Both Wegovy (semaglutide) and Tirzepatide have been used for chronic weight management and to treat obesity. Both medications began their lives as medications to treat people with type 2 diabetes, Ozempic and Mounjaro, respectively. Semaglutide was the first drug of this kind to be approved for weight loss and chronic weight management; it has since been sold under the brand name Wegovy. Tirzepatide was approved for weight management in November 2023 and has since been sold under the brand name Zepbound. Mounjaro, while the same medication (Tirzepatide) is still prescribed for people with Type 2 diabetes.

In addition to weight loss, both drugs are very good at controlling blood sugar levels, which can help adults with obesity not only slim down but lower their risk of developing diabetes.

These are both very similar prescription medications and have many things in common in terms of effectiveness for weight loss, mechanisms of action, and side effects. Health insurance coverage may or may not be available for either weight loss drug. However, despite sharing many commonalities, they are not the same thing and do have some key differences.

Both drugs belong to a class of groundbreaking weight loss drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, or more simply “GLP-1s.” GLP-1 agonists work by mimicking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a natural hormone that is involved in regulating blood glucose levels as well as how long food remains in your stomach. Therefore, these drugs can be effective for weight loss by improving metabolism and reducing body mass by impacting hunger, digestion, and feelings of fullness. Both Tirzepatide and Wegovy are given via a once-weekly subcutaneous injection.

Both are indicated for people who are obese or overweight and who are suffering from other health conditions impacting metabolism and heart health. Let’s take a close look at what the two weight loss medications have in common and where they differ.

 

The Five Most Important Differences Between Tirzepatide and Wegovy

Wegovy is made by Novo Nordisk. Tirzepatide (Zepbound/Mounjaro) is made by Eli Lilly. They are similar drugs with several significant differences.

Difference 1: How They Work

• Wegovy: Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, belongs to the class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLP-1 is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and appetite. Semaglutide stimulates GLP-1 receptors in the brain, leading to decreased appetite, increased feelings of fullness, and reduced food intake. Additionally, it slows down stomach emptying, which further contributes to the sense of satiety.
• Tirzepatide: Tirzepatide, the primary component of Tirzepatide, is a novel medication that combines the actions of GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) receptor agonists. Unlike Wegovy and other GLP-1s, this dual mechanism mimics the action of two hormones and targets specific pathways to regulate blood sugar and appetite. Like semaglutide, tripeptide also reduces appetite, increases satiety, and delays stomach emptying.

 Difference 2: Effectiveness for Weight Loss and Who Are They Prescribed For

• Wegovy: Wegovy has undergone drug trials involving participants both with and without diabetes. During clinical trials, adults taking Wegovy lost as much as 15% of their total body weight. In a separate trial, adolescents lost about 16% of their starting body weight on average. Wegovy is indicated for use in adults and children 12 years and older with obesity or excess weight and weight-related health problems such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
• Tirzepatide –The preliminary approval studies of Tirzepatide for obesity control seemed to indicate that it could be somewhat more effective than Wegovy. In studies of Tirzepatide, participants taking the highest 15 mg dose lost 20% of their body weight in about the same time period that patients on Wegovy lost about 15%. Tirzepatide is prescribed for people with obesity or people who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high blood cholesterol.

Keep in mind that either drug is not merely an “appetite suppressant” or any kind of “diet pill” but a serious prescription drug researched and developed for medical weight loss purposes in specific target populations. Tirzepatide, in particular, has a unique mechanism of action and target audience among the class of GLP-1 agonists since it is the only one that also acts as a (GIP) receptor agonist.

Difference 3: Comparative Usage and Dosage*

Both Tirzepatide and Wegovy are given as a subcutaneous injection using a pen-like injector device. To give this type of injection, you start by sterilizing the injection site with an alcohol swab. Then, pinch a fold of skin at the cleaned injection site to create a small area of tissue. Remove the cap of the injector pen of either device and carefully insert the needle into the fold of the skin at a 90-degree angle or as directed by your healthcare provider. Push the plunger down to inject the medication.

Either drug can be taken any time of day or night with or without food; the key is that you take your once-weekly injection at the same time each week.

A typical Wegovy dosage schedule for weight loss is:

• First Month: 0.25 mg once weekly (starting dosage)
• Second Month: 0.5 mg once weekly
• Third Month: 1 mg once weekly
• Fourth Month: 1.7 mg once weekly
• Fifth Month: 2.4 mg once weekly (target dosage)

Like Wegovy, Tirzepatide is titrated, meaning your doctor will start you out at the lowest possible dose and slowly increase to the maximum effective dosage for weight loss.

Typically, the starting dosage of Tirzepatide is 2.5 mg. In addition to the starting dose, Tirzepatide is available in 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg. Similar to Wegovy, your doctor will probably increase your dosage monthly until you build to the maximum dose. In clinical trials, optimal weight loss was seen in patients on the 15mg dose of Tirzepatide.

Difference 4: Cost**

Both Wegovy and Tirzepatide are on the expensive side as prescription drugs go. But of the two, Wegovy is more expensive, with an average price of around $1600** for a one-month supply, whereas Tirzepatide is about $1100**.

Health insurance coverage may impact the cost of Wegovy of Zepbound. The price you pay for either drug will vary depending on your insurance plans, your healthcare provider, and your pharmacy.

Difference Five: Relative Weight Loss Results

Tirzepatide and Wegovy work by mimicking the action of certain naturally occurring hormones that are involved in appetite and glucose metabolism. While the biological impact is similar, Wegovy and Tirzepatide act somewhat differently because they mimic the effects of different hormones. Wegovy mimics the action of GLP-1. Tirzepatide also acts like GLP-1 in the body, but in addition, it mimics the action of another hormone that Wegovy does not, known as GIP.

The actions of both of these naturally occurring hormones and the drugs that mimic them can make you feel fuller quicker and longer, which can curb appetite and help you lose weight.

In the initial trials, Tirzepatide seemed to be somewhat more effective for weight loss than Wegovy. People receiving the highest Tirzepatide –15 mg — lost nearly 21% of their starting body weight on average. What’s more, almost 60% of participants in this group lost 20% or more of their body weight. In its initial approval trials, the maximum weight loss on Wegovy was 16% of the participant’s total starting body weight.

Head-to-head trial clinical studies are currently underway, and while it will still be some time before these are concluded, early results do show greater average weight loss with Zepbound compared with Wegovy – 20% in overall body weight loss versus 14% for Wegovy at 72 weeks in participants with obesity without diabetes.

It is important to note that on either medication, maximum weight loss was achieved with proper diet, reduced caloric intake, and increased physical activity,

Do Wegovy and Tirzepatide Have the Same Side Effects?

All weight loss medications in this drug class (GLP-1 RA), including Wegovy and Tirzepatide, have the same general side effects or adverse reactions. The most common side effect is injection site reactions. Other common side effects include:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• A potential for hair loss
• Gas
• Bloating

Other less common side effects that have been reported include an increased risk of chronic kidney disease, liver issues, or pancreatitis.

Wegovy Versus Tirzepatide Other Differences

Besides the five major differences between Wegovy and Tirzepatide discussed above, there are a few other differences between the two. Wegovy might be better for you if you have heart disease or are predisposed to cardiovascular disease. Since its approval for weight management, Wegovy (semaglutide) has also been approved to reduce the risk of heart failure and other forms of cardiovascular disease. Tirzepatide is in clinical trial for similar approval, but for now, it is only prescribed as a weight loss drug. Also, Wegovy can be prescribed for adolescents 12 and over, and Tirzepatide currently can only be used by adults over 18.

Only your healthcare provider can decide which drug is better for you based on your unique circumstances and weight loss goals. However, if you are interested in Wegovy, we have Wegovy injections available, and you can get started today on a path to remarkable weight loss by Contacting Us.

Now that you know more about semaglutide treatment with Wegovy, why not Contact Us today and learn more about the life-changing benefits of GLP-1’s for Weight Loss?

*Dosing, administration instructions, warnings, and other product information are provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as any kind of medical guidance or instructions for use. Consult your physician pharmacist or complete prescribing information for advice regarding your prescription for Wegovy or Tirzepatide.

** Prices for prescription drugs are subject to change. Prices provided are for relative comparison purposes only and may not be a reflection of the actual cost of either drug at the time of purchase.