Introduction

With the FDA’s recent approval of Zepbound (tirzepatide), many people are asking how it compares to Wegovy (semaglutide)—one of the most prescribed weight loss medications to date. Both are weekly GLP-1–based injections and offer impressive results, but there are key differences in how they work, their effectiveness, and who they’re best for.

In this guide, we’ll break down how Zepbound and Wegovy compare in terms of weight loss, side effects, cost, insurance coverage, and more.

Quick Overview: Zepbound vs Wegovy

Feature	Zepbound	Wegovy
Active Ingredient	Tirzepatide	Semaglutide
Drug Class	GIP + GLP-1 receptor agonist	GLP-1 receptor agonist
FDA Approved For	Chronic weight management	Chronic weight management
Dosing	Weekly injection	Weekly injection
Weight Loss	Up to 22.5% of body weight	Up to 15% of body weight
Manufacturer	Eli Lilly	Novo Nordisk

Weight Loss Results: Who Performs Better?

🏆 Zepbound

• Clinical trials (SURMOUNT-1) showed up to 5% average weight loss on the highest dose
• Many patients lost over 50 pounds

✅ Wegovy

• Clinical trials (STEP-1) showed 15% average weight loss
• Most patients lost between 25–35 pounds, depending on starting weight

📚 Sources: SURMOUNT-1 (Zepbound), STEP-1 (Wegovy)

Bottom Line: Zepbound generally leads to greater weight loss than Wegovy, especially in people with higher BMI or insulin resistance.

How They Work: GLP-1 vs GIP + GLP-1

Wegovy (Semaglutide)

• Mimics GLP-1, a hormone that regulates blood sugar, slows digestion, and reduces appetite

Zepbound (Tirzepatide)

• Activates GLP-1 AND GIP receptors
• GIP helps improve insulin sensitivity and works with GLP-1 to enhance appetite suppression

Zepbound’s dual-action mechanism is believed to explain its superior results in weight reduction and metabolic health.

Side Effects: What to Expect

Common Side Effects	Zepbound	Wegovy
Nausea	✅ Common	✅ Common
Diarrhea or constipation	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Fatigue, headache	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Gallbladder issues	Possible	Possible
Pancreatitis risk	Rare but serious	Rare but serious
Thyroid tumor warning	⚠️ (animal studies)	⚠️ (animal studies)

📌 Both drugs have similar side effect profiles, but Zepbound may cause slightly more fatigue or digestive upset in early stages.

Cost & Insurance Coverage

Factor	Zepbound	Wegovy
U.S. Retail Price	~$1,060/month	~$1,349/month
Savings Card	As low as $25	As low as $0–$25
Canadian Price (est.)	~$450–$500	~$500–$600
Insurance Coverage	Growing (newly approved)	Widespread (longer on market)

💡 Wegovy is currently more widely covered by insurance, but Zepbound’s coverage is increasing as it becomes more established.

Which One Should You Choose?

✅ Choose Zepbound if:

• You have significant weight to lose (BMI >35)
• You’ve already tried Wegovy or Ozempic with limited success
• You have prediabetes or insulin resistance
• You want maximum weight loss results

✅ Choose Wegovy if:

• You’re just beginning your weight loss journey
• You’re looking for a more established option with broader coverage
• You prefer a GLP-1–only approach
• Your insurance plan already covers Wegovy

Both medications are effective, but your decision should also consider insurance, availability, side effects, and personal health history.

Final Thoughts

Zepbound and Wegovy are both powerful tools in the fight against obesity. While Zepbound appears to offer greater weight loss potential, Wegovy remains a trusted and well-studied option with broad insurance access.

No matter which you choose, medical supervision, consistency, and lifestyle changes are essential to long-term success.

📌 For pricing comparisons and medication availability, visit our Weight Loss Medication Comparison Page.