Tirzepatide is the GIP and GLP-1 agonist in two Lilly brands: Zepbound, prescribed for weight and sleep apnea, and Mounjaro, prescribed for type 2 diabetes.
Insurance first, then cash
Start with your plan. If commercial insurance covers Zepbound, Lilly's savings card can lower the single-dose pen to as little as $25 for a 1-, 2- or 3-month fill [2]. If your commercial plan does not cover it, the card brings the KwikPen to $299, $399 or $449 a month depending on dose [2]. Medi-Cal ended GLP-1 coverage for adult weight loss on January 1, 2026 [7]. Plan-by-plan detail is in Zepbound insurance.
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Dose-by-dose cost
| Product and dose | Monthly price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Zepbound 2.5 mg, LillyDirect | $299 | [1] |
| Zepbound 5 mg, LillyDirect | $399 | [1] |
| Zepbound 7.5 to 15 mg, refilled within 45 days | $449 | [1] |
| Mounjaro, list price (4 pens) | $1,112.16 | [8] |
A year at the $449 tier is $5,388, about 6.6% of the city's $81,939 median household income [5]. Refill late and the 10 mg to 15 mg doses rise to $699 [1].
Telehealth prescribers in California
Many Angelenos get tirzepatide through an online service. The prescriber must be licensed in California; check with the Medical Board of California [6]. FDA ended the shortage-era allowance for compounding tirzepatide in March 2025 [9], and compounded tirzepatide is not FDA-approved or reviewed by FDA for safety, effectiveness or quality [10]. Our online tirzepatide guide and provider reviews show which sellers have FDA letters.
Head to head: SURMOUNT-5
In SURMOUNT-5, adults with obesity on tirzepatide lost an average of 20.2% of body weight at 72 weeks, versus 13.7% on semaglutide, and waist size fell 18.4 cm versus 13.0 cm [11]. Gastrointestinal effects were the most common side effects in both groups. See Wegovy vs Zepbound.
City and county rates side by side
CDC's 2023 estimates are close at both levels: obesity runs 27.3% among adults in the city and 26.5% across Los Angeles County [3] [4]. UCLA Health runs a Medical Weight Management Program built on supervised low-calorie and very-low-calorie diets, meal replacements and group cognitive behavioral classes [[13]]; its page does not say whether it prescribes tirzepatide. We name it as a fact, not a ranking. Other West pages: tirzepatide in San Diego, Sacramento, Las Vegas and Seattle.
From the Zepbound label
Seek care for severe, ongoing stomach pain, which can be pancreatitis [12]. Allergic reactions, including swelling or trouble breathing, need urgent help. Taking tirzepatide with insulin or a sulfonylurea raises the risk of low blood sugar. The boxed warning covers thyroid C-cell tumors; tirzepatide is contraindicated with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2. Stop Zepbound when pregnancy is recognized. Call 911 for emergencies.
Questions people ask
What does Zepbound cost in Los Angeles with no insurance?
LillyDirect listed $299 a month for 2.5 mg, $399 for 5 mg and $449 for 7.5 to 15 mg refilled within 45 days on Oct 17, 2026 [1].
My California employer plan covers Zepbound. What might I pay?
With commercial coverage, Lilly's savings card can lower a fill to $25; if the plan refuses Zepbound, the card brings the KwikPen to $299 to $449 a month [2].
Does Medi-Cal pay for Zepbound in Los Angeles County?
Not for adult weight loss. California's 2025-26 budget ended that Medi-Cal coverage on January 1, 2026 [7].
How common is obesity in Los Angeles?
Does UCLA Health run a weight management program?
Yes. UCLA's Medical Weight Management Program offers supervised low-calorie diets, meal replacements and group classes; its page does not mention tirzepatide [[13]].
How can I check an online prescriber who treats LA patients?
Use the Medical Board of California license search at mbc.ca.gov; a prescriber treating you in California should hold a California license [6].
Sources
13 cited
- Zepbound self-pay prices on LillyDirect. Eli Lilly and Company (LillyDirect), Oct 17, 2026.
- Zepbound coverage and savings. Eli Lilly and Company, Oct 17, 2026.
- PLACES data, place, 2025 release: Los Angeles, CA. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025 release (2023 BRFSS).
- PLACES data, county, 2025 release: Los Angeles County, CA. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025 release (2023 BRFSS).
- QuickFacts: Los Angeles city, California. U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 estimates and 2020-2024 ACS; accessed 2026-10-17.
- Medical Board of California. State of California, accessed 2026-10-17.
- California Medicaid ends coverage of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. KFF Health News, Jan 9, 2026.
- Mounjaro FAQ (list price and indications). Eli Lilly and Company, Oct 17, 2026.
- FDA clarifies policies for compounders as national GLP-1 supply begins to stabilize. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Apr 1, 2026.
- FDA's concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Oct 1, 2026.
- Tirzepatide as compared with semaglutide for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-5). New England Journal of Medicine (PubMed), 2025.
- Zepbound (tirzepatide) prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Apr 2026.
- Medical Weight Management Program: program overview. UCLA Health, accessed 2026-10-17.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own care.