How Effective Are Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound For Weight Loss?

Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound belong to a class of medications known as GLP-1 agonists. The generic name for Ozempic and Wegovy (which are the same medication) is Semaglutide. The generic name for Mounjaro and Zepbound (also the same medication) is Tirzepatide. These medications help to sensitize patients to their own insulin and serve as effective treatments for type II diabetes.

These medications can also help some patients with weight loss. They slow down the gastric emptying process, which helps patients feel less hunger and more satiety after meals. But how effective are these medications? To put it another way, if you suffer from obesity and decide to take Semaglutide or Tirzepatide, how much weight can you expect to lose?

How Effective Is Semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) For Weight Loss?

First, it is important to note that while both Ozempic and Wegovy can produce weight loss, only Wegovy is FDA approved for use with weight loss (Ozempic is only approved for the treatment of type II diabetes).

Two trials have examined the weight loss results of taking Semaglutide. The STEP 1 trial showed that patients lost an average of 12.4% more of their body weight than the placebo group, and about 60% of patients achieved this level of weight loss. The STEP 5 trial similarly showed a 12.6% weight loss versus the placebo group. This is better than first generation appetite suppressants such as Phentermine or Qsymia, which offered weight loss ranging from 8-10% of total body weight. Additionally, unlike first generation appetite suppressants whose benefits began to wane after 3-6 months, Semaglutide helped patients to lose weight consistently for up to 2 years as long as they continued taking the medication.

How Effective Is Tirzepatide (Mounjaro or Zepbound) For Weight Loss?

Again, it is important to note that while both Mounjaro and Zepbound are the same drug known generically as Tirzepatide, only Zepbound is FDA approved for weight loss. Mounjaro is FDA approved only for the treatment of type II diabetes.

Two trials have explored how much weight patients can expect to lose while taking Tirzepatide. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, patients lost an average of 17.8% of their total body weight when compared to the placebo group. About half (50%) of the patients in the trial achieved this level of weight loss. Patients in the SURMOUNT-3 trial experienced up to a 21.1% reduction in body weight, but this is complicated by concerns about the methodology of the SURMOUNT-3 trial. The placebo group in this trial actually gained weight, in contrast to the placebo groups in most other clinical trials for these medications, which means that we should take these trial results with a grain of salt pending more study.

It is also important to note that for all four medications, weight loss results were only achieved in the context of lifestyle modification involving careful dietary changes and exercise. These medications are not a miracle cure, and must be paired with lifestyle changes in order to be most effective. Additionally, in each trial only a little over half of patients experienced the weight loss results cited above. Close to half of patients did not experience this degree of weight loss.

How Much Do Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound Cost?

While these medications represent a technological improvement over first-generation appetite suppressants, it is important to note that their cost is substantial. The out-of-pocket cost for Semaglutide is typically over $1,100 per month. Tirzepatide is even more expensive, with an out-of-pocket cost generally over $1,300 per month.

This cost is especially important because insurance won’t cover these medications for most patients. Ozempic and Mounjaro are not FDA approved for weight loss, meaning that insurers won’t cover the cost if the goal is weight loss rather than type II diabetes management. Additionally, less than 5% of insurance plans carry Wegovy or Zepbound on their weight loss formulary. This means that over 95% of patients will have to pay for these medications out of pocket.

While compounding pharmacies may offer a similar medication at a cheaper price point, there are substantial concerns with the safety and efficacy of the medications produced by these compounding pharmacies.

Alternatives to These Weight Loss Medications

What if you can’t afford the hefty price point of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound? What if you’ve tried these medications and didn’t respond well to them?

Or, what if you’re simply looking for more weight loss than these medications offer most patients? 12-17% body weight loss represents a substantial improvement over prior weight loss medications, but is unlikely to be enough if you suffer from obesity. If you weight 300 pounds, that only represents a total weight loss of 36-51 pounds over the course of up to two years.

If you are concerned about the affordability of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound, or if you have already tried one of these medications and did not achieve your healthy weight loss goal, then you are not alone. Many other people share these concerns as well as concerns about severe side effects.

The good news is that you still have significant hope of a better and healthier life. You CAN live a life free from obesity and obesity-related health problems.

You deserve a higher quality of life full of meaningful moments.

Bariatric surgery has helped many people to lose weight, keep it off, and get their life back. It is safe and effective, and complication rates at a certified ASMBS comprehensive MBSAQIP center like the Bariatric and Metabolic Center of Colorado are very low. It is also affordable; our inclusive self-pay prices start at $12,250, less than the cost of one year of Semaglutide or Tirzepatide out of pocket.

Many of our bariatric surgery patients lose more than 90% of their unhealthy body weight and keep it off. Imagine how that would feel.

If you would like to learn more about your weight loss surgery options, please feel free to browse around the site or give our friendly office staff a call. Many of our patients say that bariatric surgery was the best decision they ever made.

“Today, 2 years later and 105 pounds less I am a new person. No walker, no cane, no Oxygen. I am completely cured of diabetes and off all those meds.”—Colleen  White, gastric bypass patient.

If you’re suffering, don’t wait. Contact our Denver office today.