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Comparison

Wegovy vs Zepbound

Wegovy

SEMAGLUTIDE

Approved forWeight management, and cardiovascular risk in heart disease

Covers weight loss

A-S Medication SolutionsLabel version 6, effective 23 April 2024

Zepbound

TIRZEPATIDE

Approved forWeight management, and obstructive sleep apnoea in obesity

Covers weight loss

Eli Lilly and CompanyLabel version 38, effective 22 April 2026

Each stripe is one section of the label, each division in a stripe one entry in that section. The red bar marks a boxed warning.

Reference information, not medical advice

This page is a reference, not medical advice. It reports what the FDA-approved label states and links to that label. It does not tell anyone what to take, and it cannot replace a conversation with a doctor or pharmacist who knows the person's history.

Wegovy and Zepbound are the two most prescribed medications approved by the FDA for chronic weight management. Unlike Ozempic against Wegovy, this is a comparison of two genuinely different molecules from two different manufacturers.

01

Side by side, straight from the labels

From the FDA label

This table is generated from the two source labels, not typed out by hand, so it cannot drift from what the regulator approved.

Label sectionWegovySEMAGLUTIDEZepboundTIRZEPATIDE
Active ingredientSemaglutideGLP-1 receptor agonistTirzepatideGIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist
Approved forWeight management, and cardiovascular risk in heart diseaseWeight management, and obstructive sleep apnoea in obesity
SupplyPrescriptionPrescription
What pharmacies payAcquisition cost, not retail$653.23 per millilitre, brand$525.94 per millilitre, brand
Boxed warningWARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORSWARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS
What the FDA approved it for
  • to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight.
  • to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in: Adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with obesity; Adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition.
  • Coadministration with other semaglutide-containing products or with any other GLP-1 receptor agonist is not recommended.
  • ZEPBOUND is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity: to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults with obesity or adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition.
  • to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity.
  • Limitations of Use: Coadministration with other tirzepatide-containing products or with any GLP-1 receptor agonist is not recommended.
Forms and strengths
  • 2.4 mg/0.75 mL Injection: pre-filled, single-dose pen that delivers doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg.
  • Injection: Clear, colorless to slightly yellow solution in pre-filled single-dose pens, single-dose vials, multi-dose vials, or single-patient-use KwikPens, each available in the following strengths.
  • The multi-dose vials and single-patient-use KwikPen each contain 4 doses: Single-dose Pen or Vial 2.5 mg/0.5 mL 5 mg/0.5 mL 7.5 mg/0.5 mL 10 mg/0.5 mL 12.5 mg/0.5 mL 15 mg/0.5 mL Multi-dose Vial (4...
How the label says it is taken
  • Administer WEGOVY once weekly as an adjunct to diet and increased physical activity, on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without meals.
  • Inject subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm.
  • In patients with type 2 diabetes, monitor blood glucose prior to starting and during WEGOVY treatment.
  • Initiate at 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. Then follow the dosage escalation schedule, titrating every 4 weeks to achieve the maintenance dosage.
  • The maintenance dosage of WEGOVY in adults is either 2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg once weekly.
  • The maintenance dosage of WEGOVY in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older is 2.4 mg once weekly. Important Monitoring and Administration Instructions
  • Recommended Dose Escalation Schedule The recommended starting dosage is 2.5 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly for 4 weeks. Increase the dosage in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks until recommended maintenance dosage is achieved.
  • Consider treatment response and tolerability when selecting the maintenance dosage.
  • Recommended Maintenance and Maximum Dosage Weight Reduction and Long-Term Maintenance: 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly.
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea: 10 mg or 15 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly.
  • Maximum Recommended Dosage: 15 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly.
  • Administration Instructions Refer to the Full Prescribing Information for additional important administration instructions about ZEPBOUND presentations.
Most common adverse reactions
  • Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5%) in adults or pediatric patients aged 12 years and older are: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, dyspepsia, dizziness, abdominal distension, eructation, hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes, flatulence, gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and nasopharyngitis.
  • most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation were nausea (1.8% versus 0.2%), vomiting (1.2% versus 0%), and diarrhea (0.7% versus 0.1%) for WEGOVY and placebo, respectively.
  • most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with ZEPBOUND are: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, injection site reactions, fatigue, hypersensitivity reactions, eructation, hair loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Warnings and precautions
  • Acute Pancreatitis: Has occurred in clinical trials. Discontinue promptly if pancreatitis is suspected. Do not restart if pancreatitis is confirmed.
  • Acute Gallbladder Disease: Has occurred in clinical trials. If cholelithiasis is suspected, gallbladder studies and clinical follow-up are indicated.
  • Hypoglycemia: Concomitant use with insulin or an insulin secretagogue may increase the risk of hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia. Reducing the dose of insulin or insulin secretagogue may be necessary. Inform all patients of the risk of hypoglycemia and educate them on the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.
  • Acute Kidney Injury: Has occurred. Monitor renal function when initiating or escalating doses of WEGOVY in patients reporting severe adverse gastrointestinal reactions or in those with renal impairment reporting severe adverse gastrointestinal reactions.
  • Hypersensitivity Reactions: Anaphylactic reactions and angioedema have been reported postmarketing. Discontinue WEGOVY if suspected and promptly seek medical advice.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Has been reported in trials with semaglutide. Patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy should be monitored.
  • Heart Rate Increase: Monitor heart rate at regular intervals.
  • Suicidal Behavior and Ideation: Monitor for depression or suicidal thoughts. Discontinue WEGOVY if symptoms develop. Risk of Thyroid C-Cell Tumors In mice and rats, semaglutide caused a dose-dependent and treatment-duration-dependent increase in the incidence of thyroid C-cell tumors (adenomas and carcinomas) after lifetime exposure at clinically relevant plasma exposures.
  • Severe Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions: Use has been associated with gastrointestinal adverse reactions, sometimes severe. ZEPBOUND is not recommended in patients with severe gastroparesis.
  • Acute Kidney Injury Due to Volume Depletion: Monitor renal function in patients reporting adverse reactions that could lead to volume depletion.
  • Acute Gallbladder Disease: Has been reported in clinical trials. If cholecystitis is suspected, gallbladder studies and clinical follow-up are indicated.
  • Acute Pancreatitis: Has been observed in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, or ZEPBOUND. Discontinue if pancreatitis is suspected.
  • Hypersensitivity Reactions: Serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema) have been reported postmarketing with tirzepatide. If suspected, advise patients to promptly seek medical attention and discontinue ZEPBOUND.
  • Hypoglycemia: Concomitant use with insulin or an insulin secretagogue may increase the risk of hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia. Reducing dose of insulin or insulin secretagogue may be necessary. Inform all patients of the risk of hypoglycemia and educate them on the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Has not been studied in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy requiring acute therapy, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, or diabetic macular edema. Monitor patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy for progression.
  • Pulmonary Aspiration During General Anesthesia or Deep Sedation: Has been reported in patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists undergoing elective surgeries or procedures. Instruct patients to inform healthcare providers of any planned surgeries or procedures.
Contraindications
  • Personal or family history of MTC or in patients with MEN 2.
  • Known hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any of the excipients in WEGOVY.
  • ZEPBOUND is contraindicated in patients with: A personal or family history of MTC or in patients with MEN 2.
  • Known serious hypersensitivity to tirzepatide or any of the excipients in ZEPBOUND.
  • Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, have been reported with tirzepatide.
  • Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 Known serious hypersensitivity to tirzepatide or any of the excipients in ZEPBOUND
Drug interactions
  • WEGOVY delays gastric emptying.
  • May impact absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications.
  • Use with caution.
  • ZEPBOUND delays gastric emptying and has the potential to impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications.
Label version23 April 202422 April 2026

Comparison of Wegovy vs Zepbound taken from the FDA labels.

02

Different molecules, different receptors

Written by us

Wegovy contains semaglutide, which acts on the GLP-1 receptor. Zepbound contains tirzepatide, which acts on both the GIP and the GLP-1 receptor. This is the substantive pharmacological difference between them and it is stated in both labels.

03

Both are approved for weight management, with different additions

Written by us

Both labels cover reduction of excess body weight and long-term maintenance in adults with obesity, or with overweight plus a weight-related condition. Beyond that they diverge. The Wegovy label adds reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease, and covers patients aged 12 and older. The Zepbound label adds moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea in adults with obesity.

04

Dosing is weekly for both

Written by us

Both are injected once a week and both use a stepwise dose escalation over several weeks before reaching a maintenance dose. The strengths, the steps and the maintenance options differ and are listed in the table above from each label.

05

On the question this page will not answer

Written by us

Trials of these medications report different average weight reductions, and those numbers are widely quoted against each other. The two products were not studied in a single head-to-head trial designed for that comparison in their original approval programmes, and their labels do not compare them. Presenting figures from separate trials as a ranking would misrepresent what the evidence supports, so this page reports what each label says and stops there.

06

Common questions

Written by us
Which one causes more weight loss?
The labels do not compare the two products against each other, and reported results from separate trials are not directly comparable. This page does not rank them.
Are both injected once a week?
Yes. Both labels describe once-weekly subcutaneous injection with a stepwise increase in dose over the first weeks of treatment.
Do both carry a boxed warning?
Yes, both carry the boxed warning about the risk of thyroid C-cell tumours, with the same contraindications.
07

Sources

Every fact above comes from one of these documents. The date is the effective date of the label version this page was built from.

Other comparisons in this category

Page last updated: 16 August 2026

Compiled by the HealthyStudy editorial team from FDA source documents. No medical reviewer is credited on this page, because none reviewed it.