Can I Switch Between Semaglutide (Ozempic) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)?
If you have been on GLP-1 or are considering a treatment, one of the question that immediately comes to mind is: which one is better , semaglutide or tirzepatide? And while there are so much marketing pushing for one over the other, it is nearly impossible to understand the why. In this article, we will attempt to address some of your concerns from a research-based angle.
Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide: Is One Better Than The Other?
Tirzepatide and semaglutide both show significant efficacy in reducing HbA1c and body weight, with tirzepatide demonstrating slightly better outcomes at its highest doses. However, it's important to note that tirzepatide's 15mg dose is nearly 5-10 times higher than semaglutide's 2mg dose.
The enhanced efficacy of tirzepatide may be attributed to its dual action as both a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist, compared to semaglutide's single GLP-1 receptor agonist mechanism. Additionally, the higher absolute dose of tirzepatide might allow for greater receptor activation, although this doesn't necessarily translate to better tolerability.
Efficacy: Tirzepatide 5 mg vs Semaglutide 1 mg
| Measure | Tirzepatide 5 mg | Semaglutide 1 mg |
|---|---|---|
| HbA1c Reduction | -2.01% | -1.86% |
| Weight Loss | -7.6 kg | -6.2 kg |
| Patients achieving HbA1c <7% | 82% | 79% |
Efficacy: Tirzepatide 10 mg vs Semaglutide 2 mg
| Measure | Tirzepatide 10 mg | Semaglutide 2 mg |
|---|---|---|
| HbA1c Reduction | -2.24% | -2.2% |
| Weight Loss | -9.3 kg | -6.9 kg |
| Patients achieving HbA1c <7% | 86% | 84% |
Sources: Tirzepatide data: Frías JP, et al. N Engl J Med. 2021;385(6):503-515.
Cost Comparison Between Compounded Semaglutide and Tirzepatide
We sampled the 9 most popular weight loss programs including Zeuss Health, Allan Meds, Eden Health, TeleFitMD, Costco/Sesame, Fella Health, Ro Body Program, Emerge Health, Henry Meds, Ivím Health and calculate the average cost for each medication.
Right off the bat, you can see that though Tirzepatide is a more trendy medication, it also costs nearly 50% more.
| Medication Type | Average Monthly Cost | Total Cost for 6 Months | Percentage Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compounded Semaglutide | $297.22 | $2,417.99 | - |
| Compounded Tirzepatide | $448.11 | $3,196.21 | 50.77% |
Is Tirzepatide Worth it?
The short answer is: it depends. For those who are starting on GLP-1, the high cost of Tirzepatide might not be as sustainable compared to Semaglutide. However, at higher doses, the dual action nature of Tirzepatide might justify the cost as it leads to better outcomes for patients within the clinical trials.
We found up to nearly half of individuals on Tirzepatide have thought about switching to a lower-cost alternative when titrating up to a higher dose.
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David Burke, PharmD, is a seasoned clinical pharmacist with over 10 years of experience in hospital and community pharmacy settings. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.