Medication vs Medication
Mounjaro vs Wegovy Tablets
A practical UK comparison focused on what is genuinely different — not which brand has the loudest marketing.
Mounjaro
Up to ~20%+ mean loss in obesity trials; direct head-to-head 20.2% at 72 weeks vs 13.7% semaglutide 1.7/2.4 mg in SURMOUNT-5
Wegovy tablets
OASIS 4: mean -13.6% at 64 weeks under treatment-policy analysis; -16.6% estimated while on treatment without additional obesity therapy
Side-by-side
| Mounjaro | Wegovy tablets | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | tirzepatide | semaglutide |
| Form | Weekly injection | Daily tablet |
| Frequency | Once weekly | Once daily |
| Licence | UK weight management licence | UK weight management licence |
| NHS context | NICE-recommended; NHS access is phased / pathway-dependent | Licensed; NICE/NHS positioning may lag the new formulation and should be checked live |
| Evidence | Very strong | Strong but newer formulation |
| Weight-loss evidence | Up to ~20%+ mean loss in obesity trials; direct head-to-head 20.2% at 72 weeks vs 13.7% semaglutide 1.7/2.4 mg in SURMOUNT-5 | OASIS 4: mean -13.6% at 64 weeks under treatment-policy analysis; -16.6% estimated while on treatment without additional obesity therapy |
| Maintenance | Long-term treatment may be needed; stopping can be followed by regain | Long-term treatment / maintenance planning still applies |
| GI considerations | Common GI effects, especially during escalation | GI effects remain common despite oral administration |
Reasons to discuss Mounjaro
- Highest head-to-head mean weight loss among the established injectable options in SURMOUNT-5
- Weekly dosing
- Strong appetite / food-noise effect for many users
- Weight-management and maintenance licence
Trade-offs
- Injection
- GI side effects can be limiting
- Access and NHS rollout are not the same as NICE eligibility
- Ongoing treatment cost/maintenance matters if private
Reasons to discuss Wegovy tablets
- Needle-free GLP-1 option
- Weight-management and maintenance licence
- Strong phase 3b efficacy
- Useful option for people strongly avoiding injections
Trade-offs
- Daily dosing
- Administration instructions and adherence matter
- Newer UK formulation with less real-world maturity
- NICE/NHS reimbursement position may differ from injectable Wegovy
How should I compare weight-loss evidence?
Read the named evidence above with its population, duration and outcome measure. Separate-trial results cannot establish a direct treatment ranking or predict your result. Ask which evidence is relevant to your own circumstances.
Which is easier to live with?
Mounjaro: Once weekly. Wegovy tablets: Once daily. Consider the actual formulation and frequency above, its administration instructions and how it fits your routine.
NHS vs private reality
NICE-recommended; NHS access is phased / pathway-dependent. Licensed; NICE/NHS positioning may lag the new formulation and should be checked live. NICE criteria and NHS availability are related but not identical, so check the current pathway rather than assuming a clinically eligible medicine is immediately available through a GP.
Maintenance matters
Long-term treatment may be needed; stopping can be followed by regain. Long-term treatment / maintenance planning still applies. A treatment comparison that ends at the point of weight loss is incomplete.
Questions to ask a prescriber
- Which option is actually licensed and clinically appropriate for my health history?
- How do the expected benefits compare for someone with my diabetes/cardiovascular history?
- What side effects should make me contact you?
- What will monitoring involve?
- What is the plan if I cannot tolerate the maintenance dose?
- What happens if I stop?
Sources
Want support putting this into practice?
The Shift Programme is being built to combine evidence-led education, decision support, practical tools, progress tracking and long-term maintenance.
USE THE SUPPORT AROUND TREATMENT
Go to the thing that needs sorting.
My Timber keeps food, movement and check-ins together. Medicine, dose and prescribing decisions stay with the prescribing service.