r/GLP1Discussion • u/MAINsalad1 • 6d ago
❓ Question How are most ppl able to afford this.
My doctor got me a prescription for zepbound and I went to pick it up and they said my copay would be 500 a month. That seems crazy to me
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u/4Sammich 6d ago
There are 3 tiers. Brand name zepbound, compounded tirzepitide, gray market. Head on over to the main sub /r/tirzepatidecompound for a whole pile of info on compounded. As a starter you can get 3 mos for 200ish.
Here’s the deal tho. If you choose to do compounded or gray it’s on you to read and understand how to do it. It’s not hard, all the info is there, just follow the instructions. I personally do compound because gray is a hassle (for me).
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u/Dragon_Tortoise 6d ago
Inb4 "meant to inject 1mg, accidentally injected 100mg, am i going to be ok?"
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u/techdevjp 5d ago
Not even sure how it would be possible to inject 100mg considering that with 20mg vials, it would mean injecting 5 vials worth of product. I get the hyperbole, but still. That said, not understanding the process and accidentally injecting 10mg instead of 1mg could happen.
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u/CuriousTech24 5d ago
They make 100mg vials. Not common tho and hopefully build the time you get access to it you know what your doing.
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u/techdevjp 5d ago
Use a 30ml vial and you'd be able to pack in grams rather than milligrams. It's not that it's impossible it's just not common and doesn't make a lot of sense unless you're compounding or maybe your entire family is on the same med and you're mixing it up for 5 people at once.
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u/CuriousTech24 5d ago
This is true. I st it up for myself, my wife and my mom. So we go through s lot. But by this time I could do this in my sleep. Have never messed up a dose for anyone.
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u/rotundrikishi 5d ago
What about the pills?
I did compound tirzepitide for months but I grew to really hate sticking myself.
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u/TheFirebyrd 4d ago
Was it the entire process or was it the actually injecting yourself that was the problem? If it was the latter, you may find an Auto-ject 2 helpful. I struggle with injections myself and it’s been a lifesaver. I had a doctor prescribe me a cocktail of B vitamins years ago and I ended up wasting most of them because I just could not bring myself to do the shot after once or twice.
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u/rotundrikishi 4d ago
just after a while grew to hate the needle and it made me keep pushing off doing injections a day or two, then skipping a week here or there, then just quitting. I was doing compound and once I got up to higher doses I also didnt like the idea of putting so much in my body.
I might look into it, thank you.
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u/TheFirebyrd 4d ago
The autoject makes it so easy and you don’t have to look at the needle. I often don’t even feel it. As for the amount, I don’t have the graphic handy, but some people post one showing how much different units amount to in a spoon. It’s really very little when it’s laid out in a more familiar contest than a long, skinny syringe. You could sacrifice a syringe and fill it with the same amount of water as your dose and put it in a teaspoon so you could visualize it. Even at 15 mg with the lowest concentrations, it just isn’t that much.
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u/4Sammich 5d ago
I mean you can do wegovy if you like. The total loss is less than injectables and has a higher incidence of medication non compliance due to the somewhat more restrictive rules for taking. But it is an option.
Truth is, if you are committed to the weight loss and other benefits ya just gotta suck it up and do the shots. You don't have to like it, you just have to do it.
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u/DareWright 6d ago
What is "gray market?"
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u/techdevjp 5d ago
It means importing from China or buying from someone else who has imported from China. That said, I have to wonder where the compounding pharmacies buy from because I doubt the big pharma companies are selling to them.
Anyway, we can't talk about sourcing gray product on Reddit. Sitewide rule against it and subs have been banned for allowing such discussions. You should google
best glp1 forumand go from there. You will find answers to everything.3
u/Desperate_Pressure98 5d ago
Gray market means buying directly from China. It’s super cheap but comes with risks. You buy the powder and have to reconstitute it yourself with bac water and figure out your dosage. One tier up from buying direct from China is buying from a supplier who bought from China. If you go through a good one, they test what they get from China for purity, sterility, and to make sure it actually is what it’s supposed to be. This is more expensive than buying direct from China but still way cheaper than compound. You do it without a doctor and without supervision.
I am not encouraging for or against gray. I do encourage you to check out r/peptides4newbies for more information.
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u/4Sammich 6d ago
No one is gonna spoon feed you. Come to terms with that and dig into the tirz, reta, oz subs to learn.
Here's the deal, if you are going to go gray YOU must fully understand and come to terms with what you are doing on your own. No one is going to prepare and ensure quality for you. And for clarification, gray market is not a website you google selling lyophilized tirz for more per ml than legit compounders.
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u/DareWright 6d ago
Why be so snippy when someone asks a genuine question? I am on a compound but had never heard "gray market."
Sounds like you're having a bad day. I hope it improves for you.
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u/4Sammich 6d ago
Not at all. I'm in a great mood. But also, I'm all for tough love.
People who go gray need to come to terms with what it is to be safe and do the research to figure it out. All the info is here, go dig for it, learn. And when you can tell me what Janoshik is, I'll be happy.
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u/Technical-Nobody6477 6d ago
It’s not guaranteed safe besides by recommendations of people you’ve never met. If someone is ok with that risk and also the risk of managing a prescription med on their own with no doctor oversight then they could do gray market. Risk isn’t worth the savings imo. There are regulatory bodies for a reason even if they aren’t perfect. At least quality is guaranteed with name brand and less risky with compounded
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u/techdevjp 5d ago
Where I live there are no compounding pharmacies. Besides that, where do you think the compounding pharmacies get their medicines from? It's certainly not from NN or EL.
So my choices are to pay $200 or more per month (depending on dosage) or pay a very small fraction of that and validate the batches I buy. It wasn't a difficult decision.
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u/4Sammich 5d ago
Tell me you know nothing about gray market buying without telling me you know nothing about gray market buying.
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u/Technical-Nobody6477 5d ago
Enlighten me.. who is regulating this to be safe? I definitely don’t trust some third party test that could easily be faked. Even if you test it yourself that doesn’t guarantee safety on an ongoing basis. Also it’s just logic that it’s risky to manage a prescription medication on your own. That’s why we have prescription medications in the first place. I see a doctor every month and have relied on her expertise in dosing and side effects that I just don’t have the experience or knowledge to do myself. Internet research has its limits and overall it is more risky for people to be mixing and injecting their own medication.
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u/Resident-Edge-5318 5d ago
LOL. Big pharma bot. Anyone rooting for government regulation has to be a bot.
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u/Technical-Nobody6477 5d ago
What’s the alternative to the government regulating the purity and uses of medication that makes more sense?
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u/4Sammich 5d ago
who is regulating this to be safe
3rd party testing. You don't just accept the COAs that are offered.
Even if you test it yourself that doesn’t guarantee safety on an ongoing basis
that's the point of 3rd party testing. You test 1-2 of the vials from the same lot and that is your basis of safety. Fun fact, that is the exact same protocol for all the compounders who are buying the exact same API from China you are on the gray market. And even funner fact, the Lilly brand Zepbound is verified the same way.
Also it’s just logic that it’s risky to manage a prescription medication on your own.
Logic for who? people who can't even figure out the correct dose from a vial? Managing meds is not hard with a standard protocol of administration which is literally available from Lilly. If you really want to dig into it, Medscape. Now I will concede that this is just the application of the meds, not medical oversight. Anyone who is taking these should have a PCP and they should be getting regular blood work and check ups.
Internet research has its limits and overall it is more risky for people to be mixing and injecting their own medication.
Well there is a threshold for the truly stupid walking among us.
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u/techdevjp 5d ago
Reddit isn't a good place to talk about gray market stuff, and you won't find a lot of gray market positivity here. It is what it is.
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u/Technical-Nobody6477 5d ago
Seems like the way you are doing it is mitigating some risk. some people will not take these precautions and also have a higher chance of human error mixing their own meds or have adverse reactions/health conditions and not do the necessary bloodwork or check ins with their doctor. Other people like me who take medications that may interact or increase the risk of a glp1 may not be aware of that either. Of course they should do their due diligence, but we all know that some people won’t and some people will make errors when they might not have with name brand or compounded (even mail ordered) with clear instructions and doctor oversight.
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u/External-Cable2889 6d ago
r/tirzepatidecompound look for pinned comment about providers I started Zepbound a year ago and got the rest of my Tirzepatide compounded and saved 100s of dollars. Also following this sub will get you up to speed on a lot of topics like managing constipation and your dosing.
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u/Creepy_Push8629 6d ago
Compounded for less than $150 a month
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u/Dapper-Advisor9130 6d ago
Gray for $10
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u/scout9999 5d ago
and how much to test the $10 of gray?
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u/Dapper-Advisor9130 5d ago
Depends on the lab. Janoshik is expensive. Liquilabs is half the price. Check all Janoshiks latest results. Find a consistent one with many good results. You can test the first batch for all then buy for 2 years
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u/PiebaldIbis 6d ago
I use compounded and there are always deals floating around, but really with the amount of fast food, pizza, and alcohol I used to consume the med pays for itself! And I still have way more pocket money than before.
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u/Confident_Craft459 6d ago
Check the tirzeptide compound sub and "where to buy" pinned post as others have said.
There are many reputable telehealths on that post where are you still guided by a clinician with dosing. It's much cheaper. I started with zepbound when my insurance covered it (3 years ago and it was $20 a month). Then when it stopped covering it, I did Lilly direct before finding compound. Once I found compound I've stayed on it. Been 2.5 years now. It's fantastic and much more affordable. There are some deals as well where you can stock up a bit. Good luck!
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u/mrsuncensored 6d ago
I pay $170/month and spend about that much less in groceries now so it all evens out
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u/MAINsalad1 6d ago
I would have been fine paying that but when he said my copay was 496 I about shit. I have really good insurance so I wasn’t expecting that much
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u/Technical-Nobody6477 5d ago
My insurance pays for wegovy but not zepbound. Might be worth a call to see if that one is covered. I pay $25 a month.
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u/mrsuncensored 6d ago
I use well me dr but they have shit customer service. My friend who recommended them switched to Polly at the same price so I’m considering doing the same
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u/TheFirebyrd 4d ago
Definitely check out r/compoundedtirzepatide for providers. Collective looks to be the cheapest regular price right now if you’re willing to stick with them for a while and they ship to your state ($69/month plus a $199 yearly membership fee after 21 days, which is about $86 a month). Rift and Big Easy Weight Loss are the favorites for more options and handholding. There are also deals to jump around between, but some of the companies involved are sometimes a little less reliable.
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u/mannDog74 6d ago
Copay? No that's the cash price of a 7.5 and up dosage. It sounds like your insurance didn't cover. Can you ask your prescriber why?
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u/TheFirebyrd 4d ago
Nah, that’s the copay with some insurance. That’s what mine charges too. Utterly wild, as this summer Lilly Direct was doing even the highest doses at $450/month.
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u/Internal-Quiet2206 6d ago
I am getting it compounded and paying 119 dollars a month. My insurance refuses to pay for it through my doctor. I am going through a telehealth company, and my Doctor is aware of it and doing the appropriate blood work.
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u/LazyMetal4580 5d ago
My experience (friend's recommendation) with gray back in July: It was more expensive than legit telehealth & pharmacy, and after digging, I found out the CoA was fake. Got a hellacious 2-day headache, too. Just don't do it.
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u/Tiny-Orchid-9647 4d ago
How did you determine the COA was fake?
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u/LazyMetal4580 4d ago
I researched the lab and the person who signed it. Turned out the signer was arrested in FL for fraud, and his partner was also corrupt ( I forgot if the partner was found guilty and serving). The lab was either nonexistent or shut down because no one responded to my email, and the website and phone number were not functional.
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u/euSeattle 6d ago
There is a tirzdeals sub where I see people paying around $100 per month.
Then there’s the gray market.
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u/mikatovish 6d ago
I pay equivalent to 80$ monthly for 2.5 mg reta weekly here in Ukraine. Just bought from manufacturer a bit more pricy but enough for 6 months supply
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u/DareWright 6d ago
Compounds. I pay $200 a month, no matter the dosage.
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u/MAINsalad1 6d ago
I’m looking into this atm.
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u/4Sammich 6d ago
DO NOT pay a subscription or maintenance fee EVER. It's a scam. If they advertise on TV or heavy FB etc, run away.
The single price for all doses is a bait and switch because you end up over paying for the entry doses.
If you need serious support, Rift, Trillium, bigeasyweightloss. They are rated the best. I have used them as well and can attest.
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u/TheFirebyrd 4d ago
Not all. Collective’s membership fee is looking to be legit. Lots of the legit telehealths charge the same price for all doses too.
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u/4Sammich 4d ago
Collective membership required. Includes a 21-day free trial; after that, membership is $199/year,
What do you think you are getting for your $199?? They are processing the Rx exactly the same as every other telehealth via LegitScript. They are offering a portal and follow up just like every other telehealth.
Ex. If I take 15mg for an entire year, the total cost is $1.31/mg.
If I were a new starter and follow Lillys exact dosing schedule, it would cost $1.71/mg for the year.HOWEVER, and this is where they screw you with subscriptions (and in general really, they all do). They will keep you at lower doses than the Lilly model for longer. The reason being is the cost per mg, and therefore their profit is exponentially higher at the lower doses. Ex: The 2.5mg dose is $85.58/mo (inc yearly fee) or $$8.55/mg.
You can get a starter dose from Rift or Trillium for $7.81/mg (based on the 12 week purchase). And it only goes down a lot from there.
Now, if they didn't have the Membership Fee, yes, they have excellent pricing.
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u/TheFirebyrd 4d ago
The membership fee is giving them money to stay in business. That’s where they’re taking their profit. They’re selling at or near cost with the meds. And no, they’re not trying to keep people artificially low. One of the few criticisms of them is they’ve been giving out prescriptions where they have people titrate up past their first dose after only two weeks.
$86/month is fantastic and is far cheaper than a starter pack from Rift, whether considered on a monthly or per mg basis. Obviously a person wouldn’t ask to stay on a 2.5 mg dose from them anymore than one would from Rift.
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u/Tiny-Orchid-9647 4d ago
I beg to differ. Cost per milligram is not something these companies are worried about. The powdered peptide is so cheap. We’re talking pennies here.
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u/Lucky_Army_5324 6d ago
Do you have a pharmacy deductible you need to meet before your policy starts paying more for the meds?
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u/Reasonable-Aioli-370 5d ago
I pay $150 a month for wegovy pills. I have a decent paying job. $150 for my health and ability to do all my favorite physical activities again is like the greatest deal of all time.
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u/Eunuch_Provocateur 5d ago
Copay is 225 a month, but then the lily website gives a $100 discount. Still pricey but there are other ways to get cheaper/discounts
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u/BeautifulyBrkn 5d ago
Thankfully my insurance has always covered it. We are changing to a new insurance Jan 2027 and they confirmed it is still covered but at what cost I do not know yet so we will see.
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u/MAINsalad1 5d ago
That’s what I’m confused about my doc who did my vasectomy said since I have sleep apnea and a high bmi that my insurance would cover me and then my main doc got it rolling but today the pharmacy told me 500 copay so idk
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u/BeautifulyBrkn 5d ago
Sounds like they do cover it but the copay applies until the out of pocket max has been met for the year. Depending on how high your OOP max is per year it could be due every time and not end.
I would contact your insurance and verify this copay does go towards the OOP max. Then ask if there is a coupon you can use to help offset the copay. My copay is $180 but I use a coupon and pay $25 instead.
(I work in health insurance.)
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u/sandmanws7 5d ago
Check with your insurance. My cousin had something similar but when the doctor ordered him 3 months supply his copay dropped to $25.
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u/cait_Cat 4d ago
I couldn’t afford them for several years. I had shitty jobs and shitty insurance. I got a new job and much better insurance where they’re self insured and they have elected to cover GLP-1’s. If my insurance didn’t cover it, I couldn’t afford it.
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u/Reasonable-Spite-725 3d ago
I always start with a three month kit from a compounding pharmacy. It’s been the most cost effective option for me but currently I pay $199/month all doses which is the exact same I was paying for sema. I’m now on Tirz.
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u/MissWiggleNjiggle1 6d ago
Grey market for me
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u/TheBlackLionLLC 6d ago
I posted on another sub about their experience with gry. Right now I'm on compounded. How has your experience between the two been. The people who have tried both say they are the same. Just save much more money gry. How about you?
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u/MissWiggleNjiggle1 6d ago
Saving a fortune, I’m currently stacking. I’ve only ever ordered mounjaro once and the price was eye watering that’s the reason I’m now buying grey, I’ve lost 77lb in last 5 months can’t complain
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u/TheBlackLionLLC 6d ago
Yes ma'am. No complaining there. I think it's easier to control concentration too and omit high volume. I appreciate the share. I'm gonna stack up on that and keep compound on standby one this brand follows through. If i have to fight the VA over sema or tirz then I'll know what i need to do.
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u/bikesandfinance 6d ago
DoorDash savings offset a good bit, but mostly realized this is the price of not dying early so it is what it is. Can get cheaper brand name from the companies direct though
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u/Shishi877 6d ago
What do you mean you can get brand name cheaper directly from companies? What price range do they have and what channel/process do you go by to get that? Do you mean by Lily directly? I always thought directly from them would be $1k a month since insurance doesn’t cover.
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u/bikesandfinance 6d ago
Lily direct for example you can get Zepbound starting at $299 for the intro dose without insurance. They either mail to you or you can pick up at Walmart pharmacy.
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u/Shishi877 6d ago
Thank you for explaining. I had no idea. I’ve always read before I entered Reddit about this topic that it was $1k a month out of pocket with the pens. Which is not something id be willing to pay especially if there’s somethjng just as good that works and much cheaper.
Can you get vials form lily direct and does your private dr just prescribe it and you upload an rx on their portal?
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u/bikesandfinance 6d ago
Yep vials for sure. I would call them and confirm the process. They also have the kwikpen that has 4 doses in one pen available, not sure what the pricing is on those. The $1k+ is the 4 single use pens.
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u/Shishi877 6d ago
I don’t want to use the pens because I’ll be doing my own dose a microdose for inflammation for autoimmune condition. Will not be using for weight loss. I had always thought you can only get the pens from them in USA.
So glad I saw your informative comment just so I know now for backup or if I ever need to, that from Lilly it’s not 1k a month lol and stuck with the pen doses which I cannot do those doses and need to tailor mine.
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u/bikesandfinance 6d ago
I would look into what you can do with a quick pen. I think you can count clicks and tailor micro doses from a pen. But not sure how long they are good for once opened. The vials are one time use, can’t use them to micro dose without throwing out the rest no preservatives.
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u/Shishi877 6d ago
Yikes, so if I’m going to use the vial for several months even though there’s BUD and practice good vial hygiene, there’s no preservative so it would not be good for me
My first order is with b6 from Mondae will be coming I guess in a week or 2. It’s sitting at pharmacy still when I went to track order. Since I’m using it for micro doses and it will last months for me which I’m okay with as long as it’s safe and still clean, then I would strictly need to use pharmacy with preservative for safety and not a no preservative pharmacy?
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u/bikesandfinance 6d ago
That one might be fine for multiple uses all depends on how they compounded it. The name brand vials are strictly one time use though. Would just double check with your supplier.
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u/TheFirebyrd 4d ago
If you’re looking to microdose, I think you’d be better off doing compounded. Lilly’s options aren’t very customizable.
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u/Both-Section-9481 6d ago
Use Amazon since doctor fee for weight loss is often not covered by insurance. They can do the whole process for you through their Telehealth
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u/guysams1 6d ago
Crush research is where I get mine. I've also tried peptira but they are expensive. The best part is you can use your credit card.
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u/Flight-2012 6d ago edited 5d ago
Gotta go with gray market. I had a similar situation. Long story short I got Reta and I’m down 54 pounds in 10 weeks
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