Key takeaways
Tirzepatide (Zepbound) and semaglutide (Ozempic) are both injectable medications used to help manage weight and treat certain conditions. They belong to the class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, but tirzepatide is also a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist. Both medications are used for weight management, but Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss; it is used off-label for this purpose. A different form of semaglutide—Wegovy—is FDA-approved for weight loss. Zepbound is specifically approved for weight loss and sleep apnea, while Ozempic is approved for Type 2 diabetes and reducing heart-related risks in people with diabetes. Zepbound is injected once a week with doses starting at 2.5 mg and can go up to 15 mg, while Ozempic starts at 0.25 mg and can go up to 2 mg per week. Both medications can cause side effects like nausea and diarrhea, but Zepbound has a higher chance of these side effects. Zepbound and Ozempic both have similar interactions. They can interact with diabetes medications, warfarin (Jantoven, Coumadin), and birth control pills. Both medications have warnings about thyroid cancer risks and are not recommended for people with a history of certain thyroid cancers.
