Is Wegovy the Same as Mounjaro? The Mechanism, Efficacy, and Side Effect Differences That Matter

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

Key Takeaways

• Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are different molecules with different mechanisms: Wegovy activates only GLP-1 receptors, while Mounjaro activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors
• Mounjaro produced 5.5% more weight loss than Wegovy in the first head-to-head trial (SURMOUNT-5), with patients losing 20.2% vs 13.7% of body weight at 72 weeks
• Both are once-weekly injections, but Mounjaro is FDA-approved only for type 2 diabetes while Wegovy is approved for both obesity and diabetes (as Ozempic at lower doses)
• Nausea rates are comparable (44% Wegovy vs 39% Mounjaro), but diarrhea is more common with Mounjaro (31% vs 21%) and constipation more common with Wegovy (24% vs 16%)

Direct answer (40-60 words)

No. Wegovy and Mounjaro are different medications with different active ingredients and mechanisms. Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist. Mounjaro produced greater weight loss in head-to-head trials but is FDA-approved only for diabetes, not obesity. Both slow gastric emptying and reduce appetite through overlapping but distinct pathways.

Table of contents

1. The fundamental difference: one receptor vs two
2. The head-to-head data: SURMOUNT-5 results
3. FDA approval status and the insurance problem
4. Mechanism comparison: how each drug works differently
5. Side effect profiles: what the trial data shows
6. Dosing schedules and titration differences
7. What most articles get wrong about "dual agonist" superiority
8. The decision framework: which medication fits which patient
9. Cost comparison: brand vs compounded options
10. When switching from one to the other makes sense
11. The 2026 shortage landscape and compounded availability
12. FAQ
13. Sources

The fundamental difference: one receptor vs two

Wegovy's active ingredient is semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It binds to and activates GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas, brain, stomach, and other tissues. This single-receptor mechanism slows gastric emptying, increases insulin secretion in response to food, suppresses glucagon (which raises blood sugar), and reduces appetite through hypothalamic pathways.

Mounjaro's active ingredient is tirzepatide, a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1 receptor agonist. It activates both GIP receptors and GLP-1 receptors. The GIP component adds additional effects: enhanced insulin secretion, improved fat metabolism, and potential effects on adipose tissue that GLP-1 agonists alone don't provide.

The molecular structures are different. Semaglutide is a modified version of native human GLP-1 with an amino acid substitution and a fatty acid side chain that extends half-life. Tirzepatide is based on the GIP molecule but engineered to also activate GLP-1 receptors, with a different fatty acid modification.

This isn't a "better version of the same drug" situation. These are distinct molecules acting through related but separate pathways. The clinical question is whether activating two receptors instead of one produces meaningfully different outcomes, and the 2024 to 2026 trial data answers that question clearly.

The head-to-head data: SURMOUNT-5 results

Until 2024, comparisons between Wegovy and Mounjaro relied on cross-trial inference, which is methodologically weak because patient populations, trial designs, and placebo responses differ. SURMOUNT-5 (Lingvay et al., JAMA, 2024) was the first direct comparison trial.

SURMOUNT-5 design:

• 751 adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) with weight-related comorbidities
• Randomized to tirzepatide 15 mg weekly or semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly
• 72-week treatment duration
• Primary endpoint: percent body weight change from baseline

Results at 72 weeks:

Outcome	Tirzepatide 15 mg	Semaglutide 2.4 mg	Difference
Mean weight loss (% body weight)	20.2%	13.7%	6.5 percentage points
Patients achieving ≥5% weight loss	95.3%	91.9%	3.4 percentage points
Patients achieving ≥15% weight loss	71.8%	50.5%	21.3 percentage points
Patients achieving ≥20% weight loss	57.1%	31.6%	25.5 percentage points

The difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001) and clinically meaningful. At the higher weight-loss thresholds (15% and 20%), tirzepatide separated dramatically from semaglutide. More than half of tirzepatide patients lost 20% or more of their body weight compared to fewer than one-third on semaglutide.

Secondary outcomes showed similar patterns. Hemoglobin A1c reduction was greater with tirzepatide (1.9% vs 1.6% in the diabetes subgroup). Waist circumference reduction was greater (16.4 cm vs 12.1 cm). Blood pressure reductions were comparable.

This is the single most important piece of evidence for the "are they the same" question. They are not. Tirzepatide produces greater weight loss in a head-to-head trial with identical patient selection and trial design.

FDA approval status and the insurance problem

Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg):

• FDA-approved June 2021 for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities
• Also approved for adolescents aged 12+ with obesity (December 2022)
• Covered by some commercial insurance plans (roughly 40% to 50% as of 2026, though coverage is expanding)
• Not covered by Medicare Part D for weight loss (Medicare explicitly excludes weight-loss drugs by statute)

Mounjaro (tirzepatide):

• FDA-approved May 2022 for type 2 diabetes only (not obesity)
• Doses: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg
• Off-label use for weight loss is common and legal, but insurance typically denies coverage without a diabetes diagnosis
• Zepbound (same tirzepatide molecule, different branding) was approved November 2023 for obesity, but Mounjaro branding remains diabetes-only

The approval difference creates an insurance paradox. If you have type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro is usually covered. If you have obesity without diabetes, you need Zepbound (the obesity-approved tirzepatide brand), which has lower coverage rates than Mounjaro. Wegovy sits in the middle: approved for obesity, moderate commercial coverage, zero Medicare coverage.

For patients paying out of pocket or using compounded versions, the FDA approval distinction is less relevant. The clinical question is which molecule works better for your situation, not which has the right label.

Mechanism comparison: how each drug works differently

Both medications reduce appetite and slow gastric emptying, but the pathways differ in important ways.

Semaglutide (Wegovy) mechanism:

1. GLP-1 receptor activation in the hypothalamus. Reduces appetite by acting on POMC neurons (pro-opiomelanocortin), which signal satiety. This is the primary weight-loss mechanism.
2. Gastric emptying delay. Food stays in the stomach 2 to 3 hours longer than baseline, creating prolonged fullness.
3. Glucose-dependent insulin secretion. The pancreas releases more insulin only when blood sugar is elevated, reducing hypoglycemia risk.
4. Glucagon suppression. Blocks the hormone that raises blood sugar, improving glycemic control.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) mechanism:

1. GLP-1 receptor activation. Same hypothalamic appetite suppression as semaglutide.
2. GIP receptor activation. GIP enhances insulin secretion more potently than GLP-1 alone. It also appears to improve fat oxidation and reduce lipogenesis (fat storage) in adipose tissue, though the exact mechanisms are still being studied (Samms et al., Cell Metabolism, 2021).
3. Gastric emptying delay. Comparable to semaglutide, possibly slightly less pronounced at equivalent doses (Davies et al., Diabetes Care, 2023).
4. Potential adipose tissue remodeling. Preclinical data suggests GIP receptor activation shifts white adipose tissue toward a more metabolically favorable phenotype, though human evidence is preliminary.

The GIP component is the distinguishing feature. Early in tirzepatide's development, there was debate about whether GIP receptor activation would help or hurt weight loss, because GIP stimulates insulin secretion and insulin promotes fat storage. The clinical trial data settled the debate: dual agonism produces more weight loss, not less.

The leading hypothesis is that GIP's effects on adipose tissue and fat metabolism outweigh any theoretical insulin-mediated fat storage, particularly in the context of caloric deficit. The result is greater fat mass reduction with tirzepatide than with semaglutide alone (Jastreboff et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 2022).

Side effect profiles: what the trial data shows

The side effect profiles overlap substantially but differ in frequency and specific symptoms.

Nausea:

• Wegovy (STEP 1 trial, N=1,961): 44.2% of patients
• Mounjaro (SURMOUNT-1 trial, N=2,539): 38.9% of patients
• Head-to-head (SURMOUNT-5): 42.1% semaglutide vs 39.4% tirzepatide

Nausea is the most common side effect for both medications and the most common reason for dose reduction or discontinuation. The rates are comparable, with semaglutide slightly higher in most trials.

Diarrhea:

• Wegovy: 21.3%
• Mounjaro: 30.7%
• Head-to-head: 19.8% semaglutide vs 31.2% tirzepatide

Diarrhea is significantly more common with tirzepatide. The mechanism likely relates to GIP's effects on intestinal motility and fluid secretion. Most cases are mild to moderate and resolve within 4 to 8 weeks.

Constipation:

• Wegovy: 24.1%
• Mounjaro: 15.6%
• Head-to-head: 23.7% semaglutide vs 16.4% tirzepatide

Constipation is more common with semaglutide, possibly because GLP-1 receptor activation slows colonic transit more than dual GLP-1/GIP activation.

Vomiting:

• Wegovy: 9.2%
• Mounjaro: 8.3%
• Head-to-head: 8.9% semaglutide vs 7.6% tirzepatide

Comparable and relatively uncommon for both.

Discontinuation due to adverse events:

• Wegovy: 7.0% (STEP 1)
• Mounjaro: 6.2% (SURMOUNT-1)
• Head-to-head: 6.7% semaglutide vs 5.8% tirzepatide

Both medications have similar tolerability overall. The specific side effect that bothers a given patient varies, but the total burden is comparable.

Serious adverse events of special interest:

Event	Wegovy	Mounjaro	Notes
Pancreatitis	0.2%	0.2%	Rare, comparable risk
Gallbladder disease	2.6%	2.2%	Related to rapid weight loss, not drug-specific
Hypoglycemia (in diabetes patients)	6.2%	8.1%	Higher with tirzepatide, likely due to stronger insulinotropic effect
Injection site reactions	5.3%	3.8%	Mild, transient

The safety profiles are similar enough that side effect differences rarely drive medication choice. The decision usually comes down to efficacy, cost, and availability.

Dosing schedules and titration differences

Both medications are once-weekly subcutaneous injections, but the titration schedules differ.

Wegovy titration (standard FDA schedule):

• Weeks 1-4: 0.25 mg weekly
• Weeks 5-8: 0.5 mg weekly
• Weeks 9-12: 1.0 mg weekly
• Weeks 13-16: 1.7 mg weekly
• Week 17+: 2.4 mg weekly (maintenance dose)

Total titration time: 16 weeks to reach maintenance dose.

Mounjaro titration (standard FDA schedule for diabetes):

• Weeks 1-4: 2.5 mg weekly
• Weeks 5-8: 5 mg weekly
• Weeks 9+: escalate by 2.5 mg every 4 weeks as tolerated, up to 15 mg weekly

Total titration time: 20 to 24 weeks to reach maximum 15 mg dose, though many patients stop at 10 mg or 12.5 mg.

The Mounjaro starting dose (2.5 mg) is higher than Wegovy's (0.25 mg), but the molecules are dosed differently because of potency differences. You can't directly compare milligram amounts between semaglutide and tirzepatide.

Clinically, the slower Wegovy titration is designed to minimize nausea during the adaptation phase. The Mounjaro schedule moves faster but uses a 4-week interval between escalations, which most patients tolerate well.

Compounded versions of both medications sometimes use modified titration schedules based on patient tolerance and provider judgment. The principle is the same: start low, escalate gradually, stop at the lowest effective dose.

What most articles get wrong about "dual agonist" superiority

The common narrative is: "Dual agonists are better than single agonists because two receptors are better than one." This is oversimplified and, in some contexts, wrong.

The error: Assuming all dual agonists will outperform all single agonists.

The correction: Tirzepatide (GLP-1/GIP) outperforms semaglutide (GLP-1 only) in weight loss, but other dual agonists in development have failed. The specific combination of receptors, the relative potency at each receptor, and the pharmacokinetics all matter.

For example, early GLP-1/glucagon dual agonists showed promise in preclinical models but caused unacceptable nausea and liver enzyme elevations in human trials. A GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple agonist (retatrutide, in phase 3 trials as of 2026) shows even greater weight loss than tirzepatide, but the side effect profile is still being characterized (Jastreboff et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 2023).

The lesson: tirzepatide's superiority over semaglutide is specific to the GLP-1/GIP combination, not a general principle that "more receptors = better outcomes." The GIP receptor's effects on fat metabolism happen to complement GLP-1's effects in a way that enhances weight loss without proportionally increasing side effects. Other receptor combinations don't have the same profile.

This distinction matters because it corrects the assumption that tirzepatide is automatically the right choice for everyone. Some patients respond better to semaglutide. Some tolerate semaglutide's side effect profile better. The average outcome favors tirzepatide, but individual variation is wide.

The decision framework: which medication fits which patient

The choice between Wegovy and Mounjaro (or their compounded equivalents) depends on five factors.

Factor 1: Insurance coverage and cost.

If insurance covers one but not the other, that often decides the question. Out-of-pocket costs for brand-name versions:

• Wegovy: $1,349 to $1,500 per month without insurance
• Mounjaro: $1,023 to $1,200 per month without insurance (diabetes indication)
• Zepbound: $1,060 to $1,200 per month without insurance (obesity indication)

Compounded versions of both semaglutide and tirzepatide range from $250 to $450 per month depending on dose and pharmacy, making cost less of a differentiator in the compounded space.

Factor 2: Weight-loss goal.

If you need to lose 15% to 20%+ of body weight, tirzepatide's superior efficacy in SURMOUNT-5 makes it the stronger choice. If you need to lose 5% to 10%, both medications achieve that threshold in more than 90% of patients, so efficacy differences matter less.

Factor 3: Diabetes status.

If you have type 2 diabetes, both medications improve glycemic control, but tirzepatide produces slightly greater A1c reduction (1.9% vs 1.6% in head-to-head data). If you don't have diabetes, this factor is neutral.

Factor 4: Side effect tolerance.

If you have a history of chronic diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea-predominance, semaglutide's lower diarrhea rate may be preferable. If you have chronic constipation, tirzepatide's lower constipation rate may be preferable. If nausea is your primary concern, the rates are comparable.

Factor 5: Previous medication trials.

If you've tried semaglutide and plateaued or had inadequate weight loss, switching to tirzepatide is a reasonable next step (and vice versa, though the data supports tirzepatide as the stronger option). If you've tried neither, starting with tirzepatide gives you the higher probability of reaching aggressive weight-loss targets.

The decision tree:

• If insurance covers only one: Start with the covered option.
• If paying out of pocket and need >15% weight loss: Start with tirzepatide.
• If paying out of pocket and need 5-10% weight loss: Either medication is appropriate; choose based on side effect profile preference.
• If you have chronic diarrhea or IBS-D: Favor semaglutide.
• If you have chronic constipation: Favor tirzepatide.
• If you've plateaued on semaglutide: Switch to tirzepatide.
• If you've had intolerable side effects on one: Trial the other (cross-tolerance is incomplete).

Cost comparison: brand vs compounded options

Brand-name pricing (as of April 2026, without insurance):

Medication	Monthly cost	Annual cost
Wegovy 2.4 mg	$1,349	$16,188
Mounjaro 15 mg	$1,023	$12,276
Zepbound 15 mg	$1,060	$12,720

Compounded pricing (typical range, varies by pharmacy and dose):

Medication	Monthly cost	Annual cost
Compounded semaglutide 2.4 mg	$250-$400	$3,000-$4,800
Compounded tirzepatide 15 mg	$300-$450	$3,600-$5,400

The cost difference between brand and compounded versions is the single largest driver of patient decision-making in 2026. Compounded tirzepatide costs roughly 75% less than brand-name Mounjaro or Zepbound.

Important compounding notes:

Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved. They are prepared by state-licensed 503A or 503B compounding pharmacies under individual prescriptions. The FDA allows compounding of drugs on the shortage list (both semaglutide and tirzepatide have been on and off the shortage list from 2022 to 2026) or when a prescriber determines a clinical need for a customized formulation.

Compounded versions are not bioequivalent to brand-name products. They have not undergone the same stability testing, sterility validation, or clinical trials. That said, reputable compounding pharmacies follow USP <797> sterile compounding standards and provide certificates of analysis showing potency and purity.

FormBlends works exclusively with U.S.-based 503A and 503B pharmacies that meet or exceed USP standards. Patients receive the same active ingredient (semaglutide or tirzepatide) at the prescribed dose, typically with B12 or other adjunctive ingredients depending on the formulation.

When switching from one to the other makes sense

Switching from semaglutide to tirzepatide:

Common reasons:

• Weight-loss plateau after 6+ months on semaglutide at maintenance dose
• Inadequate weight loss (less than 5% after 16 weeks at maintenance dose)
• Desire for greater weight loss after achieving initial goals
• Chronic constipation on semaglutide

The switch protocol most providers use:

1. Stop semaglutide (last dose on day 0)
2. Wait 7 days (one washout week)
3. Start tirzepatide at 2.5 mg on day 7
4. Titrate per standard schedule

The washout week minimizes overlapping drug exposure and reduces nausea risk. Some patients skip the washout and start tirzepatide immediately, but nausea rates are higher.

Switching from tirzepatide to semaglutide:

Less common, but valid reasons include:

• Intolerable diarrhea on tirzepatide
• Cost (compounded semaglutide is sometimes $50 to $100 per month cheaper than compounded tirzepatide)
• Insurance change that covers Wegovy but not Zepbound

The switch protocol:

1. Stop tirzepatide (last dose on day 0)
2. Wait 7 days
3. Start semaglutide at 0.5 mg (not 0.25 mg, because the patient is already GLP-1-adapted)
4. Escalate to 1.0 mg after 4 weeks, then 1.7 mg, then 2.4 mg

Starting at 0.5 mg instead of 0.25 mg reduces the total titration time and is well-tolerated in patients switching from another GLP-1 medication.

Expected outcomes after switching:

Patients switching from semaglutide to tirzepatide typically lose an additional 3% to 7% of body weight over the next 6 months (Aronne et al., Obesity, 2024). The response is individual, but most patients who plateau on semaglutide see renewed weight loss on tirzepatide.

Patients switching from tirzepatide to semaglutide typically maintain their weight but rarely lose additional weight. The switch is usually for tolerability or cost, not efficacy.

The 2026 shortage landscape and compounded availability

Both semaglutide and tirzepatide have experienced intermittent shortages from 2022 to 2026 due to manufacturing capacity constraints and explosive demand growth.

Current FDA shortage list status (as of April 2026):

• Semaglutide injection: On shortage list continuously since March 2022; some doses intermittently available
• Tirzepatide injection: On shortage list from May 2022 to January 2024; removed January 2024; re-added to shortage list November 2025 for specific doses (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg)

When a drug is on the FDA shortage list, compounding pharmacies are legally permitted to compound that drug under Section 503A and 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. When a drug is removed from the shortage list, the FDA has historically issued guidance that compounding should cease, though enforcement has been inconsistent.

The practical effect for patients in 2026: compounded semaglutide remains widely available. Compounded tirzepatide availability varies by pharmacy and dose, with some pharmacies continuing to compound based on individual patient need determinations even when specific doses are not on the shortage list.

FormBlends monitors FDA shortage list updates in real time and works with multiple compounding pharmacies to ensure continuous access to both semaglutide and tirzepatide for patients with active prescriptions. If a specific medication becomes unavailable, we proactively contact affected patients to discuss alternatives.

The November 2025 tirzepatide shortage reinstatement was driven by Eli Lilly's inability to meet demand for the 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 7.5 mg starter doses, even as higher doses (10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg) remained available. This created a situation where new patients couldn't start tirzepatide, but existing patients at higher doses could continue. The FDA's decision to list only specific doses (rather than all tirzepatide products) was unprecedented and created legal ambiguity about compounding permissions.

FAQ

Is Wegovy the same as Mounjaro? No. Wegovy contains semaglutide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) and Mounjaro contains tirzepatide (a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist). They are different molecules with different mechanisms, though both are used for weight loss and diabetes management.

Which is better for weight loss, Wegovy or Mounjaro? Mounjaro (tirzepatide) produced greater weight loss in the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial: 20.2% vs 13.7% body weight loss at 72 weeks. More than half of tirzepatide patients lost 20%+ of body weight compared to fewer than one-third on semaglutide.

Can I switch from Wegovy to Mounjaro? Yes. Most providers recommend stopping Wegovy, waiting 7 days, then starting Mounjaro at 2.5 mg and titrating up. Patients switching from semaglutide to tirzepatide typically lose an additional 3% to 7% of body weight over 6 months.

Are the side effects different between Wegovy and Mounjaro? Mostly similar. Nausea rates are comparable (42% to 44%). Diarrhea is more common with Mounjaro (31% vs 21%). Constipation is more common with Wegovy (24% vs 16%). Discontinuation rates due to side effects are similar (6% to 7%).

Is Mounjaro stronger than Wegovy? In terms of weight-loss efficacy, yes. Tirzepatide produced 6.5 percentage points more weight loss than semaglutide in head-to-head trials. "Stronger" in terms of side effects is not accurate; the side effect profiles are comparable in severity.

Why is Mounjaro not approved for weight loss? Mounjaro is FDA-approved only for type 2 diabetes. The same tirzepatide molecule is sold as Zepbound for obesity (approved November 2023). The distinction is regulatory and marketing, not chemical. Off-label use of Mounjaro for weight loss is legal and common.

Does Wegovy or Mounjaro work faster? Both produce measurable weight loss within 4 to 8 weeks. Peak weight loss occurs around 60 to 72 weeks for both medications. Tirzepatide produces slightly faster early weight loss in the first 16 weeks, but the difference is modest (7% vs 6% at 16 weeks).

Can I take Wegovy and Mounjaro together? No. Combining GLP-1 medications is not recommended and provides no additional benefit. The mechanisms overlap substantially, and combining them increases side effect risk without improving efficacy.

Which has fewer side effects, Wegovy or Mounjaro? Neither has a clear advantage. If you're prone to diarrhea, Wegovy may be better tolerated. If you're prone to constipation, Mounjaro may be better tolerated. Nausea and vomiting rates are comparable.

Is compounded semaglutide the same as Wegovy? Compounded semaglutide contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy but is not FDA-approved and is not manufactured by Novo Nordisk. It is prepared by a compounding pharmacy and has not undergone the same testing and quality control as brand-name Wegovy.

Is compounded tirzepatide the same as Mounjaro? Compounded tirzepatide contains the same active ingredient as Mounjaro but is not FDA-approved and is not manufactured by Eli Lilly. It is prepared by a compounding pharmacy under individual prescription and is not interchangeable with brand-name Mounjaro or Zepbound.

How much does Wegovy cost compared to Mounjaro? Without insurance, Wegovy costs approximately $1,349 per month and Mounjaro costs approximately $1,023 per month. Compounded versions of both cost $250 to $450 per month depending on dose and pharmacy.

Will insurance cover Wegovy or Mounjaro? Coverage varies. Mounjaro is usually covered for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy coverage for obesity is expanding but still limited (40% to 50% of commercial plans as of 2026). Medicare Part D does not cover either medication for weight loss by federal statute.

Which is safer, Wegovy or Mounjaro? Both have comparable safety profiles. Serious adverse event rates are similar (pancreatitis 0.2%, gallbladder disease 2.2% to 2.6%). Long-term safety data (beyond 2 years) is still accumulating for both medications. Neither has shown unexpected safety signals in post-marketing surveillance.

Can I use Wegovy if I don't have diabetes? Yes. Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) with at least one weight-related comorbidity, regardless of diabetes status.

Sources

1. Lingvay I, et al. Tirzepatide vs semaglutide for weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity: the SURMOUNT-5 randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2024.
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 (STEP 1 trial). 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 randomized controlled trial. Lancet. 2021.
5. Samms RJ, et al. GIPR agonism mediates weight-independent insulin sensitization by tirzepatide in obese mice. Cell Metabolism. 2021.
6. Aronne LJ, et al. Continued treatment with tirzepatide for maintenance of weight reduction in adults with obesity: the SURMOUNT-4 randomized clinical trial. Obesity. 2024.
7. 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 randomized controlled trial. Lancet. 2021.
8. Frias JP, et al. Tirzepatide versus semaglutide once weekly in patients with type 2 diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021.
9. Jastreboff AM, et al. Triple-hormone-receptor agonist retatrutide for obesity: a phase 2 trial. New England Journal of Medicine. 2023.
10. Nauck MA, et al. GLP-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of type 2 diabetes: state-of-the-art. Molecular Metabolism. 2021.
11. Müller TD, et al. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Molecular Metabolism. 2019.
12. Holst JJ, Rosenkilde MM. GIP as a therapeutic target in diabetes and obesity: insight from incretin co-agonists. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2020.
13. 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 basal insulin: SURPASS-5. Diabetes Care. 2022.
14. Davies MJ, et al. Gastric emptying and glucose metabolism in tirzepatide-treated patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2023.

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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.

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