Key takeaways
- Zepbound joins the GLP-1 ranks for weight loss with Wegovy and Saxenda.
- Tirzepatide is the main ingredient in Zepbound, approved label for weight management, and Mounjaro, the brand name approved for managing type 2 diabetes.
- For those looking for Zepbound (tirzepatide) online, our experts chose Ro Body and PlushCare as among the top online companies offering Zepbound and online medical support.
- Ro Body | virtual weight loss program with on-demand coaching | Skip to review
- Weight Watchers | personalized support and food tracking | Skip to review
- PlushCare | in-network providers and low monthly subscription costs | Skip to review
- Calibrate | doctor-guided, sustainable weight loss | Skip to review
- Amazon Pharmacy | simple prescription management | Skip to review
Zepbound is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist drug with the active ingredient tirzepatide. It comes as a weekly injectable prescription weight loss medication that has two main functions:
- slows emptying your stomach, which means you feel full for longer.
- reduces glucagon secretion, a key hormone in blood sugar and appetite regulation.
Unlike other GLP-1 drugs in its class, tirzepatide targets two hormones—GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). These two hormones are released by the gut when we’re eating, and they help increase insulin release, decrease appetite, and help you feel more full.
This double action makes tirzepatide particularly effective at supporting weight loss when used alongside exercise and a balanced diet.
For those who prefer the convenience of getting Zepbound online, several verified options have passed our rigorous vetting standards.
Can you buy Zepbound online?
Yes, but you need a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional. Take a look at some options below.
| Provider | Subscription fee | Consultation fee | Insurance coverage* | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ro Body | $145 per month | $99 | no | health coaching |
| Weight Watchers | $99 per month, or $74 per month when committing to 12 months | $49 | yes | • one-on-one meetings with healthcare professional • WeightWatchers subscription |
| PlushCare | $19.99 per month | copay with insurance; $129 without insurance | yes | • unlimited messaging with care team • lab test discounts |
| Calibrate | $199 per month (minimum 3-month commitment required) | none | no | • one-on-one health coaching • lifestyle change curriculum |
| Amazon Pharmacy | $0 without a Prime subscription $14.99 a month with a Prime subscription | none | yes | 24-hour pharmacy support |
| LifeMD | $79 per month (injections) $129 per month (oral medication | none | no | • lab and metabolic testing professional support • money-back offer |
* “Insurance coverage” refers to whether program costs, not medication costs, may be covered by insurance.
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We evaluate services for consistency with standards of care and best practices, and we look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the services on this page, we considered all the GLP-1 services that passed our vetting process. Then, we looked at availability, cost, and the additional resources each service provides to narrow down our list even further.
Yes, you can buy Zepbound online, but you’ll need a valid prescription from a healthcare professional, such as your primary care physician, a physician assistant, or a nurse practitioner, depending on your state’s regulations.
It’s usually best to consult with a weight management specialist, who can determine whether
If you plan on buying Zepbound online, only do so from licensed and regulated platforms that supply safe and legitimate medications.
If you’re experiencing overweight or obesity and are interested in exploring Zepbound as a treatment option, consulting a healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation is crucial.
Healthline asked Janelle Duah, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine, about considerations people can have if they choose to work with any online professionals.
In addition to confirming the professional’s credentials, Duah recommended, “[Individuals] should make sure guidelines are quite clear regarding their care, including how often they will have appointments, if they provide lifestyle counseling in addition to the use of medications, how much the medication will cost, how long they will have to take the medication, and from where the medication will come.
“They should also make sure that there is good follow-up and accountability with the provider with whom they are working, and that there isn’t just a plan for weight loss but also for maintenance.”
Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Zepbound, made Zepbound available on its online pharmacy, LillyDirect, in August 2024. The medication is available as a single-dose vial or an auto-injector pen.
Lilly outlines the following costs for its single-dose vials:
- 2.5-mg vial: $349 per month
- 5-mg vial: $499 per month
- 7.5-mg vial: $599 per month
- 10-mg vial: $699 per month
The costs of auto-injector pens through LillyDirect start from $25 per month with the Eli Lilly Savings card. This card is for people with commercial health insurance and a valid Zepbound prescription.
If you’re considering buying Zepbound online, it’s important to prioritize your health and safety and do your due diligence. Here are some considerations:
- Legitimacy: Choose online pharmacies or platforms with an established reputation. Read customer feedback and reviews to investigate the platform’s history and credibility.
- Authenticity: Counterfeit medication may be ineffective or harmful, so it’s critical to use authentic, regulated versions only. It’s wise to buy from a reputable source and check for verification seals, batch numbers, and expiration dates on the packaging. If prices are suspiciously low, question the origin of the medication.
- Privacy and security measures: Opt for platforms that safeguard your personal and financial details and provide policies outlining how they handle and protect this data. Check for secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption and trustworthy payment methods.
A note on Zepbound shortages
Due to its growing popularity and supply chain issues, Zepbound may sometimes be in short supply, and your healthcare professional may recommend an alternative.
Finally, because of
It’s important to talk with a healthcare professional to ensure you’re receiving non-compounded, FDA-approved GLP-1 medications.
If you experience obesity or overweight and want to lose weight, doctors may recommend trying Zepbound in combination with other lifestyle changes, such as following a well-balanced diet and exercise routine.
According to the
Pros
- Convenience: You can shop from the comfort of your home at any time. There’s no need to travel or wait in line.
- Discretion: The experience offers privacy for those who prefer to keep their health matters personal.
- Price comparison: It’s easy to compare prices across different websites to find the best deal.
- Access to information: Online platforms often provide detailed product information and resources.
- Wider availability: The platforms can be helpful for people living in areas where Zepbound might not be readily available in local pharmacies.
Cons
- Risk of counterfeits: There can be a higher chance of encountering fake or substandard medications.
- Regulatory concerns: Not all online pharmacies comply with legal and safety standards.
- Prescription verification: Some websites might bypass the requirement for a valid prescription, which may cause harm.
- Shipping times: These can lead to delays, potentially interrupting treatment continuity.
- Lack of personal interaction: No direct advice and support are available from pharmacists or healthcare professionals.
- Payment security: The risks associated with online payment can include fraud and data breaches.
- A head-to-head clinical trial found that Zepbound leads to more long-term weight loss than Wegovy, according to Eli Lilly.
- Eli Lilly officials announced a new program to make weight-loss medications more affordable. It provides single-dose vials of Zepbound at a 50% discount to some consumers.
- Based on a new study, individuals living with type two diabetes who were treated with GLP-1s were found to be at a reduced risk for 10 obesity-associated cancers.
- A study at University of Oxford looked at whether semaglutide may contribute to neurological problems. Researchers actually found that users of semaglutide had a lower risk for dementia.
No, you cannot get Zepbound over the counter.
You need a prescription for this medication, even if you are buying it online. Prescriptions can typically be written by licensed healthcare professionals authorized by law to do so in your state. That may mean a primary care doctor, physician assistant, or a nurse practitioner specializing in weight management.
Ozempic and Zepbound aren’t the same, but they do belong to the same family of medications: GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Ozempic is a brand name for the medication semaglutide. It’s FDA approved for treating type 2 diabetes by improving blood sugar levels. Licensed healthcare professionals may also prescribe it off-label for weight loss and recommend eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.
Semaglutide is also available under the brand name Wegovy for weight loss.
Zepbound is specifically approved for weight loss. It has a distinct mechanism of action: Not only is it a GLP-1 receptor agonist, but it also activates GIP receptors. This dual action can make it an effective option for weight management.
While more research is necessary, Duah said that Zepbound (tirzepatide) may be more effective than Wegovy (semaglutide) or Saxenda (liraglutide) for weight loss.
A comprehensive 2024 research review examined 76 clinical trials of 15 GLP-1 receptor agonist medications. Researchers identified tirzepatide as the standout for managing blood sugar levels and ranked it as the second most effective for weight loss.
Tirzepatide trailed only behind CagriSema, a combination of semaglutide and cagrilintide yet to be released.
At time of publishing, according to the FDA database, there is not a tirzepatide shortage.
If you’re concerned about the current status of tirzepatide supply, it’s best to check the most recent updates from Eli Lilly, pharmacies, the FDA, or other official health advisories.
While getting Zepbound through an in-person consultation with a healthcare professional is a good idea, several reliable and licensed online weight loss platforms are also worth considering.
Many of these programs offer comprehensive support and coaching to help you reach your goals. However, it’s crucial to use trustworthy sources that include a thorough medical assessment as part of the process.
Finally, remember that while effective, Zepbound has a high price point, and there’s a