Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injection that targets GIP and GLP-1 receptors, marketed as Zepbound and Mounjaro.
The sleep apnea route to coverage
In December 2024, FDA approved Zepbound for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, the first drug for that use [6]. That indication lets Medicare Part D plans cover Zepbound for sleep apnea, and people using it for sleep apnea stay in their regular Part D plan rather than the GLP-1 Bridge [6] [7]. Lilly says Zepbound is on select CVS Caremark formularies for both obesity and sleep apnea [2]. If you snore heavily or have a sleep study result, raise it with your prescriber before paying cash.
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Self-pay and insured prices
| Situation | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Zepbound 2.5 mg self-pay | $299 a month | [1] |
| Zepbound 7.5 to 15 mg self-pay, on-time refill | $449 a month | [1] |
| Commercial plan covers Zepbound, with savings card | As little as $25 | [2] |
| Commercial plan does not cover it, KwikPen with savings card | $299 to $449 | [2] |
Mounjaro for Austin residents with diabetes
Diagnosed diabetes affects 8.1% of Austin adults and 9.0% across Travis County [8] [3]. Mounjaro, the diabetes brand of tirzepatide, has a list price of $1,112.16 per 28 days [9]. With commercial coverage, its savings card can lower that to as little as $25 [10]. Mounjaro and Zepbound should not be combined, and Zepbound should not be used with any GLP-1 drug [11]. Background: Mounjaro.
Compounded tirzepatide in Texas
Austin cash clinics have sold compounded tirzepatide for years. FDA's enforcement discretion for 503A pharmacies ended March 5, 2025, and outsourcing facilities lost theirs as well [12]. A pharmacy may still compound for a single patient with a documented clinical need. Compounded tirzepatide is not FDA-approved, and FDA does not review it for safety, effectiveness or quality [13]. See compounded tirzepatide and cheapest tirzepatide online.
Dose schedule on the label
The Zepbound label starts at 2.5 mg weekly for four weeks, then 5 mg, with increases of 2.5 mg after at least four weeks on a dose [11]. Each step up can change the price at LillyDirect, from $299 to $399 to $449 [1]. Follow your prescriber's plan and the pharmacy label. Dose questions: Zepbound dosage.
Other Texas cities: San Antonio, Houston, Dallas. The full tirzepatide guide covers how it works.
Warnings from the Zepbound label
Thyroid C-cell tumor boxed warning; not for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2 [14]. Pancreatitis: stop and get care for severe, ongoing stomach pain. Serious allergic reactions can occur. Hypoglycemia risk rises with insulin or sulfonylureas: in a diabetes trial, 10.3% of those also on a sulfonylurea had low blood sugar [14]. Stop if pregnant. Call 911 for emergencies.
Questions people ask
How much is Zepbound in Austin without insurance?
$299 at 2.5 mg, $399 at 5 mg, and $449 at 7.5 to 15 mg per month through LillyDirect when refilled within 45 days, checked Oct 17, 2026 [1].
Can Medicare cover Zepbound for sleep apnea?
Yes, Part D plans can cover Zepbound for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, an indication FDA approved Dec 20, 2024 [6].
Does Texas Medicaid cover tirzepatide for weight loss?
No. KFF reports Texas Medicaid covers some weight loss drugs but no GLP-1s for obesity [5].
What is Mounjaro's list price?
$1,112.16 for a 28-day supply of four pens, per Lilly [9].
How fast is the Zepbound dose increased?
The label starts at 2.5 mg for 4 weeks, then 5 mg, rising by 2.5 mg after at least 4 weeks on each dose [11].
How much weight did people lose on tirzepatide?
In SURMOUNT-1, adults on 15 mg lost an average of 20.9% of body weight at 72 weeks versus 3.1% on placebo [15].
Sources
15 cited
- Zepbound self-pay prices on LillyDirect. Eli Lilly and Company (LillyDirect), Oct 17, 2026.
- Zepbound coverage and savings. Eli Lilly and Company, Oct 17, 2026.
- PLACES county data, 2025 release: Travis County, TX. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025 release (2023 BRFSS).
- QuickFacts: Austin city, Texas. U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 estimates and 2020-2024 ACS; accessed 2026-10-17.
- Medicaid coverage of and spending on GLP-1s. KFF, Jan 16, 2026.
- FDA approves first medication for obstructive sleep apnea. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Dec 20, 2024.
- Weight loss drugs coverage (Medicare GLP-1 Bridge). Medicare.gov (CMS), Oct 17, 2026.
- PLACES place data, 2025 release: Austin, TX. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025 release (2023 BRFSS).
- Mounjaro FAQ. Eli Lilly and Company, Oct 17, 2026.
- Mounjaro savings and resources. Eli Lilly and Company, Oct 17, 2026.
- Zepbound label. DailyMed, National Library of Medicine, Aug 2026.
- FDA clarifies policies for compounders as national GLP-1 supply begins to stabilize. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Apr 1, 2026.
- FDA's concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Oct 1, 2026.
- Zepbound (tirzepatide) prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Apr 2026.
- Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-1). New England Journal of Medicine (PubMed), 2022.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own care.