Mounjaro Vs Wegovy: The Differences Between Weight Loss Pens

Obesity and excess weight are complex conditions caused by many different issues. They are increasingly common and affect an estimated 1 in 4 adults in the UK. 

Obesity and overweight result from consuming excess calories, which the body stores as fat. Underlying health conditions such as hypothyroidism and others can cause weight gain. Some medicines can also increase the chances of someone putting on weight. 

Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer. It also affects your mental health and quality of life. 

The best option to treat obesity and excess weight is through lifestyle changes. However, when efforts are not working, weight loss medications such as Mounjaro and Wegovy can be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise to help meet weight goals. 

This article will help you decide what's better between Mounjaro and Wegovy for your weight loss goals.

Mounjaro overview: how does Mounjaro work?

Mounjaro is an injectable prescription medication that is approved for use in the UK for adults who are overweight, obese or with type-2 diabetes. 

The active ingredient in Mounjaro is called tirzepatide, which activates both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. GLP-1 and GIP are hormones that are naturally made in the body and are released from the intestines after eating. These hormones help control blood sugar levels and provide the feeling of fullness. This helps reduce appetite and prevent cravings. Mounjaro even slows down how fast the stomach empties. 

In adults with type-2 diabetes, Mounjaro is used when Metformin (diabetes medication) cannot be used or when medications are not enough to manage blood sugar levels on their own. Mounjaro helps manage type-2 diabetes by lowering sugar levels in the blood when they are high.  

Mounjaro is used in combination with physical activity and a reduced-calorie diet in those who are:

• Overweight (BMI greater than 27) 
• Have weight-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and prediabetes, as
• well as a history of heart conditions, stroke or blood vessel problems
• Obese (BMI greater than 30)

Wegovy overview: how does Wegovy work?

Wegovy is an injectable prescription medication licensed for use as a weight loss treatment in the UK. It is used in adults who are overweight (BMI greater than 27) and have at least one weight-related health condition or those who have obesity (a BMI above 30). 

Wegovy is used as part of a weight loss treatment plan that involves lifestyle changes, such as physical exercise and a reduced-calorie nutrition plan. 

Wegovy has the active ingredient semaglutide, which is a version of GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone in the body. GLP-1 is released from the intestines after food is consumed and it works by controlling blood sugar levels. GLP-1 also talks to the brain, telling it when the stomach is full, leading to a reduced appetite and slowing the emptying of the stomach. 

What’s the difference between Mounjaro vs Wegovy for weight loss?

Mounjaro vs Wegovy active ingredients

Mounjaro 

The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide. It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor and a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor, which has dual actions in regulating blood sugar levels and providing the feeling of being full. 

Wegovy

The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, which is similar to the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that is naturally released from the intestine after eating food. 

How long do Mounjaro and Wegovy take to work?

Mounjaro 

Data suggests that initial weight loss is noticed as early as four weeks after starting Mounjaro. Clinical trials showed that patients on Mounjaro experienced constant weight loss throughout the 40 weeks. On the optimal dose (15mg), 20% of starting body weight was lost at the end of the trial. 

Wegovy

Wegovy starts working from the first injection; however, it may take some time before noticing any significant weight loss. Some patients may take up to seven weeks before weight loss is noticed. 

Mounjaro vs Wegovy potency, dosage, and usage recommendations

Mounjaro 

Mounjaro has multiple different dosages that are available as KwickPens, which are self-administered once a week. Mounjaro 2.5mg is always the starting dose for every patient, with a typical treatment dosage plan looking like:

• Month 1 - Starting dose of 2.5mg 
• Month 2 - Maintenance dose (5mg)
• Month 3 - 7.5mg
• Month 4 - Maintenance dose (10mg)
• Month 5 - 12.5mg
• Month 6 - Maintenance dose (15mg)

It is always important to use Mounjaro injections exactly how your doctor or pharmacist has prescribed. Do not change the dose unless your doctor has adjusted it. 

Mounjaro is a subcutaneous injection, meaning it is injected under the skin, not into veins or arteries. You can inject this medication in your stomach area, thigh, or upper arm. You can also get help from someone else to administer the injection. 

Be sure not to use the same injection site each week, as this can cause irritation. If you are injecting insulin, be sure to choose a different injection site from the site you are injecting Mounjaro. 

Before using the KwikPen, make sure to read the “Instructions for Use” carefully. If you don’t understand something or have any questions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Wegovy

Always use Wegovy as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist. If you are not sure, check with your pharmacist or doctor before using Wegovy. The starting dose for Wegovy is 0.25mg, with 2.4mg being the optimal dose. A typical 16 week treatment schedule for Wegovy includes:

• Week 1-4 - 0.25mg
• Week 5-8 - 0.5mg
• Week 9-12 - 1mg
• Week 13-16 1.7mg
• Week 17 + - 2.4mg 

Your doctor or pharmacist will assess your treatment on a regular basis and adjust the dosages as needed.

Like Mounjaro, Wegovy is injected under the skin in either the upper arm, thigh, or stomach area. Do not inject Wegovy into a vein or deep into a muscle. Before you use the injection pen, read through the detailed instructions on the back of the Patient Information Leaflet.

How does it feel after taking Mounjaro vs Wegovy for weight loss?

Mounjaro

After taking Monjaro for the first time, you may feel nauseous or experience other common side effects such as lowered appetite, diarrhoea, or vomiting. Most people find that these side effects are manageable; however, if they continue to persist or worsen, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider.

Wegovy

After taking your first dose of Wegovy, you may experience some mild side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, dizziness, and others. If they persist and do not go away within a few days, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Mounjaro vs Wegovy side effects

As with any prescription or non-prescription medication, there are side effects. Not everyone will experience them or will experience all of them. Reported side effects of Mounjaro and Wegovy include:

Mounjaro

Common side effects of Mounjaro include:

• Nausea
• Flatulence (gas)
• Reduced appetite
• Allergic reaction
• Injection site reactions
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Heartburn or reflux
• Low blood sugar
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Indigestion
• Stomach pain
• Burping
• Gallstones

If you experience mild side effects that do not clear in a few days, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects of Mounjaro include:

• Depression
• Pancreas Inflammation (acute pancreatitis)
• Severe allergic reactions
• Kidney failure and kidney problems
• Thyroid cancer and tumours

Seek emergency medical attention or call 999 if you experience any severe side effects. If you would like a list of all reported side effects of Mounjaro, please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet.

Wegovy

Common side effects of Wegovy include:

• Headache
• Feeling tired or weak
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Dizziness
• Bloating of the stomach
• Gastritis (inflamed stomach)
• Heartburn or reflux
• Injection site reactions
• Flatulence (gas)
• Burping
• Hair loss
• Gallstones
• Low blood sugar

Symptoms of low blood sugar may occur quickly and include cool pale skin, cold sweat, headache, fast heartbeat, feeling very hungry, or nausea. Ask your doctor how to treat low blood sugar and what to do if you experience its warning signs.

Severe side effects of Wegovy include:

• Diabetic retinopathy ( diabetic eye disease complications)
• Inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis)
• Severe allergic reaction
• Bowel obstruction (severe form of constipation)

If you experience any severe side effects of Wegovy, especially acute pancreatitis, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Either call 999 or go to A&E.

Mounjaro vs Wegovy: Key differences

The main differences between Mounjaro compared to Wegovy include their active ingredients, manufacturer, dosage strengths, dosage recommendations, how quickly they work, and the types of people that can use them.

Here are Mounjaro vs Wegovy’s key differences in more detail:

• Mounjaro has the active ingredient tirzepatide, while Wegovy has semaglutide.
• Mounjaro’s manufacturer is Eli Lily, while Novo Nordisk Limited produces Wegovy.
• Mounjaro can be used in those with type-2 diabetes and those with obesity or excess weight, while Wegovy is used in those who are obese or overweight.

Mounjaro vs Wegovy’s interactions with other medications

Mounjaro

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before administering Mounjaro if you:

• Are using insulin, sulphonylurea, or other diabetes medications, as low blood sugar levels can occur
• Have macular oedema or diabetic retinopathy (problems with your eyes)
• Have serious problems with food remaining in your stomach for longer periods of time (including
• gastroparesis) or problems with food digestion
• Have ever had inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

The active ingredient, tirzepatide, slows how fast your stomach empties, which can affect how other medications, such as the pill and paracetamol, are absorbed by the body. If you are taking any prescription medication, herbal remedies, vitamins, or supplements, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide advice.

Wegovy

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using Wegovy if you have:

• Inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis)
• Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
• Diabetic eye disease (retinopathy)
• Diabetes

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any prescription medication, vitamins, herbal remedies, or supplements.

If you are diabetic and using Wegovy in combination with insulin or sulfonylurea, low blood sugar can occur, which may cause other side effects. Talk to your doctor about how to treat or notice low blood sugar levels.

Mounjaro vs Wegovy Cost

You can buy both Mounjaro and Wegovy online from Cloud Pharamacy. The costs are:

• Mounjaro 2.5mg 1 month supply - starting from £158.99
• Wegovy 0.25mg 1 month supply - starting from £159

Mounjaro vs Wegovy customer reviews: is Wegovy or Mounjaro more effective?

Mounjaro customer reviews

Since Mounjaro was approved for use in the UK, it has proven to be a very popular option as an effective weight loss treatment aid. The majority of reviews are positive, although users note they did experience some mild side effects, such as nausea, headache, and tiredness when they first started treatment.

Wegovy customer reviews

When used for weight loss, Wegovy has positive reviews, with reviewers noting it is effective and worked well for them. However, multiple reviewers found that they experienced unpleasant side effects after the first injection, which left them feeling very sick and seeking medical attention.

Mounjaro vs Wegovy in clinical trials: is Mounjaro better than Wegovy?

Mounjaro is generally more effective than Wegovy. A clinical trial conducted over a 72-week period found that 96% of participants taking Mounjaro (15mg) lost 5% or more of their starting weight. In a similar clinical trial, only 84% of participants taking Wegovy (2.4mg) lost 5% of their starting body weight.

What alternatives to Mounjaro and Wegovy are there?

Ozempic

Ozempic is a once-weekly injection that contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy, semaglutide. However, in the UK, Ozempic is not licensed for weight loss and is only approved for use in patients with type-2 diabetes.

Saxenda

Saxenda is a prescription weight loss pen that has the active ingredient Liraglutide. Liraglutide also acts similarly to the hormone GLP-1. This medication works to reduce the feeling of hunger and regulate blood sugar levels. You can buy Saxenda online from Cloud Pharmacy.

Final thoughts

You can buy both Mounjaro and Wegovy in the UK from Cloud Pharmacy, a UK-registered online prescribing service. After completing a quick online assessment to determine eligibility, you will have a free online consultation with a pharmacist to determine which medication is most suitable. Once your medicine has been dispensed, it will be discreetly sent to your UK address.

At Cloud Pharmacy, we understand that weight loss is a hard journey. That’s why we provide confidential follow-ups and advice to all patients.

Mounjaro vs Wegovy FAQs

What is comparable to Mounjaro for weight loss?

Alternative options to Mounjaro for weight loss include tirzepatide, Wegovy, and Saxenda.

What drug is equivalent to Wegovy?

Like Wegovy, Ozempic contains the active ingredient semaglutide. However, Ozempic is only approved for use in type-2 diabetic patients and not in overweight or obese patients for weight loss. Wegovy is approved for weight loss in the UK.