Zepbound availability: how to find Zepbound in stock near you

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is an FDA-approved injectable prescription medication for weight loss for people with obesity or overweight and is used in combination with diet and exercise. Since approved in December 2023, it has been widely available, unlike other weight loss medications like Wegovy.

This guide will help you understand Zepbound availability and where you can purchase it.

Updates on Zepbound availability

Zepbound is a popular weight loss injection also sold under the brand name Mounjaro. Mounjaro is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Zepbound and Mounjaro contain the same active ingredient, tirzepatide, and are manufactured by Eli Lilly.

Is Zepbound available?

Yes, Zepbound is currently available.

At the time of writing this article, all dosage strengths of Zepbound pens – 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg, are available but are currently in shortage according to the FDA Drug Shortages website.

The drugmaker Eli Lilly recently released Zepbound single-dose vials in lower-strength dosages 2.5 mg and 5 mg that can be purchased directly from LillyDirect at prices more affordable than other GLP-1 weight loss drugs such as Wegovy.

Are there shortages of Zepbound?

The Zepbound shortages that were experienced throughout 2024 have come to an end, according to the FDA. You can check the current availability by going to the FDA Drug Shortages website and searching ‘tirzepatide’ which currently lists all dosage strengths of Zepbound and Mounjaro as available. You can also sign up for supply updates from Eli Lilly on the LillyDirect website (check “Lilly medicines/supply updates” when you subscribe).

However, patients, pharmacists and doctors have reported that they are still unable to access Zepbound. While the FDA said it is seeing “adequate supply” and not reporting shortages, as reported by Becker Hospital Review, some people are still facing supply issues with Zepbound. Zepbound availability can vary by location and pharmacy.

Zepbound’s popularity since its approval in December 2024 led to a shortage and limited availability at most pharmacies. Reuters reported in January 2024 that Eli Lilly was selling 25,000 new prescriptions of Zepbound per week at the end of December 2023 and that it may not have adequate supply to meet demand in 2024. On March 8, 2024, Zepbound surpassed Wegovy with 77,590 new prescriptions vs. 71,000 filled for Wegovy. Zepbound’s growing popularity is expected to outpace the total prescription volume for Wegovy.

Lilly said in December 2023 that Zepbound has been added to the U.S. list of preferred medicines for reimbursement by Cigna’s Express Scripts, one of the largest PBMs in the United States, which should further increase demand for Zepbound.

In response to the ongoing shortages of Zepbound and Mounjaro, Eli Lilly committed to increasing its manufacturing capabilities so patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes can continue to receive their medications without disruption. On May 24, 2024, Eli Lilly announced that it has doubled its investment in its Lebanon, Indiana manufacturing facility with a new $5.3 billion investment, increasing its total investment in this facility to $9 billion. This expansion will help Lilly increase its capacity to manufacture API (active pharmaceutical ingredients) for Zepbound and Mounjaro. Lilly also has manufacturing sites outside of Indiana including in Concord, North Carolina, and recently acquired an injectable manufacturing facility in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin from Nexus Pharmaceuticals with production expected to start at the end of 2025.

Other weight loss medications like Wegovy (semaglutide) and diabetes medications used off-label for weight loss like Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are also facing shortages due to high demand and limited supply.

Reddit communities have emerged as a resource for helping people navigate supply issues and identify which pharmacies have Zepbound in stock. Reddit users are finding that while certain doses of Zepbound may not be available at a specific location of a pharmacy retailer like RiteAid or CVS, other locations have all doses in stock.

To help with drug shortages, you or your healthcare provider can consider using Zepbound for chronic weight management instead of Mounjaro if you are obese or overweight without type 2 diabetes.

How to get Zepbound

To buy Zepbound, you should obtain a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. Your doctor may prescribe Zepbound if you are obese with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, or if you are overweight with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or greater and at least 1 other weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart disease.

To determine if you are eligible for a Zepbound prescription, your healthcare provider will assess your medical history including:

• Other medical conditions including problems with your pancreas or kidneys
• Severe stomach problems such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or digestive problems
• If you are taking other diabetes medications such as insulin or sulfonylureas
• History of diabetic retinopathy
• Other prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are taking
• If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed

How can I find Zepbound in stock near me?

Finding Zepbound in stock near you can be a challenge due to the high demand and shortages, but there are several strategies you can use to find Zepbound in stock near you.

1. Check with your pharmacy

Zepbound availability can be unpredictable when there are supply shortages. If your pharmacy doesn’t have your dosage strength of Zepbound available, follow up with them every 5-10 days as inventory can change from day to day as they receive new deliveries from their pharmaceutical suppliers.

2. Check with other pharmacies

If your pharmacy is out of stock, you should contact other pharmacies and check if they have your dosage strength of Zepbound available. If your pharmacy is one of the large retailers like CVS or RiteAid, another location of theirs may have Zepbound in stock. Try calling around to different pharmacies to see if they have Zepbound in stock and you can ask them if they can order Zepbound for you if they don’t have it in stock. Make sure to ask about your specific dosage strength because when there are drug shortages, some dosage strengths may be in stock but not others.

3. Order your refill earlier and request a 3-month supply

When supply is unpredictable due to Zepbound shortages, it’s recommended that you order your refills earlier than normal to plan for unexpected delays. You can also consider buying a 3-month supply at a time which will provide you with additional time to buy your next supply before your medication runs out.

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4. Use online pharmacies

If you can’t find Zepbound in stock near you, consider online pharmacy alternatives like Amazon Pharmacy or Eli Lilly’s Lilly Direct Pharmacy Solution.

While tirzepatide (active ingredient in Zepbound) is currently in shortage, it’s also possible to buy compounded tirzepatide through telehealth services such as the NiceRx Weight Loss Program.

5. Online communities

You can also check online communities on Reddit where users provide updates based on their experiences with Zepbound availability. At the time of writing this article, the community had over 67,000 members. Users share weekly updates on which pharmacies they were able to buy Zepbound from and the respective dosage strengths. The community is also an excellent place to connect with others taking Zepbound to ask questions.

6. Zepbound alternatives

Fortunately, there are alternative medications available that you can discuss with your doctor. During drug shortages, healthcare providers may recommend that you change to a different drug to help facilitate continuity in treatment.

Some providers may recommend switching to Mounjaro, which is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and has the same active ingredient as Zepbound, or switching to another GLP-1 weight loss injection with weight loss benefits such as Wegovy (semaglutide) or Saxenda (liraglutide).

These are the most common Zepbound alternatives for weight loss:

• Wegovy (semaglutide)
• Compounded semaglutide (same active ingredient as Wegovy and Ozempic)
• Compounded tirzepatide (same active ingredient as Zepbound and Mounjaro)
• Saxenda (liraglutide)
• Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion)
• Xenical (orlistat)
• Alli (orlistat)

Bottom line

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a popular weight loss drug that received FDA approval in 2023. It contains the same active ingredient as Mounjaro, which was approved for treating type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro and Zepbound are GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists that have proven in clinical trials to effectively control blood sugar levels and provide weight loss benefits.

Trying to find your medication when there are drug shortages can be a frustrating experience. You can purchase Zepbound from any retail or online pharmacy that has it in stock with a prescription from your healthcare professional. You can also consider buying Zepbound from LillyDirect or other online pharmacies such as Amazon Pharmacy.

As Zepbound shortages are expected throughout 2024, you can try contacting other pharmacies if your pharmacy doesn’t have your dosage strength in stock, ordering your refill early with a 3-month supply at a time, or consider speaking to your healthcare professional about alternative medications.