If you’ve struggled to reach and maintain a healthier weight, it may be time to consider medications like Zepbound and Wegovy. When paired with a nutritious diet and regular exercise, these medications can help patients control their weight.
Before you visit your doctor or contact a telehealth provider, it's important to know which option might be a better fit for you. In this guide, we break down the key differences between Zepbound and Wegovy to help you make an informed decision about your weight management journey.
What Is the Difference Between Zepbound and Wegovy?
Zepbound and Wegovy are both injectable GLP-1 medications meant to help with chronic weight management. However, they have a few key differences — namely, their active ingredients and how they work.
Zepbound is an injectable prescription medication containing tirzepatide. It targets two hormone receptors, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), to help reduce appetite and food intake. It’s not a cosmetic weight loss solution but is FDA-approved for chronic weight management. When paired with diet and exercise changes, Zepbound is intended to help obese and overweight adults experiencing weight-related health issues lose excess weight and keep it off.
Wegovy is also an injectable prescription medication, but instead of tirzepatide, it contains semaglutide. Wegovy is also FDA-approved for chronic weight management and is intended for patients with obesity or who are overweight with weight-related medical problems. Along with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity, it can help you lose weight and maintain your weight loss. Unlike Zepbound, Wegovy only targets GLP-1 receptors to help curb your appetite and increase feelings of fullness.
Which Is Better: Wegovy or Zepbound?
Since Wegovy and Zepbound both help obese or overweight adults manage and maintain weight loss, how do you know which one is better? It all boils down to your personal goals and preferences. Understanding the differences in use cases, side effects, potential results, and cost can help inform your decision.
Along with weight management, both Wegovy and Zepbound can help with some other weight-related conditions.
In December 2024, Zepbound became the first and only prescription to be approved by the FDA for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep and breathing disorder that can cause your breathing to repeatedly stop and start as you sleep. This can lead to issues like snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and disrupted sleep. Zepbound has been shown to help some adults with moderate-to-severe OSA and obesity improve their sleep disorder. If you suffer from OSA, Zepbound could be the right medication for you.
Wegovy, on the other hand, might be a better option if you have heart disease. In March 2024, the FDA approved the use of Wegovy for cardiovascular risk reduction in overweight or obese adults with cardiovascular disease. In a placebo-controlled trial, Wegovy “significantly reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke).”
Like any medication, Wegovy and Zepbound come with potential side effects. Both medications have similar side effects, including diarrhea, constipation, nausea, stomach pains, and vomiting.
Wegovy and Zepbound can both help you manage your weight, but studies have shown that Zepbound may be more effective. In a recent clinical trial, Zepbound proved a 47% greater relative weight loss compared to Wegovy. At 72 weeks, participants on Zepbound experienced an average weight loss of 20.2% compared to 13.7% for those on Wegovy. It’s important to note that your personal results will vary.
The cost of Wegovy and Zepbound can vary depending on the pharmacy you use and whether or not the medication is covered by health insurance. However, Zepbound tends to be slightly less expensive than Wegovy.
Ready to take control of your weight loss journey with the right medication? Discover whether Zepbound or Wegovy fits your lifestyle and health goals best. Start with a free consultation to get matched with the right GLP-1 treatment. One of our healthcare professionals will get to know you, your goals, and your medical history to determine which option may be best for you. Whichever medication you’re prescribed, it comes complete with fitness, nutrition, and community support to help you reach your goals.
Explore your options with OrderlyMeds today.