Mounjaro®
Starting from £179.99/mo
Start journey Learn moreHow Wegovy and Mounjaro differ — and what that means for you
The myth worth correcting first: these two medicines are not interchangeable
A common assumption is that Wegovy and Mounjaro do essentially the same thing at different price points. That picture is too simple. Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it mimics one gut hormone involved in appetite and gastric emptying. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which activates both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors simultaneously. That dual action is genuinely distinct, and it shows up in the trial data.
In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, participants taking tirzepatide at the highest dose lost around 20–21% of their body weight on average over 72 weeks. The STEP 1 trial for semaglutide 2.4mg reported approximately 15% average weight loss over 68 weeks. Those figures come from different study populations and designs, so a direct comparison carries caveats, but the gap is consistent enough that NICE's appraisal of tirzepatide noted indirect comparisons tended to favour it. The NICE appraisal of tirzepatide (TA1026) and the SURMOUNT-1 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine are worth reading if you want the detail.
The phrase "mounjaro wegovy equivalent" circulates online, usually in the context of switching or comparing costs. If you want a thorough breakdown of how the two medicines stack up, our comparison of Mounjaro vs Wegovy goes through the evidence in full. What the evidence supports is that they are alternatives for the same indication (adults with obesity or overweight plus a weight-related condition) not equivalent in expected average outcome.
A direct comparison: the facts side by side
The table below sets out the verified factual differences. For switching guidance (if you are already on one and considering moving to the other) the clinical picture is more involved; the full guide to moving from Mounjaro to Wegovy covers that question.
| Factor | Wegovy (semaglutide) | Mounjaro (tirzepatide) |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | GLP-1 receptor agonist | Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Manufacturer | Novo Nordisk | Eli Lilly |
| Maintenance dose (standard) | 2.4mg weekly (also 7.2mg, see below) | Titrated up to 15mg weekly by prescriber |
| Average trial weight loss | ~15% (STEP 1, 68 weeks, 2.4mg) [NEJM STEP 1] | ~20–21% (SURMOUNT-1, 72 weeks, 15mg) [NEJM SURMOUNT-1] |
| UK licence (weight management) | BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with a weight-related condition | BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with a weight-related condition |
| MHRA monitoring status | Black Triangle (▼) | Black Triangle (▼) |
Both medicines share a broadly similar side-effect profile: nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and other gastrointestinal effects are the most common, typically most noticeable when starting or after a dose increase. The NHS patient information on tirzepatide and the equivalent semaglutide page give clear guidance on what to watch for and when to seek help.
Where the 7.2mg Wegovy pen changes the comparison
The equivalence question shifted in early 2026. On 14 April 2026 the MHRA approved a dedicated single-dose 7.2mg Wegovy pen, one injection per week, up from the previous 2.4mg standard maintenance dose. Trial data at 7.2mg reported approximately 20.7% average weight loss over 72 weeks, which narrows the gap with tirzepatide 15mg considerably, and our guide to the benefits Wegovy can offer over Mounjaro explores what that shift means in practice. Specific pen availability is confirmed at consultation rather than listed here, because supply continues to develop.
The practical takeaway: the comparison that felt settled in 2024 is more nuanced now. Someone asking whether Wegovy and Mounjaro are equivalent is, in part, asking which dose of Wegovy is being discussed. A useful habit before your consultation: check the GPhC pharmacy register for any online provider you're considering, the register takes under a minute to search and confirms whether a pharmacy is legitimate. It is one of the clearest safety checks available.
If cost is part of your thinking, the price gap between the two medicines has narrowed since Eli Lilly revised Mounjaro's UK list price upward from September 2025. The cost comparison between tirzepatide and semaglutide goes through the current picture in detail.
Which medicine suits you is a clinical decision, not a search result
No comparison table decides this. Prescribers weigh your medical history, any current medicines, your BMI, comorbidities, and your own preferences, including whether you'd find injections or (where relevant) a tablet easier to sustain. Mounjaro has no oral equivalent licensed for weight loss in the UK; Wegovy now does, in the form of the Wegovy tablet approved by the MHRA on 11 June 2026.
The full side-by-side of Wegovy versus Mounjaro covers additional clinical nuances, including contraception and HRT considerations specific to tirzepatide. If you have already been on one medicine and want to understand switching in the other direction, the guide to switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy is the place to start.
At nume, a prescriber reviews every consultation personally before any prescription is issued. There is no algorithm making that call. If you want to explore which medicine fits your situation, start your free consultation and the clinical team will work through it with you.
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