{"id":630644,"date":"2024-12-05T18:36:24","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T23:36:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630644"},"modified":"2025-05-12T15:19:58","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T19:19:58","slug":"zepbound-vs-wegovy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/zepbound-vs-wegovy\/","title":{"rendered":"Zepbound vs. Wegovy for weight loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

Zepbound<\/a> and <\/span>Wegovy<\/span><\/a> are brand-name prescription medications used for weight loss. Both are once-weekly injections. These medicines mimic natural hormones that help regulate appetite and food intake, and reduce cravings. <\/span>While both medications share some similarities, they have some differences as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Zepbound vs. Wegovy: Key differences<\/span><\/h2>\n

Zepbound<\/span><\/a> is a brand-name drug that contains the active ingredient tirzepatide.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zepbound works by targeting two receptors\u2014<\/span>glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)<\/span>\u2014making it a dual GIP\/GLP-1 receptor agonist. <\/span>No generic alternative is available at this time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wegovy<\/span><\/a> is <\/span>a brand-name drug, and contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Wegovy acts on the GLP-1 receptor, so it is classified as a GLP-1 receptor agonist,<\/span> or <\/span>GLP-1 agonist<\/span><\/a>. There is no generic available at this time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Zepbound vs. Wegovy key differences<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nZepbound<\/b><\/td>\nWegovy<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nGIP\/GLP-1 receptor agonist<\/span><\/td>\nGLP-1 receptor agonist<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand<\/span><\/td>\nBrand<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic name?<\/b><\/td>\nThe active ingredient is tirzepatide, but there is no generic available at this time.<\/span><\/td>\nThe active ingredient is semaglutide, but there is no generic available at this time.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nInjection: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg<\/span><\/td>\nInjection: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, 2.4 mg<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\nThe starting <\/span>dose<\/span><\/a> is 2.5 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once a week. Healthcare providers gradually increase the dose up to a maximum of 15 mg once weekly.<\/span><\/td>\nThe starting <\/span>dose<\/span><\/a> is 0.25 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once a week. Healthcare providers gradually increase the dose up to a maximum of 2.4 mg once weekly.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nLong-term\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nLong-term\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and pediatric patients 12 years and older for obesity; adults only for overweight and cardiovascular risk reduction<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Zepbound vs. Wegovy: Conditions treated<\/span><\/h2>\n

Zepbound is <\/span>approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)<\/span><\/a> for weight loss and long-term maintenance of weight loss in adults with obesity (body mass index, or BMI of 30 or more), or adults who are overweight (BMI of 27 to less than 30) who have at least one weight-related health condition, such as <\/span>high blood pressure<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>high cholesterol<\/span><\/a>. On Dec. 20, 2024, the FDA also approved Zepbound for treating moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. Zepbound should be used along with lifestyle changes like a reduced-calorie diet and exercise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wegovy has <\/span>two FDA-approved uses<\/span><\/a>. Like Zepbound, it is used for weight loss and long-term weight maintenance. It can be used in adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with obesity, as well as adults who are overweight and have at least one weight-related medical condition. Wegovy can also be used to decrease the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, including cardiovascular death, heart attack, or <\/span>stroke<\/span><\/a>, in adults who have <\/span>cardiovascular disease<\/span><\/a> and are either overweight or have obesity. Healthcare providers typically prescribe Wegovy along with lifestyle modifications like diet and increased physical activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Note: While Zepbound is not FDA approved for cardiovascular risk reduction, <\/span>research suggests<\/span><\/a> that it may be beneficial for this use. Therefore, some healthcare providers may prescribe it <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> (for a non-FDA-approved use) for cardiovascular risk reduction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Zepbound vs. Wegovy conditions treated<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Condition<\/b><\/td>\nZepbound<\/b><\/td>\nWegovy<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight loss\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cardiovascular risk reduction<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Obstructive sleep apnea<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Is Zepbound better than Wegovy for weight loss?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at the studies, starting with the most recent study, which was the <\/span>first randomized, controlled clinical trial directly comparing the two drugs<\/span><\/a>. According to the results of the trial, participants who got weekly injections of Zepbound lost about 20.2% of their body weight (or 50.3 pounds) after 72 weeks (18 months). In contrast, people taking weekly injections of Wegovy lost 13.7% of their body weight (or 33.1 pounds). Eli Lilly and Company, who funded the study and is the manufacturer of Zepbound, says these results indicate that Zepbound leads to 47% more weight loss than Wegovy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a <\/span>clinical study for Zepbound<\/span><\/a> (tirzepatide)<\/span> published in 2022, there were about 2,500 participants divided into four groups. Each group received either tirzepatide 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, or placebo (inactive medicine) for 72 weeks with a gradual increase to the target dose. In terms of weight loss results:<\/span><\/p>\n