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Compare GLP-1 Medications: Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro & More
There are now a dozen GLP-1 products with overlapping names, and the differences that matter are easy to lose track of. This tool lets you pick any two to four and line them up across the attributes people actually weigh, ingredient, form, what each is FDA-approved for, average weight loss from the trials, and price, so you can see clearly how they differ before a conversation with your clinician.
Compare GLP-1 Medications
Pick 2 to 4 to compare
| Wegovy | Ozempic | Zepbound | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Semaglutide | Semaglutide | Tirzepatide |
| Drug class | GLP-1 | GLP-1 | GLP-1 / GIP |
| Form & frequency | Weekly injection | Weekly injection | Weekly injection |
| FDA-approved for | Weight loss | Type 2 diabetes | Weight loss |
| Max dose | 2.4 mg / week | 2 mg / week | 15 mg / week |
| Avg weight loss | ~14.9% | Off-label (below Wegovy) | ~20.9% |
| Pivotal trial | STEP 1 | — | SURMOUNT-1 |
| List price / month | ~$1,350 | ~$1,000 | ~$1,060 |
| Maker | Novo Nordisk | Novo Nordisk | Eli Lilly |
Figures are from FDA labels and the pivotal trials (STEP 1, SURMOUNT-1, SCALE). Weight-loss percentages are trial means for products approved for weight loss; diabetes-approved products are marked off-label for weight and generally produce less loss at their lower approved doses. List prices are approximate and before insurance or savings. Individual results and costs vary. Not medical advice; the right medication is a decision for you and your clinician.
The GLP-1 market has become genuinely confusing. Two molecules, semaglutide and tirzepatide, are sold under multiple brand names at different doses for different approved uses, alongside older options like liraglutide and dulaglutide. The result is that a question as simple as "how do these actually differ" has a surprisingly involved answer. This tool lays the differences out plainly.
How to use it
Select any two to four products and the table lines them up across the attributes that matter: the active ingredient, drug class, form and frequency, what the FDA approved each for, the maximum dose, the average weight loss from its pivotal trial, an approximate list price, and the maker. Swap products in and out to build whatever comparison you need, whether that is Ozempic vs Wegovy or a three-way look across the injectables.
The differences that matter most
Two distinctions cause the most confusion. First, same molecule, different brand: Ozempic and Wegovy are both semaglutide, and Mounjaro and Zepbound are both tirzepatide, separated mainly by approved use and dose. Second, diabetes versus weight approval: only some products are FDA-approved for weight loss, and the trial weight-loss figures belong to those. Diabetes-approved versions are used off-label for weight and generally deliver less at their lower approved doses. Our guide to FDA-approved GLP-1 medications spells out the approvals in full.
On efficacy
For weight loss specifically, the trial averages rank tirzepatide (Zepbound, about 20.9% in SURMOUNT-1) ahead of semaglutide (Wegovy, about 14.9% in STEP 1), with liraglutide (Saxenda, about 8% in SCALE) lower and dosed daily. Our deeper comparison of semaglutide versus tirzepatide explains why the dual GLP-1/GIP mechanism of tirzepatide may drive the difference, and the best GLP-1 for weight loss weighs efficacy against tolerability and access.
Why this is a comparison, not a ranking
Some sites publish an anonymous "best GLP-1" ranking. We do not, because the honest answer depends on your situation: whether you have diabetes, your insurance, your tolerance for side effects, and whether you prefer a pill or an injection. The tool gives you the sourced facts, from FDA labels and the trials, and leaves the decision where it belongs, with you and a clinician. Prices are approximate and pre-insurance, and individual results differ from trial averages. Not medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus?
All three are semaglutide from Novo Nordisk. Ozempic is a weekly injection approved for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy is a higher-dose weekly injection approved for weight loss, and Rybelsus is a daily tablet approved for diabetes. Same molecule, different doses, forms, and approved uses.
Which GLP-1 causes the most weight loss?
In the head-to-head and pivotal trials, tirzepatide (Zepbound) produced the largest average loss at about 20.9% in SURMOUNT-1, ahead of semaglutide (Wegovy) at about 14.9% in STEP 1 and liraglutide (Saxenda) at about 8% in SCALE. These are trial averages; individual results vary widely.
Are these figures for the diabetes versions too?
No. The weight-loss percentages apply to the products approved for weight loss (Wegovy, Zepbound, Saxenda). Diabetes-approved products like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Rybelsus are used off-label for weight and generally produce less loss at their lower approved doses. The tool marks which is which.
How is this comparison sourced?
All figures come from FDA prescribing information and the pivotal clinical trials (STEP 1, SURMOUNT-1, SCALE), with prices as approximate US list prices before insurance or savings. It is a transparent, cited comparison rather than an opaque ranking, and it does not recommend a winner. The right choice depends on your health, goals, and coverage, and belongs with your clinician.
Not medical advice. This resource is for general education only. Medications, dosing, and treatment suitability are decisions for you and a licensed clinician who knows your full medical history.
Last updated · 6 min read
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