Comparison · Medication Choice

Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide Calculator

Enter your details for a personalised side-by-side comparison of Ozempic/Wegovy vs Mounjaro/Zepbound — weight loss projections, costs, dosing, and a recommendation.

📅 Updated May 2026 🔬 STEP 1 & SURMOUNT-5 data 🆓 Free, no sign-up

Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide — Side-by-Side Comparison

Based on STEP 1 and SURMOUNT-1 Phase 3 trial data, adjusted for your inputs

Current weight

What matters most to you?

Diabetes status

Previous GLP-1 experience

Side effect	Semaglutide frequency	Tirzepatide frequency
Nausea	Moderate (44%)	Similar (31–45%)
Vomiting	Low (24%)	Moderate (25%)
Constipation	Moderate (24%)	Moderate (29%)
Diarrhoea	Moderate (30%)	Similar (23%)
Fatigue	Low (11%)	Similar (9%)

Our recommendation based on your inputs

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Both semaglutide and tirzepatide available through licensed telehealth providers.

Yucca Health — both sema & tirz available Sema from $146/mo → Strut Health — oral or injectable options From $199/mo →

Compare all 7 providers and pricing →

Sponsored · Compounded GLP-1 not FDA-approved as finished drug · Prices confirmed at intake

Projections based on STEP 1 and SURMOUNT-1 trial averages. Individual results vary. Not medical advice — consult your healthcare provider before starting any GLP-1 medication.

Prescribes both medications

Semaglutide & tirzepatide from $146/mo

Licensed telehealth. Doctor-prescribed. Ships to your door within days. Choose your medication after prescription consultation.

Yucca Health — from $146/mo → Compare all 7 providers

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The key clinical difference

Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) is a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist. The addition of GIP stimulation in tirzepatide provides enhanced insulin secretion, reduced glucagon levels, and stronger appetite suppression — explaining the greater weight loss seen in trials.

The SURMOUNT-5 trial, the first direct head-to-head comparison between Zepbound and Wegovy in non-diabetic patients, showed Zepbound produced approximately 47% more weight loss over 72 weeks (20.2% vs 13.7% of body weight).

Important context: Both medications are effective. The average difference of 5–7 percentage points in weight loss is clinically meaningful for some patients and not decisive for others. Cost, tolerability, and access matter too.

When to choose semaglutide

Semaglutide is the right starting point for most first-time GLP-1 patients. It has a longer safety track record, costs significantly less ($146 vs $258/month compounded), and is effective for the majority of patients. Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus, or Ro's pill) is also available for those who prefer to avoid injections.

When to choose tirzepatide

Tirzepatide is worth considering when maximum weight loss is the priority, when you have type 2 diabetes (the dual mechanism provides added HbA1c benefit), when you have previously plateaued on semaglutide, or when you have a higher starting BMI where the greater absolute weight loss is more meaningful.

The cost difference

At current compounded pricing, semaglutide starts at $146/month and tirzepatide at $258/month — a difference of $112/month or $1,344/year. For patients on long-term treatment, this is a meaningful financial consideration. Use our cost calculator to model 12 and 24-month totals for each option.

Frequently asked questions

Is tirzepatide better than semaglutide for weight loss?+

Clinical trial data consistently shows tirzepatide produces greater weight loss. The SURMOUNT-1 trial demonstrated 20.9% average body weight loss on tirzepatide 15mg versus 15.3% on semaglutide 2.4mg in STEP 1. In the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial, tirzepatide produced approximately 47% more weight loss. However, tirzepatide costs more and may cause more GI side effects initially. For most first-time GLP-1 patients, semaglutide is still the right starting point.

What is the difference between Ozempic and Mounjaro?+

Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) differ primarily in mechanism. Ozempic activates GLP-1 receptors only. Mounjaro activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors — a dual agonist. This dual mechanism is why tirzepatide produces greater weight loss. For weight loss specifically, Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4mg) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are the FDA-approved weight-management versions.

Should I start with Ozempic or tirzepatide?+

For most first-time GLP-1 patients, semaglutide is the recommended starting point. It has a longer safety track record, costs less ($146 vs $258/month compounded), and is effective for the majority of patients. Tirzepatide is worth considering if you need maximum weight loss results, have previously tried semaglutide without adequate response, or have type 2 diabetes where the dual mechanism provides added benefit.

Can I switch from semaglutide to tirzepatide?+

Yes, switching from semaglutide to tirzepatide is common and clinically appropriate, particularly for patients who have plateaued on semaglutide. Most providers recommend starting tirzepatide at the lowest dose (2.5mg) the week after your last semaglutide injection, regardless of what semaglutide dose you were on, to allow for appropriate titration. The pharmacokinetics of both drugs (semaglutide's 7-day half-life means overlap for 1–2 weeks) make direct switching manageable.