The most common question we hear from patients is: Wegovy vs Mounjaro — which one should I choose? This honest, pharmacist-written guide covers clinical trial data, the new Wegovy 7.2mg dose, real-world UK pricing, side effects, NHS access, and how to decide which weight loss injection suits your goals.
Updated: March 2026 · 16 min read · Medically reviewed by The Care Pharmacy Clinical Team
Key Takeaway
There is no universally “better” injection. Mounjaro edges ahead on weight loss at standard doses. Wegovy is the only one proven to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. The right choice depends on your health profile, your budget, and your prescriber’s clinical judgement.
In Plain English
Wegovy mimics one fullness hormone. Mounjaro mimics two. Both tell your brain you’ve eaten enough, but Mounjaro targets an additional pathway that may provide extra metabolic benefits for some patients.
| Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4mg) | |
|---|---|---|
| Average weight loss | 20.2% of body weight | 13.7% of body weight |
| Average weight lost (kg) | 22.8 kg (~50 lbs) | 15.0 kg (~33 lbs) |
| Achieved ≥25% weight loss | 31.6% of patients | 16.1% of patients |
| GI events causing discontinuation | 2.7% | 5.6% |
| Trial size | 751 adults with obesity (no type 2 diabetes), across 32 US sites | |
At their then-maximum doses (tirzepatide 10–15mg vs semaglutide 1.7–2.4mg), Mounjaro delivered 47% more relative weight loss. The results were clear-cut and statistically significant.
However, there are important caveats. SURMOUNT-5 was funded by Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro. It was an open-label trial, meaning both patients and doctors knew which drug was being used. And it tested Wegovy only at its then-maximum dose of 2.4mg — the 7.2mg dose had not yet been approved.
In January 2026, the MHRA approved a higher 7.2mg dose of Wegovy, based on the STEP UP trial. At this dose, semaglutide produced 20.7% average weight loss — narrowing the gap with Mounjaro to less than half a percentage point.
The approval of Wegovy 7.2mg by the MHRA on 6 January 2026 was a significant development. The UK was the first country in the world to approve this higher dose — the US FDA had not yet made a decision at the time of approval.
The Bottom Line
At their maximum licensed doses (Mounjaro 15mg vs Wegovy 7.2mg), the weight loss gap between the two medications has narrowed significantly. Both now deliver approximately 20–21% average weight loss, putting them in the same clinical territory.
| Dose Level | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Starter dose | 2.5mg: £119–£170 | 0.25mg: £80–£149 |
| Mid-titration | 5mg: £140–£200 | 1mg: £108–£170 |
| Standard maintenance | 10mg: £200–£280 | 2.4mg: £186–£250 |
| Maximum dose | 15mg: £250–£375 | 7.2mg: price varies (private only) |
| Estimated annual cost (maintenance) | £2,400–£3,600 | £2,200–£3,000 |
We include the medication, needles, a free clinical consultation, and free next-day delivery as standard with both treatments. There are no hidden consultation fees or follow-up charges. Our pricing is transparent and published on our product pages for Wegovy and Mounjaro.
Wegovy and Mounjaro share a similar side-effect profile because they both work on the same biological pathways. The most common effects are gastrointestinal and typically occur during dose titration — when your body is adjusting to the medication.
When to Seek Urgent Help
Contact your prescriber or call 111 immediately if you experience severe or persistent abdominal pain, signs of an allergic reaction (swelling of the face, lips, or throat), or symptoms of pancreatitis. These are rare but require prompt medical attention. You can also report side effects via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
| Week | Wegovy Dose | Mounjaro Dose |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–4 | 0.25mg | 2.5mg |
| Weeks 5–8 | 0.5mg | 2.5mg |
| Weeks 9–12 | 1mg | 5mg |
| Weeks 13–16 | 1.7mg | 5mg |
| Week 17+ | 2.4mg (maintenance) | 7.5mg, then 10mg, 12.5mg, up to 15mg |
Wegovy reaches its standard maintenance dose of 2.4mg after approximately 16 weeks. If clinically appropriate, patients with obesity (BMI ≥30) can then be escalated to 7.2mg.
Mounjaro has a longer titration pathway, with the maintenance dose typically being 10mg or 15mg depending on individual response and tolerability. Your prescriber may choose to keep you at a lower dose if you are achieving good results without significant side effects.
Both are injected once a week, on the same day each week, using a pre-filled pen. Both can be self-administered at home — the process is straightforward and our clinical team will guide you through your first injection.
What This Means for You
If you have a history of heart disease, have had a heart attack or stroke, or your prescriber is particularly concerned about your cardiovascular risk, Wegovy currently has stronger evidence to support its use. This should be discussed with your clinician as part of your treatment decision.
Private vs NHS
The vast majority of patients currently using Wegovy or Mounjaro in the UK access them through private prescription. An NHS prescription costs £9.90 per item in England (free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), but the waiting times and eligibility restrictions mean most patients who want to start treatment promptly will need to go the private route.
Yes, but it must be done under clinical supervision. You should never switch between the two on your own or take both simultaneously — doing so can cause serious side effects.
Common reasons patients consider switching include reaching a weight-loss plateau on their current medication, side effects that are better tolerated with the alternative drug, cost considerations (particularly after the September 2025 Mounjaro price increase), or a clinical recommendation from their prescriber based on their individual response.
If you are considering a switch, your prescriber will assess your current progress, review your side-effect profile, and determine an appropriate dose transition. In most cases, there will be a brief washout period or a direct dose-mapping to minimise disruption.
We have helped many patients at The Care Pharmacy transition between these medications safely. If you would like to discuss a switch, get in touch with our clinical team.
Clinical Decision
This is a decision that should always be made with your prescriber, not based on price or headline weight-loss figures alone. Your medical history, current medications, health goals, and individual response all factor into which treatment is safest and most effective for you.
At their standard maximum doses (Mounjaro 15mg vs Wegovy 2.4mg), Mounjaro has shown greater weight loss in clinical trials — approximately 20% vs 14–17% of body weight. However, the new Wegovy 7.2mg dose produces comparable results (around 20.7%), narrowing the gap considerably. Both are clinically effective treatments. Your prescriber can advise which is most appropriate for your individual situation.
In March 2026, Wegovy tends to be slightly cheaper at the standard maintenance dose (2.4mg) compared to Mounjaro at 10–15mg, particularly following Mounjaro’s September 2025 price increase. Starter doses of both are broadly similar. Prices vary by provider, so it is worth comparing total costs including consultation fees and delivery before committing.
Both are NICE-approved for NHS use, but access remains very limited. You typically need a referral to a specialist weight management service (Tier 3), must meet strict BMI and health criteria, and may face waiting lists of 12–18 months or longer. Most patients currently access these medications through private prescription.
Wegovy 7.2mg was approved by the MHRA in January 2026 for adults with obesity (BMI ≥30). It is not a starting dose — it is for patients who have reached and tolerated the 2.4mg maintenance dose but need additional support. It is currently administered as three 2.4mg injections on the same day. It is available through private providers but not yet on the NHS.
Yes, under clinical supervision. You should never switch on your own or take both simultaneously. Your prescriber will assess your current response, manage the dose transition, and monitor for any issues. If you are considering a switch, speak to your prescriber or contact our clinical team for guidance.
Wegovy currently has the stronger evidence. The SELECT trial showed semaglutide reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular death) by 20% in patients with existing heart disease. Mounjaro does not yet have cardiovascular outcome data — the SURMOUNT-MMO trial is still underway. If heart health is a primary concern, discuss this with your prescriber.
Both medications share a similar gastrointestinal side-effect profile: nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and vomiting are the most common, typically during dose titration. Because Mounjaro targets two hormone receptors, it may cause a slightly wider range of effects in some patients. In the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial, fewer patients discontinued Mounjaro due to side effects (2.7%) compared to Wegovy (5.6%).
An oral version of semaglutide (the Wegovy pill) was approved in the US in January 2026 and is currently under MHRA review for UK approval, with a decision expected by late 2026. No oral version of tirzepatide is currently approved or expected in the near term. For now, both are available only as weekly injections in the UK.
Yes. Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are prescription-only medicines in the UK. You must undergo a clinical assessment by a qualified prescriber (doctor, pharmacist independent prescriber, or nurse independent prescriber) before treatment can begin. At The Care Pharmacy, we offer a free online consultation as part of our service. You do not need a GP referral to access either medication privately.
Check that the pharmacy displays a valid General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration number and the GPhC distance-selling logo (for online pharmacies). You can verify registration on the GPhC register. Ensure that prescriptions are issued by UK-registered prescribers following a genuine clinical assessment. The MHRA has warned about counterfeit weight loss injections sold online, so only use regulated providers.
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Medically reviewed by
Superintendent Pharmacist
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