Mounjaro®
Starting from £179.99/mo
Start journey Learn moreHow the Two Medicines Compare for Long-Term Weight Management
Step 1: Understanding what each medicine is actually doing at maintenance
During active weight loss on Mounjaro, tirzepatide's dual action on GIP and GLP-1 receptors suppresses appetite strongly and slows gastric emptying. Clinical trial results from SURMOUNT-1 showed an average body-weight reduction of around 20–21% at the 15mg dose over 72 weeks, as published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Once you reach a stable weight, the goal shifts: you are no longer trying to lose, you are trying not to regain. That is a physiologically different challenge.
Wegovy at its standard 2.4mg maintenance dose produced around 15% average weight reduction over 68 weeks in the STEP 1 trial. In the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head study (published in the New England Journal of Medicine, 2025), tirzepatide produced greater average loss than semaglutide 2.4mg. The MHRA has also approved a higher 7.2mg maintenance dose for Wegovy, with trial data showing approximately 20.7% average loss over 72 weeks, narrowing the gap considerably. So Wegovy at 7.2mg is a meaningfully different proposition from Wegovy at 2.4mg, and that distinction matters when thinking about switching.
If your body responded well to tirzepatide's dual mechanism, moving to a single GLP-1 pathway may or may not maintain the same appetite suppression. This is not a reason to stay on Mounjaro or to avoid Wegovy; it is a reason to have the conversation with a prescriber before making any change. You can explore the full comparison on our Wegovy vs Mounjaro overview.
Step 2: What the evidence says about using Wegovy for maintenance after another GLP-1 treatment
Direct evidence comparing Wegovy as a maintenance therapy specifically after a Mounjaro course is limited; the major trials studied each medicine from baseline, not as sequential treatments. What the evidence does show is that stopping any GLP-1 medicine leads to a gradual return of weight in most people, which is why clinical guidance focuses on ongoing treatment rather than a defined course. NICE's appraisal of semaglutide (TA875) recommends it for up to two years within a specialist weight management service, which gives you a sense of how regulators think about the duration question.
If you are considering this because of cost (Mounjaro's UK list price rose significantly from September 2025, with higher doses now listed at around £330 per four-week pen) that is a very practical concern and worth factoring in honestly. Our cost comparison page sets out what both medicines typically cost privately and what those prices usually include.
It is also worth knowing that the transition between doses is not straightforward. Mounjaro and Wegovy are measured in milligrams but are not interchangeable by dose number. A prescriber needs to assess where you are and what an appropriate starting point for Wegovy would be. Our page on Mounjaro to Wegovy dose conversion explains the clinical thinking behind that.
Step 3: A factual side-by-side of the two medicines at maintenance
| Factor | Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | Wegovy (semaglutide) |
|---|---|---|
| Receptor mechanism | Dual GIP + GLP-1 | GLP-1 only |
| UK licence (weight management) | Yes (BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with condition) | Yes (BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with condition) |
| Typical maintenance dose | Titrated up to 15mg; prescriber decides | 2.4mg standard; 7.2mg now approved |
| Average weight reduction (trial) | ~20–21% at 15mg (SURMOUNT-1, 72 wks) | ~15% at 2.4mg (STEP 1, 68 wks); ~20.7% at 7.2mg |
| Administration | Once-weekly subcutaneous injection | Once-weekly subcutaneous injection |
| NICE recommendation | TA1026 (Dec 2024, updated Sep 2025) | TA875 (Mar 2023); max 2 years, specialist service |
One thing to notice: the NICE recommendation for Wegovy comes with a two-year time limit within a specialist service, while NICE's appraisal of tirzepatide does not carry that same ceiling. That is a clinically relevant difference if you are thinking long-term. The Wegovy dose vs Mounjaro page goes further into what the dose strengths actually mean in practice.
Step 4: The switching decision, and why it belongs with a prescriber
If you are already on Mounjaro and wondering whether Wegovy for maintenance after Mounjaro is right for you, you are asking a sensible question. Some people switch because of supply, cost, preference for the formulation, or a clinical reason their prescriber identifies. Others stay on Mounjaro long-term. There is no universal answer, and honestly, that ambiguity can feel frustrating when you just want a clear steer.
What we can say clearly: the switch should never happen without a clinical review. Both medicines are prescription-only, and a prescriber needs to assess your current dose, your weight trajectory, your health background and your goals before recommending a change. Our page on switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy for maintenance covers the process in more detail, and if you are at an earlier stage (weighing up whether to make the move at all) this page on whether the switch is possible is a useful starting point.
At nume, every repeat prescription and every treatment change goes through the same same-day clinical review by a GPhC-registered Independent Prescriber. If you would like to discuss your situation, check your eligibility and start a free consultation, there is no obligation, and our prescribers are the right people to give you a personalised answer. You can also read more about our clinical team if you want to know who would be reviewing your case.
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