Wegovy strength compared to Mounjaro: what the doses actually mean for you

The decision you're probably trying to make

Most people comparing Wegovy and Mounjaro have a specific question in mind: is one meaningfully more effective than the other, and does the strength of each dose tell you much on its own? The honest answer is that a 5mg Mounjaro dose and a 1mg Wegovy dose are not directly comparable figures, they measure concentrations of two different molecules acting on different receptors. What matters is where each dose sits in its own titration schedule, what the clinical trials showed at the maintenance end of that schedule, and which medicine suits the individual's health picture. Our page exploring how Wegovy and Mounjaro compare overall covers the broader picture; this page focuses on what the dosing structures mean in practice.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, it activates two gut-hormone pathways involved in appetite and blood-sugar regulation. Wegovy (semaglutide) targets GLP-1 alone. That mechanistic difference partly explains why, at their respective highest licensed doses, the average weight-loss outcomes differ. Neither medicine is a shortcut; both are taken alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased activity, and both require regular clinical oversight.

The dosing structures side by side

The table below sets out the licensed UK dose ranges for each medicine. Titration is managed by a prescriber, these are the steps the SmPC describes, not a schedule you self-direct.

Titration in both cases typically happens in four-week steps, and the pace is set by your prescriber based on tolerability. Jumping ahead because a lower dose feels fine is not how either medicine is intended to work, the steps exist partly to reduce gastrointestinal side effects, not just to build the pharmacological effect gradually. If you are curious about what a specific Wegovy rung looks like against a Mounjaro equivalent, our explainer on how individual Wegovy doses compare to Mounjaro goes into more detail.

What the MHRA's 7.2 mg Wegovy approval changes

In April 2026 the MHRA approved a single-dose 7.2 mg Wegovy pen, following an earlier approval of 7.2 mg as a maintenance option via three 2.4 mg pens weekly. Trial data at this higher dose showed average weight loss of around 20.7% over 72 weeks, meaningfully closer to Mounjaro 15 mg results than the original 2.4 mg maintenance dose achieved. That narrows the gap between the two medicines considerably, though the 7.2 mg indication is for adults with a BMI of 30 or above only, and it remains a maintenance dose reached after the standard titration schedule. Specific pen availability is confirmed at your consultation rather than assumed.

For anyone considering Wegovy and wondering whether the newer dose changes the comparison with Mounjaro, our dedicated page on how Wegovy strength compares to Mounjaro addresses that question directly, and the short answer is: it reduces the average efficacy difference, though which is more appropriate still depends on your individual clinical profile. NICE's appraisal of tirzepatide (TA1026, published December 2024) notes that indirect comparisons from trial data favour tirzepatide, and the 2025 SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial (751 adults with obesity, no diabetes, 72 weeks) found tirzepatide produced greater average weight reduction than semaglutide 2.4 mg. That trial was conducted before 7.2 mg became widely available as a maintenance option, which is worth bearing in mind when reading it.

Side effects, eligibility and what this means for your decision

Both medicines share a broadly similar side-effect profile, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion and fatigue are the most commonly reported, and they tend to be most noticeable after starting or after a dose step up, usually settling within a week or two. The NHS patient information for tirzepatide and for semaglutide covers these in detail and is worth reading before your consultation. Injection-site reactions occur with both; sites should be rotated between the abdomen, thigh and upper arm.

From an eligibility standpoint, both medicines are licensed for adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or type 2 diabetes. Lower BMI thresholds apply for some ethnic backgrounds under UK guidance. Neither medicine is suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for anyone under 18. Your prescriber assesses the full picture, not just the number on the scale.

The question of which medicine fits you is genuinely a clinical one. Factors including your medical history, any other medicines you take, how you responded to previous treatment and your preference for injection format all play into it. If you've been on Wegovy and are wondering about the dose relationship between the two, our resource on switching between the two medicines addresses that specifically. Cost is sometimes part of the conversation too, and if you want to understand how the different Wegovy strengths sit alongside Mounjaro in terms of value, our comparison of Mounjaro and Wegovy pricing in the UK sets out the market context honestly. Both medicines require a prescription following clinical assessment, and at nume a real prescriber reviews your consultation the same day. You can read more about how our clinical team approaches these decisions on our clinical team page.

Which medicine suits you is a clinical decision our prescribers make with you, not a conclusion a comparison table can reach on your behalf.