Mounjaro vs. Wegovy: The ultimate weight loss comparison

February 24. 2023

Diabetes medicines are taking over the weight loss world. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are the two drugs heading the race and fighting for first place. The truth is that both of these type 2 diabetes medications are incredibly effective in promoting weight loss. Their efficiency makes deciding which treatment to choose even harder. Today we want to discuss Mounjaro vs. Wegovy and help you find out which therapy is more suitable for you.

We already discussed Wegovy vs. Ozempic for weight loss – both diabetes medicines and brands of the same active ingredient: semaglutide. Today, another active ingredient has joined the game: tirzepatide. This drug is manufactured by Eli Lilly & Company pharmaceutical under the name of Mounjaro. When trying to pick the perfect weight loss supplement having diverse options is a good thing, but having too many opinions can be overwhelming.

Experts from our weight loss clinic in Chicago brought together all the information you need to know regarding Mounjaro vs. Wegovy so you can make an informed decision.

What is Mounjaro?

Moujaro was approved in May 2022 to treat type 2 diabetes. This medication is manufactured by the American pharmaceutical Eli Lilly & Company. The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide, which works as two receptor agonists called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).

Mounjaro helps people with diabetes control their blood sugar levels. The dual receptor agonists – GLP-1 and GIP – increase insulin production after you have a meal and reduce your liver’s sugar production. That keeps dangerous high blood sugar levels away. But also, the receptor agonists’ work makes food travel through your digestive system more slowly, which produces the effect of satiety and makes you feel full for longer after you eat. This appetite suppressant effect is perfect for sticking to a low-calorie diet and achieving weight loss.

Since clinical trials proved tirzepatide to be astonishingly successful for weight loss, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Mounjaro the Fast Track designation. That means this new weight loss supplement will likely become an FDA-approved weight loss drug in the upcoming months.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is an FDA-approved weight loss drug to treat obesity and overweight, and it is also used for weight management. Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company, produces this drug. Just like Ozempic weight loss, Wegovy’s active compound is semaglutide – a 31 amino acid chain connected via peptides linkages. Unlike tirzepatide, semaglutide mimics only one receptor agonist: glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1). Yet, the process is almost exactly the same. Wegovy increases your pancreas’ insulin secretion while decreasing your liver’s glucagon production.

Wegovy is indicated for weight management treatments; this medication was approved in 2021. Before its approval, Novo Nordisk conducted clinical trials for 68 weeks with over 1,900 participants. Patients on the drug lost significant amounts of body weight. The participants also committed to exercising at least 2.5 hours a week and following a healthy diet during the trial.

The clinical results for Wegovy made this supplement the first choice of many trying to lose weight. And when celebrities and highly influential people started to share their weight loss results on social media, Wegovy sales when to the roof. There is no doubt that this is an unprecedented moment for weight loss programs; the average Wegovy weight loss is unparalleled.

Mounjaro vs. Wegovy: Choosing the right fit for you

Before we dive deep into the comparison, we want to clarify that both treatments are highly effective and guarantee weight loss results. You will likely succeed on both medications as long as you commit to leading a healthy lifestyle (diet and exercise). Still, there could be one that fits your needs better. So let’s find out which one you should choose.

How they work

Both supplements have almost the exact same effect on your body. Both work as appetite suppressants, such as Phentermine for weight loss. While on Wegovy or Mounjaro, the hormones those drugs mimic will send signals to your brain, letting it know you have eaten enough and are already full. They will also increase insulin and decrease sugar production. That makes your gastric emptying go slower, leading you to fill satisfied for extra hours after a meal. The difference here is that Wegovy only mimics one hormone (GLP-1), while Mounjaro acts like two appetitive hormones (GLP-1 and GIP). The double the hormone, the double the work the supplement does on your body.

The dosage

The second difference we must take into account is the dosage. Tirzepatide resembles a lot of injectable semaglutide. Both medications are supplied via subcutaneous injections. Healthcare providers recommend making the shot on the stomach, upper arms, or thighs, rotating between those different body areas each time. You can take notes of where you gave yourself the shot to remember it the next time. You have to apply the injection once a week for a period of several months. Regardless of the treatment you choose, you will start with a low dose, and your doctor will slowly increase the dosage. Once you reach the higher possible dosage – maintenance dose – you will begin to see the body weight loss effects quickly.

So far, that is what Mounjaro vs. Wegovy have in common. Now, let’s move on to their differences. Wegovy treatment starts with a low dose of 0.25mg a week; a doctor increases that dosage once a week for a month until reaching the higher possible dose of 2.4mg per week. On the other hand, Mounjaro’s lowest dose is 2.5mg a week; a health care professionals can slowly increase it until reaching the maximum possible dose of 15mg per week. As you can read on those numbers, we are talking about an enormous gap difference; even from the initial dose, we can see a distinction. The higher the dose, the more benefits you will get.

FDA approval

As mentioned, Wegovy was approved back in 2021 as a weight loss and weight management medication. The FDA approved Mounjaro to treat type 2 diabetes in May 2022. This drug is still waiting for FDA approval to become an official weight loss treatment.

Average body weight loss

The average Wegovy weight loss is 15% of body weight using the highest possible dose. And the average weight loss with Mounjaro is 20% with the maximum dosage and 15% with a lower dose of 5mg per week. As you can see, you do not necessarily need to reach the maximum dosage with Mounjaro to achieve substantial results. With both supplements, you will lose a significant amount of body weight.

Side effects

Mounjaro vs. Wegovy have very similar side effects. The most common adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain. With both medicines, your body adjusts to the new drug, and the side effects typically go away. There are certain Wegovy and Mounjaro foods to avoid to relieve those unpleasant side effects. Both treatments also share some severe side effects that are rare to occur; those include kidney problems, low blood sugar, and pancreatitis.

How to enhance the benefits

You achieve optimal results with Wegovy and Mounjaro by pairing them with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Some patients also add fasting to the mix to boost the effects of semaglutide or tirzepatide. You can contact us to learn more about fasting to enhance Mounjaro vs. Wegovy and the fasting benefits by hour.

Final thoughts

We reached the end of this ultimate comparison between Mounjaro vs. Wegovy. It may appear that Mounjaro took home more points than Weogvy; however, as we already mentioned, both medications are highly effective. Both are leading the weight loss race because of their unparalleled benefits. Choosing the right one will also depend on your particular needs and what your goals look like.

Schedule a call with us to learn more about these supplements and which one to pick to start your weight loss journey.

Author

Nurse Walton

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Chanay received her Practical Nurse licensure and went to work in clinical specialties such as Home Health, Assisted Living, Long-Term Care and Dialysis Centers. Through this work, she realized the importance of diet, nutrition and weight loss among her patients. This led her to open A Better Weigh, Inc. Medical Weight Loss Center in 2009.