Wegovy vs Mounjaro - What are the differences

With so many weight loss medications available, picking the right one for your goals and health profile can be easier said than done.  Fortunately, this guide will make that choice an easier one as it covers two popular weight loss medicines you may have come across, these being Wegovy and Mounjaro. 

In this write up, we review all you need to know about these medications, including their: 

• Effectiveness.
• Possible side effects. 
• Mechanism of action. 
  
  

Before we proceed, please note this article is for educational and informational purposes. 

Our goal here is for you to have a better understanding on the medicines mentioned above so you can make a more insightful choice for your weight-loss journey.  As always, consult your doctor or primary health care physician before adding new medicines to your routine. 

This disclaimer out of the way, let us cover the differences between Wegovy and Mounjaro.

Wegovy vs. Mounjaro: Differences and Comparison 

Each are only available by prescription and can be administered from the comfort of home.  They also originate in the United Kingdom, and are for people who want to get weight under control as they each have an active ingredient that makes losing weight easier for the body.  Both are also administered via injection pens that make for a simple and painless process.

Wegovy Overview 

This prescription weight loss injection brings significant weight loss.  And is most effective on a reduced calorie diet with increased physical activity.  It has an attractive safety profile too.  In 2021, it even got approval by the Medicine and Health Products Regulatory Agency. 

This glucagon-like, GLP-1 receptor agonist works by imitating functions of hormones in the body.  And more specifically, natural hormones that regulate hunger and food intake, both of which Wegovy helps curb.  This is why most people lose five percent of their body weight in the first thirty days of taking the weekly injection, and even more in the months to follow. 

Wegovy is a powerful weight loss medicine with an active ingredient that is even used in low doses to treat Type 2 Diabetes.  Yet it is mostly used by patients aged twelve or older who need to overcome obesity.  In total, there are five Wegovy dose levels patients take.  They begin with a small dose on month one, and then up the dose every thirty days for the next four months. 

Then, once the weight loss goal is met, patients taper the dose to the initial dose.  This we refer to as a maintenance dose, which will continue to limit appetite and hunger cravings. 

Note: Wegovy injections can be made via the thigh, or the stomach or upper arm.  They are done via the Wegovy FlexTouch Pen, and should be taken once weekly.  If you try Wegovy, closely follow the dosing schedule to maximise results and reduce the risk of side effects.

Key Takeaways: 

• Some studies say Wegovy users can enjoy weight loss advantages for four years.
• Nausea and diarrhoea, as well as vomiting and constipation, are the most common side effects.
• It works by imitating the natural hormone GLP-1, this targets areas in the brain that effect appetite and food intake. 
• In some studies, Wegovy users lost over 12% of their initial body weight in contrast to those who took placebos. 
• Wegovy tends to run about $1,350 for a one-month supply, though this price can vary based on savings programs and insurance coverage.
• Wegovy is an MHRA-approved, weight loss injectable medication for adults and children over the age of twelve who want to lose and keep off weight. 
• It is not only approved for tackling obesity but for lowering the risk of some negative cardiovascular events in obese or overweight individuals with cardiovascular disease. 
• Many people report a positive experience with Wegovy, with doctors often viewing this medication as an effective tool for weight loss when take in conjunction with positive lifestyle adjustments. 
  
  

Suggested Wegovy Dosing Schedule

• Weeks 1-4, 0.25 mg. 
  
• Weeks 5-8, 0.5 mg.
• Weeks 9-12, 1 mg.
• Weeks 13-16, 1.7 mg. 
• Weeks 17+, 2.4 mg. 
  

Mounjaro Overview 

Mounjaro is like Wegovy in that it is a prescription weight management medication.  Like Wegovy, it is also an MHRA-approved medication; a status it earned in November of 2023. 

Its active ingredient is Tirzepatide, and it is a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist that works on not one but two receptor types in the body, hence why its ability to lower appetite and food intake is so great. 

One thing that differs Mounjaro is it has six dose levels while Wegovy has five.  Patients on Mounjaro begin with the lowest dose, and then raise it over time as treatment progresses.  Once they lose the desired weight, they reduce it to a maintenance dose to keep the weight they lost gone for good. 

Like Wegovy, Mounjaro is taken on a weekly basis, at home via the Mounjaro KwikPen. 

Injections can be taken in the thigh, stomach, or upper arm, whichever patients prefer. 

If you try Mounjaro, maximise results and minimise side effects by taking the right doses.

Suggested Mounjaro Dosing Schedule  

• Weeks 1-4, 2.5 mg.
• Weeks 5-8, 5 mg. 
• Weeks 9-12, 7.5 mg. 
• Weeks 13-16, 10 mg. 
• Weeks 17-20, 12.5 mg.
• Weeks 21+, 15 mg.
  
  

Wegovy vs. Mounjaro - Mechanisms of Action Comparison 

As with any medicine, you should know how Wegovy and Mounjaro works before taking it. 

Wegovy works by imitating effects of GLP-1.  This is a natural hormone the body releases after you eat, which it does to achieve two things: slow digestion and regulate blood sugar levels. 

On the flip side, Mounjaro targets two receptors instead of one: GIP and GLP-1.  These two receptors regulate hunger and appetite, and can help a person to reduce their good intake.

Wegovy (Semaglutide) 

• How it Works, targets a one receptor (GLP-1) to reduce appetite and blood sugar.
• Main Effects, stalls stomach emptying, reduces cravings/appetite, and enhances blood sugar control.
• Health Benefits, no impact on oral contraceptives and is licensed for pain and knee osteoarthritis treatment, also has cardiovascular health benefits after three months of use. 
  
  

Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) 

• How it Works, targets GIP and GLP-1 receptors to lower appetite and blood sugar.
• Main Effects, stalls stomach emptying, reduces cravings/appetite, enhances blood sugar control, and may stimulate metabolism.
• Health Benefits, anti-inflammatory effects and better heart/cardiovascular health, is also an approved treatment for sleep apnea. 
  
  

Mounjaro is a dual-acting medication that effects GIP and GLP-1 hormones.  This causes the body to produce more insulin.  This also suppresses appetite, and slows the speed at which the stomach empties.  In the end, this controls blood sugar, and makes it easier to lose weight.  Some say its targeting of two receptors makes it more effective than Wegovy, which only targets one receptor, GLP-1. 

What you should know here is both medicines take time to work.  Losing weight with either of them is a gradual process that occurs over months, making them long-term treatments.  You should also know weight loss progress had while taking them are likely to revert in the event you stop taking them; for the best outcome, adopt a healthy diet and active lifestyle! 

Clinical Trials and Results 

How a medication performs during a clinical trial is essential to gauging how effective it is. 

When it comes to Wegovy, clinical trial participants experienced considerable weight loss. 

In fact, a 2,000-adult study on Wegovy users saw patients lose, on average, 12.4% of initial body weight over sixty-eight weeks, while another trial observed one in three Wegovy users lose upwards of twenty percent of their body weight during treatment.  Conservatively, you can expect to lose five to twenty percent of your beginning body weight if you take Wegovy. 

Clinical trials on Mounjaro show promising results too.  We say this as a Phase-3 trial saw participants lose nearly 23% of their body weight over the seventy-two weeks the program lasted.  If you take Mounjaro - you can expect to lose 15%-23% of your initial body weight. 

Do know though, in no way are these values set in stone, they are simply forecasted stats and averages based on the results of clinical trial participants.  The amount of weight YOU lose can significantly vary as many factors come into play, namely your diet, genetics, and fitness routine.  But - if you diet right and perform daily workouts - you should be GOLDEN! 

That said, let us look at some noteworthy takeaways from Wegovy/Mounjaro clinical trials: 

• Wegovy and Mounjaro caused tremendous weight loss in clinical trial patients.
• Your results could vary from those of patients who partook in said clinical trials. 
• Long-term effects of Wegovy/Mounjaro are not fully known and still being studied. 
• Trial results look assuring, though factor in cost, side effects, and personal health. 
• People in these trials took on calorie-tempered diets while upping physical activity. 
  
  

Safety Concerns and Possible Side Effects 

Side effects can tag along no matter the medication taken, and Wegovy and Mounjaro are no exception.  And in the case of these two weight loss medications, possible side effects may be mild or rather severe, yet gastrointestinal effects (which most find tolerable) seem most common.  Such as nausea or vomiting, or diarrhoea, constipation, or abdominal pain. 

Such effects may occur, but not every person who takes Wegovy/Mounjaro endures them.

Wegovy - Common Side Effects 

• Gastrointestinal, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and abdominal pain.
• Other side effects, fast heart rate, possible fatigue and dizziness/disorientation.
  

Mounjaro – Common Side Effects 

• Gastrointestinal, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and abdominal pain. 
  
  
• Other side effects, speedy heart rate, fatigue and dizziness, changes in appetite.
  
  

As we wrap up this section, here are some things to be mindful of related to side effects: 

• Some take these medications with no side effects had at all.
•  Consult a doctor right away if side effects are severe/lasting. 
• These medications might have side effects not shared above. 
• Gastrointestinal discomfort is the most prevalent side effect.
• Set up routine checks-ins with a doctor after you start taking it. 
• Discuss possible side effects with a doctor before taking them. 
  
  

Usage and Administration 

Wegovy and Mounjaro are administered subcutaneously, or under the skin via injection, which is often at a frequency of once per week.  The importance of heeding recommended dosing guidelines (refer to the chart above) cannot be stressed enough, as taking too much may lead to severe side effects or possible unforeseen medical complications (be smart!).

Expense Considerations 

How much you pay for Wegovy or Mounjaro will vary based on many factors, these being: 

• The pharmacy that fills your prescription.
• Discounts available by the manufacturer.
• Promos offered by weight-loss programmes. 
  

Worth noting these medications are known to reduce hunger and the need to eat as much, as this means you will likely find yourself spending less on your grocery expense. This can help offset the cost of your medications, making your weight loss journey more affordable.

Patient Reviews and Experiences 

While results can greatly vary from one person to the next, the experiences other have with Wegovy and Mounjaro grant a good look into what you can expect.  The reason being is that personal accounts and reviews from actual users offer more of what we call the real-world perspective, while clinical trials offer insight from more controlled tests and environments.  But still - just always remember - what is best for one person may not be most ideal for you.

Where to Purchase Wegovy and Mounjaro 

You can buy Wegovy or Mounjaro at Cured Pharmacy once you undergo consultation with one of our partnered doctors, all of whom are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC).  Once you are deemed suitable for treatment, you may then purchase either of the weight loss injections, and have them to your front door in as little as a day (it is that easy). 

If you have questions that need answers or have worries that need settling, do not hesitate to contact us, as our trained team is here to make the process as easy as possible for you.

Wegovy vs. Mounjaro - Make an Informed Choice 

Which of these you take is a decision that is best made during consultation with a doctor. 

Each showed promising results in clinical trials, but a doctor can review things like your weight and health status to determine if Wegovy or Mounjaro are suitable for your needs. 

People Also Ask 

Join us here as we answer common questions of those who are new to Wegovy/Mounjaro. 

If you have questions not answered below, feel free to reach us and we will be glad to help.

What are the differences between Wegovy and Mounjaro? 

Both are approved by the MHRA for weight reduction, yet the ways they work to rid weight differs.  Wegovy only targets one receptor (GLP-1) while Mounjaro targets two (GIP/GLP-1).

What are the possible side effects of Wegovy and Mounjaro? 

The most notable side effects are gastrointestinal, like nausea and diarrhoea, and vomiting and constipation.  Abdominal pain from these issues may occur too, though many are able to take these medications without any side effects at all.

Can I use Wegovy or Mounjaro instead of dieting and exercising? 

No, these medicines are not cheat slips!  You need to adopt a calorie-restrictive diet and an active lifestyle to achieve optimal results, sitting around all day every day is not the way.