Tirzepatide is a once-weekly GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist injection, approved as Zepbound for weight and sleep apnea and as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes.
What a year of Zepbound costs in Seattle
Seattle's median household income is $123,860 [4]. A year of Zepbound that steps from 2.5 mg to 5 mg and then holds at 7.5 mg or higher costs about $299 + $399 + 10 x $449, or $5,188, if every refill is on time [1]. That is a little over 4% of the median income. Miss the 45-day refill window at 10 mg or above and the price jumps to $699 a month [1].
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Price table
| Item | Price | Fine print | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zepbound 2.5 mg | $299/month | Starting dose; not a maintenance dose | [1] |
| Zepbound 5 mg | $399/month | Lowest labeled maintenance dose | [1][7] |
| Zepbound 7.5 to 15 mg | $449/month | Refill within 45 days | [1] |
| Zepbound with savings card, plan does not cover | As low as $499/month for the single-dose pen | Commercial insurance only | [8] |
More: tirzepatide cost, Zepbound cost and does insurance cover Zepbound.
How the dose schedule works
The Zepbound label starts at 2.5 mg weekly for 4 weeks, then 5 mg, and allows 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks at each dose [7]. Maintenance doses for weight are 5, 10 or 15 mg, and 15 mg is the maximum [7]. Each step can change your monthly price, so ask your prescriber how fast they plan to increase. See Zepbound dosage.
Tirzepatide vs semaglutide
In the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial, people on tirzepatide lost an average of 20.2% of body weight at 72 weeks, versus 13.7% on semaglutide [9]. Price and side effects also matter: the Wegovy pen is $349 a month at every dose [10]. Compare them in Wegovy vs Zepbound.
Compounded versions
Compounded tirzepatide is not FDA-approved, and FDA does not review it for safety, effectiveness or quality [14]. FDA's policy since 2025 limits pharmacy compounding to patient-specific prescriptions with a documented clinical difference [11]. On August 27, 2026, the Fifth Circuit upheld FDA's decisions that the tirzepatide and semaglutide shortages are over [12]. Read compounded tirzepatide.
Safety from the label
Tirzepatide has a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors in rats and is not for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2. Get care for severe stomach pain that will not go away, which may be pancreatitis, or for allergic reaction signs. Tell your anesthesia team you take it before any procedure. Stop when pregnancy is recognized [13]. Call 911 in an emergency.
Nearby cities
Tirzepatide in Sacramento, Salt Lake City and Denver. Or use tirzepatide near me and the tirzepatide guide.
Questions people ask
How much does tirzepatide cost in Seattle?
Zepbound costs $299 (2.5 mg), $399 (5 mg) or $449 (7.5 to 15 mg with an on-time refill) a month through LillyDirect, checked October 17, 2026 [1].
How much does a year of Zepbound cost?
About $5,188 if you step from 2.5 mg to 5 mg and then stay at 7.5 mg or higher with on-time refills, based on LillyDirect prices checked October 17, 2026 [1].
Is tirzepatide more effective than semaglutide?
In SURMOUNT-5, tirzepatide averaged 20.2% weight loss at 72 weeks versus 13.7% for semaglutide; individual results vary [9].
What is the maximum Zepbound dose?
15 mg once weekly, per the Zepbound label [7].
Does Washington Medicaid cover Zepbound?
Not for obesity, per KFF's January 2026 review of state Medicaid programs [2].
Is compounded tirzepatide legal in Washington?
FDA allows it only as patient-specific compounding with a documented significant difference for that patient; it is not FDA-approved [11].
Sources
14 cited
- Zepbound self-pay pricing. Eli Lilly and Company (LillyDirect), accessed 2026-10-17.
- Medicaid coverage of and spending on GLP-1s. KFF, Jan 16, 2026.
- Foundayo launch release (citing IFEBP survey). Eli Lilly and Company, Apr 9, 2026.
- QuickFacts: Seattle city, Washington. U.S. Census Bureau, V2025 estimates, accessed 2026-10-17.
- PLACES county estimates: King County, WA. CDC PLACES (2025 release, BRFSS 2023), 2025 release.
- Washington Medical Commission. Washington Medical Commission, accessed 2026-10-17.
- Zepbound label. DailyMed, NLM, Aug 2026.
- Zepbound coverage and savings. Eli Lilly and Company, accessed 2026-10-17.
- Tirzepatide as compared with semaglutide for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-5). New England Journal of Medicine (PubMed), May 11, 2025.
- Wegovy self-pay offer. Novo Nordisk (NovoCare), accessed 2026-10-17.
- FDA clarifies policies for compounders as national GLP-1 supply begins to stabilize. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Apr 1, 2026.
- Fifth Circuit upholds FDA GLP-1 shortage decisions. Clark Hill, Sep 10, 2026.
- Zepbound (tirzepatide) prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Apr 2026.
- Compounding and the FDA: questions and answers. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2025-09-16 (accessed 2026-10-17).
This page is general information, not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own care.