Three names dominate the GLP-1 weight loss conversation: Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. They're often mentioned interchangeably, but they're actually different medications with different approvals, dosing, and costs.
Understanding the differences matters — especially when you're choosing a telehealth provider and deciding between compounded and brand-name options.
The Quick Version
| Ozempic | Wegovy | Mounjaro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Semaglutide | Semaglutide | Tirzepatide |
| Manufacturer | Novo Nordisk | Novo Nordisk | Eli Lilly |
| Mechanism | GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 agonist | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist |
| FDA-approved for | Type 2 diabetes | Chronic weight management | Type 2 diabetes |
| Weight loss version | N/A (off-label use) | Wegovy IS the weight loss version | Zepbound (FDA-approved for weight loss) |
| Max dose | 2.0mg/week | 2.4mg/week | 15mg/week |
| Administration | Weekly injection | Weekly injection | Weekly injection |
| Avg. weight loss (trials) | ~15% body weight | ~15% body weight | Up to 22.5% body weight |
Semaglutide: Ozempic vs. Wegovy
Ozempic and Wegovy contain the exact same active ingredient — semaglutide — made by the same company (Novo Nordisk). The difference is regulatory, not chemical.
Ozempic
- FDA indication: Type 2 diabetes (blood sugar management)
- Dose range: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1.0mg → 2.0mg per week
- Weight loss: Significant weight loss is a documented effect, but using Ozempic specifically for weight loss is off-label
- Insurance: More commonly covered by insurance since it has a diabetes indication
Wegovy
- FDA indication: Chronic weight management in adults with BMI ≥30 (or ≥27 with at least one weight-related condition)
- Dose range: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1.0mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg per week
- Weight loss: Same mechanism as Ozempic, but reaches a higher maximum dose (2.4mg vs. 2.0mg)
- Insurance: Coverage is less consistent — many plans exclude weight management medications
Why the Distinction Matters
When telehealth providers offer "semaglutide," they're usually offering the same active ingredient found in both Ozempic and Wegovy. Compounded semaglutide is prescribed for weight management at doses consistent with Wegovy's titration schedule.
The brand name matters primarily for insurance coverage. If your insurer covers Ozempic (for diabetes) but not Wegovy (for weight loss), your physician may prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight management — though this has become harder as insurers tighten formulary rules.
Tirzepatide: Mounjaro vs. Zepbound
The same brand-name split exists for tirzepatide:
- Mounjaro — FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes
- Zepbound — FDA-approved for chronic weight management
Both contain tirzepatide and are manufactured by Eli Lilly. The key difference from semaglutide: tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, activating two metabolic pathways instead of one.
What the Dual Mechanism Means
- GLP-1 activation reduces appetite and slows gastric emptying (same as semaglutide)
- GIP activation improves insulin sensitivity and may enhance fat metabolism beyond what GLP-1 alone achieves
This dual mechanism is why tirzepatide clinical trials showed greater average weight loss than semaglutide trials — up to 22.5% of body weight vs. approximately 15%.
Cost Comparison Through Telehealth
Here's what you'll pay for each medication class through the telehealth providers in our database.
Semaglutide (compounded) — Telehealth Pricing
| Provider | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trimi Health | $99/mo | Supply uncertain |
| Belle Health | $119/mo | Flat pricing at all doses |
| Ro | $149/mo | Brand Wegovy also available |
| Henry Meds | $149/mo | No consultation fee |
| Ivim Health | $150/mo | Includes weekly check-ins ($75 + $75 program fee) |
| Found | $159/mo | Includes coaching |
| Hims | $199/mo | Compounded semaglutide |
| Defy Medical | $280/mo | Consultation fee separate |
| Hone Health | $299/mo | Labs included |
| TruLife Health | $450/mo | Labs + concierge care |
Tirzepatide (compounded) — Telehealth Pricing
| Provider | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trimi Health | $125/mo | No longer available (FDA enforcement) |
| Genesis Health | $176/mo | Flat-rate pricing |
| Belle Health | $199/mo | Flat pricing at all doses |
| Ivim Health | $224/mo | Includes weekly check-ins |
| Henry Meds | $349/mo | Compounded |
| Hone Health | $399/mo | Labs included |
| Ro | $399/mo | Brand Zepbound |
| TruLife Health | $550/mo | Labs + concierge care |
Brand-Name — Retail vs. Insurance
Without insurance, brand-name medications carry retail prices exceeding $1,000/month. With insurance:
- Zealthy specializes in prior authorization for brand-name Wegovy and Zepbound — copays as low as $25/month for qualifying insured patients
- Calibrate works with insurance to cover medication costs as part of their metabolic health program
Dosing and Titration
Both medications follow a gradual dose-increase schedule to minimize side effects.
Semaglutide Titration
| Week | Dose | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | 0.25mg/week | Starting dose — allows body to adjust |
| 5-8 | 0.5mg/week | First dose increase |
| 9-12 | 1.0mg/week | Therapeutic dose for many patients |
| 13-16 | 1.7mg/week | Higher therapeutic range |
| 17+ | 2.4mg/week | Maximum maintenance dose (Wegovy protocol) |
Tirzepatide Titration
| Week | Dose | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | 2.5mg/week | Starting dose |
| 5-8 | 5mg/week | First increase |
| 9-12 | 7.5mg/week | Mid-range therapeutic |
| 13-16 | 10mg/week | Higher therapeutic |
| 17-20 | 12.5mg/week | Near-maximum |
| 21+ | 15mg/week | Maximum maintenance dose |
Titration schedules may vary by provider. Some patients achieve their goals at lower doses and don't need to reach the maximum.
Side Effects
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal and similar across all three medications:
- Nausea (most common, especially during titration)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Decreased appetite (this is also the intended mechanism)
Side effects are typically worst during dose increases and improve as the body adjusts. Slow titration — the standard protocol at reputable telehealth providers — significantly reduces severity.
Semaglutide vs. Tirzepatide Side Effects
Head-to-head data is limited, but clinical trial adverse event rates are broadly similar. Tirzepatide's dual mechanism does not appear to meaningfully increase the side effect burden compared to semaglutide alone.
Telehealth Availability
Both semaglutide and tirzepatide are widely available through telehealth. In our database:
- 17 providers offer semaglutide
- 17 providers offer tirzepatide
- Most providers offering one also offer the other
The choice between them is typically a clinical decision made with your provider, based on:
- Prior treatment history — If semaglutide produced insufficient results, tirzepatide's dual mechanism may help
- Budget — Semaglutide is $50–$200/month cheaper at most providers
- Supply — Compounded tirzepatide has faced more FDA enforcement disruption than compounded semaglutide
- Medical profile — Your provider will assess which is more appropriate based on your health history
Which Should You Choose?
Start with semaglutide if:
- You're new to GLP-1 therapy
- Budget is a primary concern
- You want the most established treatment data
- Supply reliability matters to you
Consider tirzepatide if:
- You've tried semaglutide without adequate results
- You want potentially greater weight loss
- Your provider recommends the dual-agonist approach
- You can absorb the higher monthly cost
Don't worry about Ozempic vs. Wegovy when using telehealth. Most telehealth providers prescribe the active ingredient (semaglutide) for weight management, regardless of brand name. The distinction matters mainly for insurance billing.
Use the Find My Match quiz to find a provider matched to your medication preference, budget, and care needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?
Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active ingredient (semaglutide) but are FDA-approved for different uses. Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes management, while Wegovy is approved for chronic weight management. Wegovy reaches a higher maximum dose (2.4mg/week vs. 2.0mg/week for Ozempic). When telehealth providers prescribe "semaglutide" for weight loss, the dosing typically follows the Wegovy protocol.
Is Mounjaro better than Ozempic for weight loss?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, while Ozempic (semaglutide) targets only GLP-1. Clinical trials suggest tirzepatide may produce greater average weight loss — up to 22.5% of body weight vs. approximately 15% for semaglutide. However, individual results vary significantly, and both are clinically effective.
Can I get Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro through telehealth?
Yes. Most telehealth providers offer both semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound). Many offer compounded versions at $99–$450/month, while providers like Zealthy help patients access brand-name versions through insurance prior authorization.
Which GLP-1 has the fewest side effects?
All GLP-1 medications share common gastrointestinal side effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation — especially during dose titration. Side effect profiles are broadly similar between semaglutide and tirzepatide. Most side effects are mild to moderate and decrease as the body adjusts over 2–4 weeks. Slow dose titration under medical supervision is the most effective way to minimize side effects.
