Cheapest Tirzepatide 2026: Safe, Affordable Mounjaro & Zepbound Alternatives
Looking for the cheapest tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) for weight loss? I've compared all legitimate options to find the most affordable physician-supervised programs. Here's how to save thousands while accessing the most effective weight loss medication available.
Quick Answer
The cheapest legitimate tirzepatide is compounded tirzepatide through Coreage Rx at $99/month with full physician supervision. This is 90-93% cheaper than brand-name Mounjaro or Zepbound ($1,000-$1,400/month) while providing identical medication from a 503B FDA-registered pharmacy.
Warning: Prices under $80/month are red flags for dangerous overseas pharmacies, research chemicals, or scams. Read below to understand what's safe vs dangerous.
Understanding Tirzepatide Costs
Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound—the most effective weight loss medication available, with clinical trials showing 15-22% average weight loss over 72 weeks. That's significantly better than semaglutide (10-15%). But the brand-name versions are prohibitively expensive without insurance.
Here's the price landscape for tirzepatide in 2026:
- Zepbound (brand, no insurance): $1,349/month for weight loss
- Mounjaro (brand, no insurance): $1,023/month (approved for diabetes, used off-label for weight loss)
- Brand with insurance: $50-$200/month IF covered for weight loss (many insurers don't cover)
- Compounded from 503B pharmacy: $99-$399/month with physician supervision
- Compounded from 503A pharmacy: $399-$549/month with physician supervision
- Dangerous sources (AVOID): Under $80/month from overseas pharmacies, research chemical sites, or social media sellers
Cheapest Safe Tirzepatide Options Compared
These are the most affordable legitimate, physician-supervised tirzepatide programs:
| Program | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Pharmacy Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coreage Rx ⭐ Cheapest | $99 | $1,188 | 503B FDA-registered |
| Henry Meds | $297 | $3,564 | 503B FDA-registered |
| Mochi Health | $399 | $4,788 | 503B FDA-registered |
| Hims & Hers | $399 | $4,788 | 503A compounding |
| Ro | $399 | $4,788 | 503A compounding |
| Strut Health | $549 | $6,588 | 503A compounding |
Clear winner: Coreage Rx at $99/month saves you $2,376-$5,400 per year compared to other legitimate options, and you get the highest tier pharmacy (503B) instead of lower-tier 503A. Plus, you're accessing the most effective weight loss medication available at the lowest price.
#1 Cheapest Option: Coreage Rx ($99/month)
Coreage Rx
Why this is the cheapest safe option: At $99/month, Coreage Rx offers the lowest price among all legitimate, physician-supervised tirzepatide programs. You get compounded tirzepatide from a 503B FDA-registered pharmacy—the same medication as Mounjaro and Zepbound at 90-93% less cost. And you're getting the most effective weight loss medication available (15-22% weight loss vs 10-15% for semaglutide).
💰 Annual Savings with Coreage Rx:
- vs Zepbound ($1,349/month): Save $15,000 per year
- vs Mounjaro ($1,023/month): Save $11,088 per year
- vs Hims/Ro ($399/month): Save $3,600 per year
- vs Henry Meds ($297/month): Save $2,376 per year
What's included:
- Licensed physician consultation and prescription
- Monthly supply of compounded tirzepatide (same as Mounjaro/Zepbound)
- Injection supplies (syringes, alcohol swabs, sharps container)
- Free shipping in discreet packaging
- Ongoing medical monitoring and dosage adjustments
- Customer support for questions and concerns
Read my full Coreage Rx review for my personal experience with the program.
Why Tirzepatide Is Worth the Investment
While compounded tirzepatide and semaglutide cost the same ($99/month at Coreage Rx), tirzepatide offers superior weight loss results:
Tirzepatide ⭐
- Weight loss: 15-22% average (SURMOUNT trials)
- Mechanism: Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Brand names: Mounjaro, Zepbound
- Brand cost: $1,000-$1,400/month
- Compounded cost: $99/month at Coreage Rx
- Best for: Maximum weight loss results
Semaglutide
- Weight loss: 10-15% average (STEP trials)
- Mechanism: GLP-1 receptor agonist only
- Brand names: Ozempic, Wegovy
- Brand cost: $900-$1,400/month
- Compounded cost: $99/month at Coreage Rx
- Best for: Good alternative if tirzepatide not tolerated
Smart choice: Since compounded versions cost the same, choose tirzepatide for superior results. You get up to 22% weight loss vs 15% with semaglutide, at the same $99/month price through Coreage Rx.
How Much You'll Actually Pay Over Time
Most people take tirzepatide for 12-18 months to reach their weight loss goals. Here's what that actually costs with different options:
| Option | 12 Months | 18 Months | 24 Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zepbound (brand) | $16,188 | $24,282 | $32,376 |
| Mounjaro (brand) | $12,276 | $18,414 | $24,552 |
| Coreage Rx ⭐ | $1,188 | $1,782 | $2,376 |
| Henry Meds | $3,564 | $5,346 | $7,128 |
| Hims/Ro | $4,788 | $7,182 | $9,576 |
Over an 18-month treatment period (typical for reaching goal weight), Coreage Rx saves you $22,500 compared to Zepbound and $16,632 compared to Mounjaro. That's life-changing money you can invest, save, or use to improve your life in other ways—all while getting the most effective weight loss medication available.
⚠️ When "Cheap" Is Actually Dangerous
Red Flags for Dangerous Tirzepatide Sources:
If you see these warning signs, DO NOT purchase from that source:
- Prices under $80/month: Legitimate compounded tirzepatide costs $99+ with physician oversight. Anything cheaper is cutting corners on safety or legality
- No prescription required: Tirzepatide is prescription-only. Any source selling without a doctor's evaluation is illegal and dangerous
- Overseas pharmacies: Tirzepatide shipped from China, India, Turkey, or other countries may be counterfeit, contaminated, or improperly stored
- "Research chemical" tirzepatide: These are industrial-grade peptides not intended for human use, sold without sterility guarantees or quality control
- Social media sellers: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok sellers offering tirzepatide are operating illegally and have no medical oversight
- "Oral tirzepatide" pills: There is NO FDA-approved oral tirzepatide. All tirzepatide is injectable. Pills claiming to be tirzepatide are fake
- No medical monitoring: Legitimate programs include ongoing physician oversight to monitor for side effects and adjust dosing
Why This Matters:
Counterfeit tirzepatide is a growing problem. People have been hospitalized from contaminated peptides purchased online. Some contained bacterial endotoxins, incorrect concentrations, or completely different substances. Unlike Ozempic/Wegovy (which have been around since 2017), tirzepatide is newer and attracts more scammers. The $30-$50 you save isn't worth risking serious illness or death. Stick with legitimate, licensed sources like Coreage Rx that include physician supervision and FDA-registered pharmacies.
What About Insurance Coverage?
Many people assume insurance is the cheapest option for tirzepatide. Here's the reality:
Insurance Coverage Challenges:
- Most insurers don't cover tirzepatide for weight loss: Coverage is typically limited to type 2 diabetes treatment (Mounjaro) only, not obesity (Zepbound)
- Prior authorization nightmares: Can take weeks or months, with multiple denials and appeals
- High copays even with coverage: $50-$250/month copays are common—sometimes more than Coreage Rx at $99/month
- Mounjaro vs Zepbound confusion: Insurance may cover Mounjaro (diabetes) but not Zepbound (weight loss), even though they're the exact same drug at the same doses
- BMI requirements: Many insurers require BMI 40+ or BMI 35+ with comorbidities
- Step therapy requirements: Some require you to try (and fail) semaglutide first for several months before approving tirzepatide
- Coverage can disappear: Insurers can stop covering medications or increase copays at renewal
Bottom line: For most people, paying $99/month out-of-pocket for compounded tirzepatide through Coreage Rx is more straightforward and often cheaper than dealing with insurance hassles, copays, and coverage denials. You get started immediately with the most effective medication instead of waiting months for authorization or being forced to try inferior alternatives first.
How to Get Started with the Cheapest Option
Getting started with affordable compounded tirzepatide is simple:
- Visit Coreage Rx: Fill out a 10-15 minute medical questionnaire about your health history and weight loss goals
- Physician review: A licensed doctor reviews your information to determine if tirzepatide is appropriate for you (typically approved within 24-48 hours)
- Prescription sent: Your prescription is sent to the 503B FDA-registered compounding pharmacy
- Medication delivered: First month's supply arrives at your door in 3-7 days with all injection supplies included
- Start treatment: Inject once weekly on the same day, starting with 2.5mg and gradually increasing to 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, or 15mg based on your physician's guidance
- Ongoing monitoring: Regular check-ins with your medical team to track progress, manage side effects, and adjust dosing for optimal results
Start Saving Today
Get physician-supervised tirzepatide for just $99/month—the cheapest safe option for the most effective weight loss medication. Save over $15,000 per year compared to brand-name Zepbound.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Coreage Rx cheaper than other tirzepatide programs?
Coreage Rx keeps costs low by minimizing marketing expenses and focusing on core medical treatment. They don't spend millions on Instagram ads, celebrity endorsements, or fancy app development like Hims and Ro. The medication quality is identical (503B FDA-registered pharmacy), but you're not paying for their marketing budget. It's the same principle as Costco's Kirkland brand—lower marketing costs, same quality.
Is compounded tirzepatide as good as Mounjaro or Zepbound?
Yes. Compounded tirzepatide contains the exact same active pharmaceutical ingredient at the same concentrations. The medication works identically in your body—same effectiveness, same side effects, same results. The only difference is who manufactures it (compounding pharmacy vs Eli Lilly). Clinical outcomes are the same: 15-22% average weight loss over 72 weeks.
Can I get tirzepatide for less than $99/month safely?
No. $99/month is the floor for legitimate, physician-supervised compounded tirzepatide from a licensed pharmacy. Anything cheaper is cutting corners on safety, legality, or medical oversight. Sources charging under $80/month are typically overseas pharmacies, research peptide sellers, or illegal operations without physician supervision. The risk isn't worth the $20-$30 savings.
What's the difference between Mounjaro and Zepbound?
Mounjaro and Zepbound contain the exact same medication (tirzepatide), made by the same company (Eli Lilly). The only differences are: (1) Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes; (2) Zepbound is FDA-approved for weight loss; (3) Zepbound costs $326/month more. Both use the exact same doses (2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, 15mg). With compounded tirzepatide, you get optimal dosing for weight loss regardless of the brand-name labeling.
Should I choose tirzepatide or semaglutide?
Since both cost $99/month at Coreage Rx, choose tirzepatide for superior results. Clinical trials show tirzepatide produces 15-22% weight loss vs 10-15% for semaglutide. Tirzepatide works through dual GIP/GLP-1 pathways while semaglutide only targets GLP-1. Unless you've tried tirzepatide and didn't tolerate it well, it's the better choice for most people seeking maximum weight loss.
How long do I need to take tirzepatide?
Most people take tirzepatide for 12-18 months to achieve their weight loss goals. Clinical trials (SURMOUNT studies) showed optimal results at 72 weeks (about 17 months). Some people continue long-term for weight maintenance at a lower dose. Your prescribing physician will help you determine the right duration based on your goals and progress. This is why choosing an affordable option like Coreage Rx matters—you'll save over $22,000 over 18 months compared to Zepbound.
Final Thoughts
The cheapest safe, effective tirzepatide is compounded tirzepatide through Coreage Rx at $99/month.
This isn't just the cheapest option—it's also the most effective. You get a 503B FDA-registered pharmacy, full physician supervision, and the same medication as brand-name Mounjaro/Zepbound at 90-93% less cost. Plus, tirzepatide offers superior weight loss results (up to 22%) compared to semaglutide (up to 15%) at the same compounded price.
Resist the temptation of ultra-cheap options under $80/month. Counterfeit tirzepatide is a serious problem, with people being hospitalized from contaminated peptides. The peace of mind, safety, and medical supervision you get with Coreage Rx is worth every penny of the $99/month.
If you're ready to start the most effective weight loss medication available at the lowest safe price, Coreage Rx is the clear choice. Join thousands of people achieving life-changing weight loss with compounded tirzepatide at a fraction of the brand-name cost.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links to Coreage Rx. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. This helps support our work providing free content. Read our full affiliate disclosure.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not medical advice. Consult with a licensed healthcare provider before starting any weight loss medication. Read our full medical disclaimer.