Mounjaro® vs Wegovy®
Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes; Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic weight management. Here’s how their uses, dosing, outcomes, and costs compare.
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11.0%
Avg weight loss Mounjaro*
From
$149/mo
Mounjaro
June 2026
14.9%
Avg weight loss Wegovy*
From
$199/mo
Wegovy
June 2026
What are they?
Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in eligible adults.
Mounjaro
Type 2 DiabetesFDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Uses a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor mechanism, activating both simultaneously. It’s not a weight loss drug but does regulate blood sugar and decrease how much food you consume.
Maker
Eli Lilly
Approved
2022
Format
Weekly injection
Max dose
15 mg
Wegovy
Weight ManagementFDA-approved specifically for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI 30+) or overweight (BMI 27+) with at least one weight-related condition.
Maker
Novo Nordisk
Approved
2021
Format
Weekly injection or daily pill
Max dose
2.4 mg
Quick comparison
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Feature | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| FDA approved for | Type 2 Diabetes | Weight loss |
| Avg weight loss | 11.0%† | 14.9%† |
| Administration | Weekly injection | Weekly injection or daily pill |
| Insurance | Moderate | Limited |
| Monthly Price | From $149/mo | From $199/mo |
Mounjaro
Tirzepatide
Wegovy
Semaglutide
Mounjaro
Type 2 Diabetes
Wegovy
Weight loss
Mounjaro
11.0%†
Wegovy
14.9%†
Mounjaro
Weekly injection
Wegovy
Weekly injection or daily pill
Mounjaro
Moderate
Wegovy
Limited
Mounjaro
From $149/mo
Wegovy
From $199/mo
† Average weight loss data: Mounjaro — SURPASS-1 (tirzepatide 15 mg, 40 weeks); Wegovy — STEP-1 (semaglutide 2.4 mg, 68 weeks).
More energy,
less weight
How you ramp up
Both medications use a gradual dose escalation to minimize side effects.
Mounjaro
- 1
2.5 mg
Weeks 1–4
- 2
5 mg
Weeks 5–8
- 3
7.5 mg
Weeks 9–12
- 4
10 mg
Weeks 13–16
- 5
12.5 mg
Weeks 17–20
- 6
15 mg
Weeks 21+
(Maintenance)
Wegovy
- 1
0.25 mg
Weeks 1–4
- 2
0.5 mg
Weeks 5–8
- 3
1.0 mg
Weeks 9–12
- 4
1.7 mg
Weeks 13–16
- 5
2.4 mg
Weeks 17+
(Maintenance)
- 6
7.2 mg
Weeks 21+
(After 4+ wks at 2.4 mg)
Start your weight‑loss
journey today
Weight loss compared
Clinical trial data showing average body weight reduction over 68 weeks.
Mounjaro (15 mg)
Wegovy (2.4 mg)
† Average weight loss data: Mounjaro — SURPASS-1 (tirzepatide 15 mg, 40 weeks); Wegovy — STEP-1 (semaglutide 2.4 mg, 68 weeks).
What to expect
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Side Effect | Mounjaro (15 mg) | Wegovy (2.4 mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 18% | 44% |
| Diarrhea | 17% | 30% |
| Vomiting | 9% | 24% |
| Constipation | 7% | 24% |
| Headache | N/A | 14% |
| Fatigue | N/A | 11% |
Mounjaro (15 mg)
18%
Wegovy (2.4 mg)
44%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
17%
Wegovy (2.4 mg)
30%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
9%
Wegovy (2.4 mg)
24%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
7%
Wegovy (2.4 mg)
24%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
N/A
Wegovy (2.4 mg)
14%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
N/A
Wegovy (2.4 mg)
11%
Side effects may be more noticeable during dose escalation, but individual experiences vary and some risks can be serious. GLP-1 medications are not appropriate for everyone. Review important warnings, contraindications, and the FDA label or Medication Guide with a licensed healthcare provider before starting or switching treatment.
The bottom line
Branded GLP-1 medications can offer effective weight loss, requiring individualized risk-benefit clinical evaluation.
Two different GLP-1 options
- Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, with blood-sugar control, weekly dosing convenience, and clinical trial evidence supporting metabolic outcomes in appropriate patients.
- Wegovy delivers substantial weight loss, weekly convenience, appetite control, and cardiovascular risk reduction backed by robust obesity-focused clinical trial evidence and safety data.
Providers may pay BestGLP1 a referral fee. We disclose this for FTC compliance; rankings remain editorial.
What you
need to know
No. Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, not chronic weight management. Coverage and access vary, and eligibility should be assessed by a licensed provider.
Mounjaro’s active ingredient (tirzepatide) targets two receptors — GIP and GLP-1 — while Wegovy’s semaglutide targets only GLP-1. Activating both pathways simultaneously produces stronger appetite suppression and metabolic effects, which translates to higher average weight loss in head-to-head trials.
Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes specifically, and trial data shows it produces somewhat larger A1C reductions than semaglutide across most dose ranges. Wegovy is approved for weight management and isn’t typically prescribed primarily for blood-sugar control.
Yes. Both Mounjaro and Wegovy require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. A consultation is required to assess whether treatment is appropriate for you.
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide 5/10/15 mg). Trial: SURPASS-1 (478 participants, 40 weeks, adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on diet and exercise). Average weight loss by dose: 5 mg: −7.9%, 10 mg: −9.3%, 15 mg: −11.0% vs −0.9% placebo. Rosenstock et al., Lancet 2021.
- Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg). Trial: STEP 1 (1,961 participants, 68 weeks, adults with obesity/overweight without Type 2 Diabetes). Average weight loss: −14.9% vs −2.4% placebo. Wilding et al., NEJM 2021.
BestGLP1 publishes these guides for informational and comparison purposes only. The information on this site is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and is not a substitute for guidance from a licensed healthcare professional. GLP-1 medications must be prescribed and monitored by a qualified provider; consult your provider to determine whether treatment is appropriate for your individual circumstances. Prices, side-effect rates, and clinical figures shown here are general references drawn from manufacturer labelling and published trials, and may not reflect your specific situation.
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Providers may pay BestGLP1 a referral fee. We disclose this for FTC compliance; rankings remain editorial.