Wegovy vs Zepbound

Wegovy vs Zepbound — Clear Comparison

Wegovy and Zepbound are both FDA-approved medications used to help adults with overweight or obesity achieve weight loss when paired with diet and exercise. They belong to a class of drugs that influence appetite and metabolism, but they work differently and may produce different outcomes based on clinical evidence.Drugs.com

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How They Work

Wegovy

• Active ingredient: Semaglutide

• Mechanism: A GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics a hormone involved in appetite regulation and slows gastric emptying.

• Effect: Helps reduce hunger and calorie intake.

• Approved for weight management and to reduce cardiovascular risk in certain adults.

Zepbound

• Active ingredient: Tirzepatide

• Mechanism: A dual hormone agonist — it targets GLP-1 and GIP receptors, two hormones that help regulate appetite and glucose.

• Effect: This dual action may enhance weight loss compared with GLP-1 alone.

• Also approved for weight management and certain related conditions like obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.

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Weight Loss Effectiveness

Clinical trials directly comparing the two show measurable differences:

• Zepbound: ~20% average body-weight loss over ~72 weeks at higher doses.

• Wegovy: ~14% average body-weight loss over a similar period.

This means Zepbound has shown greater average weight loss in head-to-head trial data.

Both drugs also improve metabolic factors like waist circumference, blood glucose, and cardiovascular risk markers — but the degree of change tends to be larger with tirzepatide in studies.Drugs.com

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Side Effects

The two medications have similar gastrointestinal side effects, including:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Stomach discomfort

Rate and severity can vary by individual, dose level, and how quickly the dose is increased. Some reports and clinical sources suggest gastrointestinal side effects are generally mild to moderate, but individual tolerance differs.Drugs.com

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Who Can Use Each Medication

Wegovy

• Approved for adults and also in some cases for adolescents (12 + years) for weight loss.Drugs.com

• May be specifically chosen where cardiovascular risk reduction is a priority.

Zepbound

• Approved for adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related conditions.

• Also has a specific indication for obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.

Both are intended to be used with diet and exercise and require medical evaluation and monitoring.

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Other Differences to Consider

Mechanism

• Wegovy works on one hormone pathway (GLP-1).

• Zepbound works on two (GLP-1 + GIP), which may explain stronger average weight-loss effects in trials.Drugs.com

Dosing & Administration

• Both are typically once-weekly injections administered under the skin after training by a healthcare provider.Drugs.com

Individual Response Varies

• Not everyone responds the same — some people report better satisfaction or fewer side effects with one medication over the other even if average trial results differ. User experiences vary widely.

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Which Is “Better”?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer:

Zepbound tends to show greater average weight loss in clinical comparisons, but Wegovy offers proven benefits for cardiovascular risk reduction and may be better suited for individuals prioritizing that outcome.

The best choice depends on individual goals, health history, side-effect tolerance, and medical advice. Always discuss options with a qualified healthcare provider.

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Bottom Line

Both are effective tools in weight management when paired with lifestyle interventions.