Mounjaro vs Wegovy
A diabetes drug with landmark off-label results meets the established weight loss standard. Here’s how they really compare on outcomes and cost.
20%
Avg weight loss Mounjaro
15%
Avg weight loss Wegovy
$1,112/mo
Mounjaro retail (no insurance)
$149
Mounjaro via telehealth
What are they?
Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes but widely used for weight loss. Wegovy is FDA-approved specifically for obesity — same goal, different approval paths.
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 |
| Max dose | 15 mg | 2.4 mg |
| Avg weight loss | 20.2% | 13.7% |
| Administration | Weekly injection | Weekly injection or daily pill |
| Insurance | Moderate | Limited |
| Retail price/mo | $1,112/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Telehealth price | From $149/mo | From $149/mo |
Mounjaro
Tirzepatide
Wegovy
Semaglutide
Mounjaro
Type 2 Diabetes
Wegovy
Weight loss
Mounjaro
15 mg
Wegovy
2.4 mg
Mounjaro
20.2%
Wegovy
13.7%
Mounjaro
Weekly injection
Wegovy
Weekly injection or daily pill
Mounjaro
Moderate
Wegovy
Limited
Mounjaro
$1,112/mo
Wegovy
$1,350/mo
Mounjaro
From $149/mo
Wegovy
From $149/mo
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)
What you’ll pay
Real pricing — no misleading teaser rates or hidden fees.
Mounjaro
- Retail (no insurance)
- $1,112/mo
- With insurance
- $25–$200/mo
- Telehealth (compounded)
- From $149/mo
- Manufacturer savings
- Available
Special offer
Save up to 30% EVERY month!
Wegovy
- Retail (no insurance)
- $1,350/mo
- With insurance
- $0–$200/mo
- Telehealth (compounded)
- From $149/mo
- Manufacturer savings
- Available
Special offer
Save up to 30% EVERY month!
Some providers pay BestGLP1 a referral fee when you sign up. We disclose this because the FTC requires it. Our rankings are editorial.
Start your weight‑loss
journey today
Weight loss compared
Clinical trial data showing average body weight reduction over 72 weeks.
Mounjaro (15 mg)
Wegovy (2.4 mg)
Data based on the SURMOUNT-5 Phase 3b study, released May 2025 — a head-to-head, 72-week study of Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide.
What to expect
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Side Effect | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 18% | 44% |
| Diarrhea | 17% | 30% |
| Vomiting | 9% | 24% |
| Constipation | 7% | 24% |
| Headache | 4% | 14% |
| Fatigue | 4% | 5% |
Mounjaro
18%
Wegovy
44%
Mounjaro
17%
Wegovy
30%
Mounjaro
9%
Wegovy
24%
Mounjaro
7%
Wegovy
24%
Mounjaro
4%
Wegovy
14%
Mounjaro
4%
Wegovy
5%
Side effects are generally most pronounced during the first 4–8 weeks and tend to subside. Always consult your healthcare provider.
The bottom line
Different molecules, different approval paths. Here’s how to think about it.
Choose based on your goal
- Choose Mounjaro if you have type 2 diabetes or want the dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism. Diabetes coverage is often broader, and average weight loss outcomes exceed Wegovy in trials.
- Choose Wegovy if weight management is your primary goal and you want the FDA-approved obesity option with an established long-term safety and efficacy track record.
Some providers pay BestGLP1 a referral fee when you sign up. We disclose this because the FTC requires it. Our rankings are editorial.
What you
need to know
Yes — many providers prescribe Mounjaro off-label for weight management, since tirzepatide produces strong weight-loss results in clinical trials. Insurance coverage for off-label use varies widely, so confirm what your plan covers (or use a telehealth alternative) before starting.
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.
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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Some providers pay BestGLP1 a referral fee when you sign up. We disclose this because the FTC requires it. Our rankings are editorial.