Zepbound
tirzepatide · Eli Lilly
Wegovy
semaglutide · Novo Nordisk
Side by side
| Zepbound | Wegovy | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | tirzepatide | semaglutide |
| Maker | Eli Lilly | Novo Nordisk |
| Class | GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Approved for | Weight management | Weight management |
| How you take it | once weekly injection | once weekly injection |
| Starting dose | 2.5 mg | 0.25 mg |
| Highest dose | 15 mg | 2.4 mg |
| Main trial result | 20.9% avg loss (SURMOUNT-1, 15 mg, 72 wk) | 14.9% avg loss (STEP 1, 2.4 mg, 68 wk) |
| Nausea (label) | 25% to 29% vs 9% placebo | 44% vs 16% placebo |
| Missed-dose window | 4 days (96 hours) | until 2 days (48 hours) before the next dose |
| Out of the fridge | Up to 21 days at or below 86°F (30°C) | Up to 28 days at 46°F to 86°F (8°C to 30°C) |
| List price | $1,086/mo | $1,349/mo |
| Lowest self-pay | $299/mo | $199/mo |
Prices compiled mid-2026 from manufacturer announcements; re-checked monthly.
Key differences
- Different molecules. Zepbound is tirzepatide (GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist); Wegovy is semaglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist).
- Trial results. Zepbound's main trial averaged 20.9% loss vs 14.9% for Wegovy, but those were separate trials with different people and lengths.
- Head-to-head data. In SURMOUNT-5, a 72-week head-to-head trial published in 2025, adults with obesity lost an average of about 20.2% on tirzepatide vs about 13.7% on semaglutide. That's the only direct comparison; other figures come from separate trials.
Trial weight loss
Which one fits you
That's a decision for you and your prescriber. The factors that usually decide it:
- Your diagnosis, which decides the approved option and often the coverage
- Whether your plan covers one and not the other
- A shot or a pill, weekly or daily
- How you tolerate side effects
- Cost if you pay yourself: see the cost index
How to use it
- Enter your numbers. Switch between US and metric units at any time.
- Results update as you type, and the formula is shown so you can check it.
- Copy the link, save the plan on this device, or print it for your next appointment.
These are estimates, not a diagnosis. A clinician can account for your health history and medicines.
Common questions
Is Zepbound the same as Wegovy?
No. They contain different medicines: tirzepatide and semaglutide.
Which works better for weight loss, Zepbound or Wegovy?
In SURMOUNT-5, a 72-week head-to-head trial published in 2025, adults with obesity lost an average of about 20.2% on tirzepatide vs about 13.7% on semaglutide. That's the only direct comparison; other figures come from separate trials.
Can I switch from Zepbound to Wegovy?
Only with your prescriber. Switching usually means a new starting dose, not a direct swap.
Which is cheaper, Zepbound or Wegovy?
List prices are $1,086/mo and $1,349/mo a month; lowest self-pay options we track are $299/mo and $199/mo. Coverage usually matters more.
Sources
Clinician review pending. Drafted from primary sources and waiting for sign-off by a licensed clinician (MD, DO or PharmD) before launch. Every number is checked against its source. Drug facts are re-checked quarterly, prices monthly and whenever a label changes. How we review · Report an error