The Wegovy pill and Mounjaro are two of the most talked-about weight-loss treatments in the UK, and they are often set against each other. Unlike comparing the Wegovy pill with the Wegovy injection, this is a comparison of two very different medicines. This guide explains how they differ on results, format, cost and side effects, so you can see which might suit you better. For the full detail on the tablet, see our complete guide to the Wegovy pill.
The Wegovy pill is a daily tablet with around 13.6% average weight loss. Mounjaro is a weekly injection with the higher average result, up to around 22.5%. The pill is needle-free and lower cost; Mounjaro is more powerful on average. Your prescriber helps you choose.
Two different medicines
The first thing to know is that these are not the same drug in different packaging. The Wegovy pill contains semaglutide, which works on a single appetite hormone pathway, called GLP-1. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which works on two pathways at once, GLP-1 and GIP. That second target is a big part of why Mounjaro tends to produce larger weight loss. So this is a real choice between two treatments, not two versions of one.
The headline comparison
The table below sets out the main differences at a glance.
Trial figures come from different studies and cannot be compared directly. They are averages, and individual results always vary.
Effectiveness
On average, Mounjaro produces the larger weight loss. Its trials showed up to around 22.5% of body weight, compared with around 13.6% for the Wegovy pill. If maximum average weight loss is your single priority, Mounjaro leads. That said, 13.6% is still a substantial result that would change most people’s health for the better, and averages never tell you what any one person will achieve. You can read more about the injection in our complete guide to Mounjaro.
Tablet or injection?
This is often the deciding factor. The Wegovy pill is a once-daily tablet with a specific empty-stomach routine, and no needles at all. Mounjaro is a once-weekly injection you can take at any time of day, with or without food. If avoiding injections matters to you, the pill has an obvious appeal. If you would rather deal with treatment once a week and are comfortable with an injection pen, Mounjaro fits that preference while offering the higher average result.
Cost
The Wegovy pill is the more affordable of the two at Superior Pharmacy, starting at £98.99 per month against Mounjaro’s £149.99, with both rising as the dose increases. For some people that difference is meaningful, though it is worth weighing against Mounjaro’s larger average results rather than looking at price alone.
Side effects
Both belong to the same broad family of medicines, so their side effects are similar. The most common are digestive, such as nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and indigestion, and they tend to be mildest at the starting dose and ease as your body adjusts. Both are increased gradually for this reason, and neither is suitable for everyone, which is why an assessment always comes first.
It is not only about the numbers
The headline weight-loss figures grab attention, but they are only part of the decision. A treatment that averages a little less on paper can still be the better choice for you if it is the one you will take reliably and tolerate well. Some people find the once-weekly rhythm of an injection easier to keep up; others know a needle would put them off starting at all, and for them a daily tablet with a strong result is far better than a more powerful medicine they never begin.
Tolerance matters too. Both treatments can cause digestive side effects, and how your body responds is individual. If one does not agree with you, that is useful information rather than a failure, and it often points the way to the option that suits you better. This is exactly the kind of thing our prescribers talk through with you, and it is covered in our guide to the Wegovy pill as well.
Which one should you choose?
If you want the largest average weight loss and are happy with a weekly injection, Mounjaro is the stronger option. If you would prefer a needle-free daily tablet, or a lower monthly cost, and you are content with a slightly smaller average result, the Wegovy pill is an excellent choice. Many people are suited to either, and the decision often comes down to your feelings about injections and your budget. Because we prescribe both, our advice is guided by what fits you, not by what we would rather sell.
You do not have to get this perfect first time. If one treatment does not suit you, switching is a normal part of the process, and your prescriber will guide it safely. Our full Wegovy pill guide and Mounjaro guide both explain what to expect.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mounjaro better than the Wegovy pill?
Mounjaro produces higher average weight loss, up to around 22.5% versus around 13.6% for the pill. Whether that makes it better for you depends on your preference for a tablet or injection, your budget, and your prescriber’s advice.
Are the Wegovy pill and Mounjaro the same medicine?
No. The Wegovy pill is semaglutide and works on one hormone pathway. Mounjaro is tirzepatide and works on two, which is linked to its larger average results.
Which is cheaper, the Wegovy pill or Mounjaro?
The Wegovy pill is cheaper at Superior Pharmacy, starting at £98.99 per month against Mounjaro’s £149.99, with both rising as the dose increases.
Can I switch from one to the other?
Yes, switching between these treatments is something prescribers manage routinely. If one does not suit you, your prescriber can review whether the other is a better fit.
This guide is general information and not a substitute for personal medical advice. The Wegovy pill and Mounjaro are prescription-only medicines supplied after an online assessment and approval by one of our UK-registered independent prescribers. Always read the patient information leaflet and speak to your prescriber or pharmacist about your own circumstances.