Tirzepatide vs. Semaglutide – Which Works Best?
August 11, 2025
A friendly, science-backed guide for choosing your online weight-loss treatment with MyTeleHealthPoint
The quick answer (and why this matters)
If you’re comparing tirzepatide vs. semaglutide, here’s the short version:
- Both work very well for medical weight loss.
- Tirzepatide tends to produce more weight loss on average in head-to-head or contemporary trials. (New England Journal of Medicine)
- Semaglutide has a long track record, strong outcomes, and now FDA-recognized heart benefits in certain adults with obesity and heart disease. (New England Journal of Medicine, U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
At MyTeleHealthPoint, you can start with a free weight-loss consultation, then choose the path that fits your goals, budget, and health history. We also offer interest free Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) with Afterpay and Klarna at checkout—so cost isn’t a roadblock.
Get Started Today
💡 No insurance? No problem. With MyTeleHealthPoint, you can get care fast — for less than the price of dinner out. No appointment needed.
Start your free weight loss consultation today »
What are these medicines?
Semaglutide (Wegovy®/Ozempic®)
- How it works: GLP-1 agonist. Helps you feel full, lowers appetite, and supports blood-sugar control.
- Evidence: In the landmark STEP-1 trial, people without diabetes lost ~15% body weight at 68 weeks (plus lifestyle changes). (New England Journal of Medicine, PubMed)
- Regulatory notes: Wegovy® is FDA-approved for chronic weight management; in 2024 FDA also recognized a benefit for reducing major cardiovascular events in certain adults with obesity and known cardiovascular disease. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Tirzepatide (Zepbound®/Mounjaro®)
- How it works: Dual GIP + GLP-1 agonist (two incretin pathways).
- Evidence: SURMOUNT-1 showed substantial and sustained weight loss over 72 weeks; contemporary data suggest greater average loss vs. semaglutide in adults without diabetes. (New England Journal of Medicine, PubMed)
- Regulatory notes: Zepbound® received FDA approval (2023) for chronic weight management; ongoing label growth continues. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Lilly Investor Relations)
Side-by-side comparison
Which one works best for most people?
| Feature | Tirzepatide (Zepbound®) | Semaglutide (Wegovy®) |
| Mechanism | Dual GIP + GLP-1 | GLP-1 |
| Average weight loss in trials (no diabetes) | Often ~18–21% at 72 wks (dose-dependent) | ~15% at 68 wks (2.4 mg) |
| Cardiovascular outcomes label | Cardiovascular outcomes evolving | FDA-recognized reduction in MACE in adults with CVD + obesity/overweight (2024) |
| Dosing | Weekly injection (titrated) | Weekly injection (titrated) |
| Common side effects | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation |
| Key warnings (both) | Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors (boxed warning), pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, rare severe allergic reactions | |
| Who might prefer | Those seeking max weight loss potential | Those prioritizing CV benefit label or who tolerate Semaglutide better |
Evidence notes:
SURMOUNT-1 (tirzepatide) and STEP-1 (semaglutide) are the pivotal trials; 2025 comparative data continue to show stronger average weight loss with tirzepatide in adults without diabetes, while semaglutide now carries an FDA-recognized cardiovascular benefit for certain patients. (New England Journal of Medicine, PubMed, U.S. Food and Drug Administration)Who is the best candidate?
Good candidates for either medicine
- BMI ≥30, or BMI ≥27 with a weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes/diabetes). (Per FDA chronic weight-management labels.) (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
- Ready to pair medicine with nutrition, movement, and sleep improvements.
You may lean toward tirzepatide if:
- You want the largest average weight loss seen in trials. (New England Journal of Medicine)
- You tried semaglutide but didn’t reach goals (see “When to switch” below).
You may lean toward semaglutide if:
- You have established cardiovascular disease and value its FDA-recognized MACE reduction. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
- You previously tolerated and responded well to semaglutide.
You should not take these medicines if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are under 12 years of age
- Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer
- Have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- Have had severe allergic reactions to Semaglutide
- Have a history of pancreatitis
- Have a history of gastroparesis
- Have a history of Crohn’s disease
- Have a history of ulcerative colitis
- Have a history of severe or advanced kidney disease
- Have a history of severe or advanced liver disease
Always discuss your full medical history with your MyTeleHealthPoint provider to ensure safety.
📚 Source: (See Mayo Clinic drug monographs for detailed cautions.) (Mayo Clinic)
When to switch (or not)
Consider switching from semaglutide to tirzepatide if:
- You plateaued before reaching your goal despite time at a stable, higher dose.
- You had intolerable side effects on semaglutide that might improve with a different incretin profile.
- You and your clinician agree the benefit/risk favors a change.
How switching usually works (high level):
- Short washout or dose-timing plan, then start low on tirzepatide and titrate slowly to reduce nausea.
- Keep a food-first, protein-forward plan and hydration to improve tolerance.
Important:
Never change medicines without a clinician’s plan. We tailor your path based on medical history, goals, and response to therapy.Side effects to watch (both):
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea/constipation, abdominal pain, reflux; rare but serious: pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, allergic reactions. (Mayo Clinic & labels) (Mayo Clinic)How to start with MyTeleHealthPoint (+ BNPL)
Your simple online path
- Start your free weight loss consultation → Start your free weight loss consultation today »
- Pick visit type: Message ($29) or Video ($49) for a full evaluation
- Your licensed provider reviews your goals, history, and labs (if needed)
- We design your plan: semaglutide or tirzepatide, lifestyle coaching, and follow-ups
- Prescription is sent directly to your home address for free
- Buy Now, Pay Later at checkout: Use Afterpay or Klarna (interest-free promotional options; eligibility at checkout)
Why patients choose us
- Transparent prices (no surprise bills)
- Fast starts (no waiting rooms)
- Evidence-based care (we follow the trials and FDA guidance) (New England Journal of Medicine, U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
- Flexible payments (Afterpay/Klarna)
Get Started Today
💡 No insurance? No problem. With MyTeleHealthPoint, you can get care fast — for less than the price of dinner out. No appointment needed.
Start your free weight loss consultation today »
References
- NEJM – STEP-1 (Semaglutide 2.4 mg, 68 weeks): https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183 (New England Journal of Medicine)
- NEJM – SURMOUNT-1 (Tirzepatide, 72 weeks): https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038 (New England Journal of Medicine)
- NEJM – Cardiovascular outcomes with Semaglutide: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2307563 (New England Journal of Medicine)
- FDA – Zepbound approval (tirzepatide) for weight management: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-medication-chronic-weight-management (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
- Mayo Clinic – Semaglutide monograph & side effects: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/semaglutide-subcutaneous-route/description/drg-20406730 (Mayo Clinic)
Final tip
If you’re still unsure, start with a free consult. We’ll review your health, goals, budget, and timeline—and help you pick semaglutide or tirzepatide with confidence.
Tag Post :
All Blogs
