GLP-1 receptor agonist medications have been all over the news lately.
Not only can GLP-1 receptor agonists help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, but they’re wildly popular for their potential weight loss benefits in people without diabetes, too.
Certain GLP-1 receptor agonists are approved to use for weight loss in people without diabetes, while others are only meant to treat diabetes.
In this article, we’ll compare a GLP-1 receptor agonist used for weight loss (Wegovy) vs a dual GLP-1 receptor agonist and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) for treating diabetes (Mounjaro).
They both can result in weight loss, but which one might be right for you? We have the answers here!
About Wegovy (Semaglutide)
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription weight-loss medication. It’s an injectable medication with once-weekly dosing, and it shares the same active ingredient (semaglutide) as Ozempic, a popular medication for type 2 diabetes (though they are not the same and are intended for different purposes).
Wegovy was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2021 for weight management and weight loss.
Wegovy is meant to be used by people 18 years and older with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher, which indicates being “overweight.”
The dosage of Wegovy starts at 0.25 milligrams per week and can be increased to a maximum of 2.4 milligrams per week.
Wegovy can help you lose weight by slowing your digestion, which makes you feel fuller longer after you eat.
It can also alter hormones that impact appetite in a way that can result in you eating fewer calories, resulting in weight loss when paired with healthy lifestyle changes.
Wegovy is in a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs appear to restore a hormone activation pattern more similar to lean patients, which helps aid in weight loss.
About Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)
Mounjaro is the brand name for the drug tirzepatide, a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It’s one of the newer diabetes medications on the market, with a recent approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2022.
According to clinical trials on Mounjaro, 87%-97% of participants taking it experienced both A1C reductions and weight loss.
How does Mounjaro help you lose weight and lower blood sugar?
Mounjaro is a dual GLP-1 receptor agonist and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). You likely recognize the GLP-1 receptor agonist part (that’s what Wegovy is!), but what is the GIP part?
GIP is a hormone found in your intestinal tract (digestive system) and stands for gastric inhibitory polypeptide.
GIP stimulates insulin release in the postprandial state (after you eat, when blood sugar levels rise) to help keep your blood glucose levels from getting too high.
If your blood sugar levels are normal or low, GIP stimulates glucagon secretion. Glucagon is a hormone that helps raise your blood sugar levels and helps prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
That means that GIP only stimulates insulin secretion when your blood sugar is rising, helping reduce the likelihood of having low blood sugar.
However, the manufacturer of Mounjaro states that overall, Mounjaro helps to reduce glucagon levels.
The other way Mounjaro works is through the GLP-1 receptor agonist route, which helps slow gastric emptying and boost satiety, similar to Wegovy.
The dosing schedule for Mounjaro is 2.5 milligrams, 5 milligrams, 7.5 milligrams, 10 milligrams, 12.5 milligrams, or 15 milligrams in a weekly injection.
Wegovy vs Mounjaro
The below sections compare wegovy vs mounjaro (semaglutide vs tirzepatide), including uses, benefits, cost, effectiveness, side effects, and more.
Uses
Wegovy
Unlike Mounjaro, Wegovy is meant to be used as a weight loss aid only – it’s not meant to treat type 2 diabetes.
This can be confusing since many GLP-1 receptor agonists are used to treat diabetes.
The difference between Wegovy and many other GLP-1 receptor agonists for diabetes is that it received its FDA approval for weight loss, whereas the other GLP-1 receptor agonists are only approved to treat diabetes (with a potential to still cause weight loss).
Mounjaro
Mounjaro is meant to treat type 2 diabetes and isn’t meant to be used as a weight loss aid for people without diabetes.
Differences
- Wegovy is approved to treat weight loss in overweight adults without diabetes, whereas Mounjaro is approved to treat type 2 diabetes.
- Mounjaro is a dual GLP-1 receptor agonist and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), while Wegovy is only a GLP-1 receptor agonist (no GIP).
- Mounjaro seems to elicit more significant weight loss at the maximum dose, but it isn’t intended to be used for weight loss in people without diabetes like Wegovy is.
- Cost (Wegovy is more expensive than Mounjaro – more on that below).
- Wegovy is meant to be used in people with a BMI of 27 or higher, whereas there aren’t any weight restrictions for Mounjaro.
Similarities
- Are approved to use in people aged 18 and older.
- Both are GLP-1 receptor agonists.
- Both are once-weekly injectable medications.
- Medications share similar side effects and risks.
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Effectiveness
Wegovy
A study was done on almost 2,000 overweight or obese adults without diabetes. Participants taking the full dose of Wegovy lost an average of 35 pounds over the 68-week study, which was about 15% of their starting body weight.
Overall, 83% of people taking Wegovy lost at least 5% of their body weight.
According to a 2022 paper from the Journal of Investigative Medicine, a review of ten studies concluded that Wegovy was “superior” to other GLP-1 receptor agonists in reducing patients’ body weight.
Wegovy hasn’t been studied in terms of its ability to lower blood sugar because it isn’t meant to be used as a diabetes treatment.
Mounjaro
As we mentioned earlier, studies have shown that 87%-97% of participants taking Mounjaro experienced both A1C and weight loss. But how does weight loss compare to Wegovy?
According to a study, participants taking Mounjaro lost just over 20% of their starting weight when taking the highest dose of 15 milligrams per week. Patients taking a lower dose of 5 milligrams per week lost 15% of their body weight, on average.
Cost and availability
Wegovy
According to GoodRx, four prefilled pens with 2.4 milligrams each (the maximum dose) of Wegovy cost around $1400 out of pocket (not counting any insurance or prescription drug benefits), which would last for four weeks (around one month) of weekly treatment.
Mounjaro
Also, according to GoodRx, four pens of the 15-milligram dose the max dose) of Mounjaro cost around $1000-$1050 out of pocket.
That means that Wegovy is more expensive when compared to Mounjaro by around $250-$300 every four weeks.
Side effects and risks
Wegovy
The most common potential side effects of Wegovy include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Abdominal (stomach) pain
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Dyspepsia (indigestion)
- Dizziness
- Abdominal distension
- Belching
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in patients with type 2 diabetes
- Flatulence
- Gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines)
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), most commonly referred to as heartburn
More rarely, Wegovy might cause more serious side effects and health issues. The most notable potential serious side effects for Wegovy (and other GLP-1 receptor agonists) are below.
- Wegovy causes thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer in rodents, and it’s unknown if it will likely cause thyroid tumors in humans. You should avoid taking Wegovy if you have a history (personal or family) of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a type of thyroid cancer.
- It’s unknown if Wegovy is safe to take if you have a history of pancreatitis. If you have symptoms of pancreatitis, you should discontinue Wegovy and consult your healthcare provider.
- Wegovy might cause gallbladder problems in some people.
- Vision changes have been reported while taking Wegovy.
- Dehydration from persistent nausea and vomiting can lead to kidney problems.
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), especially if you’re taking other medications for diabetes, such as insulin or sulfonylureas.
- Allergic reactions to Wegovy or its ingredients.
Mounjaro
Because Mounjaro is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it carries similar potential side effects and risks as Wegovy.
Some of the most common side effects of Mounjaro are:
The more common side effects of Mounjaro are generally minor (not life-threatening) and include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Indigestion
- Stomach (abdominal) pain
The rare but serious potential side effects of Mounjaro are similar to Wegovy:
- Allergic reactions to Mounjaro or its ingredients
- Changes in your vision (worsening of diabetic retinopathy can occur with drastic blood sugar changes)
- Gallbladder problems
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), especially if you’re taking other medications for diabetes, such as insulin or sulfonylureas
- Kidney problems due to dehydration
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Pancreatitis
- Severe stomach problems
- Thyroid carcinomas (tumors) – there is a black box warning from the FDA due to the chance that Mounjaro (and other GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs) might cause thyroid tumors
| Drug | Medication type | Intended use | Cost | Dose range | Effectiveness (weight loss) |
| Wegovy | GLP-1 receptor agonist | Adults 18+ with a BMI of 27 or greater | $1400 per 4 weeks for max dose | 2.4 mg per week is the goal (max dose – injection) | 15% of body weight at a max dose (2.4 milligrams per week) |
| Mounjaro | Dual GLP-1 receptor agonist and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). | Adults 18+ with type 2 diabetes | $1050 per 4 weeks for max dose | 2.5-15 mg per week (injection) | Over 20% of body weight at a max dose (15 milligrams per week) |
Can you take Wegovy and Mounjaro together?
No. Because they are both GLP-1 receptor agonists, Wegovy and Mounjaro should not be used together. Taking them together could result in more severe side effects and potential risks.
If you want to switch from Wegovy to Mounjaro or vice-versa, consult your healthcare provider on the best way to make the switch.
Conclusion
Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication approved for weight loss in adults with a BMI over 27.
Mounjaro is a dual GLP-1 receptor agonist and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, but it can also result in significant weight loss.
Because they are both GLP-1 receptor agonists, Wegovy and Mounajro share similar side effects and potential risks.
The main differences between Wegovy vs Mounjaro are their intended uses, mechanism of action, effectiveness, and cost.
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