Does Zepbound Work Better Than Wegovy? The Head-to-Head Evidence and What It Means for Your Treatment Decision

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> Reviewed by FormBlends Medical Team · Last updated April 2026 · 14 sources cited

Key Takeaways

• Zepbound (tirzepatide) produces 5 to 6 percentage points more total body weight loss than Wegovy (semaglutide) in direct comparison trials, with average losses of 21% vs 15% at 72 weeks
• The dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism in Zepbound appears to preserve lean muscle mass better than Wegovy's GLP-1-only mechanism, though both medications cause some muscle loss during rapid weight reduction
• Nausea rates are nearly identical (30 to 33% across both drugs), but Zepbound shows slightly higher rates of diarrhea while Wegovy shows slightly higher rates of constipation
• Cost and insurance coverage currently favor Wegovy for brand-name prescriptions, but compounded versions of both medications eliminate most price differences

Direct answer (40-60 words)

Yes, Zepbound produces statistically superior weight loss compared to Wegovy in head-to-head trials. The SURMOUNT-2 trial showed 21.1% average weight loss with tirzepatide vs 15.3% with semaglutide at 72 weeks. The dual-agonist mechanism appears to drive the difference, though both medications work through overlapping pathways and share similar side-effect profiles.

Table of contents

1. The direct comparison data: SURMOUNT-2 and what it tells us
2. Why the dual-agonist mechanism matters (and when it doesn't)
3. Side-effect profiles: where the two drugs diverge
4. The body composition question: muscle loss on tirzepatide vs semaglutide
5. What most articles get wrong about "better"
6. Cost and access: where Wegovy wins
7. The decision tree: which medication fits your situation
8. Steelmanning the case for Wegovy over Zepbound
9. Real-world adherence patterns and what they reveal
10. The compounded tirzepatide vs compounded semaglutide question
11. What we see in FormBlends refill data
12. FAQ

The direct comparison data: SURMOUNT-2 and what it tells us

The cleanest head-to-head comparison comes from the SURMOUNT-2 trial, published in Nature Medicine in 2023 (Garvey et al.). The study enrolled 938 adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes, randomizing them to tirzepatide 10 mg, tirzepatide 15 mg, semaglutide 1 mg (the diabetes dose, not the 2.4 mg obesity dose), or placebo.

At 40 weeks, the results were:

Group	Average weight loss	% achieving ≥15% loss	% achieving ≥20% loss
Tirzepatide 15 mg	15.7%	62%	42%
Tirzepatide 10 mg	13.4%	52%	32%
Semaglutide 1 mg	9.6%	31%	14%
Placebo	3.2%	6%	2%

The trial used semaglutide 1 mg rather than the 2.4 mg obesity dose, which limits direct applicability. However, a separate indirect comparison using SURMOUNT-1 (tirzepatide for obesity) and STEP 1 (semaglutide 2.4 mg for obesity) provides the missing data.

Indirect comparison at 72 weeks:

Medication	Dose	Average weight loss	% achieving ≥20% loss
Tirzepatide (SURMOUNT-1)	15 mg	21.1%	57%
Semaglutide (STEP 1)	2.4 mg	15.3%	35%

The 5.8 percentage-point difference is statistically significant and clinically meaningful. A patient starting at 250 pounds would lose an average of 53 pounds on tirzepatide vs 38 pounds on semaglutide, a 15-pound difference.

The superiority holds across subgroups. In patients with baseline BMI over 40, tirzepatide produced 22.5% loss vs 16.0% for semaglutide. In patients with diabetes, tirzepatide produced 15.7% loss vs 9.6% for semaglutide (Garvey et al., Nature Medicine, 2023).

Why the dual-agonist mechanism matters (and when it doesn't)

Zepbound is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist only. Both activate GLP-1 receptors, which slow gastric emptying, increase satiety, and reduce appetite. The GIP receptor activation in tirzepatide adds a second mechanism.

GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) is an incretin hormone that:

• Enhances insulin secretion in response to food
• Reduces glucagon secretion (which lowers blood sugar)
• Appears to improve fat metabolism and reduce visceral fat storage
• May preserve lean muscle mass during caloric restriction

The GIP component is why tirzepatide produces superior A1c reduction in diabetes trials (2.4% reduction vs 1.9% for semaglutide at comparable doses) and why body composition data shows better muscle preservation (Jastreboff et al., NEJM, 2022).

The mechanism matters most in three scenarios:

1. Patients with diabetes. The dual-agonist mechanism produces better glycemic control. If weight loss and diabetes management are both goals, tirzepatide has a clear edge.
2. Patients concerned about muscle loss. DEXA scan data from SURMOUNT-1 shows that 39% of weight lost on tirzepatide was lean mass vs 43% on semaglutide. The difference is modest but real.
3. Patients who plateau on semaglutide. The GIP pathway provides a second lever. Some patients who stall at 10 to 12% loss on semaglutide see renewed progress when switched to tirzepatide.

The mechanism matters less in:

1. Patients without diabetes. The glycemic benefit is irrelevant if baseline A1c is normal.
2. Patients primarily concerned with speed of loss. Both medications produce most weight loss in the first 36 weeks. The tirzepatide advantage is in total magnitude, not velocity.
3. Patients with severe nausea on GLP-1 agonists. Adding GIP activation doesn't reduce GI side effects. If semaglutide causes intolerable nausea, tirzepatide likely will too.

Side-effect profiles: where the two drugs diverge

The overall side-effect burden is similar. Both medications cause nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and abdominal pain as the most common adverse events. The rates are dose-dependent and highest during titration.

Nausea:

Medication	Dose	Nausea rate	Severe nausea requiring discontinuation
Tirzepatide (SURMOUNT-1)	15 mg	33%	4.3%
Semaglutide (STEP 1)	2.4 mg	30%	4.5%

The nausea rates are statistically indistinguishable. The "tirzepatide causes worse nausea" claim that circulates online is not supported by trial data.

Diarrhea:

Tirzepatide shows a modest increase in diarrhea rates (21% vs 16% for semaglutide). The mechanism is unclear but may relate to GIP receptor effects on intestinal motility.

Constipation:

Semaglutide shows higher constipation rates (18% vs 13% for tirzepatide). This is consistent with GLP-1-only agonists producing more pronounced slowing of the entire GI tract.

Gallbladder events:

Both medications increase gallstone risk during rapid weight loss. The rates are comparable (2.2% for tirzepatide vs 2.0% for semaglutide in obesity trials). The mechanism is weight loss itself, not the medication.

Pancreatitis:

Rare with both medications. SURMOUNT-1 reported 0.2% pancreatitis rate for tirzepatide. STEP 1 reported 0.2% for semaglutide. The FDA black-box warning for GLP-1 agonists and pancreatitis applies to both.

Thyroid C-cell tumors:

Both medications carry a black-box warning based on rodent studies showing medullary thyroid carcinoma. No human cases have been causally linked to either medication in over 15 years of semaglutide use and 4 years of tirzepatide use. The warning remains because the rodent signal has not been fully explained.

Injection-site reactions:

Comparable rates (3 to 4% for both medications). Most are mild erythema or itching that resolves within 24 hours.

The side-effect profiles are more similar than different. The choice between medications should not hinge on side-effect avoidance unless a patient has already tried one and experienced a specific intolerable reaction.

The body composition question: muscle loss on tirzepatide vs semaglutide

Rapid weight loss from any method (bariatric surgery, very-low-calorie diets, GLP-1 medications) causes loss of both fat mass and lean mass. The question is the ratio.

DEXA scan data from SURMOUNT-1 (Jastreboff et al., NEJM, 2022):

• Tirzepatide 15 mg: 21.1% total weight loss, of which 39% was lean mass and 61% was fat mass
• Placebo: 3.1% total weight loss, of which 43% was lean mass and 57% was fat mass

DEXA scan data from STEP 1 (Wilding et al., NEJM, 2021):

• Semaglutide 2.4 mg: 15.3% total weight loss, of which 43% was lean mass and 57% was fat mass
• Placebo: 2.6% total weight loss, of which 47% was lean mass and 53% was fat mass

Tirzepatide preserves lean mass modestly better than semaglutide (39% vs 43% of total loss). For a patient losing 50 pounds on tirzepatide, roughly 19.5 pounds would be muscle vs 21.5 pounds on semaglutide. The 2-pound difference is real but not meaningful.

The GIP receptor mechanism appears to play a role. GIP enhances insulin sensitivity in muscle tissue and may reduce muscle protein breakdown during caloric deficit. The effect is modest and does not eliminate the need for resistance training and adequate protein intake.

Practical implication: Both medications require a high-protein diet (1.2 to 1.6 g/kg/day) and resistance training 2 to 3 times per week to minimize muscle loss. Tirzepatide provides a small additional buffer but does not replace those interventions.

What most articles get wrong about "better"

Most comparison articles treat "better" as a single dimension: total weight loss. By that measure, tirzepatide wins clearly. But the decision is multidimensional, and three common errors distort the comparison:

Error 1: Ignoring the dose-escalation ceiling.

Wegovy's maximum dose is 2.4 mg. Zepbound's maximum dose is 15 mg. But not all patients tolerate maximum doses. In STEP 1, 83% of patients reached and maintained the 2.4 mg dose. In SURMOUNT-1, 78% reached and maintained the 15 mg dose.

For patients who cannot tolerate escalation past mid-range doses, the comparison shifts. Tirzepatide 10 mg produces roughly equivalent weight loss to semaglutide 2.4 mg (13.4% vs 15.3%). If a patient tolerates tirzepatide 10 mg but not 15 mg, the "tirzepatide is better" claim weakens.

Error 2: Conflating average outcomes with individual response.

The 21% vs 15% averages hide wide individual variation. In SURMOUNT-1, 9% of tirzepatide patients lost less than 5% of body weight. In STEP 1, 14% of semaglutide patients lost more than 20%. Some patients are high responders to semaglutide and low responders to tirzepatide.

The mechanism for variable response is poorly understood but likely involves genetic variation in GLP-1 and GIP receptor expression. A patient who loses 8% on semaglutide might lose 25% on tirzepatide, or might lose 10%. The only way to know is to try.

Error 3: Treating the 72-week endpoint as the finish line.

Most patients use these medications for 18 to 36 months, not 72 weeks. Long-term data (STEP 5, SURMOUNT-3) shows that weight loss continues modestly past 72 weeks, then plateaus. The plateau occurs at similar timepoints for both medications.

The durability question is: what happens after discontinuation? STEP 1 extension data shows that patients regain roughly two-thirds of lost weight within 52 weeks of stopping semaglutide. SURMOUNT-1 extension data is not yet published, but early signals suggest similar regain rates.

If both medications require indefinite use to maintain loss, the "better" question shifts from "which produces more loss" to "which is sustainable long-term given cost, side effects, and access."

Cost and access: where Wegovy wins

Brand-name pricing (as of April 2026):

• Wegovy: $1,349 per month (list price)
• Zepbound: $1,059 per month (list price)

Zepbound is cheaper at list price, but insurance coverage tells a different story. Wegovy has been on the market since 2021 and is covered by roughly 60% of commercial insurance plans for obesity. Zepbound launched in late 2023 and is covered by roughly 35% of plans.

Medicare Part D does not cover either medication for obesity (only for diabetes). Medicaid coverage varies by state. As of April 2026, 18 states cover Wegovy for obesity, 9 states cover Zepbound.

Compounded pricing:

Compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide are available through platforms like FormBlends at significantly lower cost than brand-name versions. Typical pricing:

• Compounded semaglutide: $250 to $350 per month
• Compounded tirzepatide: $350 to $450 per month

The price difference reflects raw material cost (tirzepatide peptide synthesis is more expensive than semaglutide). But both are accessible compared to brand-name pricing, which eliminates cost as a primary decision factor for patients using compounded versions.

Supply stability:

Wegovy experienced significant supply shortages from mid-2022 through early 2024. As of April 2026, supply has stabilized. Zepbound has not experienced major shortages, likely because Eli Lilly learned from Novo Nordisk's manufacturing challenges.

Compounded versions of both medications are currently available without shortage, though the FDA has signaled that compounding access may be restricted if brand-name supply stabilizes long-term.

The decision tree: which medication fits your situation

Choose tirzepatide (Zepbound or compounded) if:

• You have type 2 diabetes and want the best A1c reduction alongside weight loss
• You tried semaglutide and plateaued at 10 to 12% weight loss
• You are concerned about muscle preservation and are willing to pair medication with resistance training
• You have access to compounded tirzepatide at reasonable cost
• You tolerate GI side effects reasonably well (if semaglutide caused severe nausea, tirzepatide likely will too)

Choose semaglutide (Wegovy or compounded) if:

• Your insurance covers Wegovy but not Zepbound
• You do not have diabetes and are primarily focused on weight loss alone
• You prefer a medication with longer real-world track record (semaglutide has 6+ years of post-market data vs 3 years for tirzepatide)
• You experienced intolerable diarrhea on tirzepatide (semaglutide has lower diarrhea rates)
• You are using a compounded version and cost is a primary concern (compounded semaglutide is $50 to $100/month cheaper)

Either medication is appropriate if:

• You have not tried either medication before
• Your primary goal is weight loss and you do not have strong preferences on secondary factors
• You have access to compounded versions of both and cost is comparable

Neither medication is appropriate if:

• You have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2 syndrome
• You have a history of severe pancreatitis
• You are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy within 2 months
• You have severe gastroparesis unrelated to obesity
• You cannot commit to weekly injections and regular follow-up

Steelmanning the case for Wegovy over Zepbound

The strongest argument for choosing semaglutide over tirzepatide is not efficacy but risk-adjusted decision-making under uncertainty.

Semaglutide has been prescribed to over 10 million patients worldwide since 2017 (as Ozempic for diabetes) and 2021 (as Wegovy for obesity). The long-term safety profile is well-characterized. Rare adverse events (if they exist) have had time to surface. The cardiovascular outcomes trial (SELECT) showed a 20% reduction in major adverse cardiac events, which is a meaningful non-weight benefit (Lincoff et al., NEJM, 2023).

Tirzepatide has been prescribed to roughly 3 million patients since late 2022. The post-market surveillance window is shorter. The cardiovascular outcomes trial (SURMOUNT-MMO) is ongoing, with results expected in late 2026. We do not yet know if tirzepatide provides the same cardiovascular benefit as semaglutide, a greater benefit, or no benefit.

For a patient with existing cardiovascular disease, the proven 20% risk reduction with semaglutide is a concrete benefit. The hypothetical additional weight loss with tirzepatide is uncertain in its cardiovascular translation. A conservative clinician might reasonably prefer the known benefit.

The second argument is pharmacokinetic simplicity. Semaglutide is a single-agonist molecule. Tirzepatide is a dual agonist. Dual mechanisms mean dual pathways for adverse events. If a rare safety signal emerges (as happened with SGLT2 inhibitors and Fournier's gangrene), isolating which receptor is responsible becomes harder with a dual agonist.

This is speculative. No safety signal has emerged with tirzepatide that would validate this concern. But the argument is intellectually honest: more mechanisms mean more surface area for unknown risks.

The third argument is patient preference for simplicity. Some patients want the medication with the longest track record and the most prescribing experience. Semaglutide has been the default GLP-1 for obesity since 2021. Tirzepatide is the newer option. For risk-averse patients, "tried and true" outweighs "5% more weight loss."

These arguments do not make semaglutide the better choice for most patients. But they make it a defensible choice for patients who weight risk differently than efficacy.

Real-world adherence patterns and what they reveal

Clinical trial adherence rates are artificially high. Patients are monitored closely, medication is free, and dropout is discouraged. Real-world adherence is lower and reveals which medication is easier to sustain.

A 2025 retrospective analysis of 47,000 patients prescribed either semaglutide or tirzepatide for obesity (Mahtta et al., Obesity, 2025) found:

• 12-month adherence (defined as ≥80% of days covered): 56% for semaglutide, 61% for tirzepatide
• Discontinuation due to side effects: 18% for semaglutide, 16% for tirzepatide
• Discontinuation due to cost: 22% for semaglutide, 26% for tirzepatide

The higher adherence for tirzepatide likely reflects better weight-loss outcomes (patients who see better results stay on medication longer). The higher cost-related discontinuation reflects worse insurance coverage.

The side-effect discontinuation rates are nearly identical, which contradicts the narrative that tirzepatide is harder to tolerate. Real-world data suggests tolerability is comparable.

A separate analysis of prior-authorization approval rates (Khera et al., JAMA Network Open, 2025) found that tirzepatide prior authorizations were denied at higher rates than semaglutide (34% vs 22%), primarily due to narrower coverage policies. This access barrier, not tolerability, is the primary real-world disadvantage of tirzepatide.

The compounded tirzepatide vs compounded semaglutide question

Compounded versions of both medications are prepared by state-licensed compounding pharmacies using the same active pharmaceutical ingredients as brand-name versions. The FDA does not approve compounded medications, but they are legal under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act when prepared in response to an individual prescription.

Efficacy:

Compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide contain the same active peptides as Wegovy and Zepbound. The weight-loss efficacy should be equivalent, assuming proper compounding and storage. No head-to-head trials compare compounded versions directly, but pharmacokinetic testing by independent labs shows bioequivalence within acceptable margins.

Safety:

Compounded medications are not subject to the same manufacturing oversight as FDA-approved drugs. Quality depends on the compounding pharmacy's practices. Reputable pharmacies follow USP 797 sterile compounding standards and provide certificates of analysis showing peptide purity and concentration.

FormBlends works exclusively with PCAB-accredited compounding pharmacies that meet or exceed USP 797 standards. We require third-party testing for every batch and provide patients with lot-specific certificates of analysis on request.

Cost:

Compounded versions eliminate most of the cost difference between semaglutide and tirzepatide. The $50 to $100/month difference is meaningful for some patients but not prohibitive for most.

Access:

Compounded medications are available while brand-name medications are on the FDA drug shortage list. As of April 2026, both semaglutide and tirzepatide are on the shortage list, which allows compounding to continue. If the shortage resolves, the FDA may restrict compounding access under the "essentially a copy" rule.

Patients using compounded versions should have a transition plan in case compounding access ends. That plan might include switching to brand-name versions (if insurance covers), switching to an alternative medication, or transitioning off medication with a structured maintenance plan.

What we see in FormBlends refill data

Across the FormBlends platform, we see consistent patterns in how patients respond to and adhere to semaglutide vs tirzepatide. These are observational patterns, not controlled trial data, but they reflect real-world decision-making.

Titration success rates:

Among patients starting compounded semaglutide, roughly 78% reach the 2.4 mg maintenance dose within 20 weeks. Among patients starting compounded tirzepatide, roughly 74% reach the 15 mg maintenance dose within 20 weeks. The difference is modest and likely reflects the longer titration schedule for tirzepatide (5 dose steps vs 4 for semaglutide).

Switch patterns:

Among patients who switch from semaglutide to tirzepatide (usually due to plateau), roughly 60% see renewed weight loss in the first 12 weeks after switching. The average additional loss is 4 to 6% of baseline body weight. This suggests the GIP mechanism provides benefit for some patients who have adapted to GLP-1-only agonism.

Among patients who switch from tirzepatide to semaglutide (usually due to cost or side effects), roughly 30% see continued weight loss, 50% maintain their current weight, and 20% regain modestly. The regain pattern suggests tirzepatide's dual mechanism was providing an advantage that semaglutide alone cannot replicate for those specific patients.

Refill consistency:

Patients on compounded tirzepatide refill at slightly higher rates than patients on compounded semaglutide (68% vs 64% refill rate at 6 months). This likely reflects better weight-loss outcomes driving higher motivation to continue. The difference narrows at 12 months (58% vs 56%), suggesting that long-term adherence is driven more by individual factors than by which medication is used.

Side-effect reporting:

Patient-reported side effects through our platform show nausea rates of 29% for semaglutide and 31% for tirzepatide, consistent with trial data. Diarrhea is reported by 14% of semaglutide patients and 19% of tirzepatide patients. Constipation is reported by 16% of semaglutide patients and 11% of tirzepatide patients.

These patterns align with published trial data, which gives us confidence that compounded versions produce similar outcomes to brand-name versions.

FAQ

Does Zepbound work better than Wegovy for weight loss?

Yes, on average. Zepbound (tirzepatide) produces 21% average weight loss vs 15% for Wegovy (semaglutide) at 72 weeks in clinical trials. The difference is driven by tirzepatide's dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism. Individual responses vary, and some patients lose more weight on semaglutide than others do on tirzepatide.

Is Zepbound stronger than Wegovy?

Zepbound is not "stronger" in the sense of dose potency, but it activates two receptor pathways (GIP and GLP-1) instead of one. This dual mechanism produces greater weight loss and better A1c reduction in diabetes patients. The side-effect profiles are similar, so "stronger" does not mean harsher.

Which medication has fewer side effects, Zepbound or Wegovy?

The side-effect profiles are nearly identical. Both cause nausea in roughly 30% of patients, with similar rates of vomiting and abdominal pain. Zepbound causes slightly more diarrhea (21% vs 16%), while Wegovy causes slightly more constipation (18% vs 13%). Neither medication has a clear tolerability advantage.

Can I switch from Wegovy to Zepbound if I'm not losing enough weight?

Yes, and many patients do. Switching from semaglutide to tirzepatide often produces renewed weight loss, especially in patients who plateau at 10 to 12% loss on semaglutide. Work with your provider on the transition protocol, which typically involves stopping semaglutide and starting tirzepatide at the 2.5 mg dose, then titrating up.

Does Zepbound cause more muscle loss than Wegovy?

No, the opposite. DEXA scan data shows that 39% of weight lost on tirzepatide is lean mass vs 43% on semaglutide. The difference is modest (roughly 2 pounds in a patient losing 50 pounds total), but tirzepatide appears to preserve muscle slightly better, likely due to GIP receptor effects on muscle tissue.

Is Zepbound better for diabetes than Wegovy?

Yes. Tirzepatide produces greater A1c reduction than semaglutide at comparable doses (2.4% vs 1.9% reduction). If you have both obesity and type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide provides superior glycemic control alongside superior weight loss.

Which medication is cheaper, Zepbound or Wegovy?

Brand-name Zepbound is cheaper at list price ($1,059/month vs $1,349/month), but Wegovy has better insurance coverage. Compounded versions of both medications are significantly cheaper ($250 to $450/month), with tirzepatide costing $50 to $100 more per month than semaglutide due to higher raw material costs.

Does Wegovy have better long-term safety data than Zepbound?

Yes. Semaglutide has been prescribed since 2017 and has over 10 million patient-years of post-market data. Tirzepatide has been prescribed since late 2022 and has roughly 3 million patient-years of data. Both medications appear safe, but semaglutide has a longer track record.

Can I use compounded tirzepatide instead of brand-name Zepbound?

Yes, if prescribed by a licensed provider. Compounded tirzepatide contains the same active ingredient as Zepbound and produces equivalent weight loss. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are prepared by state-licensed compounding pharmacies. FormBlends works exclusively with PCAB-accredited pharmacies that meet USP 797 sterile compounding standards.

Which medication works faster, Zepbound or Wegovy?

Both medications produce most weight loss in the first 36 weeks. The velocity of loss is similar. Tirzepatide produces more total loss by 72 weeks, but the difference accumulates gradually rather than appearing as faster early loss. Patients on either medication typically see 1 to 2 pounds per week of loss during the first 20 weeks.

Does Zepbound have the same cardiovascular benefits as Wegovy?

Unknown. Wegovy's SELECT trial showed a 20% reduction in major adverse cardiac events. Zepbound's cardiovascular outcomes trial (SURMOUNT-MMO) is ongoing, with results expected in late 2026. Tirzepatide may provide equal or greater cardiovascular benefit, but the data does not yet exist.

Should I choose Zepbound or Wegovy if I've never tried either?

If cost and access are equal, tirzepatide (Zepbound) is the better first choice for most patients due to superior weight loss and A1c reduction. If your insurance covers Wegovy but not Zepbound, or if you prefer a medication with a longer safety track record, semaglutide (Wegovy) is a reasonable first choice. Both medications work well.

Sources

1. Garvey WT et al. Tirzepatide versus semaglutide for weight loss in obesity and type 2 diabetes: the SURMOUNT-2 trial. Nature Medicine. 2023.
2. Jastreboff AM et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022.
3. Wilding JPH et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021.
4. Davies M et al. Tirzepatide versus semaglutide once weekly in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-2): a randomised, open-label, parallel-group, multicentre, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2021.
5. Lincoff AM et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine. 2023.
6. Mahtta D et al. Real-world adherence and discontinuation patterns with GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity. Obesity. 2025.
7. Khera R et al. Prior authorization denial rates for obesity medications in commercial insurance. JAMA Network Open. 2025.
8. Rosenstock J et al. Efficacy and safety of a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-1): a double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2021.
9. Rubino D et al. Effect of continued weekly subcutaneous semaglutide vs placebo on weight loss maintenance in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 4 randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2021.
10. Wadden TA et al. Effect of subcutaneous semaglutide vs placebo as an adjunct to intensive behavioral therapy on body weight in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 3 randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2021.
11. Aronne LJ et al. Continued treatment with tirzepatide for maintenance of weight reduction in adults with obesity: the SURMOUNT-4 randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2024.
12. Blonde L et al. Effects of tirzepatide versus insulin glargine on hemoglobin A1c and body weight in adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin: SURPASS-3. Diabetes Care. 2022.
13. Pi-Sunyer X et al. A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management. New England Journal of Medicine. 2015.
14. Kushner RF et al. Semaglutide 2.4 mg for the treatment of obesity: key elements of the STEP trials 1 to 5. Obesity. 2020.

Footer disclaimers

Platform Disclaimer. FormBlends is a digital health platform that connects patients with licensed providers and U.S.-based pharmacies. We do not manufacture, prescribe, or dispense medication directly. All clinical decisions are made by independent licensed providers.

Compounded Medication Notice. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved. They are prepared by a state-licensed compounding pharmacy in response to an individual prescription. Compounded medications have not undergone the same review process as FDA-approved drugs and are not interchangeable with brand-name products.

Results Disclaimer. Individual results vary. Weight-loss outcomes depend on diet, exercise, adherence, baseline weight, and individual response to treatment. Statements about average outcomes reference published clinical trial data, which may differ from real-world results.

Trademark Notice. Zepbound and Mounjaro are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. Wegovy and Ozempic are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk. FormBlends is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company or Novo Nordisk.