Zepbound availability: how and where can you get it?

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is an injectable medication specifically approved for medication-managed weight loss. While it’s only been available since December 2023, it hasn’t had supply shortages so far, unlike other weight loss medications. In this article, we go over Zepbound’s availability, including how and where to get it. 

The history of Zepbound availability

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a prescription weight loss injection. It was originally sold as Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. People taking Mounjaro found they lost weight. The drugs’ manufacturer, Eli Lilly, got tirzepatide approved as Zepbound by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for weight loss in November 2023. It hit U.S. pharmacy shelves the following month.

You can get Zepbound at any pharmacy with a valid prescription if they have it in stock. 

How to get Zepbound

To get Zepbound, you need a prescription from a healthcare provider. Your provider may prescribe Zepbound if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher or 27 or higher and a weight-related health condition, such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease.

If you have other health conditions or take medications that make you a poor candidate for Zepbound, your provider can work with you on a medical weight loss program that may include an alternative prescription weight loss medication.

Before prescribing Zepbound, your healthcare provider may ask if you’ve ever had problems with your bowels, pancreas (such as pancreatitis), gallbladder (such as gallstones), or a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or attempts. They may also order an obesity lab panel. The test measures thyroid, kidney, and liver function, as well as blood count, blood sugar (glucose), A1C, and cholesterol and insulin levels. Your provider will review your lab results to determine whether you’ll benefit from a Zepbound prescription.

Where to get Zepbound

Zepbound is available at pharmacies. If you plan to get it by mail order, check with your online pharmacy of choice. Because Zepbound has to be refrigerated, some pharmacies aren’t equipped to ship it. 

You may be able to get Zepbound delivered to your door through LillyDirect, which is Eli Lilly’s direct-to-consumer service. In March 2024, Eli Lilly partnered with Amazon Pharmacy to fulfill LillyDirect orders as demand continues to increase. It has previously also partnered with TruePill.

Zepbound availability at local pharmacies

If you prefer to get Zepbound from a local pharmacy, watch for updates on shortages and call your pharmacy to check on availability. 

Are there shortages of Zepbound?

At the time of publication, the FDA reports a Zepbound shortage due to demand increase. There’s limited availability of multiple doses. The current shortage is projected to continue through the second quarter of 2024.  

Eli Lilly sold 25,000 new Zepbound prescriptions each week during its first month on the market (December 2023). In an interview with Reuters, Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks said they’re “working hard to fulfill demand.” The company is even starting to produce Zepbound at 2 new facilities within the year according to an Eli Lilly spokesperson who shared details with Becker’s Hospital Review. Ricks admitted though that production might not keep up with demand in 2024.

Similar drugs, like Wegovy (semaglutide), have been in short supply due to their proven weight loss benefits. Additionally, shortages in type 2 diabetes medications Mounjaro and Ozempic (semaglutide) have been attributed in part to off-label use for weight loss, increasing demand faster than production can keep up with. 

A CVS pharmacist in Austin, Texas, told Klarity, “We’ve been facing supply shortages with injectable weight loss medications. We can be out of certain strengths for weeks to months at a time.”

Consumer reviews of Zepbound provide another avenue for determining where it’s available. Reddit users confirm difficulty getting certain doses of Zepbound at CVS and RiteAid in some regions, but say other pharmacies have all 5 doses in stock.

At the time of publication, the highest 3 doses of Mounjaro — 10, 12.5, and 15 milligrams —have limited availability. You can check the availability of your medications on the FDA Drug Shortages database. Use “tirzepatide” when searching for Mounjaro or Zepbound.

To help prevent drug shortages, you and your provider should consider using Zepbound for weight loss over Mounjaro if you’re obese or overweight and don’t have type 2 diabetes.

Key takeaway

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a prescription weight loss medication that was FDA-approved and became available in pharmacies in late 2023. The active ingredient, tirzepatide, is also approved to treat type 2 diabetes under the brand name Mounjaro. Both Zepbound and Mounjaro are dual receptor agonists that cause weight loss and improve blood sugar control. 

You can get Zepbound from any pharmacy that has it in stock and if you have a prescription from your healthcare provider. Home delivery of Zepbound is available through LillyDirect and any online pharmacy that has it in stock and can ship it.

A Zepbound shortage is possible in 2024. To help prevent shortages, only use a medication for its approved use unless your provider deems it medically necessary to use it off-label. If you’re having issues filling your prescription due to inventory shortages, talk to your healthcare provider. 

Start a weight loss journey on Zepbound with a provider on Klarity

If you’re considering Zepbound as part of a medical weight loss program, Klarity can help you find a healthcare provider who specializes in weight management. Your provider will help you determine whether Zepbound or another medication is right for your weight loss journey. Get started and find a weight loss provider on Klarity today!

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.

How we reviewed this article: This article goes through rigorous fact-checking by a team of medical reviewers. Reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the author.