Zepbound vs. Wegovy: How Do They Compare?

Both Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) have been approved for weight management and for treating obesity. They are quite effective medications with many things in common regarding effectiveness, mechanisms of action, and side effects. However, they are not the same; while they are prescribed to treat the same health conditions, each name-brand drug has a different active ingredient.

Both are injectable medications belonging to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists. These drugs work by mimicking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a natural hormone involved in regulating blood glucose levels and the length of time food remains in the stomach. Therefore, these drugs can be effective for weight loss by improving metabolism and impacting hunger, digestion, and feelings of fullness. While individual responses will vary, average weight loss has been impressive on both medications.

Because of the way this class of drugs affects both insulin and hunger, both semaglutide and tirzepatide started out as medications to treat adults with type 2 diabetes – Ozempic and Mounjaro, respectively. Wegovy and Zepbound are the brand names of the drugs prescribed specifically for weight loss.

Both Zepbound and Wegovy are given a once-weekly subcutaneous injection. Let’s examine what the two drugs have in common and where they differ.

The Main Differences Between Zepbound and Wegovy

Wegovy is made by Novo Nordisk. Zepbound is made by Eli Lilly. They are similar drugs yet with several significant differences.

Mechanisms of Action

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.

Zepbound: Tirzepatide, the primary component of Zepbound, 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.

Prescribed Populations

Wegovy and Zepbound have both been prescribed for weight loss, but they do have somewhat different purposes and target populations. Your medical history and health goals will help determine what is right for you.

• Wegovy: Wegovy is approved for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher or those with a BMI of 27 or higher who have at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
• Zepbound: Zepbound is also indicated for individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher or those with a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related comorbidity. However, its original approval was for individuals with type 2 diabetes to help manage their blood sugar levels and promote weight loss, which can improve symptoms and complications of diabetes.

Effectiveness for Weight Loss

• Wegovy: Wegovy has undergone drug trials involving participants 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 an average of about 16% of their starting body weight.
• Zepbound: The preliminary approval studies of tirzepatide for obesity control indicated that it could be somewhat more effective than Wegovy. In studies of Zepbound, 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%.

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. Zepbound, 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.

Legality of Use and Availability

Since 2021, Wegovy has been approved for weight loss in adults and children 12 and older who meet certain criteria. In November 2023, Zepbound was approved for the same purposes and with similar prescribing criteria.

Wegovy, since it has been on the market longer, is the most popular medication in this class of weight loss drugs. It has become very well-known, and availability is sometimes low, but Novo Nordisk has been ramping up drug production to meet the increased demand. Because of the popularity of Wegovy, it may be easier to get a prescription for Zepbound. However, it is not for everyone and should be prescribed with discretion for weight loss; speak to your doctor to see if Zepbound is right for you.

Comparative Usage and Dosage*

Both Zepbound and Wegovy are given as a subcutaneous (below the skin) 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 tissue area. 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, Zepbound 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 dose of Zepbound is 2.5 mg. In addition to the starting dose, Zepbound 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 reach the maximum dose. In clinical trials, optimal weight loss was seen in patients on the 15mg dose of Zepbound.

Insurance coverage

Insurance coverage of Wegovy and Zepbound will vary from insurance plan to insurance plan. While it is changing, many insurers are still hesitant to provide coverage for drugs that are specifically prescribed for weight loss. Depending on your insurance and your circumstances, you may be covered for one, both, or neither of these medications.

It is always a good idea to check with your healthcare plan before speaking to your doctor about prescription options for weight loss to see what may or may not be covered.

The makers of both Wegovy and Zepbound offer patient assistant savings programs for people with commercial or private insurance. You may be eligible even if your plan does not cover Wegovy or Zepbound.

Relative Weight Loss Results

Either Zepbound or Wegovy is indicated for the treatment of obesity.

While the biological impact is similar, Wegovy and Zepbound act somewhat differently because they mimic the effects of different hormones. Wegovy mimics the action of GLP-1. Zepbound also acts like GLP-1 in the body, but it also 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 for longer, curbing your appetite and helping you lose weight.

As mentioned earlier, one of the early clinical trials looking at Zepbound for weight loss found that it is potentially more effective at its maximum dose than Wegovy, particularly in patients who are both overweight and have type 2 diabetes. These studies indicate that Zepbound may result in greater weight loss than Wegovy, so if you need more help managing your weight, Zepbound could be the better choice. However, there is also clinical evidence to indicate that semaglutide may be more effective in lowering your risk of heart disease or adverse cardiovascular events like stroke or heart attack than tirzepatide.

Only your healthcare provider can decide which drug is better for you based on your unique circumstances and weight loss goals.

 

Side Effects

The most common side effect with either drug is injection site reactions. As to other relative side effects, since both drugs work to some degree on digestion, they have very similar side effects that are mostly related to stomach upset and gastric distress. The most common side effects of both drugs are:

• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Gas and bloated stomach
• Indigestion.
• Diarrhea.
• Constipation.
• Abdominal pain.
• Upset stomach.

Severe side effects such as kidney, liver, or gallbladder issues are rare but have been reported on both medications, so you must tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has had a history of any such conditions.

Since the most common side effects of Wegovy and Zepbound are so similar, and your risk of adverse effects will be based on your particular tolerances or sensitives to the active ingredients in either drug, it’s hard to say which drug may cause you more or fewer issues,

If you would like to know more about Wegovy medical weight loss, how it compares to Zepbound, or any other information about this remarkable breakthrough in weight management, please do not hesitate to Contact Us. We are here to help.

*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 Zepbound.

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