Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are prescription medications that can be used to help with the loss of weight and for managing it. However, only Wegovy has been approved by the FDA for this purpose. Mounjaro has been approved to aid in treat type 2 diabetes.
Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are an injection of liquid. an injection to the skin.
This article will explain the main ways in which Wegovy and Mounjaro share similarities and distinct. For more information on these drugs, including information about their use, read these in-depth articles about Wegovy as well as Mounjaro.
Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are prescribed in conjunction with diet and exercise to aid in weight loss.
Wegovy has been approved by FDA to treat chronic (long-term) weight control in certain circumstances. Particularly it is suitable for overweight people or overweight and suffer from certain weight-related problems, like high blood pressure.
Mounjaro isn’t approved for these purposes, but it is able to be prescribed off-label for these conditions. (With off-label usage, a drug is prescribed for an illness that it isn’t approved for treating.) Mounjaro is approved by FDA to manage blood sugar levels for people suffering from type 2 diabetes. To learn more about how to use Mounjaro to lose weight and weight control, read this article.
To find out more about Wegovy or Mounjaro to treat your condition, speak to your doctor.
Generic drugs contain an exact replica of the active ingredient that is in a brand-name medicine. (An active ingredient is the ingredient that makes a drug effective.) To determine if Wegovy or Mounjaro is available as a generic drug, look below.
- Wegovy:
- Available as an general: no
- Active ingredient: semaglutide
- Mounjaro:
- Available as an generic no
- Active ingredient: tirzepatide
Wegovy or Mounjaro and children
Wegovy has been approved to help with weight loss and management in children aged 12 years or older. Mounjaro is not approved for use in children.
For more details on the usage of Wegovy in children, check out this article. Talk to your doctor about your child’s condition.
Wegovy as well as Mounjaro are both approved for treating various conditions. Wegovy can be used to reduce weight and aid in weight management in some overweight people. Mounjaro is often used off-label* to treat this condition however, it’s only approved for helping treat type 2 diabetes.
Both drugs are administered as an injection into the skin of your thigh or abdomen. The caregiver can inject either drug through the upper arm’s skin. Your doctor will demonstrate to you or a family member the procedure to inject Wegovy or Mounjaro. They’ll also inform you of how often to inject it.
To learn more about dosages for the various conditions that these drugs treat, refer to the dosage information for Wegovy and Mounjaro. To find out more about Mounjaro’s dosage to aid in weight reduction and management, check out the “How to use Mounjaro” section of this article.
* When using off-label the drug is prescribed to treat a condition it’s not approved to treat.
If you are using Wegovy or Mounjaro you could suffer from mild to severe adverse effects.
For more information on possible adverse effects, check out the side effect information on Wegovy and Mounjaro.
Mild side effects
Wegovy and Mounjaro could produce mild side effects. The table below gives some examples of minor side effects reported in connection with these medications.
This table may not contain all the mild side effects that can be associated with these drugs. For more information about mild adverse effects of these two drugs, refer to the Wegovy prescribing information as well as the Mounjaro prescribing information.
Serious side effects
Apart from the minor side effects mentioned above serious side effects can occur for people taking Wegovy or Mounjaro. The table below provides an extensive an extensive list of adverse side effects which have been documented for these medications.
For more information on potential adverse effects, check these articles on side effects on Wegovy and Mounjaro.
To find out more about your particular danger of experiencing serious side effects resulting from Wegovy or Mounjaro consult your doctor or pharmacist.
* Wegovy and Mounjaro have an enclosed warning for this adverse effect. The most severe warning comes in the form of a boxed warning issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To find out more, read the “What are the warnings about Wegovy and Mounjaro?” section below.
You may be wondering if Wegovy or Mounjaro are beneficial for your condition.
Wegovy is a drug used to lose weight and for weight management in people who are overweight or obese. Mounjaro is often prescribed off-label to treat these conditions. (With off-label usage, a medicine is prescribed to treat a disease that it isn’t approved for treating.) However, Mounjaro is FDA-approved only to help control blood sugar levels for people suffering from type 2 diabetes.
Research on Wegovy as well as Mounjaro have demonstrated that both drugs work in their approved applications. Studies looking at Mounjaro’s use in treating type 2 diabetes has revealed that the drug can lead to weight reduction. However, it is important to remember that the results you get from Wegovy or Mounjaro might differ from the results of studies. Consult your physician about which one of these medicines is the right choice for you.
If you’re looking to know more about the way each drug performed in research look up the prescribing information for Wegovy and Mounjaro. For more information on the use of Mounjaro to reduce weight and weight management, read this article.
If you have insurance for health or not, price might be a factor to consider when you’re thinking about these drugs. Go to Optum Perks* for prices for Wegovy and Mounjaro when you purchase coupons available on the website. It’s important to know that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used in conjunction with insurance copays or benefits.
Be aware that the amount you’ll be charged for either medication will depend on the treatment plan you choose, your health insurance coverage and the pharmacy you choose to use.
Wegovy and Mounjaro are two brand-name drugs. They do not come in generic counterparts. You’ll typically spend more money for brand-name medications than generics.
For additional resources that could assist you in reducing the cost of these drugs check out the cost-related reports on Wegovy as well as Mounjaro.
* Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline.
Wegovy and Mounjaro could not be the right choice for you if suffer from particular medical conditions or factors that impact your health. They could be referred as warnings.
The two drugs have some of the same warnings however they have different warnings. Certain of the warnings are outlined below. Before you begin taking Wegovy or Mounjaro Be sure to consult your doctor to determine if these warnings are applicable to you.
Boxed warning: The risk of developing thyroid cancer
Wegovy Mounjaro and Wegovy carry an unboxed warning. A warning in the box is the most important warning issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It warns doctors and patients about the effects of drugs that could be harmful.
The risk of developing thyroid cancer. Animal studies have revealed that semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) or tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro) caused thyroid cancer in rats and mice. (An active ingredient is the ingredient that makes the drug effective.)
Remember that animal studies can’t always provide a reliable prediction of what happens to humans. It’s not known for certain what degree Wegovy or Mounjaro can increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer in humans. However, because of the potential risk, doctors typically will not recommend Wegovy or Mounjaro for certain individuals for those who have either of the following conditions:
The symptoms of thyroid cancer are:
If you notice signs of thyroid cancer in treatment through Wegovy or Mounjaro consult your physician immediately. They may request tests to detect thyroid cancer.
For more information on this warning, consult your doctor.
Other warnings
In addition to the boxed warnings, Wegovy and Mounjaro have additional warnings.
Before taking Wegovy or Mounjaro discuss with your physician in the event that any of the following health conditions or factors could be relevant to you.
- Warns for Wegovy:
- Warnings for Mounjaro:
- A word of caution on both Wegovy and Mounjaro:
- If you’re expecting or planning to become pregnant
- If you’re breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
- If you suffer from an issue with your pancreas
To find out more about these medicines, read these in-depth articles about Wegovy as well as Mounjaro.
The quick answer is: It’s a possibility, if your doctor has recommended it.
Information: Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are prescribed in conjunction with exercise and diet to aid in weight loss and management. It is feasible to alternate between these two medications to achieve these goals. Your doctor can inform you more.
Note: You shouldn’t switch medications or stop taking your current medication unless your doctor has recommended it.
Wegovy and Mounjaro are two different approved uses. Wegovy is used to aid in weight reduction and management, whereas Mounjaro is a non-label option to achieve this goal.
If you have any questions about these medications, speak with your pharmacist or doctor. They will be able to tell you if Wegovy or Mounjaro might be the right choice for you. Examples of questions you might consider asking include:
- Do I have a greater chance of developing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in conjunction with Wegovy or Mounjaro?
- What do Wegovy and Mounjaro compare to other methods for weight loss and management?
- Are any of my medical conditions cause Wegovy or Mounjaro less secure for me?
- What changes to my diet and fitness goals would you suggest for me when I use Wegovy or Mounjaro?
To find out more about Wegovy read these articles:
To know more about Mounjaro read these articles:
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Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be an alternative to the experience and expertise of an authorized healthcare professional. Always consult your physician or other healthcare professional prior to you take any medication. The information about drugs in this article is subject to changes and is not intended to provide all possible uses of directions cautions, precautions and reactions to drugs reactions to allergens, adverse reactions. In the absence of any warnings or other details regarding any drug does not mean that the medication or combination is safe and effective or suitable for all patients, or all specific applications.
Article source and credits to https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/wegovy-vs-mounjaro
