If you’ve done any research on medical weight loss options recently, you’ve probably heard about Semaglutide (brand names Ozempic and Wegovy) and Tirzepatide (brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound). These two are, without a doubt, the most effective weight loss medications ever created. But what’s the real difference between these two drugs, and how do you know which one might be right for you?
Let’s start with Semaglutide. This drug has been on the market under the brand name Ozempic for about 7 years as of the writing of this article in August of 2024. It’s also available in pill form under the brand name Rybelsus. Semaglutide works by mimicking a hormone that’s naturally released from your gut when you eat. This hormone, called GLP-1, tells the brain that we’re not hungry anymore, and it physically slows down the emptying of the stomach so that we feel full for longer after we eat. The end result is that, since we’re not so hungry anymore, we eat less food, and that’s how we lose weight. Semaglutide was the most effective weight loss drug on the market…. until Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) was released in 2022.
Tirzepatide actually works very similarly to Semaglutide, with one major difference- Instead of mimicking just one hormone like Semaglutide, Tirzepatide mimics two hormones- GLP-1 and GIP. Together, these hormones are known as the Incretins. Just like GLP-1, GIP is released from the gut after we eat, and it has many of the same effects as GLP-1, but it turns out that it’s responsible for about two thirds of the natural incretin effect. So what that means in practical terms is that Tirzepatide tends to be significantly more effective for weight loss than Semaglutide. In the official trials, patients on weekly max-dose Semaglutide injections lost an average of 15% of their bodyweight over a 68 week period. Patients taking max-dose Tirzepatide, on the other hand, lost an average of 20.9% of their bodyweight over 72 weeks.
So how do I know which one is right for me?
Of course you’ll need to consult with your doctor to determine for sure whether one of these medications might be right for you, but there are a few things to consider when deciding between Semaglutide and Tirzepatide for weight loss. One is cost. While the out of pocket costs for the brand name medications are typically fairly similar (around $1,000-$1,200 per month at most pharmacies), there can be significant differences in the cost of the compounded versions of these medications. Since Semaglutide has been around longer, it is more widely available to compounding pharmacies, so it tends to be somewhat less costly than Tirzepatide. The actual cost of the compounds will depend on the weight loss provider or pharmacy where you are getting your medications. Another factor to consider is how much weight you are trying to lose. For example, if you are 5’4” tall and weigh 160 pounds, you only need to lose about 20 pounds, or 12.5% of your bodyweight to achieve a healthy BMI of 24. This may be easily doable with Semaglutide. However, if you are 5’4” tall and weigh 180 pounds, you’ll need to lose 40 pounds, or 22% of your bodyweight to achieve the same BMI of 24. Since you’re aiming to lose a higher percentage of your bodyweight, Tirzepatide may make more sense for you. The last factor to consider is side effects. Both Semaglutide and Tirzepatide have the potential for similar side effects, the most common being nausea, indigestion, and constipation. Since Tirzepatide is the more powerful option, we do tend to see the side effects a little more frequently with this medicine. For most patients, the side effects are mild or even nonexistent, but if you know you tend to have a weak stomach, starting with Semaglutide may reduce your chances of getting those side effects.
Now that you know all about the differences between Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, it’s time to take action! If you’re ready to kickstart your weight loss journey, click here to join our online Medical Weight Loss Program now. Our team of expert Obesity Medicine Providers is ready and waiting to get you started. We can’t wait to meet you!
Dr. Kyle Adams, MD
CEO and Medical Director
New Leaf Online
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. You should always consult your doctor before starting or changing any medications or to discuss any health concerns you may have.
