Medication comparison
Wegovy vs Zepbound
Wegovy and Zepbound are both prescription medications (GLP-1 receptor agonist vs GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist) used for Chronic weight management. The table below compares FDA-approved indications, dosing, weight-loss outcomes, side effects, contraindications, and current pricing — all sourced from the manufacturer prescribing information.
This is general drug information, not medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or switching medication.
Drug A
Wegovy
semaglutide
GLP-1 receptor agonist
Novo Nordisk
See full overviewDrug B
Zepbound
tirzepatide
GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist
Eli Lilly
See full overview| Property | Wegovy | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Generic name | semaglutide | tirzepatide |
| Drug class | GLP-1 receptor agonist | GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist |
| Manufacturer | Novo Nordisk | Eli Lilly |
| Approved indications | Chronic weight management | Chronic weight management, Obstructive sleep apnea (adults with obesity) |
| Brand names | Wegovy | Zepbound |
| Typical dosing | Titrate to 2.4 mg (weekly SC injection) | Titrate to 15 mg (weekly SC injection) |
| Top side effects | Nausea (44.2%), Diarrhea (31.5%), Vomiting (24.8%) | Nausea (29.6%), Diarrhea (23%), Vomiting (12.6%) |
| Contraindications | — | — |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pregnancy | C — Discontinue at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy. | C — Discontinue at least 1 month before a planned pregnancy. |
| Storage | Refrigerate before first use. After first use, room temperature up to 28 days. | Refrigerate before first use. After first use, room temperature up to 21 days. |
| Avg monthly cost | $1349.02 | $1059.87 |
FDA boxed warning
Wegovy: Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. Contraindicated in patients with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Zepbound: Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. Contraindicated in patients with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Already on Wegovy and considering Zepbound?
Semaglutide → tirzepatide for weight loss — strongest head-to-head data favors tirzepatide.
Read the switching guideFrequently asked
What is the difference between Wegovy and Zepbound?
Wegovy is semaglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist) and Zepbound is tirzepatide (GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist). They have different active ingredients and slightly different side-effect profiles.
Is Wegovy or Zepbound more effective for weight loss?
Head-to-head trial data favors tirzepatide-based medications (Mounjaro, Zepbound) over semaglutide-based medications (Ozempic, Wegovy) in average percent weight loss. See each drug's clinical-trials section for SURMOUNT and STEP trial data.
Can I switch between Wegovy and Zepbound?
Yes — see our directional switching guide at /switching/wegovy-to-zepbound for FDA-label dose conversion and what to expect during the transition.
More medication context
Tools and guides that pair with this comparison.
Overview
Wegovy full overview
semaglutide mechanism, dosing, side effects, and pricing.
ReadOverview
Zepbound full overview
tirzepatide mechanism, dosing, side effects, and pricing.
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GLP-1 shortage tracker
Real-time FDA shortage status by drug and dose.
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Are you a candidate?
FDA-criteria decision tree, flags contraindications.
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Payer-ready PA letter your prescriber can sign.
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12-month price trends
How telehealth provider pricing has moved over the past year.
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Common questions readers ask
- Does Ozempic cause hair loss?
- Not directly. Hair shedding (telogen effluvium) is reported by some patients ~3 months into rapid weight loss — typical of any rapid-weight-loss state, not unique to GLP-1. Full evidence-graded answer
- Can you drink alcohol on Wegovy?
- No hard contraindication, but alcohol tolerance often drops sharply on GLP-1. Many patients also report reduced desire for alcohol — likely a secondary effect of GLP-1 on the brain reward system. Full evidence-graded answer
- Can I take GLP-1 while pregnant?
- No. All FDA-approved GLP-1s carry a pregnancy contraindication. Stop GLP-1 at least 2 months before planned conception due to its long half-life. Full evidence-graded answer
- How much does Wegovy cost without insurance?
- List price runs ~$1,350/mo at retail. NovoCare Pharmacy cash-pay direct from Novo Nordisk is $499/mo for all dose strengths. The Wegovy Savings Offer caps copay at $0-$225/mo for commercially insured patients depending on coverage status (not a flat $225 for everyone). Full evidence-graded answer
- Is it safe to take GLP-1 long-term?
- Liraglutide has 15+ years of post-marketing data (Victoza approved 2010). Semaglutide has 8+ years (Ozempic approved 2017). No new class-wide safety signals have emerged in extended follow-up. Chronic use is the FDA-approved indication for both T2D and obesity. Full evidence-graded answer
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