How to Get Tirzepatide: Prescriptions, Telehealth, and What to Know

Can You Get a Tirzepatide Prescription Online?

Tirzepatide is available by prescription, and yes—you can get it online. Through Eden telehealth, a licensed provider can evaluate whether tirzepatide is appropriate for you and, if they determine it is clinically appropriate, they may issue a prescription, which is sent to a licensed pharmacy.

With that said, there’s more to the process than just clicking a button. 

Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in two FDA-approved injectable medications: Zepbound® and Mounjaro®. It works by activating two hormone receptors—GIP and GLP-1, which help regulate appetite, slow digestion, and support how your body manages blood sugar.

Both medications are once-weekly injections. But what is the exact process of getting a tirzepatide prescription?

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How to Get a Tirzepatide Prescription

Getting a tirzepatide prescription online follows the same basic steps as any prescription medication—just without the commute. You’ll complete a medical evaluation, and if a licensed provider determines tirzepatide is clinically appropriate for your health history and goals, they may issue a prescription to be filled by a licensed pharmacy.

In more detail, here are the main differences between telehealth services and in-person services for getting a tirzepatide prescription.

Telehealth

Tirzepatide Eden telehealth services connect you with licensed providers through video visits or secure messaging. You’ll typically start by completing an intake form with your medical history, current medications, and weight-loss or health goals. From there, a provider reviews your information and meets with you virtually.

If clinically appropriate, the provider writes a prescription and sends it electronically—either to a retail pharmacy near you or a mail-order pharmacy, depending on the platform and your preferences.

Telehealth may offer faster access than in-person visits, depending on provider availability, state regulations, and clinical complexity, with some platforms offering appointments within 24-48 hours. It’s also a practical option if you have a busy schedule, limited access to specialists, or prefer managing your care from home.

In-Person

You can also get a tirzepatide prescription from your primary care physician, an endocrinologist, or an obesity medicine specialist.

In-person visits allow for on-site lab work and physical exams, which may be helpful if you have complex health needs or your provider wants additional baseline data before prescribing. The trade-off is longer wait times—both for scheduling and in the office—and potential delays if paperwork is processed manually.

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Do You Qualify?

Eligibility for tirzepatide depends on which medication you’re seeking and why.

Zepbound® is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults who meet one of the following:

• BMI of 30 or higher (obesity), or
• BMI of 27 or higher (overweight) with at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.

Zepbound® is also approved for adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea and obesity.

Mounjaro® is FDA-approved for adults with type 2 diabetes to help improve blood sugar, alongside diet and exercise.

However, tirzepatide may not be appropriate for individuals who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or those with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). Your provider will review your full medical history before determining whether tirzepatide is right for you.

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Tirzepatide Cost and Coverage

The cost of tirzepatide varies depending on your insurance, the specific medication prescribed, and whether you qualify for savings programs. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect.

With Insurance

If your commercial insurance covers tirzepatide, you may be eligible for manufacturer savings. With the Zepbound® or Mounjaro® savings card, eligible patients may reduce out-of-pocket costs, but this is subject to program terms and insurance coverage.

But tirzepatide coverage isn’t automatic or always guaranteed. Many plans require prior authorization, meaning your provider may need to submit documentation, such as your BMI and any weight-related conditions, to demonstrate medical necessity. Some plans also require step therapy, which involves trying other treatments before exploring GIP and GLP-1 medications.

To check your coverage, log in to your insurance portal or call the member services number on your card. Confirming your specific insurance beforehand can save you financial stress down the line.

Without Insurance

Without insurance or savings programs, the list price for tirzepatide is approximately $1,086 for a 28-day supply of prefilled pens.

For those paying out of pocket, Eli Lilly offers single-dose vials through LillyDirect® at lower price points—starting around $299 to $549 per month, depending on dose. Pharmacy discount cards may also help reduce costs.

Medicare and Medicaid

Medicare generally does not cover medications prescribed solely for weight loss, so drugs used only for obesity treatment (such as Zepbound® when prescribed for weight management) are typically not covered. However, Mounjaro® may be covered under some Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plans when prescribed for type 2 diabetes, since this is an FDA-approved indication.

Medicaid coverage varies by state. Some state programs cover tirzepatide for certain conditions, while others do not. Contact your state Medicaid office or visit your plan’s website for specifics.

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Is There an Oral Tirzepatide?

As of 2026, there is no FDA-approved oral tirzepatide. Both Zepbound® and Mounjaro® are available only as once-weekly injections.

However, you may have come across compounded sublingual (under-the-tongue) tirzepatide through some telehealth platforms in the past. These products became available during a nationwide tirzepatide shortage but were never FDA-approved. Compounding pharmacies were required to discontinue tirzepatide compounding following the FDA’s determination that the shortage was resolved, with a limited FDA wind-down period for compounders.

If avoiding injections is a priority, bring this up with your provider; they can determine if there are other options suitable for you. 

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What About Compounded Tirzepatide?

Compounded medications are custom-prepared by pharmacies to meet specific patient needs—but they are not the same as FDA-approved drugs.

FDA-approved tirzepatide (Zepbound® and Mounjaro®) remains the standard treatment option. Compounded tirzepatide is not FDA-approved and has not been reviewed by the FDA for safety, efficacy, or quality. A licensed prescriber may only order a compounded formulation when they determine a clinically significant difference for an identified patient. For example, this may be the case in a specific formulation that FDA-approved options cannot address, as documented by the prescribing clinician.

It’s also worth noting that the manufacturer of Zepbound® and Mounjaro® does not sell tirzepatide to compounding pharmacies. If you’re offered compounded tirzepatide, ask the pharmacy where they source the ingredient and how they verify its quality.

Following the end of the tirzepatide shortage in late 2024, regulations around compounding have tightened. Most patients who need tirzepatide will be prescribed an FDA-approved injectable.

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How to Stay Safe

Whether you’re getting tirzepatide online or in person, a few precautions can help protect your health—and your wallet. These include:

• Only obtain tirzepatide with a valid prescription from a licensed provider.
• Fill your prescription at a licensed pharmacy (retail, specialty, or mail-order).
• Confirm the pharmacy offers pharmacist counseling and provides clear labeling and tamper-evident packaging.
• Verify pharmacy credentials through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) if you’re unsure.

Avoid a pharmacy or online platform if:

• The website is offering tirzepatide without a prescription.
• They have unusually low prices or claims of guaranteed results.
• There is no listed pharmacy or prescriber information.
• Their products are labeled “for research use only” or “not for human consumption.”

Like all medications, tirzepatide can cause side effects. The most common include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and stomach pain—particularly during the early weeks or after a dose increase. These often improve as your body adjusts.

Contact your provider if you experience symptoms of more serious conditions, such as:

• Severe stomach pain that doesn’t go away (possible pancreatitis)
• Yellowing skin or eyes, fever, or clay-colored stools (possible gallbladder issues)
• Signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or difficulty breathing

A licensed provider can help you manage side effects and determine whether any adjustments are needed.

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Final Thoughts

Once you have a prescription, your pharmacy will arrange pickup or delivery and provide instructions for use. Tirzepatide is typically started at a lower dose and titrated gradually, based on prescriber judgment and patient tolerance.

Starting tirzepatide is a process—one that should be done with a licensed healthcare provider who can evaluate your needs and guide your treatment safely.

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