Price comparison

Is compounded tirzepatide still cheaper than Zepbound?

Reviewed August 2026

Quick answer

Usually yes, but by far less than it used to be — and not always. The approved product now sells direct for $299 at the starting dose and $449 at maintenance, against a compounded median of $268.50. Where a compounded seller’s price climbs with the dose, the comparison can invert entirely.

What the approved product actually costs now1

DoseListSavingPriceCondition
2.5 mg$1087−$788$299—
5 mg$1087−$688$399—
7.5 mg$1087−$638$449First fill or refill within 45 days
10 mg$1087−$638$449First fill or refill within 45 days
12.5 mg$1087−$638$449First fill or refill within 45 days
15 mg$1087−$638$449First fill or refill within 45 days

The page states one list price and a saving per strength; the price above is the subtraction, so you can check it. Note the condition attached to 7.5 mg and higher: that price holds on a first fill or a refill within 45 days. A refill outside that window is a different transaction, which is the same kind of timing condition this site was built to surface on the compounded side.

Widely-repeated figures for this price were wrong in both directions when we checked them — secondary sources reported $550–590 for a starting dose and a $346 average. Neither matches the page. We use only what the page itself showed, on the date shown, which is the same standard applied to every seller in how we verify.

How that compares with the compounded market2

What the compounded market charges, per month

0153045sellers$75 to $100 a month — 3 sellers$100 to $125 a month — 2 sellers$125 to $150 a month — 23 sellers$150 to $175 a month — 15 sellers$175 to $200 a month — 36 sellers$200 to $225 a month — 22 sellers$225 to $250 a month — 59 sellers$250 to $275 a month — 37 sellers$275 to $300 a month — 48 sellers$300 to $325 a month — 17 sellers$325 to $350 a month — 33 sellers$350 to $375 a month — 14 sellers$375 to $400 a month — 30 sellers$400 to $425 a month — 7 sellers$425 to $450 a month — 11 sellers$450 to $475 a month — 2 sellers$475 to $500 a month — 3 sellers$575 to $600 a month — 1 seller$625 to $650 a month — 1 sellermedian $268.50Zepbound, direct$299 – $449$0$200$400$600true cost per calendar month
364 sellers publish enough to compute a real month. Half of them sit between $217 and $337. 7 charge more than Zepbound does direct.

One row per seller. Median, not average.

True monthly cost by $25 price band, 364 sellers. Median $268.50. Zepbound direct: $299.00 at the starting dose, $449.00 at a maintenance dose.
Price bandSellersWhich sellers
$75 to $1003Collective, Teleios Health, Valhalla Vitality
$100 to $1252RxPepsDirect, WeightRx
$125 to $15023Mondae, Eden, OurView Health, BiltRx, NextMeds, Lean Meds, Ascend Medical, PreventiveMD, Stealth Health, Embody, Science & Co, Healthicare, GobyMeds, Potere Health MD, Mint Med, CoreAge Rx, Brightmeds, Liv Body, altRX, Trinity Meds, Lttl, TrueMe, Bayan Health
$150 to $17515Strut Health, 10Rx, Lavender Sky Health, Blis MD, Somira Health, HeliMeds, SnagRx, Somi Health, EverSlim, Ryze Rx, NexLife, Alternate Health Club, BioGlow Health, Elevate Health, Pepti
$175 to $20036VitaStir, Mochi Health, Trava Health, Novi, TRYM Health, Balanced Hormone Health, Citizen Meds, WellMedr, Navio MD, VitaFusions IV, Cielo, Rewinding RX, Luci, VevaRX, Fidelity Medical Clinic, Factor Health MD, Lumen Meds, RxPros, MaxLife, LifespanningRx, Brello Health, HelloWellness, Boston Medical Group, Alloy, Nova MD, MyFastRx, DreamHug Medical, Aurelius Health Group, Fifty 410, Fitness RX, Trillium Meds, June Health, Trellis Vitality, NuuVim, Arc-1, Tablet Health
$200 to $22522Carocare Wellness, Zeuss, WePeptideRx, Metaboost Rx, YourHealthRx, Aspire Health, FormBlends, HealthRX, Gimme Care, HealthHub, Bliv, Big Easy Weight Loss, Contour Health, Ondra Health, Open Water Rx, TRT Nation, Liberty, Luma Meds, Recovery Delivered, 50 Stars Health, Primary Clinic (Direct GLP), Believe Health
$225 to $25059Cora Health, Genesis Health, Voxy, EdgeRx, Midi Health, Invyncible, Woodwork, Bodi Envi, CaliberRx, Jyra Health, Kongo, Nirwana Health, Rylo Health, Auren Rx, Idgie Health, Trimi Health, Effecty, LovelyMeds, Try Ageless, Ozari Health, FitFlow, Fresh Day Meds, FORM, Rehydra+ Wellness, Live Vital, Coby Health, Obu Health, PepHaūs, Candor Rx, Edessa, Neo Soma Healthcare, Nex Gen Health Rx, Emerge Weight Loss, Bloom MD, NewSelf, Belle Health, bmiMD, GOAL.MD, LumiMeds, TOM Weight Loss, DudeMeds, Ivologist, Sunlight, Vytora Health, Ark Health, PauseRX, Ascend Vitality, Iron Med RX, Whoosh Wellness, AZ Health, BloomWell Rx, Kina, DoctorAdam, TelePeptide, Revel RX, CLYR Health, RENN Health, LevelUp Rx, Precision Telemed
$250 to $27537WeightlessRx, Optimized Health, Harmony Wellness Clinic, Joi + Blokes, Kin Meds, Wellspring Longevity Clinic, Bionomy Health, Zera Health, Yucca Health, Fridays, NativeMed, YourEra, Blue Haven RX, Medsol RX, Jently, Center for Medical Weight Loss (CMWL), NuviaRx, Blue Sky MD, boostAGErx, DadVantage Men's Health, TeleZen MD, Livea, Actin, ARSYNL Rx, Nucore Health, Coivas, MedLeanRx, Renlo Health, Lyfe Rx, Refills, Velvet Rx, OnlyRx, Harbor, Luvo Health, SexyMD, AbundRX, CeliaRx
$275 to $30048Heros Health, Ivy Rx, Regenics, NuBloom, Green Cap Health, AVARA Rx, RxSaludable, Youth & Soul, Always Wellness and Recovery, NP2GO, Bon Health, Rx.com, Telos Rx, Vita Bella, FMmeds, PlexusDx, CoraDoc, Glam Health, REMEVi, Näky, Good Life Meds, TMates, MANÜ Telehealth, Joey Med, Independent Wellness, Raeliva, OrderlyMeds, Shed, SkinnyRx, MyStart Health, Care Bare Rx, Get Thin MD, Concierge MD LA, NiceRx, RxION Health, Gala, Corsica Health, Loop Health, Mevo Health, Transparent Meds, EOS Health, HumeCare+, Avono Health, Measured, California Trim Clinic, Medro, KERNX Health, Andrew Meds
$300 to $32517Oak, MDExam, Polly, Harper Meds, Nolu, Fierce Health, Longevixx, Superior Remedies, Eviora MD, New Wave Health, RX Bella, Rixa Health, PeterMD, ReadyRx, Bodybuilding Health+, AquaVita NextGen, DrBrainRx
$325 to $35033EllieMD, Vaylen, Care Clinics, LeanDose, Pallas Health, Goldspan Health, The Calibrate Clinic, Good Girl Rx, RxSpan MD, NuDay Rx, SurpassMD, Fitish, Elara Health and Wellness, He & She MD, Immortals, Lemonaid Health, InstaRX, Shapely, Peak Wellness, AgelessRx, Tonik Wellness, Spry, Remi Meds, MyDrHank, Zappy Health, Rivo Health, Semaglutide Online, Wholesome Clinic, Tuyo Health, LevelsRx, The Edit, AHBARx, JustAnswer Weight Loss
$350 to $37514Amble, Enhance MD, Signos, Elevated Health, Dr. Arevitalize, ElleS, Go Vida Plena, Maximus, Nu Image Medical, Aquivia Health, Fitstry, Prime Doctor RX, Oria Meds, Ivim Health
$375 to $40030RNK Health, LaSara Medical Group, Tryozi, Sprout Health, Wellorithm, Tyde Wellness, Options Medical Weight Loss, AlyveRx, Invigor Medical, Freya Meds, Found, Levers Health, Better U Care, TrimRx, Willow, Direct Meds, Synergy Rx, MD Total Wellness, Curex, MadeMed, VigorMeds, Gaya Wellness, MediRX, RestorLife Med, Society of You, Apex MD, Intimate Rose, tru Weight Loss, Aspen, MEDGm
$400 to $4257Clinic Secret, ElitePhysiqMD, Breeze Meds, HealthOn, BetterMe Rx, Vyora Wellness, PrescribedRX
$425 to $45011Injectco, Prime Health, MEDVi, Remedy Meds, Fella Health, Claya, Omzo, iThriveMD, Premium Health, Roen Rx, TeleCareSpot
$450 to $4752Vital Edge, Revive Meds
$475 to $5003Lean Rx, Zealthy, WeightCare
$575 to $6001Rivas Medical Weight Loss
$625 to $6501ReflexMD
Compounded sellers with a computed monthly cost364
Median computed monthly$268.50
Cheaper than the brand at maintenance355
Brand, starting dose$299
Brand, maintenance dose$449

Where the comparison inverts3

One seller's price, rung by rung up the dose ladder

  • VitaStir, true monthly cost
  • Zepbound, direct from the manufacturer
$0$150$300$450$600$750true monthly costZepbound maintenance $449Zepbound at 2.5 mg: $299.00 a monthZepbound at 5 mg: $399.00 a monthZepbound at 7.5 mg: $449.00 a monthZepbound at 10 mg: $449.00 a monthZepbound at 12.5 mg: $449.00 a monthZepbound at 15 mg: $449.00 a monthVitaStir at 2.5 mg: $145.00 every 28 days — $157.62 a monthVitaStir at 5 mg: $299.00 every 28 days — $325.03 a monthVitaStir at 7.5 mg: $399.00 every 28 days — $433.73 a monthVitaStir at 10 mg: $449.00 every 28 days — $488.09 a monthVitaStir at 12.5 mg: $499.00 every 28 days — $542.44 a monthVitaStir at 15 mg: $599.00 every 28 days — $651.15 a monthpasses Zepbound at 10 mg$651.15$449.002.557.51012.515dose, mg per week
VitaStir bills $145.00 every 28 days at the starting dose — $157.62 a calendar month, which is what puts it near the top of the index. That price is for 2.5 mg. Every rung up the label's own dose ladder raises it, and by 10 mg it costs $488.09 — more than Zepbound charges direct at any maintenance dose. At 15 mg it is $651.15, 45% above the approved product.

Price rungs matched to the label's dose ladder in order. Each rung is VitaStir's own charge divided by the 28 days it covers, times 30.4375. Zepbound figures are its published net price at each strength.

VitaStir's published price ladder restated as a true monthly cost, against Zepbound's direct price at the same dose.
DoseVitaStir billedVitaStir per monthZepbound per month
2.5 mg$145.00 every 28 days$157.62$299.00
5 mg$299.00 every 28 days$325.03$399.00
7.5 mg$399.00 every 28 days$433.73$449.00
10 mg$449.00 every 28 days$488.09$449.00
12.5 mg$499.00 every 28 days$542.44$449.00
15 mg$599.00 every 28 days$651.15$449.00

A compounded price is not one number when the seller charges more as the dose rises. The figure such a seller advertises is its entry price, and the comparison that matters is at the dose a person actually maintains on — which the approved label puts at 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg, not 2.5 mg.

It is not a hypothetical. These sellers charge more per calendar month than the approved product costs direct, today, at any dose:

  • ReflexMD — $648.97 a month against $449 for the approved product, while advertising $367.
  • Rivas Medical Weight Loss — $599 a month against $449 for the approved product.
  • WeightCare — $499 a month against $449 for the approved product.
  • Zealthy — $489 a month against $449 for the approved product, while advertising $216.
  • Lean Rx — $488.09 a month against $449 for the approved product, while advertising $449.
  • Revive Meds — $459 a month against $449 for the approved product, while advertising $199.
  • Vital Edge — $450 a month against $449 for the approved product.

And these start below it, then climb past it on their own published ladder — so the price a reader compares is not the price they end up paying:

  • VitaStir — advertises $145, starts at $175.01, and reaches $668.54 at the top of its own published ladder, against $449 for the approved product.
  • Citizen Meds — advertises $145, starts at $182.62, and reaches $606.10 at the top of its own published ladder, against $449 for the approved product.
  • Recovery Delivered — advertises $219, starts at $219.99, and reaches $489.99 at the top of its own published ladder, against $449 for the approved product.
  • Midi Health — advertises $210, starts at $228.28, and reaches $471.78 at the top of its own published ladder, against $449 for the approved product.
  • Invyncible — advertises $210, starts at $228.28, and reaches $475.59 at the top of its own published ladder, against $449 for the approved product.
  • Rehydra+ Wellness — advertises $169, starts at $238.06, and reaches $705.50 at the top of its own published ladder, against $449 for the approved product.
  • Bloom MD — advertises $249, starts at $244, and reaches $454 at the top of its own published ladder, against $449 for the approved product.
  • Harmony Wellness Clinic — advertises $250, starts at $250, and reaches $450 at the top of its own published ladder, against $449 for the approved product.
  • Kin Meds — advertises $249, starts at $252.63, and reaches $455.55 at the top of its own published ladder, against $449 for the approved product.
  • Always Wellness and Recovery — advertises $280, starts at $280, and reaches $460 at the top of its own published ladder, against $449 for the approved product.
  • NP2GO — advertises $250, starts at $283, and reaches $633 at the top of its own published ladder, against $449 for the approved product.
  • Rixa Health — advertises $303.33, starts at $304.38, and reaches $570.70 at the top of its own published ladder, against $449 for the approved product.
  • EllieMD — advertises $299, starts at $325.03, and reaches $466.35 at the top of its own published ladder, against $449 for the approved product.
  • Remi Meds — advertises $349, starts at $349, and reaches $639 at the top of its own published ladder, against $449 for the approved product.
  • Wholesome Clinic — advertises $349, starts at $349, and reaches $549 at the top of its own published ladder, against $449 for the approved product.
  • Lean Rx — advertises $449, starts at $488.09, and reaches $651.15 at the top of its own published ladder, against $449 for the approved product.

This is not an argument against compounded tirzepatide. It is an argument against comparing an entry price with a maintenance price, which is what almost every comparison of these two markets currently does.

What you are actually trading4

Price is one axis. The approved product carries a reviewed label, FDA-reviewed manufacturing, a standardized concentration, and an expiry backed by stability data. A compounded preparation has none of those three things, and its concentration is set by the pharmacy rather than standardized — which is why the same dose is a different mark on a different vial.

There are also eligibility conditions on the direct price: it is an out-of-pocket price, and the order is completed through the manufacturer’s own pharmacy service rather than at the price page. Whether it applies to you is a question for them, not for us.

And the legal ground under the compounded market is still moving — see the current legal position, which is dated for that reason.

The honest summary

Twelve months of it

  • RxPepsDirect — price climbs with dose
  • Collective — one price at every dose
  • Zepbound, direct from the manufacturer
$0$1,000$2,000$3,000$4,000$5,000cumulative spendCollective is ahead from month 3RxPepsDirect, month 1: $45.66 spent so farRxPepsDirect, month 2: $136.97 spent so farRxPepsDirect, month 3: $266.33 spent so farRxPepsDirect, month 4: $433.74 spent so farRxPepsDirect, month 5: $646.80 spent so farRxPepsDirect, month 6: $897.91 spent so farRxPepsDirect, month 7: $1,149.02 spent so farRxPepsDirect, month 8: $1,400.13 spent so farRxPepsDirect, month 9: $1,651.24 spent so farRxPepsDirect, month 10: $1,902.35 spent so farRxPepsDirect, month 11: $2,153.46 spent so farRxPepsDirect, month 12: $2,404.57 spent so farCollective, month 1: $85.58 spent so farCollective, month 2: $171.16 spent so farCollective, month 3: $256.74 spent so farCollective, month 4: $342.32 spent so farCollective, month 5: $427.90 spent so farCollective, month 6: $513.48 spent so farCollective, month 7: $599.06 spent so farCollective, month 8: $684.64 spent so farCollective, month 9: $770.22 spent so farCollective, month 10: $855.80 spent so farCollective, month 11: $941.38 spent so farCollective, month 12: $1,026.96 spent so farZepbound, month 1: $299.00 spent so farZepbound, month 2: $698.00 spent so farZepbound, month 3: $1,147.00 spent so farZepbound, month 4: $1,596.00 spent so farZepbound, month 5: $2,045.00 spent so farZepbound, month 6: $2,494.00 spent so farZepbound, month 7: $2,943.00 spent so farZepbound, month 8: $3,392.00 spent so farZepbound, month 9: $3,841.00 spent so farZepbound, month 10: $4,290.00 spent so farZepbound, month 11: $4,739.00 spent so farZepbound, month 12: $5,188.00 spent so far$2,404.57RxPepsDirect$1,026.96Collective$5,188.00Zepbound136912months on treatment
RxPepsDirect is the cheapest first month here — $45.66, against $85.58 from Collective. It does not stay that way. By month 3 the flat price has already cost less in total, and it never gives the lead back. Over 12 months RxPepsDirect comes to $2,404.57 against $1,026.96 — 2.3× as much. The cheapest price in the index is not the cheapest year.

Cumulative true monthly cost. A ladder moves one label dose step per month and holds at its top rung once the ladder ends; Zepbound follows its own published price at each strength on the same schedule. No discounts, no shipping, no consultation fees.

Cumulative spend by month for RxPepsDirect, Collective, Zepbound.
MonthRxPepsDirect (spent so far)Collective (spent so far)Zepbound (spent so far)
Month 1$45.66$85.58$299.00
Month 2$136.97$171.16$698.00
Month 3$266.33$256.74$1,147.00
Month 4$433.74$342.32$1,596.00
Month 5$646.80$427.90$2,045.00
Month 6$897.91$513.48$2,494.00
Month 7$1,149.02$599.06$2,943.00
Month 8$1,400.13$684.64$3,392.00
Month 9$1,651.24$770.22$3,841.00
Month 10$1,902.35$855.80$4,290.00
Month 11$2,153.46$941.38$4,739.00
Month 12$2,404.57$1,026.96$5,188.00

At a starting dose, most compounded sellers are meaningfully cheaper than $299. At a maintenance dose the gap narrows sharply, and for a seller whose price climbs with the dose it can close or reverse. The number to compare is the one you will be paying in month six, not the one on the landing page — which is exactly what the index computes. The other comparison readers make is with the other compounded molecule, seller by seller: compounded tirzepatide vs compounded semaglutide.

Price information only. Nothing here is medical advice, and the cheaper option is not therefore the right one.

Sources

  1. trumprx.gov Zepbound vial page, read directly in a browser (the price is rendered client-side and a plain fetch returns only marketing copy) DailyMed
  2. This site's price index, computed from what sellers actually bill Read it
  3. Sellers' own published price ladders, recorded during verification
  4. DailyMed SPL records for MOUNJARO and ZEPBOUND, both Eli Lilly and Company DailyMed