3-way comparison
Zepbound vs Wegovy vs Compounded Tirzepatide
Side-by-side breakdown — efficacy, cost, regulatory status, and who each option fits best.
Side-by-side comparison
| Attribute | Zepbound | Wegovy | Compounded Tirzepatide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generic name | tirzepatide | semaglutide | tirzepatide (compounded) |
| Drug class | — | — | — |
| Regulatory status | FDA approved | FDA approved | Compounded |
| Manufacturer | Eli Lilly | Novo Nordisk | Various compounding pharmacies |
| Avg retail price | $1086/mo | $1349/mo | $299/mo |
| Without insurance | $349–$1086/mo | $1349–$1500/mo | $149–$399/mo |
| Savings card max | $25/mo | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Shortage status | not_listed | not_listed | not_listed |
FAQ
What is the difference between Zepbound, Wegovy, and Compounded Tirzepatide?
Zepbound (tirzepatide), Wegovy (semaglutide), and Compounded Tirzepatide (tirzepatide (compounded)) are GLP-1 medications used for weight management or type 2 diabetes. Key differences: Zepbound is FDA-approved, Wegovy is FDA-approved, Compounded Tirzepatide is compounded.
Which is most effective for weight loss: Zepbound, Wegovy, or Compounded Tirzepatide?
Effectiveness varies by individual. In clinical trials, tirzepatide-based drugs (Mounjaro, Zepbound) produced ~22% average body-weight loss vs ~15% for semaglutide-based (Ozempic, Wegovy). Discuss with your prescriber.
Which is cheapest?
Cheapest first, at a maintenance dose and paying cash: Compounded Tirzepatide ~$299/mo at list price, with no manufacturer self-pay route we can verify · Wegovy ~$349/mo for maintenance doses direct from the manufacturer · Zepbound $449/mo (7.5 mg and up) direct from the manufacturer. These are self-pay prices from the manufacturer, not list prices — the list price is what an uninsured walk-in is billed who asks for nothing, and it is the one figure almost nobody pays. Compounded semaglutide runs $99–$300/mo and compounded tirzepatide $179–$450/mo through telehealth, but neither is FDA-approved.
See per-drug deep dives: Zepbound review · Wegovy review · Compounded Tirzepatide review
2-way head-to-heads
Drill down into any pair from the three above for deeper side-by-side analysis.
Already on one? Switching guides
Dose conversion + transition timeline for each directional switch.