• Weight Management

Different Ways to Get Mounjaro® for Weight Loss

Medically reviewed and edited by Benjamin Domingo, FNP-BC

Mounjaro is a popular drug prescribed for treating type 2 diabetes, and it can also help some overweight or obese patients maintain a healthy weight.

Although Mounjaro has shown promise as a weight loss treatment, it can be difficult to obtain it for off-label uses.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how you may be able to qualify for Mounjaro and where the best places are to get it at a reasonable price.

How Does Mounjaro Work for Weight Loss?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) belongs to a group of medications called GIP and GLP-1 agonists.

The body naturally produces GIP and GLP-1 hormones to help regulate our blood sugar levels when we eat.

Mounjaro can mimic these hormones to help the body feel fuller for longer and change the way it stores fat. Over time, this leads to an average weight loss of 15%.

Is It Possible to Get Mounjaro if You Don't Have Diabetes?

While Mounjaro is approved by the FDA to treat diabetes, its significant weight loss benefits have made it popular with the general public as well.

At the moment, doctors aren’t allowed to prescribe Mounjaro for aesthetic weight loss reasons.

Who qualifies to use Mounjaro for weight loss?

Mounjaro is intended for use by individuals with type 2 diabetes who might also be struggling to maintain a healthy body weight.

The drug can also be prescribed as an off-label treatment for chronic overweight conditions like obesity.

For off-label criteria, you must demonstrate that your past efforts to lose weight through only lifestyle changes were unsuccessful.

You’ll also need to be above a certain body mass index (BMI) — usually between 27 and 30 or higher — to be eligible for off-label prescriptions or other obesity drugs.

How Can You Ask Your Doctor for a Mounjaro Prescription?

If you have any concerns about your weight and how to manage it in a safe and healthy way, you should make an appointment with your doctor.

While they may not necessarily hand you a prescription for Mounjaro, they can answer your questions and provide professional weight loss guidance.

To obtain a Mounjaro prescription, you’ll need to be evaluated by your healthcare provider to determine if this is an appropriate treatment option for you.

During an evaluation, you will:

• Answer questions about your personal and family medical history

• Disclose any medication you’re taking

• Be open and honest about why you want to use Mounjaro

• Inform your doctor about your health goals

• Provide details about your previous weight loss attempts — if you want to take Mounjaro for this reason

It might also be worth asking your doctor about the potential side effects involved with using Mounjaro to ensure you have all the information you need to make a decision.

Do you always need a prescription for Mounjaro?

It’s a requirement to have a prescription if you want to get Mounjaro, even if it’s for off-label uses.

How Do You Get Mounjaro with a Prescription?

Once you’ve obtained your prescription, there are a few ways you can get Mounjaro.

Online or in-person pharmacies

Most major pharmacies across the country stock Mounjaro and can help you refill your prescriptions when necessary.

However, the cost of Mounjaro at brick-and-mortar pharmacies is usually quite expensive and often retails for $300 more than the manufacturer’s price.

Online pharmacies or telehealth services may have more affordable pricing. It’s also much more convenient to use these services compared to going to a physical pharmacy once a month.

Some can also help you get your Mounjaro prescription online if you require an updated dosage or refill.

Through the LifeMD weight management program, you may be able to obtain a prescription for Mounjaro if you qualify. If you don’t meet the qualifications, you may be prescribed another medication to help you lose weight.

How to Get Mounjaro for Weight Loss With and Without Insurance

Mounjaro is a relatively new drug that has only been in use since May 2022. As a result, many health insurance providers don’t offer coverage for this medication yet.

However, the manufacturers of Mounjaro have developed a savings plan that can help you obtain the medication even without insurance.

With the Savings Card, you can get Mounjaro from anywhere at a lower retail price.

It’s also possible to get Mounjaro without insurance, but you’ll have to pay the out-of-pocket fees by yourself.

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How can you get Mounjaro covered by insurance?

The first thing you should do to get insurance for Mounjaro is to call your provider to determine if they cover the drug.

In most cases, health insurance companies will only cover the cost of Mounjaro if it’s prescribed for FDA-approved uses — which currently doesn’t include weight loss.

If you want to cover the drug costs for other reasons, your insurance provider will likely contact your doctor for prior authorization.

Your doctor then has to explain why you need to use Mounjaro, and the insurance company will evaluate if this is a good enough reason for providing medical cover.

If your insurance declines your claim, you can also ask your doctor to appeal.

When you join the LifeMD weight management program, the insurance legwork — such as finding out if your insurance company will cover any part of the medication cost — will be done for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Mounjaro cost?

The cost of injections can vary, depending on your state or city and if you’re eligible for the Mounjaro Savings Card.

Mounjaro is manufactured at a wholesale price of $1,023.04 but is usually sold for between $1,100 and $1,300.

With the Savings Card, individuals can expect to pay $25 per injection for up to three months.

Patients without insurance may save around $145 per pen with the savings program for a one-month prescription.

Are there any alternative weight loss drugs for Mounjaro?

Although there is no generic version of Mounjaro, there are a number of medications on the market that have shown to deliver similar results.

Popular GLP-1 medications that are FDA-approved and promote weight loss include:

• Ozempic

• Wegovy

• Saxenda

• Trulicity

• Bydureon

It's not clear whether these medications are more affordable compared to Mounjaro.

However, some have been approved as weight loss treatments and might be easier to obtain for individuals without diabetes.

It’s recommended to speak to your doctor about alternative weight loss therapies if you don’t qualify for Mounjaro.

You can also consider enrolling in the LifeMD weight management program.

Where Can You Learn More About Mounjaro?

If you’re struggling to obtain a prescription or want to know more about Mounjaro, LifeMD is here to help.

Licensed doctors can assist you with information about Mounjaro and write you a prescription if you are eligible — all from the comfort of your home. You can get started here.

Benjamin Domingo, FNP-BC

Benjamin earned his Master’s of Science degree in nursing from The Sage Colleges in New York. He’s driven by his passion to provide top-notch care to his patients so they can achieve and maintain optimal health. In his spare time, Benjamin enjoys volunteering in a clinic for the uninsured, advocating for animal issues, skiing, playing hockey, cycling, and spending time with family.

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