for diabetes)
Administration
Subcutaneous injection · Once weekly
Available doses
2.5 mg · 5 mg · 7.5 mg · 10 mg · 12.5 mg · 15 mg
Half-life
≈ 5 days
Pregnancy
Discontinue ≥ 2 months before a planned pregnancy; may reduce oral contraceptive efficacy

Community health · CDC

Weight & metabolic health in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California has a population of 62,956 people. The adult obesity rate in Santa Cruz is an age-adjusted estimate of 26.7%, 2.4 percentage points below the California state rate of 29.1%. Diagnosed diabetes reaches 8.7% of adults in Santa Cruz. Inactivity, meaning no leisure-time physical activity reported in the past month, affects 18.9% of adults in Santa Cruz.

of Santa Cruz adults have obesity
26.7%
diagnosed diabetes
8.7%
no regular physical activity
18.9%

Age-adjusted estimates for Santa Cruz, community figures, not individual risk. CDC PLACES, 2025 release.

Estimate your weight lossdo oral GLP-1 pills work
§ 05Support around Zepbound in Santa Cruz
6 nutritionists

The prescription is one part. Here is the rest, in Santa Cruz.

Trials of tirzepatide paired the drug with diet counseling and regular activity. Every name below is a real listing near Santa Cruz, CA, ordered as the registry lists them, never by who pays us.

Nutritionists

A nutritionist helps you get enough protein and fiber while the medication cuts your appetite. Call to ask what they cover.

Annie Carrico Ellis, RD, CDCES
NUTRITIONIST
Nutritionist
1555 Dominican Way
Call 831-457-7087NPI 1265153548
Terri Oberto, CNC CPT PHT
NUTRITIONIST
Nutritionist · Education
120 Curtis St
Call 831-588-8126NPI 1811366990
Kelsey Perusse, RDN
NUTRITIONIST
Nutritionist
312 Berry St Unit A
Call 206-880-0306NPI 1932650876
Danielle Positeri
NUTRITIONIST
Nutritionist
380 Encinal St Ste 200
Call 831-469-1700NPI 1235799313
Rebecca Rovay-Hazelton, CN, CMTA, FDN
NUTRITIONIST
Nutritionist
337 Lee St
Call 831-461-1600NPI 1679832166
Laura Segelman, NC
NUTRITIONIST
Nutritionist
2577 Valerie Ct
Call 831-421-2121NPI 1497052195

Fitness clubs and recreation centers

Fitness clubs and recreation centers run classes and pools, an easier start than a weight room.

Santa Cruz Athletic Club
FITNESS
4.6 on Google · 92 reviews
901 Soquel Ave
Website
SPENGA Santa Cruz
FITNESS
4.8 on Google · 85 reviews
335 Soquel Ave
Website
Santa Cruz Movement
FITNESS
4.9 on Google · 58 reviews
730 Soquel Ave
Website
GOAT Santa Cruz
FITNESS
5.0 on Google · 47 reviews
1055 17th Ave
Website
Mavericks Fitness
GYM
4.7 on Google · 28 reviews
311 Soquel Ave
Website
Torkc.
GYM
5.0 on Google · 9 reviews
541 Seabright Ave
Website
§ 06Clinical evidence
STEP 1 to 4 + SELECT (N = 17,604)

What the trials actually showed.

We summarize the SURMOUNT weight-management program. Figures are means at the 72-week primary endpoint, by dose.

SURMOUNT-1 randomized 2,539 adults with obesity (without diabetes) across 72 weeks. Mean weight change was −15.0% (5 mg), −19.5% (10 mg), and −20.9% (15 mg) versus −3.1% with placebo. A majority of patients on the higher doses lost ≥20% of body weight.[2]
STEP / SELECT endpoint table2.4 mg / 68 wk
Mean weight change (15 mg)
−20.9%
SURMOUNT-1, 72 wk vs −3.1% placebo[2]
Mean weight change (10 mg)
−19.5%
SURMOUNT-1, 72 wk[2]
Mean weight change (5 mg)
−15.0%
SURMOUNT-1, 72 wk[2]
Effect size varies with baseline characteristics and adherence. Individual response may differ materially.
average Zepbound weight loss →mapped to your starting weight
§ 07Safety & adverse events
from FDA label, sect. 6.1

Most Zepbound side effects are stomach and gut effects.

In Zepbound's weight trials at 5 to 15 mg, the most common side effects were nausea (25 to 29%), diarrhea (19 to 23%), constipation (11 to 17%), and vomiting (8 to 13%). Most reports came during dose escalation and decreased over time.[1] Serious events were rare but include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and an FDA boxed warning regarding thyroid C-cell tumors based on rodent data.[1]

Boxed warning. Boxed warning: risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. Contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN-2).
Effect
Frequency
Severity
Note
Nausea
25 to 29%
mild
Most reports came during dose escalation and decreased over time
Diarrhea
19 to 23%
mild
More frequent during dose escalation
Vomiting
8 to 13%
mild
Reduced by slower titration
Constipation
11 to 17%
mild
Abdominal pain
9 to 10%
moderate
Pancreatitis
<0.3%
serious
Discontinue if acute pancreatitis is suspected
Gallbladder disease
~1 to 2%
serious
Cholelithiasis risk rises with rapid weight loss
Thyroid C-cell tumors
rodent data
boxed warning
Contraindicated with MTC or MEN-2 history
§ 08Cost & coverage, published, not gated
USD · monthly

What Zepbound costs, by how you pay.

The price you pay depends on your insurance plan, your diagnosis, and how you buy. Manufacturer self-pay programs cost far less than pharmacy retail. Here are the ranges.

Data sources: GoodRx national retail survey[6], CMS Part D formulary files[5], Eli Lilly self-pay and savings pages.

Self-pay and savings card prices checked . Retail averages from May 2026.

Zepbound monthly cost by how you pay
Pharmacy retail (no insurance)$1,000 to $1,300per monthBrand-name retail average, May 2026[6]
LillyDirect self-pay, KwikPen or vial$299 to $699per monthKwikPen by dose: 2.5 mg $299, 5 mg $399, 7.5 mg $499, 10 to 15 mg $699. The $449 offer on 7.5 to 15 mg applies to the first purchase and to refills within 45 days. Vials start at $299
Commercial insurance (weight)Often deniedOn-label for obesity but frequently requires prior authorization
Medicare GLP-1 Bridge$50per monthKwikPen only, Jul 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2027, Part D enrollees who meet weight and health criteria[5]
Manufacturer savings cardas low as $25per monthCommercial insurance with coverage only; eligibility limits apply
Find Zepbound providers in Santa Cruz

Physicians from the federal NPI registry. Ask each office whether it prescribes Zepbound.

Zepbound in other states

Physicians from the federal NPI registry in the states we cover. Ask each office whether it prescribes Zepbound.

Related GLP-1 research
§ 09Frequently asked: Zepbound in California

The questions people ask before they book.

Answers reviewed by the glp·helper Medical Team. Citations link to primary sources, never marketing copy.

Zepbound and Mounjaro are both tirzepatide, made by Eli Lilly, but they carry different FDA-approved indications. Zepbound is approved for chronic weight management; Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes. Insurers treat them as separate products, and weight-loss coverage is far more restricted than diabetes coverage.[1]