Mounjaro® vs Wegovy® For Weight Loss

Explore the similarities and differences between Mounjaro® and Wegovy® to determine which weight loss medication will help you reach your health goals.

Table of Contents
  • Mounjaro® vs. Wegovy® For Weight Loss
  • How Effective is Mounjaro® vs Wegovy®
  • Mounjaro® vs. Wegovy® Dosage and Administration
  • Side Effects of Mounjaro® vs. Wegovy®
  • Who is Eligible for Wegovy® and Mounjaro®
  • Cost and Coverage of Wegovy® vs Mounjaro®
  • Conclusion

Mounjaro® vs. Wegovy® For Weight Loss

Wegovy® and Mounjaro® both work by targeting hormones that regulate appetite and satiety. Wegovy® mimics the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the body. GLP-1 is produced in the intestine and is key in regulating blood sugar levels. The hormone is secreted in response to food intake and stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas, which helps lower blood sugar levels. It also reduces the secretion of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels and slows gastric emptying.

Mounjaro®, on the other hand, is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. It targets two hormones, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1, both of which regulate blood sugar levels and appetite.

Click here to see if you are eligible for either medication. 

How Effective is Mounjaro® vs Wegovy®

Both Wegovy® and Mounjaro® are very effective at lowering body weight along with diet and exercise. The effectiveness of these medications is demonstrated in the following major studies:

The SURMOUNT-1 trial published in 2022 was a large phase 3 clinical trial with over 2500 participants that looked at how effective tirzepatide (the primary active ingredient in Mounjaro®) was at managing obesity. (1) Tirzepatide was given at different doses for a period of 72 weeks to groups of non-diabetic participants who were struggling with weight gain. The participants were also enrolled in a calorie-restricted diet, expected to engage in 150 minutes of exercise per week, and were regularly scheduled to meet with a dietician. 

They found that after 72 weeks, those taking tirzepatide experienced 15-21% weight loss, which was significantly more than the 3% weight loss experienced by those in the placebo group. This showed us that the use of Mounjaro® in combination with diet and exercise is very effective at treating obesity. 

‍The STEP 1 Trial was another large randomized control trial with around 1900 participants that examined how effective semaglutide (the primary active ingredient in Wegovy®) was at treating obesity in non-diabetic patients (2). Semaglutide was given as a once-weekly pen injection over a period of 68 weeks. Like the SURMOUNT trial, all participants also underwent a calorie-restricted diet, exercised for 150 minutes per week, and met regularly with dieticians. 

They found that participants taking semaglutide experienced an average of 14.9% weight loss compared to only 2.4% in the placebo group. The study also reported increased participant-reported physical function after the study, which was not measured in the SURMOUNT trial.‍

The mean change in body weight across both studies was about the same (~15%); however, more participants achieved at least a 5% reduction in body weight when taking Mounjaro® compared to Wegovy® based on the data reported in the two trials. Ultimately, both were very effective at managing weight loss in combination with diet and exercise.

Mounjaro® vs. Wegovy® Dosage and Administration 

Both medications are administered as once-weekly pen injections for weight loss. The starting and maximum doses are different but follow a similar dosing schedule. Your provider will most likely start off at a lower dose (usually 0.25 mg for Wegovy® and 2.5mg for Mounjaro®), then gradually increase depending on any unpleasant side effects and the amount of desired weight loss being achieved.

Side Effects of Mounjaro® vs. Wegovy®

The side effects of Mounjaro® and Wegovy® are similar and include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal pain/cramps
  • Loss of appetite

Typically, these symptoms are mild to moderate in severity and go away over time.

Both medications also can interact with some conditions and may not be best for people with

Who is Eligible for Wegovy® and Mounjaro® 

Wegovy® and Mounjaro® can be extremely effective weight loss tools for:

1) those struggling with obesity (BMI ≥ 30) or
2) those who struggle with being overweight (BMI > 27) and have a weight-related health condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and or high cholesterol.

Do not use Wegovy® or Mounjaro® if:

 

  • You or a family member has had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have been diagnosed with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
  • You have had a severe allergic reaction to semaglutide or tirzepatide (the primary active ingredients in Wegovy® and Mounjaro®, respectively).

Consult with a professional at Mochi to determine which weight loss medication is right for you.

Cost and Coverage of Wegovy® vs Mounjaro®

Both Wegovy® and Mounjaro® are expensive medications. A cost analysis study conducted in 2022 showed that Mounjaro® showed a better value for money than Wegovy® (4). However, it should be noted that both medications can be expensive, with Mounjaro® estimated at $17,000 and Wegovy® at $22,000 after 72 weeks of therapy. Some insurance plans may cover these medications to make costs more manageable. However, it is more difficult to get insurance coverage for Mounjaro® for weight loss since the FDA has not approved it for use in obesity in non-diabetic patients. On the other hand, Wegovy® is approved for obesity, which may make finding coverage by insurance more likely. 

Mochi Health works with each patient individually to find the most affordable option. If you’re uninsured and still interested in starting weight loss medication, Mochi has safe and effective alternatives. 

Conclusion

In summary, Wegovy® and Mounjaro® have both been shown to be effective at managing obesity. While they both target hormones that regulate appetite and satiety, they differ in their mechanism of action, dosage, administration, effectiveness, and cost. Patients and healthcare providers should carefully consider these differences when deciding which medication to take. It's also important to note that these medications should be combined with lifestyle modifications, such as diet and exercise, for the best results. If you are considering using Wegovy® or Mounjaro®, talk to your healthcare provider to determine which medication is right for you.

If you want to learn more about GLP-1 medications or want to see if you might be eligible for medication-assisted weight loss, contact the board-certified experts at Mochi Health.

Sources

  1. Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, Wharton S, Connery L, Alves B, Kiyosue A, Zhang S, Liu B, Bunck MC, Stefanski A; SURMOUNT-1 Investigators. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2022 Jul 21;387(3):205-216. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2206038. Epub 2022 Jun 4. PMID: 35658024.
  2. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, Davies M, Van Gaal LF, Lingvay I, McGowan BM, Rosenstock J, Tran MTD, Wadden TA, Wharton S, Yokote K, Zeuthen N, Kushner RF; STEP 1 Study Group. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021 Mar 18;384(11):989-1002. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2032183. Epub 2021 Feb 10. PMID: 33567185.
  3. Azuri, J, Hammerman, A, Aboalhasan, E, Sluckis, B, Arbel, R. Tirzepatide versus semaglutide for weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A value for money analysis. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2023; 25( 4): 961- 964. doi:10.1111/dom.14940

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