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Semaglutide vs. Tirzepatide: The Basics
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are both weekly injectable medications used in metabolic and weight management care, but they are not the same drug and they are not interchangeable. Which one a clinician considers depends on your history, other conditions, tolerability, and coverage.
Different mechanisms
Semaglutide (sold as Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for chronic weight management) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It acts on a single incretin pathway.
Tirzepatide (sold as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for chronic weight management) is a dual agonist: it acts on both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors. The added GIP activity is the main pharmacological difference between the two.
How dosing steps are described
Tirzepatide dosing at FRDC is displayed as 7.5 → 10 → 12.5 → 15 mg as tolerated. Semaglutide is displayed simply as clinician-set titration, because the appropriate schedule varies more by product and indication.
Medication and dosing are always determined by your clinician after evaluation.
Cost at FRDC
Published medication pricing at FRDC is $399–499/month for Mounjaro or Zepbound and $199–399/month for Ozempic or Wegovy. The clinic/visit fee is $150/month; at the maximum Mounjaro dose, the clinic fee switches to once every 90 days.
Prices are posted so you can plan. Coverage, if you are using insurance, is verified by our team before you start.
Choosing is a clinical decision
Published trials of these medications used different designs and populations, so head-to-head comparisons in marketing material are often misleading. The practical inputs are your medical history, side-effect tolerance, drug availability, and cost.
How results are discussed at FRDC
Your clinician sets your goals — many plans target 10–16 lbs/month with strict protein protocols; individual results vary.
Medication and dosing are always determined by your clinician after evaluation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is one of these medications stronger?
- They differ in mechanism and dosing, and individual response varies widely. The right question for your visit is which option fits your history, tolerability, and budget.
- Can I switch between them?
- Switching is sometimes appropriate — for tolerability, supply, or coverage reasons — and is always a clinician decision with a fresh titration plan.
- Are compounded versions used?
- FRDC discusses available, appropriately sourced options at your visit. Bring any questions about sourcing to your clinician.
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