Mounjaro vs Wegovy: which is right for you?
Is Mounjaro the same as Ozempic? And where does Wegovy fit in? Join us as we reveal the facts.
Mounjaro vs Ozempic/Wegovy
Introduction
If you're struggling to lose weight, you're not alone.
For some, the traditional regime of a calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise works. It sticks. But these are the lucky few: studies suggest that only 10% to 33% of dieters succeed in losing weight and maintaining that weight loss.
What about the rest of us? Are there options for those who've tried diet after diet – or who struggle to maintain a consistent exercise routine?
Yes. If diets don't work for you and you meet certain medical criteria, you may be eligible for a non-surgical weight-loss treatment.
Two of the most effective treatments available in the UK are Wegovy and Mounjaro. In this guide, we look at their key differences to help you decide which is right for you.
But first, let's learn what these clinically proven treatments have in common.
What are Wegovy (Ozempic) and Mounjaro?
Wegovy and Mounjaro are weight loss drugs that are available on prescription in the UK.
There are many similarities between the two. Both have similar effects: they curb your appetite and slow down digestion, which makes you feel fuller for longer. They also help control blood sugar levels, so you're less likely to crave snacks between meals.
Curb appetite
Slow digestion
Help you feel full
Both work in similar ways, too. Wegovy and Mounjaro mimic natural chemicals in our bodies called incretins. These are hormones that are produced when we eat. They send signals to the brain to say, 'I'm full – you can stop eating now'.
When you use Wegovy or Mounjaro, it's like you're playing a trick on your own body. The synthetic hormones send the same signals as your natural incretins, so your body thinks it's full even when you haven't eaten. And when you do eat, your brain tells you to eat less.
Wegovy and Mounjaro are clinically proven to control appetite and reduce body weight. Both are approved for use on the NHS. However, many patients choose a private healthcare provider like SemaPen instead.
What's unique about Wegovy?
Wegovy is a drug that uses the active ingredient semaglutide. It works by mimicking one of the body's main incretin hormones (GLP-1).
Like most weight loss treatments, Wegovy works best when you stick to a long-term treatment plan. If you use Wegovy consistently for 52 weeks, you can expect to lose around 15% of your body weight.¹
Wegovy may assist with weight loss because it helps control your appetite and keeps you feeling full. But that's not the only benefit. A recent study has shown that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, can reduce the risks of heart attacks and strokes for people with diabetes.²
Is Wegovy the same as Ozempic?
Wegovy and Ozempic are different medications with the same active ingredient (semaglutide).
The distinction is important because Wegovy and Ozempic are used to treat different things. Wegovy is approved to help with weight loss. Ozempic, on the other hand, is only approved as a treatment for diabetes.
You might see websites offering Ozempic as a weight loss treatment. However, it shouldn't be offered in this way. Only Wegovy is allowed to be used for weight loss.
What's unique about Mounjaro?
Wegovy and Mounjaro have different active ingredients. While Wegovy uses semaglutide, Mounjaro uses a different drug called 'tirzepatide'.
Mounjaro is the newer of the two treatments. Tirzepatide was first approved in the US in 2022. Semaglutide was approved five years earlier.
Does newer equal better? For many patients, yes. On average, people who use Mounjaro lose 21% of their body weight with sustained treatment.³ That's 6% more than Wegovy.
This is partly down to the way Mounjaro works. While Wegovy mimics one of the body's incretin hormones, Mounjaro is a two-for-one deal. It mimics the same hormone as Wegovy (GLP-1) and throws another one called 'GIP' into the mix, too.
Most people will see better results with Mounjaro. However, it's not for everyone. It's important to do your research and understand the possible side effects of each medication before you decide to apply for treatment.
What are the different side effects of Wegovy and Mounjaro?
Like most drugs, Wegovy and Mounjaro can produce side effects. These side effects become more likely and more pronounced each time your dosage increases.
In clinical trials, nausea was among the most commonly reported side effects. This can occur with both treatments but is less likely with Mounjaro. In any case, the woozy feeling usually goes away as you continue the treatment.
It's quite common for both treatments to cause stomach upsets like constipation, diarrhoea and bloating, too. Vomiting is also fairly common, at least to begin with.
Mounjaro can have several side effects that are rare or absent with Wegovy. The medication is known to make the contraceptive pill less effective. And some participants in clinical trials reported hair thinning or hair loss. This is usually temporary and can be controlled with daily multivitamins.
These side effects might sound scary. However, most are mild and can be managed with a few simple lifestyle changes.
Serious side effects with Wegovy and Mounjaro are rare. In trials, fewer than 4% of Wegovy patients and 0.1% of Mounjaro patients reported side effects that prevented normal daily activities.
How do I take Wegovy and Mounjaro?
Both treatments are taken as injections in the tummy or thigh.
This might sound a little unpleasant. But don't worry. It's really simple to administer the injections, which come as pen-shaped cartridges with a tiny needles.
This simple design means you can take the injections yourself at home. And while you might feel a bit squeamish at first, most patients soon get used to it. After all, it only feels like a tiny pinprick.
And the good news is that you only need to take one injection each week for the treatment to work.
What's the recommended dose for each treatment?
Taking Wegovy or Mounjaro is a little like training for a marathon or taking up weightlifting. You have to start slowly and build the dose up as you go. That's because it takes time for your body to adjust to the medication.
With Wegovy, the dose starts at 0.25mg and increases each month until it reaches the maximum dose of 2.4mg. You'll take this maximum dose from month five onwards.
The Mounjaro dose also increases month on month. It starts at 2.5mg and gradually increases until it reaches 15mg from month six onwards.
You don't have to figure this all out for yourself, though. Join the SemaPen programme and we'll send you a new weight-loss pen every month. Each pen contains enough for four weekly doses.
And that's not all. You'll also receive a digital smart scale, which links up with our SemaPen app and delivers updates automatically to our weight loss experts. They'll be on hand with tailored feedback and advice to help you stay on target and achieve the results you want.
Which treatment is right for me?
So, you're all clued up on the differences between Wegovy and Mounjaro. You might even have a particular medication in mind.
Mounjaro and Wegovy can be highly effective for people who meet the eligibility criteria. However, depending on your weight and medical circumstances, it might turn out that neither treatment is quite right for you.
That's why it's essential to seek medical advice before you go ahead with any treatment programme.
One of the quickest ways to find out whether you're eligible is to use our free self-assessment tool. It's a complete, online medical assessment designed by doctors in the UK. Simply fill out the questionnaire and you'll find out instantly whether you're eligible.
Where next?
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What to expect
Get the straight facts about weight loss medications in our expert guides.
Side effects
Learn about the possible side effects of weight loss drugs – and how to manage them.
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