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Comparing Mounjaro vs. Wegovy

Using Mounjaro and Wegovy can lead to weight loss, but only Wegovy is currently FDA-approved for chronic weight management. Mounjaro is currently approved to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), but clinical trials have shown significant weight loss as well. So, which is the better weight loss drug? This article can help you understand how these meds work, and you can talk to your doctor to see if either is right for you.

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What is Wegovy?

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist manufactured by Novo Nordisk. It is a weekly injection given under the skin in your stomach, thigh, or upper arm. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Wegovy as an obesity medication when used along with diet and exercise. Adults must have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m^2 or higher to use this medication or have a BMI of 27 kg/m^2 or higher with at least 1 weight-related health condition,n such as high blood pressure, T2DM, or high cholesterol. Wegovy can also be used in pediatric patients 12 years of age and older who are considered obese.

The active ingredient, semaglutide, works by stimulating your pancreas to produce insulin while also preventing the release of glucagon. This helps regulate your blood sugar levels. It is also thought to affect the parts of your brain that manage appetite and slow how fast you digest food. This leads to you feeling fuller for longer (satiety), eating less, and losing weight. Wegovy should not be used along with other diabetes medications that contain semaglutide, such as Ozempic or Rybelsus. It should also be avoided with other GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Bydureon BCise (exenatide), Victoza (liraglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), and the weight loss medication Saxenda (liraglutide).

Wegovy and Mounjaro are not approved if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, which causes tumors in the thyroid and parathyroid glands. Be sure your healthcare provider is aware of the medical conditions you have, such as pancreatitis, kidney disease, T2DM, diabetic retinopathy, depression, or if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

What are some common side effects of Wegovy?

The most common side effects of Wegovy include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Indigestion
  • Gas
  • Injection site reactions

Wegovy can sometimes cause serious side effects, including:

  • Serious, life-threatening allergic reactions (hives, swelling of the tongue or throat, and difficulty breathing)
  • Pancreatitis
  • Symptoms of gallbladder problems, including gallstones
  • Possible increased risk of thyroid tumors
  • Symptoms of low blood sugar
  • Diabetic retinopathy complications
  • Severe stomach problems
  • Kidney injury and failure (you need to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration and kidney problems)

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a brand-name diabetes drug manufactured by Eli Lilly. It is FDA-approved to treat adults with type 2 diabetes when used along with lifestyle changes such as a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise. It is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes or pancreatitis, or to treat pediatric patients under 18 years of age.

It is a weekly injection given under the skin in your stomach, thigh, or upper arm, just like Wegovy.

Tirzepatide mimics 2 types of incretin hormones naturally produced by your body. It is classified as a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. These 2 hormones together lower your fasting and postprandial (after a meal) blood sugar levels, decrease food intake, and reduce body weight.

While it is not currently approved for weight loss, tirzepatide is approved as a weight loss medication under the brand name Zepbound.

Like Wegovy, Mounjaro should also be avoided if you are taking other GLP-1 receptor agonists or if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.

What are some common side effects of Mounjaro?

The most common side effects of Mounjaro are gastrointestinal, which are similar to those of Wegovy. They can include:

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Decreased appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Upset stomach
  • Constipation
  • Stomach pain

Mounjaro can also rarely cause serious side effects similar to Wegovy, including:

  • Serious, life-threatening allergic reactions (hives, swelling of the tongue or throat, and difficulty breathing)
  • Pancreatitis
  • Gallbladder problems, such as gallstones
  • Low blood sugar
  • Diabetic retinopathy complications
  • Kidney damage
  • Possible increased risk of thyroid tumors
  • Diabetic retinopathy complications
  • Severe stomach problems

Does Mounjaro or Wegovy work better for weight loss?

Both Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are very effective weight loss medications, but current research suggests that Mounjaro may produce greater average weight loss than Wegovy.

Clinical trials have shown impressive results for both medications. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, adults with obesity or overweight who received the highest dose of tirzepatide (15 mg) lost an average of about 21% of their body weight after 72 weeks, compared with approximately 3% in the placebo group. More than half of the participants receiving the 15 mg dose lost at least 20% of their starting weight.

By comparison, the STEP 1 trial found that adults taking Wegovy (2.4 mg semaglutide) lost an average of nearly 15% of their body weight after 68 weeks, compared with about 2.4% for those receiving a placebo.

More recently, the head-to-head SURMOUNT-5 trial directly compared tirzepatide with semaglutide in adults with obesity or overweight who did not have diabetes. After 72 weeks, participants taking tirzepatide lost an average of 20.2% of their body weight, while those taking semaglutide lost 13.7%. Tirzepatide users were also significantly more likely to achieve weight loss milestones of 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% or more.

The participants in all of these trials also made lifestyle changes. They ate a healthy, low-calorie diet and exercised regularly.

While these results suggest Mounjaro is generally more effective for weight loss, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best choice for everyone. Factors such as your medical history, insurance coverage, side effects, treatment goals, and your healthcare provider’s recommendations should all be considered when choosing between the two medications.

Is Wegovy or Mounjaro cheaper?

This can depend on several factors, including your insurance coverage. Many insurance companies do not cover weight loss medications. And because Mounjaro is still only approved as a diabetes medication, it may not be covered when used off-label for weight loss. On average, the cost of Mounjaro is typically less than Wegovy, but that can change based on the indication and availability. You can check out the cost savings at Universal Drugstore for Mounjaro, Wegovy, as well as thousands of other prescription and OTC medications.

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