What Is The Cost Of Tirzepatide?

Are you looking for an effective weight loss or Type 2 Diabetes treatment? 

Tirzepatide can help. 

But this highly coveted medication doesn’t come cheap. And without a formal diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes, patients may not be able to get help from their insurance providers, either.¹ In fact, Tirzepatide and other injectable GLP-1 and GIP weight loss medications end up costing some people more than $12,000 a year.² 

In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about Tirzepatide for treating obesity and Type 2 Diabetes, including its potential health benefits, common side effects, availability, and cost-effectiveness.

Let’s get started.

What Is Tirzepatide? 

Tirzepatide is a once-a-week injectable medication that contains a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and a glucose-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist.³ ⁴

In patients with Type 2 Diabetes, Tirzepatide treatment helps the body gain glycemic control, improving quality of life and lowering the risk of related adverse health conditions.⁵ 

Unlike other GLP-1 receptor agonists like Semaglutide, Tirzepatide uses both GIP and GLP-1 to help the body produce more insulin and manage blood sugar levels. 

What Health Conditions Is Tirzepatide Used To Treat?

In addition to being an FDA-approved treatment for Type 2 Diabetes, Tirzepatide can also be used off-label to treat obesity. Its ability to control blood sugar and reduce food intake has made the medication incredibly popular among both Type 2 Diabetes patients and those who struggle to lose weight.

Type 2 Diabetes

Whether this health condition is new to you or if it’s a familiar one that’s known to run in your family, a Type 2 Diabetes (or prediabetes) diagnosis can be scary.

Further, if left untreated, it can pose other weight-related health risks. Unmanaged Type 2 Diabetes puts you at a higher risk for health conditions such as:⁶ 

• Diabetic Retinopathy: including cataracts and loss of vision

• Neuropathy: nerve issues

• Circulation issues: especially the feet (the furthest part of the body from the heart) 

• Cardiac issues: damaged blood vessels can cause heart complications 

• Gum disease: oral health is affected by high blood sugar levels⁷

If you receive a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes, most physicians will recommend weight management, physical exercise, and a healthy diet. But that’s easier said than done. 

Weight Management

If you struggle with managing your weight, medical intervention may help. 

Without effective treatment, overweight and obese adults have a higher risk of health conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, strokes, and Type 2 Diabetes.⁸ A licensed healthcare provider will help you weigh the risks and benefits before prescribing Tirzepatide or any other weight loss medication. 

But even without these adverse events, managing a healthy weight can be difficult. Many Americans struggle to afford healthy food or don’t have reliable access to grocery stores. 

Also, not everyone can afford a gym membership. When you have a job, children, or a full schedule, finding a gym and attending can be both complicated and expensive. 

Genetics also plays a role in weight management. A recent study found at least 250 genes are associated with obesity — meaning you might struggle to lose weight if your family members also have weight-loss-related problems.⁹ 

In a recent study, participants were split into four groups to study the potential weight loss benefits of Tirzepatide* in 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg doses compared to the group that received a placebo.¹⁰

None of the participants or researchers were aware of the treatment method or dosage amounts while taking medication and recording results. This prevents biases from affecting the results. 

All four groups also underwent lifestyle interventions like eating a healthy diet and getting 30 minutes of daily exercise, which is recommended for patients prescribed Tirzepatide as a weight loss treatment.¹¹

However, the Tirzepatide groups still had the biggest reduction in body weight.

Tirzepatide Weekly Dose - Result

• 5 mg - 15.0% reduction in body weight

• 10 mg - 19.5% reduction in body weight

• 15 mg - 20.9% reduction in body weight

• 0 mg (Placebo) - 3.1% reduction in body weight

Beyond illustrating the effectiveness of Tirzepatide as a weight loss treatment, the study also showed that Tirzepatide was able to produce faster results than what’s possible with a healthy diet and exercise regimen alone. 

All in all, Tirzepatide is not only an effective Type 2 Diabetes treatment but an effective off-label weight loss treatment as well. 

*Note: the study mentioned above was for Tirzepatide and not Compounded Tirzepatide as offered by Henry Meds.

How Much Does Tirzepatide Cost?

Most insurance companies will only cover Tirzepatide treatment for people diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. But even then, how much you have to pay will depend on what’s covered by your policy. So, be sure to check with your insurance provider to determine your policy’s out-of-pocket costs.

Since Tirzepatide is only approved as a diabetes treatment, insurance companies won’t cover the cost if it’s prescribed as a weight loss treatment. 

While Medicaid has expanded its coverage to those who need effective weight loss treatment, there are limits to the available benefits. The Affordable Care Act has indicated that insurance companies should provide obesity screening and counseling, but typically, this does not include medication treatment.¹²

This means that people prescribed Tirzepatide as part of a weight management program will have to pay the full list price, which can be over $1,000 a month.¹³ ¹⁴

What’s the Difference Between Tirzepatide and Semaglutide? 

So how does Tirzepatide compare to another common injectable treatment for Type 2 Diabetes, Semaglutide? 

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that increases insulin levels within the body. Tirzepatide essentially does the same thing, except it uses both GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists to obtain glycemic control and reduce high blood sugar levels. 

When these drugs were administered to Type 2 Diabetes patients in clinical trials, both Semaglutide and Tirzepatide effectively reduced blood sugar levels.¹⁵

But when you look at these results a little closer, you’ll spot key differences between Tirzepatide and Semaglutide. 

Participants who were administered a once-a-week 1 mg injection of Semaglutide saw a 5.7 kg (12.6 lb) change in body weight. That result is significant in itself, but Tirzepatide patients also saw a much more significant reduction in weight. 

The study examined three different Tirzepatide doses: 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg. On average, participants who received this treatment lost between 7.6 - 11.2 kg, or 16.8 - 24.7 lb. 

While both medications can be effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the results from this study suggest that Tirzepatide is quite effective as an off-label weight management treatment.

But for those considering Tirzepatide for its weight loss benefits, there’s another important factor to consider: cost. 

Tirzepatide is significantly more expensive than Semaglutide. This is because Tirzepatide uses both GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists to increase insulin production and regulate blood sugar, while Semaglutide only contains a GLP-1 receptor agonist. 

Those without insurance will have to pay a higher out-of-pocket cost for either medication. 

When considering any medication, it’s important to discuss your treatment options with a licensed healthcare provider before making any decisions. They’ll consider your medical history, family history, and current health to help you find the weight loss treatment option that’s right for you.

Common Side Effects of Tirzepatide 

Just like any other medication, Tirzepatide has some side effects that are important to consider, including:¹⁶

• Nausea

• Constipation

• Vomiting

• Constipation 

• Abdominal pain

• Decrease in appetite

While these side effects are rare and affect less than 5% of participants16, it’s important to discuss all potential risks and side effects with your healthcare provider.

Tirzepatide is not recommended for people with gastrointestinal issues, gallbladder problems, or diabetic retinopathy.¹⁷

The Current Availability Of Tirzepatide

Growing demand for Tirzepatide has made it more expensive and difficult to obtain. The 10 mg injections are on backorder, according to the FDA.¹⁸

To address drug shortages, the FDA and state Boards of Pharmacy license facilities to make a compound version of the medication in short supply.¹⁹ Compounded medications also tend to cost less than the name brands, which helps more people access the life-changing medication they need.  

Henry Meds offers monthly Compounded Tirzepatide injections for just $449 a month. Your monthly membership fee covers everything — telehealth appointments with your provider, your medication management, and the cost of shipping.   

Is Tirzepatide Worth the Cost? 

Absolutely. Studies have shown both Tirzepatide and Semaglutide to be effective in treating adults with Type 2 Diabetes and obesity. While Tirzepatide has been shown to yield faster results than Semaglutide, it also comes at a higher cost. 

In the Tirzepatide study presented earlier, participants in the control group only received lifestyle interventions and did not ingest Tirzepatide.²⁰ Without medication, the control group participants only lost about 3% of their body weight. 

At 200 lbs, that means you’d be at 194 lbs at the end of the study. For overweight and obese patients, a 3% loss isn’t enough to bring you out of the danger zone. 

The groups of participants that received Tirzepatide saw a 15 - 20% weight loss within the 72-week study. This is a substantial amount of weight loss compared to the control group.

Both Tirzepatide and Semaglutide can help Type 2 Diabetes patients. When these GLP-1 medications were compared head to head, Tirzepatide performed better than Semaglutide as a weight loss treatment for obese and overweight adults. 

You can consult with providers via Henry Meds where professionals are available to help you find weight loss treatment options you can afford.

Let Henry Meds Help You Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals 

If you’re struggling to find or afford name-brand weight loss medications, consider a Compounded Tirzepatide weight loss treatment through Henry Meds. We’ll pair you with a provider who will meet with you to learn more about your medical history and weight loss goals to build a custom treatment plan.

At Henry Meds, our Compounded Tirzepatide treatment is only $449 a month. The monthly price covers everything, including medication management, telehealth appointments with a provider, and even shipping costs. No insurance required.

Ready to start your weight loss journey? Schedule a consultation with one of the providers on the Henry Meds platform today to find out whether Compounded Tirzepatide might work for you. 

To help you trust the information we provide, every article written by Henry relies on peer-reviewed studies and medically-reviewed facts. We ensure that data, ideas, and figures cited are reliable, current, and accurate. Our team of medical reviewers aims to help you cut through the noise with clear and authoritative primary and secondary sources.

Nothing in this article is intended to be prescriptive or medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting a new diet and exercise plan. Information presented is about our medically supervised weight management programs and is not an advertisement for a specific drug.