Wegovy vs Mounjaro: Which Should You Try First?

Wegovy vs Mounjaro: Which Should You Try First?

Introduction

 

Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are among the most effective prescription medications for weight loss, but they’re not the same—and choosing the right one can depend on your health history, insurance, goals, and how your body responds to each drug.

 

This guide compares Wegovy and Mounjaro across the most important categories: effectiveness, approval status, dosing, cost, and coverage—so you can make a confident, informed decision.

 

Wegovy vs Mounjaro: Quick Comparison

 

 

Feature

Wegovy

Mounjaro

Active Ingredient

Semaglutide

Tirzepatide

Drug Class

GLP-1 receptor agonist

GIP + GLP-1 receptor agonist

FDA Approval

Obesity / Overweight

Type 2 diabetes only (off-label for weight loss)

Avg. Weight Loss

~15% of body weight

Up to 22.5% of body weight

Dosing Frequency

Weekly injection

Weekly injection

Maintenance Dose

2.4 mg/week

5 mg to 15 mg/week

Insurance Coverage

Growing for weight loss

More common for diabetes

 

Weight Loss Effectiveness

 

✅ Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)

  • Clinical trials (SURPASS-2) showed average weight loss of up to 22.5%
  • Superior to Ozempic in both weight and glucose reduction
  • Dual-action: targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors

✅ Wegovy (Semaglutide)

  • In the STEP-1 trial, patients lost about 15% of their body weight
  • Pure GLP-1 agonist—highly effective, especially in those new to treatment

📚 Sources: NEJM Mounjaro Study, STEP-1 Wegovy Trial

 

Verdict: Mounjaro may lead to greater weight loss, especially for patients with insulin resistance or higher BMI.

 

FDA Approval & Insurance Coverage

 

Category

Wegovy

Mounjaro

FDA-Approved For

Weight loss (obesity)

Type 2 diabetes

Weight Loss Use

✅ On-label

⚠️ Off-label

Insurance Coverage

Growing, still inconsistent

Common for diabetes; off-label for weight loss may not be covered

💡 If you’re trying to get insurance to cover weight loss meds, Wegovy may be easier to approve.

 

How the Medications Work

 

Wegovy

  • Mimics GLP-1 hormone
  • Reduces hunger, slows digestion, regulates insulin
  • Promotes fullness and reduces cravings

Mounjaro

  • Activates GIP and GLP-1 receptors
  • Enhances insulin sensitivity
  • Provides more powerful appetite suppression and metabolic control

Verdict: Mounjaro’s dual-action mechanism gives it an edge for deeper metabolic reset and higher fat loss potential.

 

Side Effects Comparison

 

Both medications share many of the same side effects:

 

Side Effect

Wegovy

Mounjaro

Nausea

✅ Common

✅ Common

Diarrhea / Constipation

✅ Yes

✅ Yes

Fatigue / Headache

✅ Possible

✅ Possible

Gallbladder Issues

✅ Possible

✅ Possible

Pancreatitis Risk

⚠️ Rare

⚠️ Rare

Thyroid Tumor Warning

⚠️ (animal studies)

⚠️ (animal studies)

📌 People with a history of MEN-2 or thyroid cancer should not use either medication.

 

Dosing Differences

 

 

Medication

Starting Dose

Maintenance Dose

Wegovy

0.25 → 2.4 mg/wk

2.4 mg/week

Mounjaro

2.5 → 15 mg/wk

5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg/week

💡 Both medications use a step-up approach (titration) to minimize side effects.

 

Cost Breakdown

 

Source

Wegovy

Mounjaro

U.S. Retail

~$1,349

~$1,060

Canadian Pharmacy

~$500–$600

~$450–$500

Savings Program

$0–$25 (with insurance)

$25 (with insurance)

📌 Mounjaro is often cheaper when covered by insurance due to diabetes indication. Wegovy may be harder to access without approval.

 

Which Should You Try First?

 

✅ Choose Wegovy if:

  • You qualify based on BMI and comorbidities
  • Your insurance covers FDA-approved weight loss treatments
  • You’re new to GLP-1 therapy

✅ Choose Mounjaro if:

  • You want maximum weight loss results
  • You have Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance
  • You’ve tried other meds and want a stronger option

Final Thoughts

 

Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are powerful tools for medical weight loss, but they work differently and have different approval pathways. The “best” option depends on your medical history, insurance plan, and how your body responds.

 

✔️ Wegovy: FDA-approved, great for insurance coverage
 ✔️ Mounjaro: Greater weight loss potential, dual-action, more effective for insulin resistance
 ✔️ Talk to your provider about which one is right for you

📌 For pricing and side-by-side comparisons, visit our visit our Wegovy pricing page vs our 

 

Mounjaro Wegovy pricing page. and compare.