Over the course of their treatment on Wegovy or Mounjaro, some patients might want to switch medications. Some may find they are not responding well to their chosen medication. Side effects and effectiveness can also vary depending on your own body chemistry.
Recently, Eli Lilly has increased the price of Mounjaro. This means that more patients are looking to switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy.
But what dose should you switch to?
Here, we compare the dose schedules of the two medications. We also explain how to switch to a higher strength of your new medication.
Mounjaro vs Wegovy Dose Schedules
When you start either Wegovy or Mounjaro, you will start at the lowest “starter” dose and increase your dose each month. This gives your body time to adjust to the medication, making potential side effects less severe. They are both weekly injections.
Once you reach the best dose that balances weight loss and side effects, you will stay at that level to reach your weight goal. Once you have achieved your target weight, you can maintain using your injection for the long-term.
Some patients choose to maintain at a lower dose, if they don’t want to lose weight but still want to feel supported. At the end of treatment you can lower your dose monthly. This can make it easier to come off the medication.
Is 0.25 mg Wegovy the same as 2.5 mg Mounjaro?
No, these two doses are not the same. It may seem simple to compare the starting dose of both of these medications. However, they are not directly comparable.
Why There Is No Equivalent Dose Conversion?
Wegovy and Mounjaro use two different active ingredients. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Wegovy, and tirzepatide is the active ingredient in Mounjaro.
Both of these compounds are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. This means they bond with naturally-occurring chemical receptors in your body, activating them.
These receptors are responsible for feeling full when you eat food, meaning that these medications make you feel fuller even when you eat less. They also slow digestion, which helps you get more nutrition out of the food you do eat. This helps you with losing weight.
However, tirzepatide has an additional function. It also acts as an agonist for glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors as well. So it provides two pathways towards appetite suppression.
This makes it difficult to compare the action of these two medications. So, if you are wondering “what is the equivalent dose of Mounjaro and Wegovy?”, it is a complicated question to answer.
Semaglutide is also active at lower concentrations. You may notice that the highest dose of Wegovy (2.4 mg) is less than the starting dose of Mounjaro (2.5 mg). This does not correlate to effectiveness. It simply means that the doses are balanced to be effective without causing severe side effects.
Mounjaro to Wegovy Recommended Dose
When you switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy, it is safe to switch to a higher dose. Use the following table to work out which dose may be suitable for you:
Please note that these doses are not directly equivalent. You may feel less effect or experience side effects when switching to Wegovy.
We also recommend doing so under the direction of a doctor or clinician. As part of our assessment form, we will provide guidance to ensure you are switching to the correct dosage. They will base this on your existing dose, how well you’re tolerating the medication and medical history.
You don’t need to move up a dose if you feel happy with the effects you are getting from your current dose. Some patients will also be worried about side effects. Starting at a lower dose and working your way up can help you find the right strength for you.
Risks of Adjusting Doses Without Clinical Support
Adjusting your doses without clinical support may lead to you switching to too high a dose, which can lead to severe side effects.
We recommend not switching to the highest dose of Wegovy until you have completed a course of 1.7 mg. This allows your body to adjust to the new medication, and lets you see how your body reacts to Wegovy.
If you are seeking more advice, head to our Switch Support site. It can help you to find more information about changing your medication.
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Key Takeaways
- Switching Doesn’t Mean Losing Progress: You can continue your long term weight loss journey even if you switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy.
- Direct Comparisons are Difficult: There is no equivalent dose between Wegovy and Mounjaro. It’s difficult to directly compare different doses of these weight loss medications. They have different concentrations and effects.
- You Can Start at a Higher Dose: When switching weight loss treatments, you may be able to start at a higher dose of Wegovy. So you don’t have to start from scratch. Doing so may lead to side effects, so you may prefer to start on the lowest dose.
- Get Clinical Support: Make sure you get clinical support as you switch. A healthcare professional can guide you through your new dosing schedule and what to expect.
References
mounjaro.lilly.com. (n.d.). How Mounjaro® Works | Mounjaro® (tirzepatide). [online] Available at: https://mounjaro.lilly.com/hcp/how-mounjaro-works.
www.wegovy.com. (n.d.). How Does Wegovy® Work? | Wegovy® (semaglutide) Injection. [online] Available at: https://www.wegovy.com/about-wegovy/how-wegovy-works.html.
Authorship
Authored by Ian Coakley
Medical Content Writer
Ian is a content writer at Simple Online Pharmacy. With a background in science communication, editing, and freelance writing, Ian aims to empower readers with accessible health information.
Medically Reviewed by Richard Wood
Pharmacist / Clinical Specialist
GPhC reg:
2078802
Richard is a pharmacist and content reviewer at Simple Online Pharmacy. He officially joined the team in 2024 after several years of working with the company as a contractor. Prior to that, he spent over 11 years as a community pharmacist, building a strong foundation in patient care.
