Tirzepatide for weight loss in Charlotte (Zepbound and Mounjaro)
Tirzepatide is the medicine in Zepbound and Mounjaro, and it’s the GLP-1 medicine our Charlotte providers prescribe most for weight loss. It’s a once-a-week shot that lowers your appetite and helps you feel full sooner. Here’s how it works, who it’s for, what results to expect, and how to start it with a provider you can see in person.
- ✓ Zepbound: FDA-approved for weight loss and for obstructive sleep apnea with obesity
- ✓ Mounjaro: FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes
- ✓ One shot a week, starting at a low dose that goes up slowly
- ✓ We bill your insurance for visits and help with prior approval for your medicine
- ✓ Injectable injectable pharmacy prescriptions are self-injected at home; program compounded injections are given in clinic
- ✓ Two Charlotte clinics, open 7 days
Tirzepatide is the main weight loss medicine our providers prescribe. Call either clinic to arrange a visit, and a provider checks at your in-person visit whether it fits your health and your insurance.
What happens next: 1. Call either clinic. 2. Our team helps arrange your visit. 3. See a provider in person at Steele Creek or Plaza Midwood.
Cost: no insurance? Visits and labs are $99 a month. If individually prescribed and permitted, self-pay compounded tirzepatide is $199 or $299 a month, depending on your dose. With insurance, visits and labs are billed to your plan; your cost depends on your coverage. See what you’d pay
Never tried a GLP-1? Call a clinic to book a visit, and ask whether we have a sample you can try at your first appointment, before you sign up for the full program. Call to ask about a sample
Price illustration only, not a determination of prescription eligibility. Compounded medicine is considered only when an individual medical need cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug and applicable requirements permit it. Cost or lack of insurance coverage alone does not determine eligibility.
1. Do you want to use insurance for your visits?
2. Does your plan cover tirzepatide (Zepbound or Mounjaro)?
2. Which dose?
For patients starting tirzepatide, the usual starting dose is 2.5 mg weekly. Your provider determines your individual plan.
Monthly provider visit and labs every 3 months. Compounded medicine only if individually prescribed and permitted.
Compounded tirzepatide is not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review compounded medicines for safety, effectiveness or quality. Your provider talks with you about whether it’s right for you. Compounded medicine is considered only when an individual medical need cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug and applicable requirements permit it. Cost or lack of insurance coverage alone does not determine eligibility.
- A provider you see in person, not just an online form
- Insurance billed for your visits, with help on prior approval
- No insurance? Visits and labs for $99 a month
- Open 7 days, weekdays until 8pm
- Same-day help if side effects hit, because we’re also an urgent care
- Labs, blood pressure and diabetes care in the same clinic
On this page
What it isWho it is forDosingResultsOther benefitsSide effectsGetting itCost and insuranceOur clinics
What is tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injection that acts on two of your body’s appetite and blood sugar hormones, GIP and GLP-1. That makes it different from semaglutide, which acts on GLP-1 only. It slows how fast your stomach empties, helps you feel full on less food, and lowers your blood sugar if it’s high.
| Brand | FDA-approved for | Who makes it |
|---|---|---|
| Zepbound | Weight loss and keeping weight off in adults with obesity, or overweight plus a weight-related condition. Also moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. | Eli Lilly |
| Mounjaro | Blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes (adults and children 10 and older), and lowering heart risk in adults with type 2 diabetes at high risk. | Eli Lilly |
Source: Zepbound prescribing information, Eli Lilly (rev. 8/2026); Mounjaro prescribing information, Eli Lilly (rev. 8/2026); FDA: FDA approves first medication for obstructive sleep apnea (Dec 2024)
Same medicine, different approved uses. If you’re taking it for weight loss and don’t have diabetes, Zepbound is the brand approved for that. Insurance plans often cover each brand only for its approved use. See GLP-1s compared.
Who tirzepatide is for
The FDA approved Zepbound for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol.
Source: FDA: FDA approves new medication for chronic weight management (Nov 2023)
Tirzepatide is not for you if you or a family member has had medullary thyroid cancer, if you have MEN 2, or if you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to tirzepatide. It isn’t used during pregnancy. Your provider also asks about pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney problems, severe stomach emptying problems (gastroparesis) and diabetic eye disease.
Source: Zepbound prescribing information, Eli Lilly (rev. 8/2026)
Not sure where you stand? See do I qualify.
Call to start weight loss care
Tirzepatide dosing schedule
Tirzepatide starts low and goes up slowly so your stomach can adjust. According to the Zepbound label:
| Step | Weekly dose |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 4 | 2.5 mg (a starting dose only) |
| Week 5 on | 5 mg |
| Every 4 weeks or more, if needed | Up 2.5 mg at a time: 7.5, 10, 12.5 mg |
| Highest dose | 15 mg a week |
| Long-term dose for weight | 5, 10 or 15 mg, whichever works for you |
Source: Zepbound prescribing information, Eli Lilly (rev. 8/2026)
Your provider decides when to step up, based on your results and side effects. You don’t have to reach the highest dose.
Missed a dose? Take it within 4 days (96 hours). If more than 4 days have passed, skip it and take your next dose on your usual day. You can change your shot day as long as doses are at least 3 days apart.
Source: Zepbound prescribing information, Eli Lilly (rev. 8/2026)
Tirzepatide results
| Study | What happened |
|---|---|
| SURMOUNT-1 (72 weeks, adults without diabetes) | Average weight loss of 15.0% on 5 mg, 19.5% on 10 mg and 20.9% on 15 mg, vs 3.1% on placebo |
| SURMOUNT-5 (72 weeks, tirzepatide vs semaglutide) | 20.2% average loss on tirzepatide vs 13.7% on semaglutide, each at the highest dose people could take |
Source: Jastreboff AM, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-1). NEJM 2022; Aronne LJ, et al. Tirzepatide as compared with semaglutide for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-5). NEJM 2025
Results vary. Everyone in these studies also cut calories and added activity. In SURMOUNT-4, people who stopped tirzepatide after 36 weeks regained much of their weight, while those who kept taking it kept losing.
What else weight loss can help with
Losing even part of your extra weight can improve more than the number on the scale. Here’s what research and FDA approvals show. Results vary, and your provider tracks what changes for you.
- Blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar: even modest weight loss can help improve all three.
- Type 2 diabetes: Mounjaro and Ozempic are FDA-approved to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. In people with prediabetes, a large NIH study found that losing about 7% of body weight through diet and exercise lowered the chance of getting type 2 diabetes by 58%.
- Sleep apnea: Zepbound is FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.
- Heart health: in adults with heart disease and overweight or obesity, Wegovy lowered the risk of heart attack, stroke and death from heart disease.
- Fatty liver (MASH): Wegovy injection has accelerated FDA approval for adults with noncirrhotic MASH and moderate-to-advanced liver scarring (F2–F3). This is not an approval for every type of fatty liver disease or for Wegovy tablets.
- PCOS: losing weight can ease many PCOS symptoms and can help make periods more regular. GLP-1 medicines are not FDA-approved to treat PCOS, so your provider decides with you whether one fits.
- Knee and joint pain: in one study, each pound lost took about 4 pounds of pressure off the knees. In a 68-week trial of adults with obesity and knee arthritis, people taking semaglutide had less knee pain than people taking a placebo. Some people also notice less back pain as they lose weight, though there’s less research on that.
Source: CDC: Losing weight; Mounjaro prescribing information, Eli Lilly (rev. 8/2026); NIDDK (NIH): Diabetes Prevention Program; FDA: FDA approves first medication for obstructive sleep apnea (Dec 2024); Lincoff AM, et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes (SELECT). NEJM 2023; AACE: FDA approves Wegovy for certain adults with MASH (Aug 2025); NICHD (NIH): Treatments for PCOS; Arthritis Foundation: Weight loss benefits for arthritis; Once-weekly semaglutide in persons with obesity and knee osteoarthritis (STEP 9), NEJM 2024
Each GLP-1 medicine is approved for specific uses. Your provider explains which ones apply to the medicine you take.
Tirzepatide side effects
| Side effect (Zepbound studies) | Placebo | 5 mg | 10 mg | 15 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 8% | 25% | 29% | 28% |
| Diarrhea | 8% | 19% | 21% | 23% |
| Vomiting | 2% | 8% | 11% | 13% |
| Constipation | 5% | 17% | 14% | 11% |
Source: Zepbound prescribing information, Eli Lilly (rev. 8/2026)
Most side effects are mild to moderate and happen most when your dose goes up. See how to manage side effects.
Birth control pills: tirzepatide can make birth control pills work less well. The label says to switch to a non-pill method, or add a barrier method such as condoms, for 4 weeks after you start and for 4 weeks after each dose increase.
Source: Zepbound prescribing information, Eli Lilly (rev. 8/2026)
- Severe stomach pain that won’t go away, with or without vomiting. It may spread to your back.
- Signs of a serious allergic reaction: swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a fast heartbeat with dizziness
- Fainting, or chest pain
- Anything that seems life-threatening
- Sudden loss of vision: seek emergency medical care immediately.
How to get tirzepatide in Charlotte
- Call either clinic to arrange your weight loss visit.
- See a provider at Steele Creek or Plaza Midwood. Your provider checks your health, medicines and labs, and decides with you whether tirzepatide fits.
- If your plan covers it, we send your prescription to your pharmacy and help with prior approval. If not, your provider goes over your options. See insurance coverage.
- Injectable prescriptions sent to a pharmacy are self-injected at home as instructed. Oral medicines are taken as prescribed. Patients prescribed compounded medicine through our program receive weekly injections at the clinic. A routine provider evaluation is not required at every weekly injection; follow-up and dose changes remain directed by your provider.
- Check in with your provider before each dose step.
If insurance does not cover a medicine, your provider will review your options. Compounded medicine is considered only when an individual medical need cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug and applicable requirements permit it. Cost or lack of insurance coverage alone does not determine eligibility. Compounded medicines are not FDA-approved; FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality. Dosing errors have occurred, so follow your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions carefully.
Source: FDA: Concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss
Call to start weight loss care
Cost and insurance
What you pay each month
Your visits and your medicine are priced separately, so you only pay for what your insurance doesn’t cover.
| Your situation | Visits and labs | Medicine | Each month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-pay program, individually prescribed compounded dose 2.5–7.5 mg | $99 | $199 | $298 |
| Self-pay program, individually prescribed compounded dose 10–15 mg | $99 | $299 | $398 |
| Insurance covers your medicine | Your plan-dependent cost | Your plan-dependent pharmacy cost | Your plan-dependent cost |
| Insurance does not cover medicine; compounded treatment individually prescribed if appropriate | Your plan-dependent cost | $199 or $299 | Your plan-dependent visit/lab cost plus eligible prescribed medicine |
- $99 a month, no insurance needed: a visit with your provider every month and lab work every 3 months. Self-pay patients can sign up for this program.
- With insurance: we bill your plan for your visits and labs. Your cost depends on your plan, including copay, coinsurance and deductible.
- If your plan covers tirzepatide (Zepbound or Mounjaro): we send your prescription to your pharmacy, and your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan. Many plans need prior approval first, and we help with the paperwork.
- If prescribed for your individual medical need: compounded tirzepatide is $199 a month at 2.5, 5 or 7.5 mg, or $299 a month at 10, 12.5 or 15 mg. Compounded medicine is considered only when an individual medical need cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug and applicable requirements permit it. Cost or lack of insurance coverage alone does not determine eligibility. Your provider determines your dose and follow-up plan.
Compounded tirzepatide is not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review compounded medicines for safety, effectiveness or quality. Your provider talks with you about whether it’s right for you. Prices as of November 2026. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. Compounded medicine is considered only when an individual medical need cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug and applicable requirements permit it. Cost or lack of insurance coverage alone does not determine eligibility.
How insurance coverage for GLP-1 medicine works →
Insurance we take: Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana and TRICARE East, plus Original Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans. We don’t take HMO plans tied to one doctor or hospital system. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. See all the insurance we accept.
Our weight loss clinics in Charlotte
Injectable prescriptions sent to a pharmacy are self-injected at home as instructed. Oral medicines are taken as prescribed. Patients prescribed compounded medicine through our program receive weekly injections at the clinic. A routine provider evaluation is not required at every weekly injection; follow-up and dose changes remain directed by your provider.
| Clinic | Address and phone |
|---|---|
| Steele Creek | 2114 Freeman Park Dr, Suite 105, Charlotte, NC 28273. (980) 880-5588 |
| Plaza Midwood | 2017 Central Ave, Suite 103, Charlotte, NC 28205. (704) 731-8656 |
| Hours (both) | Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm |
Weight loss visits and in-clinic injections are available at both clinics. Close to Steele Creek, Ballantyne, Rivergate, Lake Wylie, Fort Mill, Plaza Midwood, NoDa, Uptown, Midtown and Elizabeth.
Call either clinic to discuss weight loss care and arrange your first visit.
Frequently asked questions
What is tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injection that acts on two hormones, GIP and GLP-1, to lower appetite and help you feel full sooner. It’s the medicine in Zepbound, approved for weight loss, and Mounjaro, approved for type 2 diabetes.
Is Zepbound the same as Mounjaro?
They contain the same medicine, tirzepatide, made by Eli Lilly. Zepbound is FDA-approved for weight loss and obstructive sleep apnea with obesity. Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes. Insurance plans often cover each one only for its approved use.
Where can I get tirzepatide in Charlotte?
OneSpotMD providers prescribe tirzepatide at our Steele Creek and Plaza Midwood clinics after an in-person visit. Call either clinic to arrange a visit. Both clinics are open 7 days a week.
Who qualifies for tirzepatide for weight loss?
Zepbound is approved for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol. It’s not for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2.
How much weight can you lose on tirzepatide?
In the SURMOUNT-1 study, adults without diabetes lost an average of 15.0% to 20.9% of their body weight over 72 weeks, depending on the dose, along with diet and activity changes. Results vary from person to person.
Is tirzepatide better than semaglutide?
In the SURMOUNT-5 study, people on tirzepatide lost more weight on average (20.2%) than people on semaglutide (13.7%) over 72 weeks. The best choice for you also depends on your health, side effects and insurance coverage.
What is the starting dose of tirzepatide?
2.5 mg once a week for 4 weeks, then 5 mg. Your provider may raise the dose by 2.5 mg every 4 weeks or more, up to 15 mg a week.
What if I miss a tirzepatide dose?
Take it within 4 days (96 hours) of the missed dose. If more than 4 days have passed, skip it and take the next dose on your regular day.
What are the most common side effects of tirzepatide?
Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation, usually mild to moderate and most common when the dose goes up. Call 911 for severe stomach pain that won’t go away or signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Does tirzepatide affect birth control pills?
Yes, it can make birth control pills work less well. The Zepbound label says to use a non-pill method or add a barrier method for 4 weeks after starting and for 4 weeks after each dose increase.
Does insurance cover Zepbound?
Some plans do, usually with prior approval, and some don’t cover weight loss medicine. We bill your insurance for your visits and help with the paperwork your plan asks for.
Can I get my tirzepatide shot at the clinic?
Injectable prescriptions sent to a pharmacy are self-injected at home as instructed. Oral medicines are taken as prescribed. Patients prescribed compounded medicine through our program receive weekly injections at the clinic. A routine provider evaluation is not required at every weekly injection; follow-up and dose changes remain directed by your provider. Compounded medicine is considered only when an individual medical need cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug and applicable requirements permit it. Cost or lack of insurance coverage alone does not determine eligibility.
Is compounded tirzepatide the same as Zepbound?
No. Compounded medicines are not FDA-approved, and the FDA doesn’t review them for safety, effectiveness or quality. If your insurance won’t cover a brand-name medicine, your provider can talk with you about your options. Compounded medicine is considered only when an individual medical need cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug and applicable requirements permit it. Cost or lack of insurance coverage alone does not determine eligibility.
Can I take tirzepatide while pregnant?
No. The Zepbound label says weight loss offers no benefit during pregnancy and may harm the baby. Stop taking it and tell your provider if you become pregnant.
How much does tirzepatide cost at OneSpotMD?
Self-pay patients can join the $99-a-month visit and lab program, with a monthly provider visit and labs every 3 months. If compounded tirzepatide is individually prescribed and permitted, medicine costs $199 a month at 2.5, 5 or 7.5 mg, or $299 a month at 10, 12.5 or 15 mg: $298 or $398 including the program. We bill your insurance for visits and labs. What you pay depends on your plan, including any copay, coinsurance and deductible. Pharmacy prescription costs also depend on your coverage. Compounded medicine is considered only when an individual medical need cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug and applicable requirements permit it. Cost or lack of insurance coverage alone does not determine eligibility. Compounded tirzepatide is not FDA-approved; FDA does not review it for safety, effectiveness or quality.
Can I try a sample before I sign up for the full program?
Often, yes. We usually have samples in the clinic. Call either clinic to book a visit and ask whether one is available. If your provider decides a GLP-1 medicine is right for you, you may be able to try a sample at your first appointment before you sign up for the full program. Samples depend on what we have in stock.
Sources
Additional safety information: FDA: compounded GLP-1 medicines; FDA: November 2026 vision warning; Wegovy prescribing information.
- Zepbound prescribing information, Eli Lilly (rev. 8/2026)
- Mounjaro prescribing information, Eli Lilly (rev. 8/2026)
- FDA: FDA approves new medication for chronic weight management (Nov 2023)
- FDA: FDA approves first medication for obstructive sleep apnea (Dec 2024)
- Jastreboff AM, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-1). NEJM 2022
- Aronne LJ, et al. Tirzepatide as compared with semaglutide for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-5). NEJM 2025
- Aronne LJ, et al. Continued treatment with tirzepatide for maintenance of weight reduction (SURMOUNT-4). JAMA 2024
- FDA: Concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss
- CDC: Losing weight
- NIDDK (NIH): Diabetes Prevention Program
- Lincoff AM, et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes (SELECT). NEJM 2023
- AACE: FDA approves Wegovy for certain adults with MASH (Aug 2025)
- NICHD (NIH): Treatments for PCOS
- Arthritis Foundation: Weight loss benefits for arthritis
- Once-weekly semaglutide in persons with obesity and knee osteoarthritis (STEP 9), NEJM 2024
This page is general information, not medical advice for your situation. Your provider decides with you whether a medicine is right for you. Results vary from person to person.
Ozempic® and Wegovy® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Mounjaro® and Zepbound® are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. OneSpotMD is not affiliated with or endorsed by these companies.
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Before you start
Medical weight lossGetting startedInsurance coverage
Once you start
Side effectsDiet, exercise and keeping it off
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