Wegovy vs. Mounjaro for weight loss

In this article:

• What’s the difference between Mounjaro and Wegovy?
• Wegovy vs. Mounjaro side effects
• Wegovy vs. Mounjaro cost and coverage
• How much weight can you lose on Wegovy?
• How much weight can you lose on Mounjaro?
• Is Wegovy better than Mounjaro for weight loss?

In this article

• What’s the difference between Mounjaro and Wegovy?
• Wegovy vs. Mounjaro side effects
• Wegovy vs. Mounjaro cost and coverage
• How much weight can you lose on Wegovy?
• How much weight can you lose on Mounjaro?
• Is Wegovy better than Mounjaro for weight loss?

Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are two brand-name weekly injectable medications. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved them for different uses, they’re commonly used as weight loss drugs. As the popularity of “weight-loss jabs,” as they are often referred to, has soared, you may want to know which is better for weight loss, Wegovy or Mounjaro? Although these drugs have some similarities, there are some key differences between the two.

What’s the difference between Mounjaro and Wegovy?

Wegovy and Mounjaro are brand-name prescription medications, and no generics are currently available. (Note that compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide products are not FDA approved.) These medicines are weekly injections that are administered subcutaneously (under the skin), starting with the lowest dose and gradually increasing to a maintenance dose as instructed by a healthcare provider. 

While these drugs are commonly prescribed for weight loss, they do not have the exact same FDA-approved uses. 

Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Mounjaro is FDA approved for blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It is not FDA approved for weight loss, but healthcare providers often prescribe it off-label for this use. 

The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide. This medicine is classified as a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, or GIP receptor/GLP-1 receptor agonist. Tirzepatide is also an active ingredient in the injectable drug Zepbound, which is FDA approved for weight loss and obstructive sleep apnea.

Wegovy (semaglutide)

Wegovy, unlike Mounjaro, is FDA approved for weight loss and chronic weight management in adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with obesity. It is also approved for adults who are overweight and also have at least one weight-related medical condition, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Healthcare providers often quantify obesity as a starting body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, and overweight as a BMI of 27 to less than 30. Wegovy is also FDA approved to reduce cardiovascular risk (heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death) in adults with heart disease and a BMI of 27 or higher. 

The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide. Wegovy is part of the glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist, or GLP-1 agonist, class of drugs. Semaglutide is also an active ingredient in the oral drug Rybelsus (for Type 2 diabetes) and the injectable drug Ozempic. Ozempic is FDA approved for Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk reduction, and kidney disease, and is often prescribed off-label for weight loss. 

Wegovy helps with weight loss by mimicking a natural hormone in the body called GLP-1. Mounjaro activates an additional pathway (GIP), which may contribute to greater weight loss. People who use these medicines often mention that these drugs help reduce food noise, which are persistent and intrusive thoughts about food and cravings that can make weight loss and dieting challenging. 

Compare Mounjaro vs. Wegovy key differences
	Wegovy	Mounjaro
Brand or generic (manufacturer)	Brand (Novo Nordisk)	Brand (Eli Lilly)
Active ingredient	Semaglutide	Tirzepatide
Drug class	GLP-1 agonist	GIP/GLP-1 agonist
Uses	Weight loss and long-term weight management Cardiovascular risk reduction (reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death)	Type 2 diabetes  Off-label for weight loss
Dosage	The starting dose is 0.25 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once a week. Healthcare providers may gradually increase the dose up to a maintenance dose of 1.7 or 2.4 mg weekly.	The starting dose is 2.5 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once a week. Healthcare providers may gradually increase the dose up to a maximum of 15 mg weekly.
How supplied	Prefilled single-dose injection pen	Prefilled single-dose injection pen Single-dose vial

Wegovy vs. Mounjaro side effects

Wegovy and Mounjaro have similar side effects, many of which are gastrointestinal side effects. Common side effects of both drugs include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, indigestion, and stomach pain. Side effects may also increase with dosage. Some people may tolerate lower doses well but have more bothersome side effects when using higher doses.

In rare cases, an allergic reaction may occur. If you have hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, get emergency medical help right away. 

Other serious side effects of Wegovy and Mounjaro may include pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), kidney or gallbladder problems, diabetic retinopathy complications, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and serious stomach issues. The table below outlines some of the most common side effects of Wegovy vs. Mounjaro. 

Wegovy vs. Mounjaro side effects comparison
	Wegovy		Mounjaro
Side effect	Applicable?	Frequency	Applicable?	Frequency
Nausea	Yes	44%	Yes	12%
Vomiting	Yes	24%	Yes	5%
Constipation	Yes	24%	Yes	6%
Diarrhea	Yes	30%	Yes	12%
Indigestion	Yes	9%	Yes	8%
Stomach pain	Yes	20%	Yes	6%
Headache	Yes	14%	No	–
Sore throat and runny nose	Yes	12%	No	–
Dizziness	Yes	8%	No	–

Frequency is not based on data from a head-to-head trial. This may not be a complete list of adverse effects that can occur. Please refer to your healthcare provider to learn more.

Sources: DailyMed (Wegovy, Mounjaro)

Wegovy vs. Mounjaro cost and coverage

Sometimes the choice of which medication to use comes down to cost and coverage. Which drug is more cost-effective if you are paying without insurance? It is hard to say, because the price can vary based on many factors, such as the pharmacy location, dose, and quantity of medication you are getting. 

You can always use a SingleCare discount to save money on your prescriptions and refills. You can also visit the manufacturer websites for Wegovy and Mounjaro to explore other savings options. Here are some examples of out-of-pocket prices for Wegovy and Mounjaro with SingleCare savings.

• Paying without insurance, a 28-day supply of Wegovy 2.4 mg costs about $1,842, but a SingleCare coupon could lower the price to about $1,225, saving you about $617 per month.
• Without insurance, a 28-day supply of Mounjaro 5 mg costs approximately $1,486. If you use a free SingleCare coupon, the price goes down to as low as $869, saving you almost $617 each month.

Does insurance cover Wegovy?

Insurance coverage for Wegovy will vary by plan. When used for weight loss, some commercial plans, such as United Healthcare or BCBS,  may cover Wegovy, while others may not. Medicare prescription plans do not cover medications for weight loss. However, when used for cardiovascular risk reduction, insurance and Medicare prescription plans may provide coverage for Wegovy. Medicaid coverage varies by state. The best way to find out if your insurance plan covers Wegovy is to contact them directly and ask about Wegovy coverage and your costs. 

Does insurance cover Mounjaro?

As with Wegovy, Mounjaro coverage will vary by plan. Many insurance plans and Medicare prescription plans will provide coverage for Mounjaro when used for Type 2 diabetes, as it is FDA approved for that use. However, since weight loss is not an FDA-approved use for Mounjaro, using it for that purpose would be considered an off-label use. Still, some plans may pay for Mounjaro for weight loss, while others may not. Medicare prescription plans do not pay for medicines for weight loss, and Medicaid coverage varies by state. Always contact your specific insurance plan for more information about coverage and costs. 

How much weight can you lose on Wegovy?

In a 2021 clinical trial, participants were assigned to use a weekly dose of either 2.4 mg of Wegovy (semaglutide) or a placebo (inactive medicine). Those who used semaglutide lost about 15% of their body weight after a period of 68 weeks, while those who used a placebo lost 2.4%. Also, 86% of people who used semaglutide lost 5% or more of body weight, 69% lost 10% or more, and 51% lost 15% or more. The average weight loss over 68 weeks was about 34 pounds in people who used semaglutide, compared to about 6 pounds in those who used a placebo. 

How much weight can you lose on Mounjaro?

In a 2022 study, participants were assigned to use Mounjaro (tirzepatide) 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, or placebo. The results were as follows: 

• People who used Mounjaro 5 mg lost 15% of their body weight.
• People who used Mounjaro 10 mg lost 19.5% of their body weight.
• People who used Mounjaro 15 mg lost 21% of their body weight.
• People who used a placebo lost 3% of their body weight.

Also, in this study:

• 85% of people who used 5 mg lost 5% of body weight or more.
• 89% of people who used 10 mg lost 5% of body weight or more, and 50% lost 20% or more.
• 91% of people who used 15 mg lost 5% of body weight or more, and 57% lost 20% or more.
• 35% of people who used a placebo lost 5% of body weight or more.

RELATED: Wegovy vs. Mounjaro dosage chart: How to switch medications

Is Wegovy better than Mounjaro for weight loss?

As discussed above, both Wegovy and Mounjaro are both effective for weight loss and long-term weight management. But which medication is better? 

A 2024 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine analyzed electronic health records (EHRs) of individuals using Wegovy (semaglutide) or Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and found that tirzepatide was more effective for weight loss than semaglutide.

In December 2024, results of the SURMOUNT-5 clinical trial were published. This particular study compared people who used Zepbound (which contains the same active ingredient as Mounjaro) with Wegovy (semaglutide). The researchers found that over 72 weeks, people who used tirzepatide lost 20.2% of their body weight, compared to 13.7% in people who used semaglutide.

Bottom line

Although Mounjaro may be more effective for weight loss, both Mounjaro and Wegovy can lead to significant results. Healthcare providers will generally recommend making lifestyle changes, including a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, along with weight loss medication. Incorporating these changes into your weight loss journey, along with medicine, can greatly help with the effectiveness of your treatment. Consult your healthcare provider for more information and personalized medical advice about Wegovy and Mounjaro.