Zepbound vs Wegovy
Zepbound (FDA-approved for chronic weight management) vs Wegovy (FDA-approved for chronic weight management) — one activates a single receptor, the other activates two. Here’s what the data shows.
21%
Avg weight loss Zepbound
15%
Avg weight loss Wegovy
$1,059/mo
Zepbound retail (no insurance)
$149
Zepbound via telehealth
What are they?
Both are purpose-built for obesity treatment, but they use different molecules. Zepbound’s dual mechanism consistently produces higher average weight loss in clinical data.
Zepbound
Weight ManagementFDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI 30+) or overweight (BMI 27+) with at least one weight-related condition. Uses the same dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism as Mounjaro at equivalent doses.
Maker
Eli Lilly
Approved
2024
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 | Zepbound | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| FDA approved for | Weight Management | 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 | Limited | Limited |
| Retail price/mo | $1,059/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Telehealth price | From $149/mo | From $149/mo |
Zepbound
Tirzepatide
Wegovy
Semaglutide
Zepbound
Weight Management
Wegovy
Weight loss
Zepbound
15 mg
Wegovy
2.4 mg
Zepbound
20.2%
Wegovy
13.7%
Zepbound
Weekly injection
Wegovy
Weekly injection or daily pill
Zepbound
Limited
Wegovy
Limited
Zepbound
$1,059/mo
Wegovy
$1,350/mo
Zepbound
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.
Zepbound
- 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.
Zepbound
- Retail (no insurance)
- $1,059/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.
Zepbound (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 | Zepbound | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 25% | 44% |
| Diarrhea | 19% | 30% |
| Vomiting | 8% | 24% |
| Constipation | 17% | 24% |
| Headache | 4% | 14% |
| Fatigue | 5% | 5% |
Zepbound
25%
Wegovy
44%
Zepbound
19%
Wegovy
30%
Zepbound
8%
Wegovy
24%
Zepbound
17%
Wegovy
24%
Zepbound
4%
Wegovy
14%
Zepbound
5%
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
Two different molecules for weight management. Here’s how to think about it.
Choose based on your goal
- Choose Zepbound if you want the highest average weight loss outcomes currently available. Its dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism consistently outperforms semaglutide-only options.
- Choose Wegovy if you prefer a more established weight loss track record, have used GLP-1 treatment before, or need broader insurance compatibility for weight management.
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
In trials, Zepbound (tirzepatide 15 mg) produced an average weight loss of about 21%, compared to about 15% for Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg). Zepbound’s dual GIP/GLP-1 action consistently delivers stronger average results, though both are highly effective.
Yes, with provider guidance. Because the molecules differ, your provider will typically restart you at Zepbound’s lowest dose (2.5 mg weekly) and titrate up over several weeks to manage tolerability and side effects.
On average, Zepbound produces more weight loss in head-to-head data, but individual response varies. Tolerability, insurance coverage, and personal history with GLP-1 medications all factor into which is the better choice for a given patient.
Yes. Both Zepbound 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.