Zepbound vs Semaglutide vs Wegovy: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve been exploring medical weight loss options, you may have heard of Zepbound, a prescription medication that’s injected subcutaneously to treat obesity by promoting weight loss. This medication is prescribed to those with a body mass index (BMI) in the obesity range (30 or higher), as well as those with a BMI in the overweight range (27 or higher) who are diagnosed with weight-related ailments, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, or back pain.

Zepbound stimulates weight loss by regulating your appetite and minimizing cravings. When you are using Zepbound, you will feel full sooner and for longer after your meals, allowing you to practice better portion control. It’s important to understand that the best outcomes from Zepbound are achieved when the medication is used alongside a healthy lifestyle.

When navigating the various weight loss medications available on the market today, it is easy to find yourself confused by all the options. To ensure you understand your options for medical weight loss treatment, you should know the differences between Zepbound, Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro.

Zepbound and Mounjaro are both Tirzepatide-based medications sold by the same manufacturer (Eli Lilly); however, they are approved for different purposes. While Mounjaro is intended to manage blood sugar levels in adult patients with type 2 diabetes, Zepbound is specifically developed to aid weight loss and treat obesity.

In contrast, Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, which are both manufactured by Novo Nordisk. These medications are similar; however, Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes treatment, and Wegovy is approved for medical weight loss.

The key difference between Tirzepatide-based medications (Zepbound and Mounjaro) and Semaglutide-based weight loss drugs (Ozempic and Wegovy) is the active ingredient. To summarize, while Wegovy and Zepbound are approved for medical weight loss, Ozempic and Mounjaro are primarily intended for blood sugar control.

Both Zepbound and Wegovy are highly effective for treating obesity in adults by making it easier to practice portion control and resist cravings. Many patients wonder whether one works better than the other. In short, the answer is that it depends on the circumstances. The healthcare professional will carefully review your medical history, discuss your lifestyle habits, and consider your preferences to prescribe the most suitable weight loss treatment in your case.

That being said, recent research has highlighted that Zepbound may be more effective at achieving weight loss than Wegovy. While the medications work in similar ways, Zepbound acts on two types of gut hormone receptors, unlike Wegovy, which only acts on one. Zepbound’s dual mechanism of action means that it can achieve more desirable outcomes in terms of weight loss.

Although Zepbound can achieve quicker and more impressive outcomes, your healthcare provider may prescribe Wegovy instead for various reasons. For example, Wegovy is approved for adolescents over the age of 12, while Zepbound is currently only approved for adults. Overall, the right weight loss medication for you will be determined by a healthcare provider who will consider your goals for treatment, your age, and your medical history.

Some insurance plans provide coverage for weight loss drugs, such as Zepbound or Wegovy, but not all do. Whether you will receive coverage for your weight loss treatment depends on your specific health plan. To determine whether you are eligible for coverage, it’s encouraged that you get in touch with your insurance representative to have your questions answered. Your representative can provide information on deductibles, copays, and preauthorization requirements that are associated with your plan.

While Medicare and Medicaid did not offer coverage for weight loss drugs in the past, policies are changing to make coverage more accessible to patients who need it. In addition, if you don’t have insurance coverage, your healthcare provider can offer you resources for accessing medical weight loss treatment at an affordable cost. For more information on Zepbound treatment and the associated costs, book a consultation with the dedicated team at New Era Wellness and Medical Weight Loss. We serve patients from Celebration FL, Campbell FL, Four Corners FL, Bay Lake FL, Williamsburg FL, Hunters Creek FL, Loughman FL, and BEYOND!