Semaglutide vs tirzepatide
What the research says about each, side by side. Every row comes from the studies and drug labels in the last row. More on each: Semaglutide and Tirzepatide.
| Semaglutide | Tirzepatide | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | GLP-1 and metabolic | GLP-1 and metabolic |
| Evidence | Extensive clinical research | Extensive clinical research |
| FDA status | FDA-approved as Ozempic (2017), Rybelsus (2019) and Wegovy (2021). Wegovy was also approved for lowering heart attack and stroke risk in 2024. Compounded copies aren't FDA-approved. | FDA-approved as Mounjaro (2022, type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (2023, weight management; 2024, sleep apnea with obesity). Compounded copies aren't FDA-approved. |
| How it works | It switches on GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas, gut and brain. That helps the pancreas release insulin when blood sugar is high, slows how fast the stomach empties, and quiets hunger signals in the brain, so people feel full sooner and think about food less. | The GLP-1 part lowers appetite, slows the stomach and helps insulin release. GIP is a second gut hormone that also boosts insulin after meals and seems to add to the effect on appetite and fat tissue. Hitting both receptors with one molecule gives more weight loss than GLP-1 alone in head-to-head trials. |
| Half-life | About 7 days, so weekly shots build to a steady level after 4–5 weeks. Levels peak 1–3 days after a shot. The daily pill peaks about an hour after taking it. | About 5 days. Levels peak 8–72 hours after a shot and reach a steady level after about 4 weeks of weekly shots. |
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