What to Expect When It's Approved
Note: Retatrutide is not yet FDA-approved. This article discusses expected pricing based on market analysis and comparable medications.
Short answer: We don't know yet. Eli Lilly hasn't announced pricing because retatrutide isn't approved.
Educated estimate: Based on comparable GLP-1 medications:
| Medication | Manufacturer | List Price | With Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zepbound (tirzepatide) | Eli Lilly | $1,059/mo | ~$550/mo |
| Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | Eli Lilly | $1,023/mo | Varies |
| Wegovy (semaglutide) | Novo Nordisk | $1,349/mo | ~$500/mo |
| Ozempic (semaglutide) | Novo Nordisk | $968/mo | Varies |
Our best estimate: Retatrutide list price will be $1,000-1,200/month—comparable to Zepbound.
Eli Lilly typically offers savings cards for new medications:
Coverage will depend on FDA-approved indications:
Eli Lilly has programs for uninsured/underinsured:
If supply shortages occur (like with tirzepatide):
| Medication | List Price | Typical OOP | Weight Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retatrutide (est.) | $1,000-1,200 | $500-700 | ~24% |
| Zepbound | $1,059 | $550 | ~22% |
| Wegovy | $1,349 | $500 | ~15% |
| Compounded tirzepatide | N/A | $297-450 | ~22% |
| Compounded semaglutide | N/A | $199-350 | ~15% |
If maximizing weight loss per dollar matters most, compounded tirzepatide offers similar mechanism to retatrutide (~22% vs ~24% weight loss) at $297/month vs estimated $500-700+ for retatrutide.
Get documented: BMI over 30, or 27+ with comorbidities
Try lifestyle first: Document diet/exercise attempts
Appeal denials: Many rejections are overturned
Ask about exceptions: Case-by-case decisions
Consider employer advocacy: HR can influence plans
You don't need to wait for retatrutide. Effective, affordable options exist today:
When Eli Lilly announces retatrutide pricing, we'll send you the official list price, savings card details, insurance coverage guidance, and provider comparisons.
GLP-1 medications are expensive due to complex manufacturing (biological molecules), extensive clinical trials ($1B+), ongoing safety monitoring, and high market demand. Prices may decrease over time as competition increases.
Not for many years. Patent protections typically last 20 years from filing. Generic retatrutide won't be available until the 2040s at earliest.
No. Compounding is only allowed when FDA-approved drugs are in shortage. Since retatrutide isn't approved yet, it cannot be legally compounded. Be wary of anyone selling 'research peptide' retatrutide—it's unregulated and dangerous.
Retatrutide isn't approved anywhere in the world yet. Any product sold as retatrutide internationally is unregulated. Once approved, international pricing may differ, but importation carries legal and safety risks.
