Medication reference

Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide is a once-weekly dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist from Eli Lilly, sold as Mounjaro (diabetes) and Zepbound (weight management). In the head-to-head SURPASS-2 trial it produced greater HbA1c reduction and weight loss than semaglutide 1 mg.

How it works

Dual agonism of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors, improving glycemic control and reducing appetite.

What it costs

Compounded tirzepatide runs roughly $189–$499/month across reviewed providers. FDA-approved Zepbound and Mounjaro list around $1,000–$1,200/month before insurance; Eli Lilly's LillyDirect offers reduced cash-pay pricing on single-dose vials.

Our lowest-cost transparency-compliant option for compounded tirzepatide is NexLife at $149/mo semaglutide · $189/mo tirzepatide.

Compounded vs brand: 503A & 503B

503A compounding pharmacies prepare patient-specific compounded medications under state pharmacy-board licensure. 503B outsourcing facilities are FDA-registered and inspected and can prepare batches without patient-specific prescriptions under cGMP-equivalent standards. Both are legal channels for compounded GLP-1s; disclosure of the dispensing pharmacy's type and license is a key transparency signal.

Contraindications

  • Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Recent regulatory timeline

  1. 2026-03-03

    FDA warned roughly 30 telehealth companies over misleading compounded GLP-1 promotion.

  2. 2026-03-09

    Hims & Hers partnered with Novo Nordisk and wound down compounded GLP-1 marketing.

  3. 2026-04-30

    FDA proposed excluding semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide from the 503B Bulks List; comment period closes 2026-06-29. The 503A patient-specific pathway is unaffected.