Wegovy Vs. Mounjaro: Which One Works Better For Weight Loss?

Choosing a weight loss treatment might feel overwhelming. There are now multiple branded and generic GLP-1 medications available, with varying benefits, results, prices and side effects. Here we'll break down the differences between two popular treatments – Wegovy and Mounjaro – to help you understand which might be the right choice for you.

What exactly are they?

Before we deep dive into each medication, let’s first understand what they are. Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are weight loss injections. Wegovy is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like polypeptide-1) receptor agonist, while Mounjaro is a dual GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 receptor agonist. They work by mimicking the action of the GLP-1 hormone, which the body naturally releases when we eat. It triggers the production of insulin to regulate and reduce blood sugar, which is why some GLP-1s were originally prescribed to treat people with type-2 diabetes. GLP-1s also delay gastric emptying – making you feel fuller for longer – as well as suppressing appetite and improving feelings of fullness. [1] [2]

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a weight loss drug that uses semaglutide as its active ingredient. Unlike many of the other GLP-1s that began as diabetes treatments, Wegovy has been licensed as a dedicated weight loss medication by the FDA for a number of years. While semaglutide is also used in other treatments like Ozempic, Wegovy can be prescribed at higher doses.

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is a potent weight loss medication containing the active ingredient tirzepatide. What makes tirzepatide – and Mounjaro – unique is that it’s a dual agonist meaning it works as both a GLP-1 and GIP sequence agonist – nicknamed a "twincretin." [3] So while it works in the same way as Wegovy to trigger insulin release , enhancing blood sugar level and appetite regulation – the GIP activity has been shown to increase levels of Adiponectin, a protein known to regulate glucose levels, enhance fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity as a mechanism to increase weight loss. [4]

Similarities between Wegovy and Mounjaro

Both clinically-proven weight loss solutions, Wegovy and Mounjaro have many similarities. They are both GLP-1s – working on the gut and brain to control appetite to make you feel fuller for longer. Both are injected using a pre-filled pen weekly, and both are FDA approved for weight loss. And crucially, both are available here at Levity.

Differences between Wegovy and Mounjaro

There are also a number of differences between the two weekly injections.

Mechanisms of Action

As mentioned earlier, Wegovy and Mounjaro use different active ingredients. Mounjaro benefits from the dual action of GLP-1 and GIP – which is thought to be particularly beneficial for losing weight and keeping it off, while Wegovy is solely a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Clinical Trials and Average Weight Loss

Both treatments have demonstrated impressive effectiveness in clinical trials to aid weight loss. Wegovy has shown potential to achieve a reduction of up to 15% of body weight over a year. While Mounjaro has shown in clinical studies to help reduce body weight by up to 20% over a year on the maximum dose.

Common Side Effects

Both medications may trigger similar mild and moderate adverse effects like nausea. We recommend you read the full Wegovy and Mounjaro potential side effects before considering starting treatment – and informing our clinical team of any existing health conditions.

Mounjaro vs Wegovy Cost of Treatment

Here at Levity, both Wegovy and Mounjaro cost £195 every four weeks. When you choose us as your weight loss partner, your initial consultation, prescription, medication, delivery and ongoing clinical support and health coaching is all included in that price.

Which one is right for you?

When you have your free consultation with Levity, you’ll answer a short questionnaire (which includes medical history) to determine your eligibility for weight loss treatment. Our clinical team will then recommend the right treatment plans for you to choose from.

You can start your weight loss journey here.

References

‌1. Collins L, Costello RA. Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551568/

2. Latif W, Lambrinos KJ, Rodriguez R. Compare And Contrast the Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP1RAs) [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572151/

3. Dutta P, Kumar Y, Babu AT, Giri Ravindran S, Salam A, Rai B, et al. Tirzepatide: A Promising Drug for Type 2 Diabetes and Beyond. Cureus [Internet]. 2023 May 1;15(5):e38379. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10231274/

4. Nguyen TMD. Adiponectin: Role in Physiology and Pathophysiology. International Journal of Preventive Medicine [Internet]. 2020 Sep 3;11. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7554603