Medication comparison
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.
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This is general drug information, not medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or switching medication.
Top 3 providers prescribing Wegovy or Zepbound
See full ranking →LifeMD
#1From $249.00/mo
~3 hr· self-reportedVisit LifeMDSesame Care
From $59.00/mo
~4 hr· self-reportedVisit Sesame CareSequence (Weight Watchers Clinic)
From $99.00/mo
Visit Sequence (Weight Watchers Clinic)Affiliate links — we earn commission on conversions; editorial ranking is independent.
| Property | Wegovy | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Generic name | semaglutide | tirzepatide |
| Drug class | GLP-1 receptor agonist | GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist |
| Manufacturer | Novo Nordisk | Eli Lilly |
| Brand names | Wegovy | Zepbound |
| Property | Wegovy | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Approved indications | Chronic weight management | Chronic weight management, Obstructive sleep apnea (adults with obesity) |
| Property | Wegovy | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Typical dosing | Titrate to 2.4 mg (weekly SC injection) | Titrate to 15 mg (weekly SC injection) |
| Property | Wegovy | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Property | Wegovy | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy | C — Discontinue at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy. | C — Discontinue at least 1 month before a planned pregnancy. |
| Property | Wegovy | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Property | Wegovy | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| 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).
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.
Head-to-head trial data favors tirzepatide-based medications (Mounjaro, Zepbound) over semaglutide-based medications (Ozempic, Wegovy) in average percent weight loss. SURMOUNT-1 reported ~20.9% mean weight loss on tirzepatide 15 mg; STEP 1 reported ~14.9% on semaglutide 2.4 mg over comparable timelines.
Yes — see our directional switching guide at /switching/wegovy-to-zepbound for FDA-label dose conversion and what to expect during the transition.
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