Zepbound vs Semaglutide vs Wegovy: What’s the Difference?

Zepbound is one of the newest names of weight loss injection medications, the active ingredient for weight loss is tirzepatide. Tirzepatide is unique in the way that it works as it is made up of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) which work in conjunction with one another to create weight loss. They work by binding to receptors in the body and mimicking hormones that are naturally produced in the gut, by doing this they decrease the speed at which food is digested creating a sense of fullness, and also attaching to receptors that stop food cravings. For those with diabetes Zepbound works by increasing insulin production which decreases the amount of glucagon the body would normally make, regulating blood sugar levels.

Zepbound and Wegovy are the most similar of the three, with both having tirzepatide as the active ingredient, however, the largest difference between the two is that Wegovy has been approved for those 12-years old or older, and Zepbound only being approved for those over 18 years old. Wegovy has been shown to have more benefits than Zepbound in those who have cardiovascular conditions.
 
Now, comparing semaglutide to Zepbound and Wegovy, we will go over the differences in the active ingredients. Zepbound and Wegovy are a tirzepatide injection, whereas semaglutide injections are similar they do act differently in the body. Semaglutide is only a GLP-1 medication, meaning it functions only on GLP-1 receptors, which help slow digestion to create the sense of feeling full longer. Tirzepatide works on GLP-1 receptors but also works on GIP receptors, which are the receptors that reduce food cravings. In those with diabetes, it has been found that patients who took tirzepatide had more long-term benefits and health improvements than those who used semaglutide.

Semaglutide and Wegovy were originally approved for the management of diabetes in overweight patients, but have now become approved for weight loss in overweight and obese patients. Zepbound was created and approved for weight loss as the sister medication to Mourjano which was created originally for diabetes management.
 
Zepbound, semaglutide, and Wegovy have all been FDA-approved through studies to help non-diabetic patients with medical weight loss, as long as a patient has a BMI of 30 or greater, with considerations for patients with a BMI of 27 or higher that have other health conditions that could impede weight loss such as hypertension, high cholesterol and hormonal conditions like PCOS. Zepbound, however, has been approved by the FDA for weight loss and was not first a diabetic medication, which is why it has only been approved for use in adults and not children, as its sister medication created by the same manufacturer has been approved for both weight loss in adults, and diabetes management in adults and children over 12.

Tirzepatide-based mediations like Zepbound and Wegovy have been shown to have better weight loss indications, as they create the sense of fullness that Semaglutide is known for, but help reduce food cravings in patients which can stop over-eating that some patients on Semaglutide report doing. Since weight loss is unique to the individual this does not mean that tirzepatide is the better medication, and you may benefit greatly from taking semaglutide. To determine the medication best for you, it is important to speak with a medical professional regarding your lifestyle, diet, medical history, and if you have been attempting to lose weight, and if so how much, as this can help decide what will work best for you.
 
If you have previously used any of these medications, or if you are on tirzepatide and seeking a different prescription or dosage amount, it can also be good to discuss with your doctor when determining what weight loss medication is right for you and if the current medication is working as expected.  For more information, contact us or request an appointment online! We are located at 3000 E 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80206. We serve patients from Denver CO, Ruby Hill Park CO, Park Hill CO, Village East CO, Edgewater CO, Lakewood CO, Coors Field CO, Globeville CO, and surrounding areas.