Cheapest Tirzepatide for Weight Loss 2026: All Options Compared
Find the cheapest tirzepatide medication. CoreAge RX offers compounded tirzepatide at $99/month—saving $10,000-15,000 per year vs brand-name Mounjaro and Zepbound.
Bottom Line
CoreAge RX offers the cheapest tirzepatide at $99/month for compounded medication—saving you $10,000-14,000 per year vs brand-name Zepbound ($1,060/month) and Mounjaro ($1,023/month without insurance).
All tirzepatide options contain the same active ingredient. The difference is price, convenience, and whether you need diabetes treatment (Mounjaro) or weight loss (Zepbound).
Complete Tirzepatide Cost Comparison 2026
| Option | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CoreAge RX CHEAPEST OPTION | $99 | $1,188 | Compounded | Includes medication, telehealth visit, supplies, shipping. No hidden fees.Visit CoreAge RX → |
| Hims & Hers | $299 | $3,588 | Compounded | Starting dose pricing. Higher doses cost more. |
| Ro | $349 | $4,188 | Compounded | Includes telehealth. Some doses higher. |
| Henry Meds | $399 | $4,788 | Compounded | Flat monthly rate all doses. |
| Noom Med | $299-399 | $3,588-4,788 | Compounded | Includes coaching program. |
| Sesame | $349 | $4,188 | Compounded | Provider visit separate ($29). |
| Calibrate | ~$475 | ~$5,700 | Compounded | Includes 1-year metabolic health program. |
| Found | ~$299 | ~$3,588 | Compounded | Subscription-based weight loss program. |
| Zepbound (Brand) | $1,060 | $12,720 | Brand Name | Insurance may cover. List price without coverage. |
| Mounjaro (Brand) | $1,023 | $12,276 | Brand Name | FDA-approved for diabetes. Off-label for weight loss. |
| Local Compounding Pharmacy | $300-500 | $3,600-6,000 | Compounded | Requires local doctor visit. Prices vary widely. |
| Traditional Doctor + Retail Pharmacy | $1,000-1,100 | $12,000-13,200 | Brand Name | Without insurance. Office visits extra. |
Prices current as of January 2026. Insurance coverage can significantly reduce brand-name costs. Compounded tirzepatide is rarely covered by insurance.
6 Reasons CoreAge RX Offers the Cheapest Tirzepatide
1. Minimal Marketing Spend
While competitors spend millions on TV ads, celebrity endorsements, and social media campaigns, CoreAge RX relies primarily on word-of-mouth and transparent pricing to attract patients. Those marketing costs aren't built into your monthly price.
2. Streamlined Operations
The entire process—from telehealth consultation to pharmacy fulfillment—is optimized for efficiency. No unnecessary middlemen, no complex billing departments, no elaborate coaching programs you don't need. Just medication that works.
3. Direct Pharmacy Relationships
CoreAge RX works directly with FDA-registered 503B compounding pharmacies. No retail markup. No pharmacy benefit managers taking a cut. The medication goes from pharmacy to your door with minimal handling.
4. Volume Pricing Power
As one of the largest compounded tirzepatide providers, CoreAge RX negotiates favorable rates on active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Those savings pass directly to patients rather than inflating profit margins.
5. Transparent Pricing Model
$99/month includes everything: telehealth consultation, medication, injection supplies, and shipping. No surprise fees for higher doses. No "introductory rates" that increase after month 1. The price you see is the price you pay.
6. No Investor Pressure for High Margins
Many competitors are venture-backed and pressured to maximize profit margins to satisfy investors. CoreAge RX's structure allows them to prioritize patient affordability over quarterly returns.
The result: You get the same active ingredient (tirzepatide) from FDA-registered pharmacies at 67-91% lower cost than competitors.
5 Dangerous Ways People Try to Get "Cheap" Tirzepatide
When medication costs $1,000+ per month, some patients resort to risky shortcuts. Here's what to avoid:
⚠️ 1. International/Overseas Pharmacies
What it promises: Tirzepatide from Canada, Mexico, or overseas at 50-70% off US prices.
The reality: The FDA warns that medications from unregulated international sources may be counterfeit, contaminated, or improperly stored. Injectable medications require strict refrigeration (36-46°F)—often impossible to verify with international shipping.
The danger: You may inject saline, bacteria-contaminated liquid, or incorrect doses. No legal recourse if something goes wrong. Recent FDA seizures found "tirzepatide" from overseas that contained zero active ingredient.
⚠️ 2. "Research Chemical" Tirzepatide
What it promises: Raw tirzepatide powder labeled "for research purposes only" at massive discounts.
The reality: These products are NOT pharmaceutical grade. They're often sold by chemical suppliers with no quality control for human use. Reconstituting and dosing yourself requires precision most people don't have. Tirzepatide is a complex peptide that requires exact pH and sterility.
The danger: Unknown purity (often 60-80% instead of 99%+). No sterility guarantees. Severe infection risk. Dosing errors can cause dangerous hypoglycemia, severe nausea, or pancreatitis.
⚠️ 3. Sharing/Splitting Prescriptions
What it promises: One person gets prescribed, then shares doses with friends/family to split costs.
The reality: Sharing prescription medication is illegal in all 50 states. Each person needs individual medical screening for contraindications, drug interactions, and appropriate dosing. Tirzepatide has specific contraindications including personal/family history of medullary thyroid cancer and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
The danger: Tirzepatide isn't safe for everyone. Sharing with someone who has thyroid issues, pancreatitis history, or takes conflicting medications can cause serious harm. Plus, you're both committing a federal crime.
⚠️ 4. Using Expired or Improperly Stored Medication
What it promises: Discounted "surplus" or expired tirzepatide from resellers, or stretching your supply by using medication stored at room temperature.
The reality: Tirzepatide must be refrigerated (36-46°F). Even brief temperature exposure degrades the peptide. Expired medication loses potency unpredictably—tirzepatide can lose 20-30% effectiveness within weeks of expiration.
The danger: You inject thinking you're getting a therapeutic dose, but receive little to no active ingredient. Weight loss stalls. Worse, degraded peptides can cause unexpected immune reactions or injection site infections.
⚠️ 5. Non-FDA-Registered Compounding Pharmacies
What it promises: Ultra-cheap compounded tirzepatide from pharmacies that undercut even legitimate compounders.
The reality: Some compounding pharmacies operate without proper FDA registration or state oversight. They may use lower-quality ingredients, skip sterility testing, or compound in non-sterile environments. Injectable peptides require ISO 5 cleanroom conditions.
The danger: Bacterial contamination causing severe infections (several deaths from contaminated compounded medications in recent years). Under-dosed medication that doesn't work. Over-dosed medication causing hypoglycemia emergencies.
The Safe, Affordable Alternative:
CoreAge RX provides FDA-registered 503B pharmacy-compounded tirzepatide at $99/month—cheaper than these dangerous shortcuts, with full legal protections and medical oversight.Get started with CoreAge RX →
Why Tirzepatide Usually Costs More Than Semaglutide
You'll notice tirzepatide tends to be more expensive than semaglutide across most providers. Here's why:
More Complex Molecular Structure
Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, making it more complex to synthesize than semaglutide (GLP-1 only). The additional GIP component requires more sophisticated manufacturing, driving up raw material costs.
Newer Patent Protection
Tirzepatide is newer (FDA approval 2022 for Mounjaro, 2023 for Zepbound) with stronger patent protection. Semaglutide has been around longer (2017 for Ozempic, 2021 for Wegovy), allowing more compounding pharmacies to develop efficient production processes.
Higher Demand, Limited Supply
Tirzepatide shows superior weight loss results (20-25% vs 15-17% for semaglutide), creating massive demand. Limited API suppliers and manufacturing capacity keep prices elevated.
CoreAge RX's Exception
CoreAge RX offers both tirzepatide and semaglutide at the same $99/month price—unique in the market. Their direct pharmacy relationships and volume purchasing power eliminate the typical tirzepatide premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is compounded tirzepatide as effective as Mounjaro or Zepbound?
Yes. Compounded tirzepatide contains the same active pharmaceutical ingredient as brand-name Mounjaro and Zepbound. The molecular structure is identical. The difference is that compounded versions are made by FDA-registered pharmacies rather than Eli Lilly's manufacturing facilities. Clinical outcomes should be the same when dosed correctly.
Why doesn't insurance cover compounded tirzepatide?
Insurance companies typically only cover FDA-approved branded medications like Mounjaro and Zepbound (and often with strict criteria like BMI ≥30 or BMI ≥27 with comorbidities). Compounded medications are legal and FDA-registered but not individually "FDA-approved" products, so they fall outside standard formularies. However, at $99/month vs $1,060/month for Zepbound, compounded tirzepatide is often cheaper than insurance copays anyway.
Will the $99/month price increase as my dose increases?
With CoreAge RX, no. The $99/month price covers all doses from 2.5mg starter doses through 15mg maximum doses. Some competitors charge more for higher doses ($299 for starter dose, $399-499 for maintenance dose), but CoreAge RX maintains flat pricing throughout your treatment.
How long does a typical person stay on tirzepatide?
Most patients remain on tirzepatide for 12-18 months to reach their goal weight, then many continue at a lower maintenance dose indefinitely to prevent weight regain. Clinical trials show that stopping tirzepatide typically results in regaining about two-thirds of lost weight within one year. At $99/month, annual cost for long-term maintenance is $1,188—vs $12,720 for brand-name Zepbound.
Can I switch from Mounjaro/Zepbound to compounded tirzepatide?
Yes. Since the active ingredient is identical, transitioning is straightforward. Simply continue at your current dose with compounded tirzepatide. Many patients switch to save $10,000-12,000 per year. Consult with your provider (CoreAge RX offers telehealth consultations) to ensure smooth transition and proper dosing.
Should I choose tirzepatide or semaglutide?
Clinical trials show tirzepatide produces superior weight loss (20-25% vs 15-17% for semaglutide). However, both are highly effective. At CoreAge RX, both cost the same $99/month, so the choice comes down to effectiveness goals and side effect tolerance. Many providers recommend starting with semaglutide for tolerability, then switching to tirzepatide if you plateau.
Are there any hidden fees with CoreAge RX?
No. The $99/month price includes: initial telehealth consultation, monthly medication supply, all injection supplies (needles, alcohol swabs, sharps container), temperature-controlled shipping, and ongoing provider support. There are no setup fees, no consultation fees, and no upcharges for higher doses.
What happens if the FDA restricts compounded tirzepatide?
The FDA allows compounding of drugs on shortage lists. If tirzepatide is removed from the shortage list, compounding may be restricted. However, CoreAge RX would help transition patients to brand-name options or alternative medications. Given ongoing supply constraints and massive demand, tirzepatide is expected to remain on the shortage list through at least 2026.
Ready to Save $10,000+ on Tirzepatide?
CoreAge RX offers compounded tirzepatide at $99/month with no hidden fees. Same active ingredient as Zepbound, 91% lower cost.
Get Started with CoreAge RX →See our affiliate disclosure for information about our financial relationships with reviewed companies.