Tirzepatide has come off the drug shortage list, and that means things are changing. What does that mean for you?
The FDA recently removed tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) from the drug shortage list, and if you’re taking GLP-1 medications or you’re thinking about getting on one, you might wonder what, if anything, this means for you and your prescription. We’re here to clear up the confusion.
Yes, you can still get tirzepatide online — but now there’s a (big) catch
First things first: GLP-1 medications might be the most revolutionary drugs of our lifetime. Though they were originally approved as a treatment for diabetes, it soon became clear that their ability to help people lose weight — even people who’d been unsuccessful with other weight loss treatments — bordered on the miraculous. Medical weight loss using GLP-1 therapy has been life-changing for many people, with some 15 million Americans are currently taking GLP-1 medications for various conditions.
Since Zepbound and Wegovy (the versions of tirzepatide and semaglutide approved specifically for weight loss rather than diabetes) hit the market, the demand has only grown, and 6 million or more Americans currently take GLP-1 medications strictly for weight loss. This has led to shortages of tirzepatide — both for people taking it in order to lose weight and for those taking it for diabetes or for a combination of other issues.
The FDA’s solution, in situations like this, is to allow compounding pharmacies to make — which is what “compounding” actually means, in this case — their own versions of tirzepatide-based medications. To be clear: Unlike your typical pharmaceutical drug, compounded medications are not FDA-approved. They don’t go through clinical trials, and they’re not evaluated by the FDA for safety or efficacy. They’re also subject to subject to strict limitations under Section 503A/503B of the FDCA. They’re like the craft-brewery offering of the pharma world. That said, allowing compounding pharmacies to offer their own formulation of a drug is typical practice when there’s a severe or prolonged shortage.
And, as we discussed in another article, it’s not the same thing as when a drug’s patent expires and other manufacturers can begin making generic versions. Compounded versions are not the same thing as generic versions, which are FDA-evaluated and approved. Instead, compounded medications are a stop-gap solution meant to smooth over the rough patch while the shortage is happening. Once the original manufacturer can keep up with the demand, compounding pharmacies are only allowed to make the drug in specific circumstances.
That’s what’s happening right now. Tirzepatide has been in extremely short supply for some time, and compounding pharmacies were allowed to pick up the slack to ensure that everyone who needed the drug was able to get it.
It’s still under patent — and will be for many years — so there’s no generic tirzepatide on the horizon for a very long time. But now Eli Lilly, the drug’s manufacturer, says they’re able to provide all the tirzepatide people need, and compounding pharmacies will only be able to fill tirzepatide prescriptions if very specific medical criteria are met.
Does that mean that you won’t be able to get tirzepatide online anymore? Not at all.
Getting tirzepatide online: The brand name option
If you’re willing and able to pay the price, Mounjaro and Zepbound — the brand-name versions of tirzepatide — are and will continue to be an option. That’s the key thing to remember: no matter what’s happening with compounded tirzepatide, you won’t suddenly lose access to the branded, FDA-approved versions of the drug. So if you’re already on tirzepatide and seeing results, this shift doesn’t mean your weight-loss progress is in jeopardy. You can still get tirzepatide online. It’s available.
That said, just because something’s available doesn’t always mean that it’s affordable. Even though Eli Lilly says they can now meet the growing demand for Mounjaro and Zepbound, the price hasn’t budged — nor is it likely to. Insurance companies still have plenty of hoops for patients to jump through, too, and if you’re using tirzepatide for weight loss rather than diabetes, they might not cover it at all. This leaves many people paying out of pocket, and with prices often topping $1,000 a month, price is no small obstacle for a lot of folks.
On the bright side, it’s relatively easy to get Zepbound or Mounjaro online. Telemedicine platforms that specialize in GLP-1 medications can connect you with a provider and ship your prescription directly to your door. Licensed online pharmacies may also have Mounjaro and Zepbound in stock, and your doctor may be able to arrange a mail-order prescription for you.
In a nutshell: the end of the tirzepatide shortage may sound like a win, but in reality, it mostly means the manufacturer has caught up with demand — and now controls the supply again. While compounded tirzepatide is now harder to access, branded tirzepatide is still widely available — though maybe not at a price most people would call reasonable.
The bottom line? Yes, you can still get tirzepatide online — but unless your insurance plays nice, expect to pay a premium for it.
What about non-branded versions? Can I still get tirzepatide online that way?
Here’s where things get murkier. Compounding pharmacies exist for a reason, and that reason isn’t only to step in when manufacturers can’t keep up with demand. Their real purpose — and what allows them to continue making certain medications even when branded options are widely available and are still under patent — is to create customized medications that meet specific patient needs.
So while compounded tirzepatide is now more restricted, it’s not completely off the table, and you can still get compounded tirzepatide online. Compounding pharmacies can still provide their own tirzepatide formulations (sans FDA approval) if your doctor determines that you need a version that’s significantly different from the branded options.
This might apply if:
- You need a different starting dose or strength than what’s available in Mounjaro or Zepbound and it’s been medically justified and documented by the provider. Some providers may recommend starting with smaller, incremental doses — especially if you’ve struggled with side effects — or they may need to prescribe a precise dose that falls between the standardized options.
- You have an allergy or sensitivity to an ingredient in the branded version. Compounded tirzepatide can sometimes exclude preservatives, dyes, or other additives that cause issues for some people.
- You need a different delivery method. While tirzepatide is typically injected, some providers may feel you’d benefit from an alternative method — for example, smaller-dose injections taken more frequently.
The key here is that your doctor must document a medical reason for prescribing compounded tirzepatide — and [“it’s cheaper” or “I can’t afford the brand-name version” isn’t enough.
In most cases, what this means is that your provider will need to show that you’ve either:
- Tried the branded version first and experienced side effects, intolerances, or other issues that require a custom formulation; or
- Have a known medical reason that makes the standard formulation unsuitable for you — for instance, a documented allergy to one of the ingredients.
Fortunately, this documentation doesn’t necessarily require official medical records, though those can help. Often, a detailed conversation with your provider — where you explain your experience with the branded version or discuss your unique medical needs — is enough for them to justify a compounded prescription.
So if you’ve been taking compounded tirzepatide and you’re unsure what this change means for you, the best move is to talk to your provider. They can help determine whether you qualify for a compounded prescription under the new rules — and what your next steps should be.
The bottom line? Compounded tirzepatide hasn’t disappeared entirely, but getting it now requires meeting specific medical criteria. For some people, that’s still very possible — especially if your doctor is willing to advocate for what works best for you.
Getting tirzepatide online: where does that leave you?
If you’ve been relying on compounded tirzepatide or were hoping to try it, this change may feel frustrating — and understandably so. But while the landscape has shifted, you do still have options.
Branded versions like Mounjaro and Zepbound are still readily available, and if those are working for you, there’s no reason to panic. You can still get tirzepatide online with no worries. And if you’ve been using compounded tirzepatide or believe you may need it for customized dosing or ingredient concerns, you may still qualify — but you’ll need to work with your provider to determine what’s possible under the new rules.
The bottom line? Whether you’re continuing your current treatment or exploring alternatives, there’s still a path forward — and staying informed is the best way to make sure you’re on it.
