Mounjaro vs. Wegovy for Weight Loss

Obesity rates in the U.S. continue to rise, and people are tired of trying different methods that promise weight loss — be it a recent diet trend, juice cleanses, detox teas, or a new workout regimen. People are constantly under pressure to slim down — not only to look attractive but to avoid health complications, such as heart disease. It’s associated with obesity and is a leading cause of death in the U.S. Because of this, many are turning to prescription medications to lose weight quickly. Are they effective? What side effects should you expect? Discover key differences between Mounjaro vs. Wegovy for weight loss — two of the most popular GLP-1 drugs on the market today.

Is Mounjaro the Same as Wegovy?

One shared feature of Mounjaro and Wegovy is that they’re commonly used by people who want to lose weight. However, Mounjaro is prescribed for off-label weight loss because it’s approved by the FDA to treat Type 2 diabetes — not obesity.

In contrast, Wegovy is medically cleared for chronic weight management, meaning it’s originally designed for people who are obese and overweight, making it a more suitable treatment if your goal is to slim down.

While these two are popular medications for weight loss, the health risks may be greater when using Mounjaro if you take it intending to slim down, as it’s not approved for that purpose.

Another similarity between Mounjaro and Wegovy is that both are once-weekly injections administered using pre-filled pens. Additionally, both regulate appetite and promote fullness, leading to weight loss.

6 Differences of Mounjaro vs. Wegovy for Weight Loss

Here are six features that differentiate Mounjaro from Wegovy.

1. Active Ingredients: Semaglutide vs. Tirzepatide

Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide and was approved by the FDA for treating diabetes in 2017. Semaglutide mimics the natural glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone, helping the body release insulin, regulate appetite, and slow stomach emptying.

Since both drugs support weight loss, is Mounjaro a semaglutide as well? No. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, a dual agonist that acts on two hormones in the body, GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).

Tirzepatide binds to two receptors to support appetite control and weight loss more efficiently than Wegovy. That’s why, regarding weight loss, Mounjaro may exhibit better results because of its dual agonist approach to influence various metabolic processes.

2. FDA Approval: What They’re Approved For

Is Wegovy approved for weight loss? Yes, Wegovy received FDA clearance in 2017 to treat obesity in adults with the following body mass index (BMI):

• • 30 kg/m2 or greater (obesity)
  • 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related co-existing condition, such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia
  • Children aged 12 and up with a BMI in the obese range for their age and sex.

Meanwhile, Mounjaro was approved by the FDA in 2022 to improve blood sugar control in Type 2 diabetes patients in addition to diet and exercise.

Is Mounjaro approved for weight loss? No, but because of its excellent weight loss benefits, some healthcare providers may prescribe it to people without diabetes who are overweight or obese. Off-label use of tirzepatide may lead to unexpected side effects, especially without medical supervision. That’s why it’s crucial to use the medication under your doctor’s supervision so they can monitor changes in your health.

3. Mounjaro vs. Wegovy: How Much Weight Can You Lose

A review of various randomized clinical trials compared the weight loss effects of Mounjaro vs. Wegovy in people with Type 2 diabetes. Data revealed that Mounjaro, taken at 10 mg and 15?mg doses each week, resulted in more weight loss than Wegovy, taken at a 2.4 mg dose each week.

In this comparative review, Mounjaro showed the best results for weight reduction. One likely reason is that Mounjaro is a dual agonist that acts on two hormones influencing appetite and blood sugar control.

Weight Loss Results in Separate Clinical Trials

In a study against placebo, people with overweight or obesity who took once-weekly Wegovy (semaglutide) for 68 weeks lost an average of 15.3 kg (33.7 lbs) compared to participants in the placebo group who lost only 2.6 kg (5.7 lbs).

Meanwhile, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) demonstrated substantial weight loss in a 72-week study in adults with obesity. Here’s the summary of the findings:

• • People who took a 5 mg dose of tirzepatide for 72 weeks lost 16% of their body weight, or around  16.1 kg (35.5 lbs).
  • Those who took tirzepatide 10 mg every week lost 21.4% of their body weight or about 22.2 kg (48.9 lbs).
  • Those who took tirzepatide 15 mg every week reduced their body weight by 22.5% or about 23.6 kg (52 lbs).

In comparison, people who took a placebo lost only 2.4% of their body weight, or about 2.4 kg (5.3 lbs).

In these individual studies of Mounjaro vs. Wegovy for weight loss against a placebo, Mounjaro users showed more substantial weight loss compared to Wegovy.

Often, the amount of weight loss varies from person to person and depends on the dose and the person’s lifestyle.

4. Dosing Differences

Wegovy follows a simple titration schedule wherein patients start with the lowest dose of 0.25 mg to allow the body to adjust to the medication and gradually increase every four weeks until the maximum recommended dose of 2.4 mg is reached.

Like Wegovy, Mounjaro’s dose also increases slowly, starting from a 2.5 mg initial dose. Every four weeks, the dose is increased by increments of 2.5 mg until the maximum recommended dosage is reached.

Wegovy vs. Mounjaro Dosage Chart

Here’s a table summarizing the dosing schedule for each drug.

Some may find Wegovy’s schedule easier to follow. If you don’t see results with a lower dose, you can talk to your doctor about adjusting your dosage.

5. Wegovy vs. Mounjaro Side Effects

Both Wegovy and Mounjaro cause well-tolerated side effects based on many clinical trials.

Adult and pediatric patients may experience these adverse reactions on Wegovy:

• • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease
  • Nasopharyngitis
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dizziness
  • Abdominal distension
  • Eructation
  • Hypoglycemia in patients with Type 2 diabetes
  • Flatulence
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Dyspepsia

Patients who use Mounjaro may experience these common side effects:

• • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Dyspepsia
  • Abdominal pain
  • Decreased appetite
  • Vomiting

Mounjaro has fewer side effects than Wegovy, based on current data. While most clinical trials suggest mild to moderate adverse health consequences, others may have severe reactions to the drug, especially at a higher dose. If this applies to you, communicate with your healthcare provider so they can adjust the dose or suggest a better alternative drug.

6. Mounjaro vs. Wegovy Cost Comparison

Without insurance, a month’s supply of Mounjaro 2.5 mg costs $1,162.67, whereas a month’s supply of Wegovy 0.25 mg costs $1,450.10.

Mounjaro is slightly more affordable than Wegovy. If cost is your biggest concern, choosing Mounjaro may be better for your pocket.

However, there are ways to reduce your costs, including insurance coverage and manufacturer savings and patient assistance programs.

Insurance approval varies. Typically, companies set specific criteria for drug coverage. Call your provider to confirm if Mounjaro or Wegovy is included in the formulary and the eligibility requirements for coverage. If you want to lose weight, you’ll likely get approved if you request coverage for Wegovy.

You can also save money on your medications by buying them from reputable Canadian online pharmacies, where authentic Wegovy and Mounjaro cost around $599 each pen.

Why Some People Switch from Wegovy to Mounjaro

Switching medications isn’t an uncommon practice. You or your doctor may suggest a switch from Wegovy to Mounjaro for reasons that may include:

• • Better weight loss results observed with Mounjaro: You’ve been using Wegovy for a few months but aren’t seeing the expected results.
  • Plateaued weight loss on Wegovy: Wegovy initially helped, but weight loss stalled.
  • Tolerability: Wegovy causes side effects that you find challenging to manage.
  • Insurance coverage: Wegovy isn’t covered, but Zepbound, which contains tirzepatide — the same ingredient as Mounjaro is covered.

Switching from one GLP-1 drug to another requires your doctor’s supervision. If you want to change medications, inform your healthcare provider so they can adjust your treatment plan.

Mounjaro vs. Wegovy: Which Is Better for Weight Loss?

In studies, Mounjaro and Wegovy have demonstrated effectiveness in losing weight. Mounjaro tends to produce more weight loss than Wegovy, likely because of its dual agonist action. However, using Mounjaro for weight loss is considered off-label, so there may be side effects that aren’t fully understood yet. Working with your doctor can help minimize or prevent these adverse reactions by adjusting your treatment as necessary.

Some Wegovy users may switch to Mounjaro for various reasons, such as intolerable side effects or insurance coverage. Always consult your healthcare provider before changing medications. More importantly, follow your doctor’s instructions when transitioning from one drug to another to avoid potential health risks.

Original Publish Date: 11/22/2023 – Updated 4/30/2025

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