Wegovy strengths vs Mounjaro: how the dose ladders compare

You're partway through a strength schedule and wondering whether you picked the right medicine

It's a common moment. You've started on the lowest dose, you're a few weeks in, and a friend mentions they're on something different. The first thing worth saying: both Wegovy and Mounjaro are licensed in the UK specifically for weight management in adults with a qualifying BMI, and both are titrated gradually for good clinical reasons, your body needs time to adjust, not a sprint to the top dose.

Wegovy (semaglutide, by Novo Nordisk) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Its standard titration runs 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1.0mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg, with roughly four weeks at each level. The MHRA approved a higher 7.2mg maintenance dose in January 2026, and the dedicated single-dose 7.2mg pen was approved on 14 April 2026, though the titration still begins at 0.25mg. Mounjaro (tirzepatide, by Eli Lilly) is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, the only weight-loss medicine in the UK that activates both pathways simultaneously. Its ladder runs 2.5mg → 5mg → 7.5mg → 10mg → 12.5mg → 15mg, again in roughly four-week steps. If you want to understand how each strength level compares across the two medicines, our guide to Wegovy strength vs Mounjaro breaks that down in detail. The numbers look very different, but the strengths aren't directly comparable; the milligrams reflect different molecular structures and dosing designs, not a simple scale of potency. A fuller overview of both medicines sits on our Wegovy vs Mounjaro guide if you'd like the broader picture first.

Neither titration schedule is optional, your prescriber sets the pace based on your tolerance and response, not a fixed calendar.

What the dose comparison table actually tells you

The table below lays out the key factual differences. The numbers in the results column come from the SURMOUNT-1 trial (tirzepatide, published in the New England Journal of Medicine) and the STEP 1 trial (semaglutide 2.4mg, also published in the NEJM). Both are 68–72 week placebo-controlled trials in adults with obesity but without type 2 diabetes. The 7.2mg Wegovy figure comes from separate trials reported at the time of MHRA approval.

SURMOUNT-5 is the only large published head-to-head trial. It randomised 751 adults and ran for 72 weeks, a meaningful comparison, though its open-label design means neither participants nor clinicians were blinded. The 7.2mg Wegovy dose narrows the gap with tirzepatide's highest doses considerably, which is part of why the question of which medicine is "stronger" now has a more nuanced answer than it did two years ago. NICE's appraisal of tirzepatide (TA1026) notes that indirect comparisons favour tirzepatide, while acknowledging the evidence base continues to develop.

The factors a prescriber weighs that a dose table can't show

Two people with the same BMI, on the same dose, can respond quite differently. Trial averages are population figures; your result depends on your metabolism, how closely you can keep to dietary changes, whether you tolerate the GI side effects well, and a range of other clinical factors. Nausea, vomiting, constipation and loose stools are the most frequently reported effects with both medicines, typically most noticeable after starting or stepping up, and often settling within a couple of weeks. The NHS patient-level information for tirzepatide covers side effects in detail worth reading before you start.

Eligibility matters too. NICE recommends tirzepatide (TA1026) for adults with a BMI of at least 35 plus at least one weight-related condition on the NHS. Private eligibility via a regulated pharmacy like nume follows the licensed criteria: BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with a qualifying condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes or obstructive sleep apnoea. Lower thresholds apply for some ethnic backgrounds under UK guidance. The cost difference between Mounjaro and Wegovy is also a practical factor for many people, your prescriber can discuss both options at consultation. If you're curious how the dose numbers translate across medicines, the dose conversion guide explores that question directly, though a prescriber's assessment always takes precedence over any chart. If you're moving from one injection to the other, our switching from Wegovy to Zepbound dosage chart gives a structured reference to help you follow the transition step by step. If you're moving from one injection to the other, see our side-by-side dose guide for more context.

One practical note: if you're planning to start treatment around a holiday or a long weekend, bear in mind that same-day dispatch runs Monday to Friday, worth timing your order for a normal working week.

Which one is right for you, and what happens next

There is no universal answer. Tirzepatide's dual mechanism and higher-dose ceiling give it a statistical edge in the trials, but Wegovy at 7.2mg closes the gap meaningfully, and for some patients semaglutide is the better clinical fit. Neither medicine is suitable without a proper assessment, these are prescription-only medicines and the prescriber's job is to look at your full picture, not just the numbers on a comparison table.

At nume, a GPhC-registered Independent Prescriber reviews every consultation personally. Our pharmacy (GPhC registration 9012878) is registered and verifiable. Which medicine suits you is a clinical decision our prescribers make with you, based on your health, your history and your goals, not on which trial produced the larger percentage. Speak to our prescribers through a free consultation to find out which option fits your situation.