Compare GLP-1 Medications Side by Side, Your Way
When two or three options are swimming in your head, it helps to see them next to each other. Pick the ones you're considering and we'll lay out the maker, how they work, dosing, average weight loss, price, and FDA status — plus honest pros, cons, and a take you can actually use.
Updated April 2026
Choose 2–3 to compare
| Feature | Wegovy | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Novo Nordisk | Eli Lilly |
| Generic name | Semaglutide | Tirzepatide |
| Type | GLP-1 receptor agonist | Dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist |
| Form | Weekly injection (pen) · oral pill option | Weekly injection (pen / vial) |
| Doses | 0.25mg to 2.4mg weekly | 2.5mg to 15mg weekly |
| Avg. weight loss | 15–17% | 20–22% |
| Monthly list price | $1,349 | $1,060 |
| FDA approval | Chronic weight management + CV risk | Chronic weight management |
| Year approved | 2021 | 2023 |
The honest pros and cons
Wegovy
Semaglutide · Novo Nordisk
- + FDA-approved specifically for weight management
- + Also approved for cardiovascular risk reduction
- + Oral pill version now available
- − Highest list price of any semaglutide product
- − Periodic shortages at higher doses
- − Commercial weight-loss coverage is uneven
Zepbound
Tirzepatide · Eli Lilly
- + Highest average weight loss of any approved GLP-1
- + FDA-approved for chronic weight management
- + LillyDirect self-pay vials reduce cost
- − Stronger GI side effects than semaglutide
- − Insurance coverage still inconsistent
- − More expensive than Mounjaro despite same ingredient
Our honest take
If your top priority is weight loss, Zepbound comes out ahead here, averaging 20–22%. On budget, Zepbound is the gentlest on your wallet at $1,060 a month. Worth knowing: Wegovy, Zepbound are FDA-approved specifically for weight loss, which often makes a real difference to whether insurance will cover it.
A peek under the hood
Pick 2–3 medications and we'll pull their details from our reference data into one tidy table. On the rows where there's a clear front-runner, you'll see a little trophy: it marks the highest average weight loss on the “Avg. weight loss” row and the lowest sticker price on the “Monthly list price” row. The verdict at the bottom ties it together and flags which medications are FDA-approved specifically for weight loss — a detail that often decides whether insurance will cover it.
A friendly note: this comparison is for learning, not medical advice. The average weight-loss figures come from published clinical-trial ranges and won't predict your personal results. Pricing reflects manufacturer list prices as of April 2026 and can shift. Please loop in a licensed clinician before deciding. Seed data — verify before relying on it.
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