Who it's for
Adults with type 2 diabetes, as an adjunct to diet and exercise. Frequently prescribed off-label for weight loss before Zepbound's late-2023 approval; off-label prescribing for weight loss has narrowed since Zepbound launched.
What the trials show
Mounjaro's registration trial was SURPASS-2 (NEJM, 2021). At 40 weeks at the maximum dose, mean weight loss was 11.0% (9.4 percentage points greater than placebo). 70.0% of patients lost at least 5% of body weight; 27.0% lost at least 15%. Real-world results vary; trial patients are typically more adherent and more closely managed than typical telehealth patients.
Dose schedule
Dose levels: 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, 15mg. Standard practice is to titrate up monthly, holding at any tolerated dose. Maximum dose is 15mg weekly; many patients reach goal weight at sub-maximum doses and stay there.
What it costs in 2026
| Retail cash (no insurance, no DTC) | $1,069/mo |
| Manufacturer DTC (cash-pay direct) | Not publicly available for cash-pay; LillyDirect handles Zepbound for weight loss |
| With insurance + prior authorization | $25-$50/mo with diabetes diagnosis and prior authorization |
| Compounded version (503A pharmacy) | $199-$349/mo via 503A pharmacies (same active ingredient as Zepbound) |
Telehealth programs add a membership fee on top of the medication cost (typically $40-$200/mo). For all-in monthly costs by program, see the chart.
Common side effects
The most commonly reported side effects in the registration trial:
- nausea (22%)
- diarrhea (16%)
- decreased appetite (10%)
- vomiting (8%)
- constipation (7%)
Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors (rodent data); contraindicated in patients with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 syndrome.
How Mounjaro differs from related drugs
Same molecule as Zepbound at the same doses. Approved for diabetes, not weight loss. For US patients without diabetes, Zepbound is the indicated option and the cleaner insurance path; Mounjaro for weight loss is off-label and rare in 2026.
Compounded tirzepatide
Compounded tirzepatide is the same active molecule prepared by a 503A pharmacy under prescription rather than manufactured under FDA new-drug approval as Mounjaro. Cash-pay savings versus branded Mounjaro are typically 50-80%, but the regulatory environment has tightened. Briefly on FDA shortage list early 2024, off the list since late 2024. Off-label prescribing for weight loss has narrowed considerably as Zepbound provides the indicated alternative. For the comparison, see compounded vs FDA-approved semaglutide.
Programs that prescribe Mounjaro
These programs in our chart prescribe Mounjaro (with insurance coverage where applicable, or as a cash-pay option). Ranked by overall score.
Mounjaro vs other GLP-1s
Editorial disclosure
GLP Chart is an editorial comparison site. We do not dispense, prescribe, or fulfill medications. Talk to a licensed clinician about whether Mounjaro is appropriate for you. Pricing reflects publicly verified rates as of 12 May 2026; verify with the manufacturer or your prescriber before committing.