If you are struggling with obesity or overweight, you may have heard of two new medications that can help you lose weight: Wegovy and Tirzepatide (also known as Mounjaro). These drugs are not magic pills, but they can be effective tools to complement a healthy lifestyle and achieve your weight loss goals. But what are the differences between them and which one is better for you? In this blog post, we will compare Wegovy and Tirzepatide in terms of how they work, how much weight they can help you lose, their side effects, their cost and their availability.
How do Wegovy and Tirzepatide work?
Wegovy and Tirzepatide are both injectable medications that belong to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a natural hormone that is released by the gut after eating. GLP-1 has several effects on the body, such as:
– Stimulating the pancreas to produce insulin, which lowers blood sugar levels
– Slowing down the digestion process, which reduces hunger and increases feelings of fullness
– Reducing the production of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels
– Increasing the metabolism of fat and glucose
Wegovy and Tirzepatide mimic the effects of GLP-1 by binding to its receptors in the brain and other organs. By doing so, they help regulate appetite and blood sugar levels, leading to reduced food intake and weight loss.
However, Wegovy and Tirzepatide are not exactly the same. Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that has been approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in people with obesity or overweight who have at least one weight-related medical condition. Wegovy is a once-weekly injection that can help people lose an average of 15% of their body weight in one year.
Tirzepatide contains tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist that has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but not yet for weight loss. GIP stands for glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, another natural hormone that is released by the gut after eating. GIP has similar effects as GLP-1, but also stimulates the liver to store glucose as glycogen. Tirzepatide works by stimulating both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, which are involved in appetite regulation and energy metabolism. Tirzepatide is also a once-weekly injection that can help people lose an average of 22.5% of their body weight in one year.
How much weight can you lose with Wegovy and Tirzepatide?
The amount of weight you can lose with Wegovy and Tirzepatide depends on several factors, such as your starting weight, your diet, your physical activity level and your adherence to the medication. However, based on clinical trials, both drugs have shown impressive results compared to placebo (a dummy injection).
In a study involving 1961 adults with obesity or overweight who had at least one weight-related medical condition (such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol), those who received Wegovy lost an average of 14.9% of their body weight after 68 weeks (about 16 months), while those who received placebo lost only 2.4%. This means that someone who weighed 231 pounds at the start of the study would lose about 34 pounds with Wegovy and only 6 pounds with placebo.
In another study involving 1879 adults with type 2 diabetes who were also obese or overweight, those who received Tirzepatide lost an average of 22.5% of their body weight after 52 weeks (about 12 months), while those who received placebo lost only 3.5%. This means that someone who weighed 231 pounds at the start of the study would lose about 52 pounds with Tirzepatide and only 8 pounds with placebo.
These results are remarkable, considering that most weight loss medications can help people lose only 5% to 10% of their body weight. In fact, the weight loss achieved with Wegovy and Tirzepatide is comparable to that of bariatric surgery, which is considered the most effective treatment for severe obesity.
What are the side effects of Wegovy and Tirzepatide?
As with any medication, Wegovy and Tirzepatide can cause some side effects, especially when you start taking them or when you increase the dose. The most common side effects of both drugs are gastrointestinal, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. These side effects are usually mild to moderate and tend to improve over time as your body gets used to the medication. However, if they are severe or persistent, you should contact your doctor.
Other possible side effects of Wegovy and Tirzepatide include:
– Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially if you are also taking other diabetes medications. You should monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and follow your doctor’s instructions on how to adjust your medication doses.
– Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), which can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. You should stop taking the medication and seek medical attention immediately if you experience these symptoms.
– Thyroid cancer, which has been reported in rodents treated with high doses of GLP-1 receptor agonists. However, there is no conclusive evidence that these drugs cause thyroid cancer in humans. You should tell your doctor if you have a history of thyroid disease or thyroid nodules before taking these drugs.
– Allergic reactions, such as rash, itching, swelling or difficulty breathing. You should stop taking the medication and seek medical attention immediately if you experience these symptoms.
Wegovy and Tirzepatide are not suitable for everyone. You should not take these drugs if you have:
– A history of pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer
– A history of thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (a rare genetic disorder that causes tumors in various glands)
– A history of allergic reactions to semaglutide, tirzepatide or any of their ingredients
– Severe kidney disease or kidney failure
– Severe liver disease or liver failure
– Gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying) or other digestive disorders that affect the absorption of drugs
– Pregnancy or breastfeeding
You should also tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions or if you are taking any other medications, supplements or herbal products, as they may interact with Wegovy or Tirzepatide and affect their safety or effectiveness.
How much do Wegovy and Tirzepatide cost and where can you get them?
Wegovy and Tirzepatide are both prescription-only medications that require a doctor’s evaluation and approval before you can use them. You will also need to visit your doctor regularly for blood tests and check-ups to monitor your response to the medication and adjust the dose as needed.
The cost of Wegovy and Tirzepatide may vary depending on your insurance coverage, your pharmacy and your location. However, both drugs are likely to be expensive, as they are new and innovative treatments for obesity and diabetes. According to GoodRx , a website that compares drug prices across pharmacies, the average retail price of Wegovy is about $1,500 per month for a 2.4 mg dose. The price of terzepatide is not yet available, as it is not yet approved for weight loss in the US, but it may be similar to that of Wegovy.
If you have insurance, you may be able to get some coverage for Wegovy or Tirzepatide, depending on your plan and your eligibility criteria. However, many insurance companies may not cover these drugs for weight loss unless you have a diagnosis of obesity or overweight with a weight-related medical condition or type 2 diabetes. You may also need to try other weight loss methods first, such as diet, exercise and behavioral therapy, before you can qualify for these drugs. You should check with your insurance company before starting Wegovy or terzepatide to find out what your options are.
If you do not have insurance or if your insurance does not cover these drugs, you may be able to get some financial assistance from the manufacturers of Wegovy or Tirzepatide. Eli Lilly offers a savings card program for eligible patients who use Wegovy , which can reduce the out-of-pocket cost to as low as $25 per month. Eli Lilly also offers a patient assistance program for eligible patients who use terzepatide , which can provide free or low-cost medication.