Overview
Zepbound and Wegovy are the two FDA-approved GLP-1 medications specifically indicated for chronic weight management. Zepbound is tirzepatide (a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist made by Eli Lilly). Wegovy is semaglutide (a single GLP-1 agonist made by Novo Nordisk). In the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial (2024), Zepbound produced about 20.2% average weight loss at 72 weeks vs 13.7% for Wegovy.
Treatment
Zepbound: available as KwikPen and LillyDirect vials, doses 2.5–15 mg weekly. Cash pathway via LillyDirect starts at $349/month. Wegovy: pen only, doses 0.25–2.4 mg weekly. Cash pathway via NovoCare is $499/month. Both share the same side-effect profile — nausea, constipation, occasional heartburn — that fades with slow titration. Rare risks include pancreatitis, gallstones, and thyroid C-cell tumors (contraindicated with MEN2 or personal/family medullary thyroid cancer).
When to book a visit
Book a weight-loss visit — Clindle picks the medication that matches your insurance coverage, side-effect tolerance, and injection preference, then handles prior auth and savings enrollment.
Book online todayFrequently asked
Which loses more weight, Zepbound or Wegovy?
In the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial, Zepbound produced about 47% more weight loss than Wegovy (20.2% vs 13.7% body weight at 72 weeks).
Which is cheaper?
For cash-pay patients Zepbound via LillyDirect vials ($349–$699) is generally cheaper than Wegovy via NovoCare ($499 flat). For insured patients it depends on which drug your plan prefers.
Can I switch from Wegovy to Zepbound?
Yes — we transition many patients when weight loss stalls, side effects are severe, or insurance coverage changes. Restart at a low tirzepatide dose (2.5 mg) even if you were on top-dose Wegovy.