A Look Into Tirzepatide Compound and What it Means in Healthcare

Last Updated: December 8, 2025 by Michael Kahn. Published: December 8, 2025.

If you have recently heard about compounded tirzepatide, there are many reasons you might be wondering about it in more detail. It could be because you have a condition you think it can help with, or perhaps you just want to find out more about how much it costs, or what it actually does. Trizepatide is a synthetic drug that was originally developed and approached to treat type 2 diabetes, but more recently has been used for obesity and other weight-related conditions. You’re probably more used to it being called (or have heard of) Mounjaro. In this article we look at what is tirzepatide, tirzepatide medication costs and delve a bit deeper into what it does.

How does Terzepatide work?

Tirzepatide works by activating two hormone receptors in the body, the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor and the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor. This dual action helps improve insulin release when blood sugar is high, reduces excessive glucagon signaling, slows the emptying of the stomach, and suppresses appetite. In turn, this helps the person taking it not to be hungry, eat less, and lose weight. 

Compounded tirzepatide refers to formulations that are custom-made by compounding pharmacies, rather than produced by the original drug manufacturer. In other words, these preparations contain tirzepatide as the active ingredient but are not the official, approved versions (Mounjaro or Zepbound). Compounding may involve different strengths, mixtures, or packaging than the approved drugs. 

Compounding tends to be done to meet demand when there are shortages, or to provide customised doses. It’s important to note however, that it’s not approved by regulatory agencies such as the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so if you do decide to take it, you need to do so with extreme caution. 

What are the costs of compounded tirzepatide?

Cost has been a major factor driving demand for compounded versions. Because compounded tirzepatide bypasses brand-name pricing, it’s often sold at a fraction of the cost. According to recent estimates, compounded tirzepatide ranges around $299-$399 per month, whereas named treatments such as Mounjaro or Zepbound can cost over $1000. This is a big difference to someone who might not have the funds to pay over a grand every month, so it can be an appealing option.

What are the potential benefits and uses of compounded tirzepatide?

Because compounded tirzepatide contains the same active ingredient as approved tirzepatide drugs, users may get similar therapeutic effects. This includes controlling blood sugar levels (so helping people with Type 2 diabetes), weight loss, and an alternative supply when the official drug is in shortage so you don’t need to go without. 

To summarise:

Compounded tirzepatide first came to be as an unofficial, but lower cost alternative to the approved tirzepatide drugs. It has the same active ingredient and similar effects, however it’s not regulated to the same standard. This means there are safety and quality risks, so if you do take it, then you should do so with caution. It’s generally better to seek a properly approved prescription to stay on the safer side.