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Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide: Cost, Side Effects, & Dosage
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Weight loss
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Tirzepatide and Semaglutide Cost and Insurance Coverage
Brand-name weight loss medications Mounjaro® (Tirzepatide), Ozempic® (Semaglutide), or Wegovy® (Semaglutide) often come with a hefty price tag. While Mounjaro® typically ranges from $1,000 to $1,200 monthly, Ozempic® starts at around $1,030, and Wegovy® at $1350 monthly. Given that they need to be administered weekly and are designed for long-term use, the pharmacy bill can rack up quickly.
Fortunately, pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk offer savings options for patients – but only if they already have commercial insurance coverage. Eli Lilly's savings card program for Mounjaro® allows you to pay as little as $25 for a one-month, two-month, or three-month prescription fill, with maximum monthly savings of up to $150 to $450 and an annual maximum savings of up to $1,800. Novo Nordisk also provides savings cards for Ozempic® and Wegovy®.
However, if you are uninsured, the out-of-pocket cost can be daunting. Luckily, some pharmacies offer compound versions of these medications at significantly lower prices. For instance, Mochi Health works with pharmacies that offer more affordable pricing on compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide. This substantial cost difference makes compound medications a more attainable option for uninsured patients seeking effective treatment.
Consult your healthcare provider to explore coverage options and alternatives if necessary. The team at Mochi Health can help you find out if your insurance covers medications, apply for coverage, and connect you with a provider to create your personalized weight managment plan and prescription.
Tirzepatide vs. Semaglutide Dosage and Administration
When administering your medication regimen of semaglutide and tirzepatide, it's essential to follow a precise protocol to ensure optimal effectiveness and safety.
It’s important to talk with your provider before starting on these medications and throughout the course of administration. Both semaglutide and tirzepatide are long-term solutions to treat chronic health conditions, not short-term use.
Here’s what to expect based on the general recommended starting dosage and administration of the brand-name medications that are FDA-approved for weight loss:
Begin with Wegovy® at a starting dose of 0.25 mg for the initial 4 weeks, then escalate to 0.5 mg from week 5 for another 4 weeks. Your healthcare provider may adjust this dosage gradually, with increments up to a maximum of 2.4 mg, maintaining each dose for at least 4 weeks (12).
Similarly, Zepbound® starts at 2.5 mg for 4 weeks, increasing to 5 mg from week 5 for another 4 weeks, with potential increments of 2.5 mg up to a maximum of 15 mg (13).
Both medications are administered once weekly via an easy-to-use injection device. To use it, remove the base cap, cleanse the injection site with an alcohol wipe, place the pen flat, and unlock it. Then, press and hold the button for up to 10 seconds, listening for the two clicks indicating the start and completion of the injection.
Side Effects of Tirzepatide vs. Semaglutide
Regarding adverse events, both Tirzepatide and Semaglutide demonstrated comparable safety profiles, with GI events being the most frequently reported.
17-22% of tirzepatide recipients and 18% of semaglutide recipients experience nausea, the most common side effect.
Diarrhea was observed in 13-16% in tirzepatide patients and 12% in semaglutide patients. Vomiting rates were 6-10% for tirzepatide and 8% for semaglutide. Most reported GI events were mild to moderate in severity and predominantly occurred during the dose-escalation phase across all treatment groups (11).
Key Takeaways
Ultimately, tirzepatide promotes a higher level of weight loss, but also typically results in slightly more severe side effects.
Each patient may lose weight at a different rate and experience different side effects. As results vary with age, BMI, lifestyle, and genetic factors, your provider can assess your health history and provide guidance on the right option for your needs.
More About Medication-Assisted Weight Loss
Want to learn more about GLP-1 medications and find out if medication-assisted weight management is right for you? The team at Mochi Health is here to help. Our board-certified obesity medicine physicians are ready to offer expert guidance tailored to your needs. Take the first step towards a healthier, happier you and find out if you’re eligible today.
References:
Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use. (n.d.-a). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/209637s012lbl.pdf
Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use. (n.d.-a). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/215256s005lbl.pdf
RYBELSUS (semaglutide) tablets, for oral use. (n.d.-a). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/213051s012lbl.pdf Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (n.d.). Drug compounding and drug shortages. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/compounding-when-drugs-are-fdas-drug-shortages-list
MOUNJAROTM (tirzepatide) injection, for subcutaneous use. (n.d.-a). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/215866s000lbl.pdf
ZEPBOUNDTM (tirzepatide) Injection, for subcutaneous use . (n.d.-d). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/217806s000lbl.pdf
Wilding, J. P. H., Batterham, R. L., Calanna, S., Davies, M., Van Gaal, L. F., Lingvay, I., McGowan, B. M., Rosenstock, J., Tran, M. T. D., Wadden, T. A., Wharton, S., Yokote, K., Zeuthen, N., & Kushner, R. F. (2021). Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989–1002. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2032183
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Rizvi, A. A., & Rizzo, M. (2022). The Emerging Role of Dual GLP-1 and GIP Receptor Agonists in Glycemic Management and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity, 15, 1023–1030. https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S351982
Frías, J. P., Davies, M. J., Rosenstock, J., Pérez Manghi, F. C., Fernández Landó, L., Bergman, B. K., Liu, B., Cui, X., & Brown, K. (2021). Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine, 385(6), 503–515. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2107519
Dosing schedule: Ozempic® (SEMAGLUTIDE) injection. Dosing Schedule | Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection. (n.d.). https://www.Ozempic®.com/how-to-take/ozempic-dosing.html
How to use, dosing & side effects: Mounjaro® (tirzepatide). How to Use, Dosing & Side Effects | Mounjaro® (tirzepatide). (n.d.). https://Mounjaro®.lilly.com/how-to-use-mounjaro#dosing
This post was written by our team of health writers for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your health. Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, and Zepbound® and their delivery device are registered trademarks. Mochi Health is a telehealth clinic that offers prescriptions for these products by medical necessity only as determined by a licensed health provider.
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