Side-by-side comparison
Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are both approved medicines built on the GLP-1 hormone. Semaglutide acts on the GLP-1 receptor only; tirzepatide acts on both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors. They come from different companies and are sold under different brand names.
Last verified 2026-09-29 · how we verify
In plain English
The real difference
- Semaglutide acts on the GLP-1 receptor. Tirzepatide acts on the GIP receptor and GLP-1 receptor.[src][src]
- Both are approved medicines.[src][src]
- Semaglutide is made by Novo Nordisk; tirzepatide by Eli Lilly.
- Semaglutide is taken as a once-weekly injection or once-daily tablet; tirzepatide as a once-weekly injection.
- Half-life (how long until half the drug has left the blood): Semaglutide, about 1 week (elimination half-life); the drug stays in the blood for about 5 weeks after the last injection; tirzepatide, about 5 days (5 to 6 days in adults with obesity).[src][src]
- Our sources include a head-to-head trial of the two molecules. SURMOUNT-5 versus semaglutide: -20.2% with tirzepatide versus -13.7% with semaglutide at 72 weeks (751 adults, open-label).[src]
Which one suits a person is a decision for them and their clinician.
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, side by side
| SemaglutideNovo Nordisk | TirzepatideEli Lilly | |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Molecule | Semaglutide | Tirzepatide |
| Brand names | Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus | Mounjaro, Zepbound |
| Maker | Novo Nordisk | Eli Lilly |
| Acts onThe hormone receptors the drug switches on | GLP-1 receptor | GIP receptor, GLP-1 receptor |
| Approved to treat |
|
|
| How it is taken | Approved as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection (Ozempic, Wegovy) or as a once-daily oral tablet co-formulated with SNAC (Rybelsus, Ozempic tablets, Wegovy tablets), prescribed and supervised by a clinician. | Subcutaneous injection, given once a week, supplied as prefilled pens or vials |
| Half-lifeHow long until half the drug has left the blood | About 1 week (elimination half-life); the drug stays in the blood for about 5 weeks after the last injection[src] | About 5 days (5 to 6 days in adults with obesity)[src] |
| Evidence and safety | ||
| Evidence level | Same for both | |
| Approvals and filings |
|
|
| Key trial resultsTrials test the molecule, not a brand; each result names its population |
|
|
| Known safety signals |
|
|
| Legal status | ||
| United States | Approved FDA-approved as Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy; compounded copies lost their shortage cover in 2025 and 503B is proposing a formal exclusion[src] Full detail → | Approved FDA-approved as Mounjaro (type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (weight management, sleep apnea); shortage over since December 2024[src] Full detail → |
| United Kingdom | Approved Licensed in the UK: Ozempic and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy for weight management (now also as a tablet)[src] Full detail → | Approved Licensed in the UK as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and for weight management; NHS access is being phased in[src] Full detail → |
| European Union | Approved Authorised EU-wide for type 2 diabetes, weight management and MASH (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy, Kayshild)[src] Full detail → | Approved Authorised EU-wide as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and for weight management in adults[src] Full detail → |
| Australia | Approved Approved on the ARTG as Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy. PBS covers Ozempic for type 2 diabetes; Wegovy is not yet PBS-listed. Compounded copies barred since 1 Oct 2024.[src] Full detail → | Approved Approved as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes (Dec 2022) and weight management (Sep 2024). Not PBS-listed: the sponsor is not proceeding for now. Compounding barred since Oct 2024.[src] Full detail → |
| Canada | Generics available Approved as Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy; generic semaglutide approved from April 2026 and on sale since May 2026[src] Full detail → | Approved Approved as Mounjaro (type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (weight management, sleep apnea); no generic submissions[src] Full detail → |
Trial results come from separate studies unless a row says it is a head-to-head trial. Populations, durations and methods differ, so compare numbers across columns with care.
Go deeper
Educational information only. Not medical advice, not a recommendation to use any substance, and not an offer to supply. Talk to a licensed clinician about your own care.
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