Zepbound vs Wegovy for weight loss compared

You have a lot of choices for weight loss medications today. And when it comes to Zepbound vs Wegovy the choice may seem as simple as losing up to 20.9% of your body weight vs 14.9%. But it’s not necessarily that straightforward.

In this article, we go over what you need to know about which of these 2 weight loss medications is right for you, including what they do to your body, what they cost, what to expect if you take them, and more. 

Looking to lose weight with medication? A weight loss specialist on Klarity Health can evaluate your needs and create a treatment plan that may include medication. Find a provider today.

The basics of Zepbound vs Wegovy for weight loss

Zepbound and Wegovy are prescription weight loss injections. You take them once a week by giving yourself a shot. And both lead to significant weight loss. 

Weight loss on Zepbound vs Wegovy compared 

Zepbound for weight loss

Zepbound is basically the same medication as Mounjaro — they have the same active ingredient, tirzepatide, and the same tirzepatide doses. But, Mounjaro is approved to improve blood sugar (glycemic) control in people with type 2 diabetes. After people lost weight while taking it, the manufacturer, Eli Lilly, worked to get a branded version of tirzepatide approved for weight loss. As a result, Zepbound was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2023. 

It’s only approved for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, or 27 or greater with at least 1 weight-related health condition (like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure). And, it’s meant to be used alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise. 

If you’re prescribed Zepbound, studies show you can lose a significant amount of weight. In clinical trials, people taking Zepbound lost up to 20.9% of their body weight in 72 weeks. 

Wegovy for weight loss

Wegovy’s active ingredient, semaglutide, is the same as Ozempic, a medication FDA-approved to lower blood sugar (glucose) and improve A1C in people with type 2 diabetes. Similar to Zepbound and Mounjaro, Wegovy was FDA-approved after people taking Ozempic noticed weight loss. But, Wegovy doses of semaglutide are different than for Ozempic. 

You can take Wegovy if you’re an adult with a BMI of 30 or more, or a BMI of 27 or more with a weight-related health condition. It’s also approved for children aged 12 and older with obesity and a BMI in the 95th percentile for their sex and age. And like Zepbound, Ozempic, or Mounjaro, if you take it, you should exercise more and eat fewer calories.

Side note: Wegovy is also approved to lower the risk of death, heart attack, or stroke (major cardiovascular events) if you have heart disease and are obese or overweight. So, if you have heart disease and need to lose weight, Wegovy may be a better option for you than Zepbound.

And the (fat) burning question of how much weight you can lose on Wegovy vs Zepbound — not as much. In trials, people taking Wegovy lost 14.9% of their body weight. That’s 5% less than in trials for Zepbound.

How Zepbound and Wegovy work in your body

Zepbound and Wegovy are related, but different types of drugs. 

Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist, also known as GLP-1 agonist. GLP-1 is a natural hormone in the intestines. After you eat, GLP-1 works by stimulating insulin release from the pancreas and slowing down the secretion of glucagon (a hormone that helps control blood sugar). It also slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach and moves through your intestines. By mimicking GLP-1, GLP-1 agonist medications regulate blood sugar, and make you feel more full after eating and less hungry in general. As a result, you eat less and lose weight.

Zepbound is a glucagon-like peptide-1/gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GLP-1/GIP) dual agonist. It works by mimicking both the GLP-1 and GIP hormones. GIP works on the central nervous system (CNS) to make you feel less hungry and reduce cravings. It also plays a role in fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity. So, as a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist, Zepbound works like Wegovy, but has added effects that lead to more weight loss.

The cost of Wegovy vs Zepbound

When comparing any medications, including Wegovy vs Zepbound, 1 major factor is cost. Without insurance, both drugs retail for more than $1,000 per month. According to drugs.com with its discount card applied, a 1-month supply of Wegovy costs $1,430. Zepbound costs slightly less at $1,126 for a 1-month supply.

There are no lower-cost generic versions available. Though you’ll pay less for compounded versions — compounded tirzepatide and compounded semaglutide can cost as little as $150 per month. If you’re considering compounded medication, talk to your healthcare provider to be sure it’s right for you and get a prescription. Note that insurance often doesn’t cover compounded medications, and costs vary among pharmacies. You’ll only pay less for compounded versions if their cost is less than your insurance copay for Zepbound or Wegovy.

Insurance coverage for Wegovy vs Zepbound

Your insurance plan may cover Wegovy or Zepbound if you meet the FDA-approved criteria. “May” is the operative word here. Because of the cost and newness of these drugs, not all insurance companies cover Zepbound or Wegovy. If your plan does cover 1 or either, what you’ll pay out-of-pocket depends on your specific plan.

Even if Zepbound or Wegovy are covered by your insurance company, you probably need prior authorization before your plan will pay for either 1. Prior authorization is when your health insurance plan makes you get approval before it covers a cost. Your healthcare provider can help you with this process. And if you’re denied, know that you can appeal a prior authorization denial.

Learn more about prior authorization for Zepbound and prior authorization for Wegovy.

How to save money on Zepbound and Wegovy

There are few ways to save if you need to lower the cost of your prescription for either Zepbound or Wegovy. Prescription discount sites, like GoodRx, WellRx, Optum Perks, and SingleCareRx, offer Zepbound and Wegovy coupons. Print or download coupons and present them to your pharmacy for savings. 

Also, the makers of both Zepbound and Wegovy have savings card programs to help you save.

Zepbound Savings Card

If you’re eligible, you can take advantage of the Zepbound Savings Card program and get Zepbound for $25 a month. If you have insurance that covers Zepbound, you can save up to $150 for each 1-month supply — up to $1,800 each calendar year. If your insurance doesn’t cover Zepbound, you’ll pay as little as $550 per month, saving up to $7,319 each calendar year. 

Wegovy Savings Card

You may be eligible to get Wegovy for free through the Wegovy Savings Card program. You’re limited to a maximum savings of $225 per 1-month supply on up to 13 refills. So, if your copay for Wegovy is $225 or less, you’ll pay $0 for your prescription each month. If your insurance doesn’t cover Wegovy or you pay cash, the program lowers your cost to $650 per refill. 

What to expect if you take Zepbound vs Wegovy for weight loss

Any medication can have side effects — Zepbound and Wegovy are no exception. Here’s a rundown of what you might experience if you take one of these medications.

Common side effects of Zepbound and Wegovy

Serious side effects of Zepbound and Wegovy

Beyond common side effects, both Zepbound and Wegovy can have more serious side effects. 

Both Zepbound and Wegovy have a boxed warning, which is the most serious safety warning the FDA puts on a medication. The boxed warning for Wegovy and Zepbound warns of possible thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. Avoid either medication if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Read more about Zepbound’s side effects and the side effects of Wegovy.

Can you switch from Zepbound to Wegovy, or vice versa? 

If you’re wondering whether you can switch from Zepbound to Wegovy or vice versa, the answer is yes. With your healthcare provider’s guidance and supervision, you can switch from 1 medication to the other. Reasons for switching include cost, side effects, and potential weight loss.

Be sure to follow all the instructions your healthcare provider gives you when making the switch. Typically, you’ll stop Wegovy, take a few weeks off, then start Zepbound. You also want to tell your provider about any side effects you have so they can help you manage them.

Key takeaway 

• Both Wegovy and Zepbound are FDA-approved weekly injectable weight loss medications for people with clinical obesity or overweight. 
• In clinical trials, people lost more weight on Zepbound — 20.9% of body weight in 72 weeks on Zepbound, compared to 14.9% in 68 weeks on Wegovy.
• Both Zepbound and Wegovy have a retail cost of more than $1,000. If they’re covered by insurance, there’s a good chance you’ll need prior authorization before your drug copay applies. Coupons and savings card programs can help lower your costs.
• To decide which, if either is right for you, talk to your ask your doctor about weight loss medication, like Wegovy or Zepbound. 

Zepbound vs Wegovy? Find a provider and find the right one for you.

If you’re interested in medication-managed weight loss, a licensed healthcare provider can evaluate your needs and prescribe medication if it’s right for you. Get the support you need to lose weight when you find a weight loss specialist on Klarity Health today. 

Sources

American Medical Association, What doctors wish patients knew about prior authorization, Sara Berg, MS, Sept. 2023, https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/prior-authorization/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-prior-authorization

DailyMed, Label: Wegovy- semaglutide injection solution, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ee06186f-2aa3-4990-a760-757579d8f77b

DailyMed, Label: Zepbound- tirzepatide injection solution, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=487cd7e7-434c-4925-99fa-aa80b1cc776b

Frontiers in Endocrinology, Effect of dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide/glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist on weight loss in subjects with obesity, Isabella Zaffina et al., Feb. 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9992880/

JAMA Network, Continued Treatment with Tirzepatide for Maintenance of Weight Reduction in Adults with Obesity: The SURMOUNT-4 Randomized Clinical Trial, Louis J. Aronne, MD, et.al., Dec. 2023, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2812936

The New England Journal of Medicine, Once-weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity, John P.H. Wilding, DM, et al., Feb. 2021, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage.

How we reviewed this article: This article goes through rigorous fact-checking by a team of medical reviewers. Reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the author.