Zepbound® and Wegovy® are medications that help control the hormones responsible for digestion. People who take either of these meds often feel fuller for longer, have fewer cravings, eat less, and lose weight as a result.
Doctors also use Tirzepatide and Semaglutide to treat type 2 diabetes, but under different names like Mounjaro® for Tirzepatide and Ozempic®/Rybelsus® for semaglutide.
Wegovy® is part of a group of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists. It mimics a natural hormone in the gut called GLP-1 that impacts your stomach and your brain’s appetite center, helping you feel less hungry and more satisfied after eating.
Zepbound® works in a similar way to Wegovy® because it also mimics GLP-1. However, it also imitates another gut hormone called GIP, which is why it’s known as a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist. This allows it to potentially boost the weight loss effects even more compared to GLP-1 alone.
Both Zepbound® and Wegovy® can come with side effects, such as stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, burping, headache, tiredness, dizziness, heartburn, hair loss, runny nose, sore throat, and injection site reactions. Not everyone will experience these, and they can vary in intensity. They also share risks of more serious side effects that your doctor can discuss with you.
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Zepbound® is a “dual-agonist,” meaning it affects two hormones, while Wegovy®, a “single-agonist,” targets just one. Studies suggest Zepbound® might help with more weight loss than Wegovy®, but both are effective in helping people reach their ideal weight.
There are also differences in dosage. Both drugs require gradually increasing the dose to reach a steady maintenance level, but Zepbound® users generally get there a bit sooner.
Additionally, Wegovy® might be better for lowering heart-related risks in adults with heart disease. Wegovy® is approved for use in people aged 12 and up, whereas Zepbound® is currently only approved for those 18 and older.
When you start taking Zepbound® or Wegovy®, your doctor will gradually increase your dose every four weeks to help manage any side effects and find the right amount for you. However, the timeline for reaching the target dose varies between the two. For instance, it might take a bit longer to hit the target dose with Wegovy® than with Zepbound®.
With Wegovy®, you start once a week at 0.25 mg for four weeks. Then, your dose goes up every four weeks to 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and then 1.7 mg. If you’re handling it well, the goal is to reach a 2.4 mg weekly dose, which is the recommended and highest dose for maintenance.
For Zepbound®, the starting dose is 2.5 mg once a week for four weeks. Then, it increases to 5 mg weekly. Some people might stay on the 5 mg dose for the long term, but if necessary, it can increase every four weeks to 10 mg or even 15 mg weekly.
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Zepbound® and Wegovy® were studied to see how they compare in helping people lose weight, specifically in those who don’t have diabetes. These study results were released in December 2024.
In a 72-week trial, people on the highest dose of Zepbound® (15 mg) lost about 20.9% of their starting weight on average.
In a 68-week study, those on the standard Wegov®y dose (2.4 mg) lost about 13.7% of their body weight on average.
Additionally, a study over a year showed those taking tirzepatide (known as Mounjaro®) lost more weight than those taking semaglutide (known as Ozempic®). Keep in mind, though, that the exact doses used in this study weren’t clear, and generally, higher doses lead to more weight loss.
There’s also research underway for a higher 7.2 mg weekly dose of Wegovy® in a phase 3 trial. This is three times more than the current highest Wegovy dose, and it might bring about more weight loss than the 2.4 mg weekly dose.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general knowledge only and should not be considered medical advice. For any questions or concerns about your health or medications, please consult your physician or healthcare provider. They are best equipped to provide guidance specific to your medical needs.
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