Highlights
- Zepbound and Wegovy are both FDA-approved weight loss medications for those who are overweight or obese with weight-related health conditions.
- The medications have two different active ingredients: tirzepatide for Zepbound and semaglutide for Wegovy. Both active ingredients are also FDA-approved for managing blood sugar.
- Successful body weight management requires combining weight loss medication with a healthy lifestyle, including exercise and a balanced diet.
- Wegovy and Zepbound help people lose weight by reducing their appetite, lowering cravings, and increasing feelings of fullness.
Zepbound and Wegovy share some similarities, for example, both are once-weekly weight loss injections for the ultimate goal of obesity treatment. However, in addition to differences in their active ingredients, semaglutide for Wegovy and tirzepatide for Zepbound, there are other discrepancies between the two that may make one a better fit for you than the other.
Your healthcare provider will help you sort through these differences, including mechanism of action, contraindications, and potential results, but we’ve compiled a list comparing Zepbound and Wegovy so that you are more knowledgeable going into your appointment.
Zepbound vs. Wegovy – Which One Is Right for You?
Wegovy has been the prominent weight loss medication since its FDA approval in 2021, but there’s now a new weight management medication, Zepbound, available on the market to offer an alternative. While both Wegovy and Zepbound serve the same purpose—aiding weight loss—they are not the same.
What Is Zepbound?
Zepbound (
Zepbound is considered a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist, and this is because it has a dual mechanism of action that acts on two hormones associated with your appetite. This makes Zepbound the first single-molecule weight loss medication that is capable of mimicking two naturally occurring hormones in the body.
The first is glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone found in your gut that influences not only your gut but also the appetite area in your brain. Zepbound is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which means it acts like this hormone and then produces the same effects that the hormone does—decreases appetite, reduces cravings, and increases feelings of fullness.
Zepbound also acts as the gut hormone glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which acts similarly to GLP-1. The medication targets both of these receptors and the effects of the medication last longer than your body’s natural hormone response would.
In addition to helping with appetite reduction and providing weight loss benefits, tirzepatide also aids blood sugar control.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is also a once-weekly injectable medication. Its active ingredient, semaglutide, aids weight loss in overweight or obese individuals and can also help blood sugar control.
Similar to Zepbound, Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that produces the same effects as the GLP-1 hormone and aids weight loss efforts.
Zepbound vs Wegovy: What Makes Them Different?
To determine the most appropriate option, it’s crucial to know the specifics of each medication and their similarities and differences. Let’s review them in more detail.
FDA Approval
Wegovy and Zepbound are both FDA-approved treatments for weight loss. Wegovy was the first of the two to
Both medications are intended to be used alongside regular physical activity and a balanced diet in order to ensure you keep the weight off. The weight loss seen while on either medication only lasts while you’re actively taking it—since they are not meant to be lifelong medications, these healthy habits of physical exercise and balanced eating must be in place to ensure your weight does not begin rising again after the medication is stopped.
The important thing is to take advantage of the time you are on weight loss medication to focus on reforming your eating habits. At some point, the weight loss medication will stop, and if you go back to your old habits, the weight will come right back. ”
Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about the details of your weight loss plan and then hit the ground running with eating habit reformation.
Dosage
Zepbound and Wegovy are both injected on a weekly basis, but their dosages differ since their active ingredients are not the same. For both medications, the dosages start smaller and gradually build over weeks and months, if deemed necessary.
With
As for
For both medications, a new prescription is needed each time the dose is adjusted. These follow-up appointments allow healthcare providers to monitor your progress, choose the appropriate dosing, and make adjustments on an individual basis.
The dosages are discussed for informational purposes only. Always follow the instructions of your healthcare provider when taking any medication
Insurance Coverage
Without insurance, both Zepbound and Wegovy are expensive medications. If cost is a concern, discuss this with a provider so that they can take the financial aspects into account when prescribing medication.
Insurance coverage varies based on a patient’s plan, with some offering no coverage and other plans requiring prior authorization.
Eligibility Requirements
Both Zepbound and Wegovy can only be prescribed if all the eligibility requirements are met, which center on the two conditions of FDA approval:
- The individual is an overweight or obese adult with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
- The individual has a BMI of 27 or higher and a weight-related health condition.
For Wegovy, pediatric patients are also eligible if they are 12 or older and have an initial BMI in the 85th percentile or greater for their age and gender.
Cost
Zepbound is initially priced at $1,060 every four weeks, while Wegovy comes in at around $1,349 every four weeks. However, costs can vary based on your insurance plan and coverage.
Safety and Side Effects
Both medications carry a risk of side effects.
Shared side effects of Zepbound and Wegovy include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Stomach upset
- Injection site reactions
- Abdominal pain
Both medications are started on the smallest dose in order to minimize side effects and allow the body to adjust to the medication. Doses are increased incrementally every four weeks, if necessary, so that patients can monitor for intolerances. Should any side effects appear, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider in order to discuss them. Your healthcare provider will also use follow-up appointments to monitor the effects of treatment.
Limitations of Use
There are limitations for Zepbound and Wegovy in terms of age, contraindications, and pregnancy.
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Zepbound |
Wegovy |
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Age |
The FDA has not yet determined if Zepbound is safe or effective for adolescents or teens. |
Wegovy is FDA-approved for use in pediatric patients who are 12 or older and have an initial BMI in the 85th percentile or greater for their age and gender. |
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Contraindications |
Do not use Zepbound if you or anyone in your family has had medullary thyroid cancer. Zepbound is also contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MEN 2. Do not use this medication if you have previously had a severe allergic reaction to tirzepatide. |
Wegovy is contraindicated in patients who have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or those with MEN 2. Additionally, do not take Wegovy if you had a prior serious hypersensitivity reaction to semaglutide or any of the inactive ingredients in Wegovy. |
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Pregnancy |
Zepbound may harm your unborn baby. Discontinue Zepbound if you are planning a pregnancy, and talk to your doctor if you become pregnant while on this medication. |
Wegovy may harm your unborn baby. Discontinue Wegovy at least two months before planning a pregnancy, and discontinue if you become pregnant while on Wegovy. |
Drug Interactions
Both Zepbound and Wegovy have drug interactions to be aware of.
Using bexarotene while on tirzepatide may increase the risk of pancreatic inflammation or pancreatitis. Additionally, gatifloxacin can affect blood glucose levels and should not be used by those on Zepbound who also have diabetes since both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia have been reported.
As for Wegovy, consider reducing the dose of insulin—per your doctor’s approval—when starting in order to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. Additionally, Wegovy can cause a delay in gastric emptying, which may impact the absorption of oral medications taken while on Wegovy.
Both medications should not be taken with other medicines containing their active ingredients—tirzepatide and semaglutide—or other GLP-1 receptor agonists. Because of this, Wegovy and Zepbound cannot be taken at the same time.
Weight Loss Results
The amount of weight loss that someone is capable of achieving with the assistance of Zepbound or Wegovy will vary from person to person. Additionally, average weight loss can be reliant on other factors, including medical history, physical activity, diet, and other medications being taken at the same time.
According to a clinical trial, those on Zepbound lost an average of 20.9% of their body weight after a year and a half on the highest dose. Yet another
In comparison, those on the highest dose of Wegovy (2.4 mg) for a year lost
Since these are two separate clinical trials comparing the respective medication to a placebo, not each other, conclusions cannot be drawn regarding which medication will help you lose more weight. However, these clinical trials do show that each medication does help with weight loss.
Comparing Zepbound and Wegovy
Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are two weight loss medications that are FDA-approved to aid weight loss in those who are overweight or obese.
When it comes to finding the right weight management medication for you, your healthcare provider is your best guide to finding the most suitable option. It’s important to remember that expressing an interest in a particular medication does not automatically guarantee a prescription—you must still visit your doctor and go over your medical conditions and health status to understand if you can get Wegovy or Zepbound or need another weight loss solution.
Furthermore, if you start one medication and have concerns regarding side effects or drug interactions, reach out for professional help. Zepbound and Wegovy can be powerful weight loss aids, but you need your doctor’s help to ensure they reach their greatest potential.
