Mounjaro vs Wegovy: We Explain the Difference

Struggling to lose weight? You’re not the only one. Obesity rates are rising, and more and more people are looking for safe, effective ways to manage their weight and improve their health. In your search for a solution, you may have heard about prescription weight loss injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy. These weekly injections are making headlines at the moment, helping regulate appetite and support long–term weight management. But could these weight loss injections be right for you? And when it comes to Mounjaro vs Wegovy, what’s the difference? Both of these drugs are available at Superdrug Clinics, so here our experts explain what you need to know and whether you could benefit from treatment.

Different Mechanisms: How They Work
Mounjaro and Wegovy help people with obesity lose weight by reducing appetite and regulating blood sugar levels, leading them to eat less food. They are not a quick fix, but over time, this reduced calorie intake leads to gradual, healthy weight loss. But while these two weight loss injections have the same end result, they contain different active ingredients that work via slightly different mechanisms in the body:

How does Wegovy work?
Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide. This drug activates a hormone receptor called GLP–1, which helps control hunger signals in the brain and slows digestion in the stomach. This makes you feel fuller for longer, helping you eat less and gradually lose weight.

How does Mounjaro work?
Trizepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, does the same but with an added twist. It activates both GLP–1 and GIP receptors, two key hormones involved in hunger and metabolism. This dual–action mechanism not only helps regulate appetite but may also improve how your body processes sugar and fat. In short? Mounjaro takes a two–pronged approach to weight loss by mimicking two hormones simultaneously, while Wegovy works with a single, well–studied mechanism.

Mounjaro vs Wegogy: Which One Is More Effective?
Large–scale clinical studies with thousands of participants have proven that both Mounjaro and Wegovy weight loss injections are effective for many. They can help people with obesity lose weight, with trials showing that:

People taking Wegovy typically lost around 15% of their body weight over a year.
People taking Mounjaro lost up to 22.5% of their body weight in a similar timeframe.

That said, neither Mounjaro nor Wegovy is a quick fix or easy, low–effort solution. Success depends on maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine; these weight loss injections are designed to complement a healthy lifestyle rather than replace the need for one, so you must still be prepared to put in the work Also, remember that everyone responds differently to medications. Your results on Mounjaro vs Wegovy will depend on factors like metabolism, other underlying health conditions, and how consistently you take the injections.

Wegovy vs Mounjaro Side Effects
Like all medications, Mounjaro and Wegovy weight loss injections come with potential side effects to consider before starting treatment. The most common ones are similar for both drugs and include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Burping or gas
Injection site reaction
Fatigue

Importantly, although the list of common Moungaro and Wegovy side effects are almost identical, it doesn’t mean you’ll have the same reaction to both drugs. For example, if Wegovy gives you nausea, that doesn’t necessarily mean Mounjaro will. If you experience bad side effects on one drug, it may be possible to switch, but this must be done under medical supervision. The good news is that if you do experience side effects, they’re often mild and temporary, easing off as your body gets used to the treatment. Lifestyle tweaks, such as eating smaller meals and drinking plenty of water, can also help the side effects become more manageable in the first few weeks.

Mounjaro vs Wegovy: How Are They Taken?
Mounjaro and Wegovy are weekly weight loss injections taken at home with a pre–filled pen. You’ll initially receive a low dose of the medication and can gradually increase your dose over time. This allows your body to get used to the drug to keep Wegovy and Mounjaro side effects to a minimum. There are a few other important things to know about taking these weight loss injections:

These medications should not be taken together. Mounajaro and Wegovy work on similar pathways in the body, so combining them does not provide additional benefits and could increase the risk of unwanted side effects.
If one injection doesn’t work for you, switching may be an option. However, this must be done under medical supervision to ensure a safe transition. You will usually need to taper off your current treatment and wait until side effects have subsided before starting the other.
Stopping either medication may result in some weight regain. While you won’t necessarily put all the weight you have lost back on, long–term weight management and healthy lifestyle changes are key.

Weight Loss Services at Superdrug Health Clinics
Thinking about starting your weight loss journey? Mounjaro and Wegovy are prescription–only medications, meaning a consultation with a healthcare professional is required before starting treatment to ensure it is safe and appropriate for you. Generally, both treatments are available for adults with obesity, meaning you have a BMI (body mass index) of 30+. You may qualify for treatments if your BMI is 27+ and you have other weight–related health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. If you’re not sure what your BMI is, the NHS has a free BMI calculator you can use. If you think you qualify for treatment, a consultation with a Superdrug healthcare professional can confirm these injections are suitable for your weight loss journey and help you determine if either Mounjaro or Wegovy is the better option for you.

Costs of Mounjaro and Wegovy at Superdrug Health Clinics:
At Superdrug Health Clinics, the cost of weight loss treatments depends on your prescribed dosage and duration of treatment. Prices typically start at:

Wegovy: From £195 per dose
Mounjaro: From £215 per dose

Mounjaro vs Wegovy – Which One Is Right for You?
Both Mounjaro and Wegovy have a lot in common. They’re taken weekly as an injection, have similar side effects, and are designed for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher. But they work slightly differently in the body, and Mounjaro’s dual action may offer extra benefits for some. However, weight loss medications aren’t a “one–size–fits–all” solution. The right option – or whether weight loss injections are right for you at all – depends on your overall health, medical history, and individual response to treatment. These medications are prescribed only when they are appropriate and part of a broader weight management plan, which may include lifestyle changes. If you’re considering treatment, speaking with a healthcare professional can help determine whether Mounjaro, Wegovy, or another approach is suitable for you.

Book a consultation at Superdrug Health Clinics today and explore our weight loss treatments with expert support.

Author bio:
This article is written by Hannah Thornley. Hannah turns complex health and medical topics into content that’s easy to understand – and hard to forget. With a degree in human physiology and five years of copywriting experience, she brings science to life with words that inform, engage, and inspire action.