Zepbound vs. Wegovy: Which GLP-1 Drug Is Best for Weight Loss?
Why this matters: health reporting relevant to everyday decisions and well-being.
Researchers say that GLP-1 drugs containing tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) may lead to greater weight loss. Image Credit: Tatsiana Volkava/Getty Images. A meta-analysis found that one type of GLP-1 medication may be more effective than others. The analysis showed that GLP-1s containing tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) helped people lose more weight than those containing semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy). Liraglutide (Saxenda) had the lowest weight loss percentage among users. The success of tirzepatide may be due to its dual mechanism, which targets multiple receptors. As around 2 in 5 U.S. adults meet the criteria for obesity, GLP-1 drugs have exploded in popularity as a weight loss aid. This blockbuster class of medications includes semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro), and liraglutide (Saxenda). A recent meta-analysis found that one of these medications may promote weight loss more effectively than others. The findings indicate that GLP-1s containing tirzepatide yield greater weight loss than semaglutide or liraglutide. “We were interested in finding which drug gives the most weight loss and doesn’t have higher rates of side effects like nausea and gastrointestinal problems,” Pooja Gokhale, corresponding author of the review and a doctoral student in the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, said in a press release. “Tirzepatide seems to be the better option,” Gokhale said. Zepbound, Mounjaro yields greater weight loss The analysis found that those using tirzepatide (Zepbound or Mounjaro) lost 15–20% of their body weight. By comparison, participants taking semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy) lost around 12–13% of their body weight. Liraglutide (Saxenda) showed the lowest weight loss percentage, around 5%. GLP-1 medications work by mimicking natural hormones in the gut, which help to lower blood sugar, slow digestion, and promote feelings of fullness to aid weight loss. Semaglutide and liraglutide target GLP-1 receptors, wherea