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Key takeaways
Zepbound and Wegovy are both FDA-approved weight loss injections.
Switching from Zepbound to Wegovy is possible if your healthcare provider decides it would be beneficial.
Wegovy may offer additional benefits, such as reducing cardiovascular risk, which is an FDA-approved use.
Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are two popular weight loss medications. They’re both brand-name prescription drugs that are administered via once-weekly subcutaneous injections. If you are experiencing unpleasant side effects or suboptimal results from Zepbound, or if your insurance recently stopped covering Zepbound, you might wonder if it’s possible to switch to Wegovy. Here’s what you should know if you’re considering the switch.
Can you switch from Zepbound to Wegovy?
Yes, as long as your prescriber agrees that discontinuing Zepbound and starting Wegovy will be beneficial. However, it’s important to know that one may be more effective than the other.
“Zepbound affects two receptors, the GLP-1 and GIP, whereas Wegovy only affects the GLP-1 receptor,” says Mir Ali, MD, a bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. In other words, these weight management drugs work differently.
“These medications are vastly different, despite being in the same medication class,” agrees Jodie Pepin, Pharm.D., clinical pharmacy program manager at Harbor Health in Round Rock, Texas. “Switching drugs and dosing varies per the individual and side effect profiles. This transition should be handled on an individual basis with a healthcare professional.”
Are there benefits to switching from Zepbound to Wegovy?
Switching from Zepbound to Wegovy is not always beneficial. If a patient gets good weight loss results from Zepbound, switching to Wegovy is unlikely to improve results. That said, sometimes switching weight loss medications has other benefits. Nonetheless, there are a few things to consider before asking your healthcare provider about switching.
Cost
Insurance coverage for weight loss medication varies, and you’re more likely to get coverage for Zepbound or Wegovy if you’re prescribed either for an indication other than weight loss. Without insurance, Wegovy costs more than Zepbound. The average retail price of a one-month supply of Wegovy without insurance is $1,817. The average retail price of Zepbound without insurance is $1,512.
RELATED: Does Kaiser cover Wegovy?│Does Aetna cover Wegovy?
Conditions treated
Zepbound and Wegovy cause weight loss by suppressing appetite and slowing stomach emptying, keeping you fuller and satisfied for longer and reducing cravings. However, these drugs are also approved to treat other conditions. Some individuals might benefit from switching to a medication that targets both weight loss and the management of another health condition.
Zepbound is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (a body mass index, or BMI, of 30 or more) or adults who with overweight (BMI of 27–30) and have at least one weight-related medical condition, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. It is also FDA approved to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity.
Wegovy is FDA approved for chronic weight management in adults and adolescents 12 years and older with obesity or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related medical condition. Wegovy is also FDA approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in adults with heart disease who are also overweight or have obesity.
Ultimately, individuals with cardiovascular disease may benefit from switching to Wegovy, since it is FDA approved for cardiovascular risk reduction. However, Zepbound may be preferred in people with sleep apnea.
Individual response
Drs. Ali and Pepin say that studies show Zepbound leads to more weight loss than Wegovy. However, individual responses may vary, so some patients experiencing less than optimal results with Zepbound could potentially experience more weight loss success from Wegovy.
The first randomized and controlled clinical trial comparing Zepbound versus Wegovy found that Zepbound users lost about 20.2% of their body weight after 17 months. In contrast, Wegovy users lost about 13.7% of their body weight in the same period. According to Lilly, the company that makes Zepbound and funded the study, these results suggest that Zepbound can cause 47% more weight loss than Wegovy.
A cohort study of 18,386 patients on tirzepatide or semaglutide (the active ingredients in Zepbound and Wegovy, respectively) found similar results. After three months on the medication, tirzepatide users lost an average of 5.9% of their body weight, whereas semaglutide users lost an average of 3.6% of their body weight. After six months, tirzepatide users had lost about 10.1% of their body weight compared to 5.8% lost for semaglutide users. After 12 months of treatment, tirzepatide body weight loss was 15.3% compared to semaglutide’s 8.3%.
Although Wegovy isn’t known to be more effective than Zepbound, some people experience better results with one drug than another.
Zepbound vs. Wegovy comparison chart |
||
|---|---|---|
| Zepbound | Wegovy | |
| Percentage weight loss at 3 months | 5.9% | 3.6% |
| Percentage weight loss at 6 months | 10.1% | 5.8% |
| Percentage weight loss at 12 months | 15.3% | 8.3% |
| Covered by insurance? | Sometimes, may require prior authorization | Sometimes, may require prior authorization |
| Average retail price per month* | $1,512 | $1,817 |
| SingleCare price* | $950 at Walgreens | $1,225 at CVS |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of November 6, 2025. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.
How to switch from Zepbound to Wegovy
Unlike Zepbound and Mounjaro, which have the same active ingredient (tirzepatide) but are sold under different brand names, Zepbound and Wegovy act differently in the body. Given that, your healthcare provider must deem it safe and beneficial for you to switch medications, and you must follow instructions for stopping Zepbound and starting Wegovy to prevent adverse reactions.
Here are some typical steps to switching from a tirzepatide to a semaglutide product, such as from Zepbound to Wegovy.
- Consult a healthcare professional. Talk to your healthcare provider about the reasons for switching, such as insurance coverage changes or side effects,” Dr. Pepin says. “The provider should review the person’s medical history and current medications to ensure Wegovy is appropriate to take.” (Zepbound and Wegovy have similar potential drug interactions, but it’s still important for your prescriber to review your list of current prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.)
- Decide when to make the switch. Zepbound and Wegovy are once-weekly injections, so your healthcare provider will probably recommend sticking to the same time and day of the week while switching. A solid schedule will help make the transition smooth.
- Taper off Zepbound, if necessary. Tapering is often not necessary; however, sometimes your provider may decide to adjust your Zepbound dose before switching to Wegovy (for example, if you experienced side effects while using Zepbound).
- Wait one to two weeks. Dr. Pepin says a waiting period of one to two weeks is recommended “to allow Zepbound to clear from your system.” For example, if your last Zepbound dose was on the first Tuesday of the month, you should start Wegovy no sooner than the second Tuesday.
- Start Wegovy at the prescribed starting dose. Start using a Wegovy dose as prescribed by your healthcare provider. “The standard starting dose of Wegovy is 0.25 mg once weekly for the first four weeks,” Dr. Pepin says, although some healthcare providers may start at a higher dose of Wegovy when switching from a higher dose of Zepbound—especially in people who experienced little or no side effects.
- Monitor for new or worsening side effects. Document any new, worsening, or severe side effects after switching from Zepbound to Wegovy. Report these to your healthcare provider at your follow-up appointment.
Zepbound vs. Wegovy dosage schedule comparison |
||
|---|---|---|
| Zepbound | Wegovy | |
| Month 1 | 2.5 mg/week | 0.25 mg/week |
| Month 2 | 5 mg/week | 0.5 mg/week |
| Month 3 | 5 mg or 7.5 mg/week | 1 mg/week |
| Month 4 | 5 mg or 10 mg/week | 1.7 mg/week |
| Month 5 | 5 mg, 10 mg, or 12.5 mg/week | 1.7 or 2.4 mg/week |
| Month 6 and thereafter | 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg/week | 1.7 or 2.4 mg/week |
This is an example schedule of dosing for weight loss. Your dosing schedule may vary based on your individual needs, so always follow the schedule prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Side effects from stopping Zepbound and starting Wegovy
There are no side effects explicitly linked to stopping Zepbound and starting Wegovy. These drugs also have similar lists of potential side effects. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and constipation. However, these medications work differently, so your body may react differently to Wegovy after using Zepbound.
The most common Wegovy side effects are:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Gas
- Bloating
- Burping
- Heartburn
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
Potential serious side effects include hypoglycemia (especially when taken with insulin or certain diabetes medications), pancreatitis, and gallbladder problems. These drugs also have a black box warning about thyroid cancer, which has been found in animal studies, but not established in human studies.
It’s important to tell your prescribing healthcare provider if you experience worsening side effects or develop new serious side effects after switching from Zepbound to Wegovy.
How to minimize Wegovy side effects
The best way to minimize the side effects of any medication is to use the lowest effective dose. Your healthcare provider will tailor your dose so that you are taking a dose that is effective with the least amount of side effects. Other tips to reduce Wegovy side effects include eating smaller, more frequent meals to prevent nausea, staying hydrated to prevent constipation, and avoiding foods that may upset your stomach, like spicy or greasy foods.
RELATED: Can I start Wegovy at 1.7 mg?
Who should not take Wegovy?
Wegovy has a different active ingredient than Zepbound, so switching from Zepbound to Wegovy isn’t recommended for everyone.
Every drug has risks, including weight-loss medications. According to the drug label, Wegovy is contraindicated (should not be used) in the following populations:
- Individuals with a known sensitivity to semaglutide or other ingredients in Wegovy
- Individuals with a personal or family medical history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC)
- Individuals with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
Wegovy is also not approved for use in pediatric patients under 12 years old or pregnant people.
It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional who knows your family and personal medical history, health conditions, and other medications you are taking before switching from Zepbound to Wegovy.
- Zepbound, DailyMed (2025)
- Wegovy, DailyMed (2024)
- Lilly’s Zepbound® (tirzepatide) superior to Wegovy® (semaglutide) in head-to-head trial showing an average weight loss of 20.2% vs. 13.7%, Lilly (2024)
- Semaglutide vs tirzepatide for weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity, JAMA Internal Medicine (2024)