We want to describe the differences between the new injectables Wegovy and Tirzepatide. You will learn what these medicines have in common and which is better for treating overweight or obesity.
Let’s see if these drugs significantly differ in average weight loss, mechanism of action, safety, administration route, dosage, etc.
Comparison Table
Wegovy | Tirzepatide | |
Approved indications | Obesity | Type 2 diabetes |
World market launch | 2021 | 2022 |
| Status in Australia (November 2022) | TGA-approved | Not approved by the TGA |
Brand/active ingredient | Wegovy (Semaglutide) | Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) |
Medical device | Auto-injector | Auto-injector |
Administration | Subcutaneously once a week | Subcutaneously, once a week |
Food effect | No | No |
It is worth noting that both drugs may be prescribed for purposes not listed in this table or the patient leaflet. An important condition is that only a doctor can decide whether Wegovy or Tirzepatide is right for you as an agent for treating overweight or obesity.
Next, we will discuss in more detail some of the most important characteristics of these drugs.
Is Wegovy better than Tirzepatide
New injectable drugs used as part of a weight loss program go hand in hand. They are similar in many ways, so it is not always clear what is better to use and what to base the choice on.
Of course, the first thing to focus on when comparing drugs is the effectiveness of treatment and the number of kilograms lost. There were studies on these issues, but some of them contradict each other.
This table uses already conducted clinical trials (EMC data (the United Kingdom) and ТGА data (Australia)).
| Wegovy (17 months) | Mounjaro (13 months) | |
Starting weight | 105.4 | 93.9 |
Result | Minus 15.3 kg | Minus 12.4 kg |
But not everything is that simple. There are some reports and information that make it difficult to understand. For example, according to the EMC information, one can understand the following:
- Tirzepatide at the highest dose of 15 mg helped to lose 12.4 kg.
- Semaglutide at a dose of 1 mg reduced weight by 6.2 kg.
Important information! It is a controversial comparison that can be misleading. You administer the Semaglutide solution at a medium, not a maximum (maintenance) dose of 2.4 mg.
You can find this information on the official websites of these drugs and in other sources:
- Wegovy reduces weight by about 15% or 35 pounds on average (official website).
- Those who took Tirzepatide lost up to 25 pounds (official website).
- According to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, Tirzepatide can reduce body weight by over 20%.
Further large-scale studies are required. Specific and scientifically substantiated results may appear after completing all Tirzepatide (an anti-diabetic agent) studies and its approval as an anti-obesity agent.
Many professionals believe that Wegovy has become a real breakthrough in the fight against obesity, and it is very likely that Tirzepatide will compete with him.
Is Wegovy the Same as Tirzepatide
Obviously, these are different medicines because they have different active ingredients, different indications, etc. However, these drugs have many similar parameters because they have a similar chemical structure.
- Wegovy is classified as GLP-1 RA.
- Tirzepatide is classified as GIP RA and GLP-1 RA.
Both drugs slow down digestion by prolonging stomach emptying time, increase satiety, and help shed extra kilograms.
The half-life (a decrease in the content of the active substance in the blood by 2 times) is (about):
- 5 days (Tirzepatide).
- 7 days (Wegovy).
Tirzepatide Vs Wegovy: Dosage and Specifics of Use
The basic principles for using Wegovy and Tirzepatide:
- The treatment begins with minimal, gradually increasing doses
- Dose increase time: every 4 weeks
- You inject once every 7 days
- Injection sites: upper arm, abdomen or thigh
Dosage differences:
- Wegovy is available in the following dosages: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg
- Tirzepatide is available in the following dosages: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg
Wegovy vs Tirzepatide: side effects
The profile of Tirzepatide adverse reactions and their frequency are comparable to GLP-1 agonists as it is a dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist.
Both Wegovy and Tirzepatide most often cause gastrointestinal side effects:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Indigestion (dyspepsia)
- Abdominal pain
According to clinical studies, most adverse reactions were mild to moderate and of short duration.
Wegovy (Semaglutide) vs Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) vs diet pills: contraindications
Regarding contraindications, Wegovy and Tirzepatide compare favorably with oral weight loss drugs. Both the former and the latter medicines are contraindicated only for those with hypersensitivity (allergy) to the active and inactive components contained in the injection solution.
What does it mean? It suggests that most people who are overweight or obese can take these medications, which is very important!
For example, you should not take many oral appetite suppressants if you have: hypertension, cerebrovascular diseases, heart valve anomalies, severe heart disease, etc.
It is necessary to single out hypertension in this list. Many overweight or obese people have hypertension. With drugs such as Wegovy or Tirzepatide, they have the opportunity to lose extra kilograms not only through diet and exercise. Weight loss is one of the most effective ways to reduce the severity or risk of hypertension.
Conclusion
These drugs have many similar characteristics: mechanism of action, frequency of use, administration route, side effect profile, etc. However, Wegovy (Semaglutide) is currently approved by the TGA as a weight loss drug, while Tirzepatide does not have such a status.
If no complications arise, Tirzepatide will most likely be approved for weight loss in the coming years. New clinical trials (required for approval) will make it possible to adequately compare Wegovy and Tirzepatide as weight loss medications.
