Wegovy vs Mounjaro

Wegovy® and Mounjaro® are among the injectable medications that have become popular in recent years for their effects on weight loss. While these GLP-1s have both been the main characters in many happy weight loss stories, there are key differences to note between Wegovy vs Mounjaro for weight management.

We break down the difference between Wegovy and Mounjaro, looking at factors like side effects, cost, and of course, efficacy, so you can make an informed decision. 

Mounjaro and Wegovy are both popular — and effective — once-weekly injectable weight loss medications that belong to the class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. 

But Wegovy and Mounjaro are not the same medication.

Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Other medications that contain semaglutide include Ozempic® and Rybelus®. 

Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, as does another brand-name weight loss injection called Zepbound®.

Here’s a closer look at some of the key differences between Mounjaro and Wegovy. 

Approved Uses

Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss in adults and adolescents aged 12 and older with obesity. It’s also approved for adults who have excess weight and at least one weight-related health condition, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. 

Wegovy is approved for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or at least 27, if they also have a weight-related medical condition.

Mounjaro, on the other hand, is primarily a diabetes medication. It’s FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes in adults aged 18 and over. There is no BMI requirement for someone with type 2 diabetes to use Mounjaro.

Mounjaro has also been shown to promote weight loss. Healthcare providers can prescribe Mounjaro off-label (i.e., for reasons other than its FDA-approved purpose) for obesity treatment.  

Doses

Dosing for Wegovy starts with a 0.25 mg weekly injection for four weeks. In each four-week interval thereafter, the dose is increased, until a dose of 2.4 mg per week is reached (and tolerated).

Mounjaro dosing is generally 2.5 mg to 15 mg weekly, given through a single injection. With Mounjaro, the starting dose and the regimen for increasing the dose are tailored to the individual’s needs. A healthcare provider can help determine this based on how well the medication is tolerated. That said, the recommended starting dose is generally 2.5 mg, increasing to 5 mg after four weeks.

Other Potential Health Benefits

In addition to its efficacy for weight loss, Wegovy may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease among adults living with excess weight or obesity. In fact, it’s the first weight loss medication approved for its heart health benefits specifically. 

In one 2023 five-year-long clinical trial, Wegovy was found to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events by 20 percent compared to a placebo. 

A clinical trial among adults with and without diabetes also showed that Wegovy reduced symptoms of heart failure, making it easier for participants to be physically active.

As for Mounjaro, studies show that it effectively improves blood sugar levels among individuals with type 2 diabetes. 

Regarding heart health, one study involving 5,926 adults treated with semaglutide and tirzepatide — including 5,404 on Ozempic, 375 on Wegovy, and 147 on Mounjaro — found that using any of these medications helped participants achieve at least an eight percent risk reduction of cardiovascular disease in the first year of regular use.

Another study found that people with a BMI of at least 27 who took tirzepatide once a week (either in a dose of 5, 10, or 15 mg) experienced a significant reduction in blood pressure levels at 36 weeks. 

Overall, there are established cardiovascular benefits from using Wegovy. More research is needed on the potential cardiovascular health benefits of using Mounjaro.

Wegovy vs Mounjaro Cost

As you might imagine, without insurance, these medications can be pretty costly. Without coverage, a one-month supply of Wegovy is around $1,350 and a one-month supply of Mounjaro is around $1,200. 

Still, even without health insurance coverage, you may be able to bring down part of the cost of these medications with coupons or savings programs from places like GoodRx.

On that note, one study compared the value of weight reduction per pound between tirzepatide and semaglutide, based on the U.S. GoodRx prices as of October 2022. They found that the cost of reducing your body weight by one percent with tirzepatide was approximately half the cost of treatment with semaglutide.

Both Wegovy and Mounjaro increase insulin secretion, reduce glucagon levels, suppress appetite, and slow gastric emptying, all of which contribute to reduced food intake and significant weight loss. 

They both work by mimicking gut hormones called incretins, which are involved in regulating blood sugar, insulin release, digestion, cravings, and appetite.

However, Mounjaro and Wegovy do this in slightly different ways. 

Wegovy's active ingredient is semaglutide, while Mounjaro contains tirzepatide.

Wegovy works by acting like the incretin GLP-1 in your body. Mounjaro similarly works like GLP-1, but it also mimics another incretin called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which makes it a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist. 

Effectiveness

In one review of studies, including studies sponsored by Novo Nordisk, involving over 4,500 patients, researchers found that semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) induced a significant body weight loss, with a mean difference of more than 10 percent, compared to the placebo. But what about when compared to Mounjaro?

In one 40-week study sponsored by Eli Lilly called the SURPASS-2 trial, almost 1,900 adults were randomly assigned to receive either tirzepatide at a dose of 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg, or semaglutide at a dose of 1 mg, once weekly.

Overall, the study found that all doses of tirzepatide were superior to semaglutide for promoting weight loss. People who received tirzepatide at a dose of 15 mg had almost twice the average weight loss of those who received semaglutide at a dose of 1 mg.

However, it’s worth noting that data from the higher doses of semaglutide weren’t available for comparison at the time of the trial.

Can You Take Them Together?

Wegovy and Mounjaro have both been found to offer weight loss benefits in certain instances, so can you use them at the same time? Well, more isn’t always better. 

Because these two medications work in similar ways, taking them at the same time increases your risk of experiencing adverse side effects like diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. 

As a general rule of thumb, never combine or switch between multiple medications without the specific direction of your healthcare provider. 

As with any medication or supplement, Wegovy and Mounjaro both have potential side effects, which can vary from person to person. Their most commonly reported side effects affect five percent or more of users.

According to Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy, common side effects include: 

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Stomach pain

• Headache

• Tiredness 

• Dizziness

• Bloating

• Increased belching or gassiness

• Low blood sugar among people with type 2 diabetes

• Heartburn

• Runny nose, sore throat, or flu-like symptoms 

• Mild pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site

Per the makers of Mounjaro, Eli Lilly and Company, these are the most common potential side effects of Mounjaro:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Decreased appetite

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Indigestion

• Stomach pain

• Mild pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site

As you can see, the most commonly reported side effects of both Mounjaro and Wegovy appear to be gastrointestinal. However, side effects for either medication can vary between individuals.

Less common and more serious side effects of both medications may include allergic reactions, diabetic retinopathy, pancreatitis, and an increased risk of tumors and thyroid cancer.

If you’re experiencing a symptom that concerns you, it’s always best to reach out to your healthcare provider for medical advice about chronic weight management. 

When considering the addition of a weight loss medication, it’s important to make informed decisions. So, which is better, Wegovy or Mounjaro? Well, it depends. 

• Both can support weight loss. When used in conjunction with healthy lifestyle changes, like good nutrition, a calorie deficit, adequate sleep, and physical activity, there is strong evidence that both semaglutide and tirzepatide can result in weight loss for individuals with excess weight and obesity. 

• Mounjaro may have a slight edge. Some research suggests that Mounjaro can promote more weight loss than Wegovy. However, there are no strong studies to date that have directly compared Wegovy vs Mounjaro for weight loss. The available comparison analyses have been unable to completely account for several variables among the participants and treatment plan.

• Wegovy offers heart health benefits. FDA-approved both for weight loss and cardiovascular protection, Wegovy may offer an extra benefit for individuals who are concerned about their heart health. 

At the end of the day, your weight loss journey is personal. It’s always best to speak with your healthcare provider for individualized guidance regarding weight loss treatment. To explore your options, connect with a licensed healthcare professional through Hers to determine if a weight loss program is right for you.

The information provided here is NOT MEDICAL ADVICE and is for informational purposes only. Please contact your provider if you have any further questions regarding your condition or treatment.