⚡

Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide

Comparing Ozempic/Wegovy vs Mounjaro/Zepbound — weight loss, dosing, side effects, cost

Factor	Semaglutide	Tirzepatide
Mechanism	GLP-1 receptor agonist (single)	Dual GLP-1 + GIP receptor agonist
Avg Weight Loss (trials)	14.9% body weight (STEP trials)	20.9% body weight (SURMOUNT trials)
Max Dose	2.4 mg/week (7.2 mg Wegovy HD since March 2026)	15 mg/week
Starting Dose	0.25 mg/week	2.5 mg/week
Titration Steps	5 steps over ~16 weeks	6 steps over ~20 weeks
Injection Frequency	Once weekly	Once weekly
Half-Life	~7 days	~5 days
FDA-Approved For	Type 2 diabetes (Ozempic) + Obesity (Wegovy)	Type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) + Obesity (Zepbound)
GI Side Effects	Common — nausea 44%, diarrhea 30%	Similar — slightly better GI tolerability reported
Cardiovascular	20% reduction in MACE (SELECT trial)	SURPASS-CVOT trial ongoing as of 2025
Compounded Available	Yes — acetate form only, verify compounder	Yes — acetate/free base form, verify compounder
Brand Cost (approx)	$900–$1,400/month without insurance	$900–$1,400/month without insurance
Winner	More clinical long-term data	Greater average weight loss

⚖️ The Verdict

Tirzepatide produces approximately 47% more weight loss than semaglutide in head-to-head data (SURMOUNT-5 trial, 2024). For most people seeking maximum weight loss, tirzepatide is the stronger option. Semaglutide has more long-term cardiovascular data (SELECT trial showed 20% reduction in major cardiac events) and more years of real-world experience. If cardiovascular protection is the primary goal or you've already started semaglutide with good results, it remains an excellent choice.

⚠️ Research purposes only. Not medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider.

🧮 Related Calculators

🧬 Peptide Reconstitution Calculator 💉 GLP-1 Titration Tracker ⚖️ GLP-1 Weight Loss Projector