Orforglipron vs. Tirzepatide: 5 Ways These Weight-Loss Medications Compare

There has been a lot of research recently into new weight-loss medications. This has led to the FDA approval of products such as tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound). And even though tirzepatide works well, scientists haven’t stopped studying other medications.

One medication that’s garnered a lot of attention is orforglipron. This oral pill is likely to be the next weight-loss medication to hit the market. But when a new medication is approved, it’s common for people to wonder how it compares with existing ones.

So how is orforglipron different from tirzepatide?

Orforglipron vs. tirzepatide at a glance

To compare medications, it helps to have all the details about them side by side. The table below highlights the main similarities and differences between orforglipron and tirzepatide.

Below are five things to keep in mind when comparing orforglipron versus tirzepatide.

1. Tirzepatide is FDA approved, but orforglipron could be approved soon

The biggest difference between orforglipron and tirzepatide is that tirzepatide is FDA approved. It’s available as two brand-name medications:

• Mounjaro for Type 2 diabetes in people ages 10 and older

• Zepbound for weight loss and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults

Orforglipron isn’t approved yet. But it’s being reviewed by the FDA for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss. The agency is expected to decide in April 2026.

2. Orforglipron and tirzepatide work in slightly different ways

Another difference between orforglipron and tirzepatide is how they work. Both medications act like the gut hormone GLP-1. But tirzepatide also acts like a second gut hormone: GIP.

Despite this slight difference, both orforglipron and tirzepatide have the following effects in the body:

• Signaling the pancreas to release insulin when you eat

• Reducing the amount of new glucose (sugar) your liver makes

• Slowing the passage of food through your digestive tract, helping you feel fuller longer

• Targeting areas of your brain that help regulate appetite and food cravings

• Counteracting certain hunger hormones that affect weight gain

Tirzepatide may also help reduce inflammation that contributes to OSA. It’s unknown whether orforglipron has this effect.

3. Orforglipron is a once-daily pill, and tirzepatide is a once-weekly injection

Dosage forms are another difference to consider. Orforglipron is a pill, and tirzepatide is an injection.

Orforglipron is an oral pill that you take once a day. Unlike other GLP-1 pills, such as Wegovy (semaglutide), you don’t need to time your dose around meals. You can take orforglipron with or without food, at any time of day. But make sure to take it around the same time every day.

Tirzepatide is an injection that you give to yourself once a week. It comes as both single-use injector pens and single-use vials. You can inject tirzepatide with or without food at any time of day. But you should inject your dose on the same day each week.

4. Orforglipron and tirzepatide both work well for weight loss

Orforglipron and tirzepatide both lead to significant weight loss.

Tirzepatide is one of the most effective weight-loss medications available. People using tirzepatide in clinical trials lost an average of 15% to 21% of their starting body weight over 72 weeks (about 16.5 months).

Orforglipron also works well for weight loss. People in clinical trials lost an average of 7% to 11% after 72 weeks (16.5 months). If approved, it will be one of the more effective oral weight-loss medications.

Orforglipron may also be helpful for people switching from an injectable GLP-1 medication to an oral version. Studies found that people using either Zepbound or Wegovy were able to maintain the weight they lost after switching to orforglipron.

5. Orforglipron and tirzepatide have similar common side effects

Because orforglipron and tirzepatide act like GLP-1, they share many common side effects. These mainly affect the digestive tract and include:

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Upset stomach

• Constipation

• Vomiting

• Burping

• Stomach pain

Tirzepatide’s label also contains warnings for rare but serious side effects and risks. These include:

• Gallbladder problems, including gallstones

• Reports of pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)

• Kidney damage if vomiting or diarrhea is severe

• Severe gastrointestinal complications, such as gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying)

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

• Allergic reactions

Tirzepatide also has a boxed warning (the FDA’s strictest warning for medications) for thyroid C-cell tumors. These tumors were seen in animal studies of the medication. This risk hasn’t been confirmed in human studies. But to be safe, you shouldn’t use tirzepatide if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer. You also shouldn’t use it if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Other GLP-1 medications also have these types of warnings on their labeling. If approved, it’s likely that orforglipron will include similar warnings for serious side effects.

How to save on Mounjaro or Zepbound

There are ways to save on Mounjaro and Zepbound, which are available only as brand-name medications. Both Mounjaro and Zepbound have copay savings programs available from the manufacturer. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $25 per prescription for Mounjaro or Zepbound.

If your commercial insurance plan doesn’t cover Zepbound, you may be able to pay $499 for a 30-day supply. Subscribers to GoodRx for Weight Loss can also access FDA-approved, brand-name GLP-1 medications like Zepbound. Lower-cost single-dose vials are also available through LillyDirect for $299 (2.5 mg), $399 (5 mg), and $449 (7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg) per month.

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Written by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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