Key takeaways
Semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are both injectable medications used under the skin once a week. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, while tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist. Wegovy is FDA-approved for long-term weight management in adults and children aged 12 and older living with overweight or obesity, and it also helps lower the risk of heart problems in adults with heart disease and a larger body size. Mounjaro, on the other hand, is FDA-approved for improving blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes. While both medications can cause side effects like nausea and diarrhea, Wegovy is more likely to cause stomach pain, while Mounjaro can lead to low appetite. Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are available only as branded medications. Both medications have a potential risk for thyroid cancer, so they should not be used by those with a personal or family history of certain thyroid cancers.
