weightloss.com.au
weightloss.com.au
Wegovy logoWegovy
vs
Mounjaro logoMounjaro

Wegovy vs Mounjaro

Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4mg) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are both TGA-approved for weight management in Australia. Mounjaro targets dual GIP/GLP-1 receptors and shows higher average weight loss in trials (~21% vs ~15-17%). However, Wegovy has pending PBS listing which could make it significantly cheaper, and its SELECT trial demonstrated cardiovascular benefit.

Wegovy: ~15-17% avg. loss
Mounjaro: ~21% avg. loss
Wegovy cost: $350-460 private
Mounjaro cost: From $395 private

Compare Wegovy vs Mounjaro at a Glance

 WegovyMounjaro
Drug classGLP-1 receptor agonistDual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
How takenWeekly injection (oral pill in US only)Weekly injection
Avg. weight loss~15-17%~21%
First approved2021 (FDA), 2024 (TGA)2022 (FDA), 2023 (TGA)
AU cost/month$350-460 privateFrom $395 private
PBS statusPending (Jan 2026 rec.)No
Prescription needed?YesYes
AU supply statusStableStable

Compare Wegovy vs Mounjaro Cost in Australia

Wegovy: $350-460 private (PBS: Pending (Jan 2026 rec.))

Mounjaro: From $395 private

Compare Wegovy vs Mounjaro Weight Loss Efficacy

Wegovy Clinical Trials

STEP 1

14.9% weight loss vs 2.4% placebo

68 weeksn=1,961

STEP UP (7.2mg)

21% weight loss

72 weeks

SELECT

20% reduction in CV events

4+ yearsn=17,604

OASIS-4 (pill)

16.6% weight loss (oral form)

64 weeks

Mounjaro Clinical Trials

SURMOUNT-1

20.9% weight loss (15mg)

72 weeksn=2,539

SURMOUNT-2

15.7% weight loss (diabetes pop.)

72 weeks

SURMOUNT-3

25.3% weight loss (with lifestyle intervention)

88 weeks

SURMOUNT-OSA

Significant improvement in sleep apnoea

52 weeks

Clinical trial data at highest approved doses. Individual results vary.

Compare Wegovy vs Mounjaro Side Effects

Wegovy

Very common

  • Nausea (up to 44%)
  • Diarrhoea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation

Common

  • Headache
  • Abdominal pain
  • Fatigue
  • Dyspepsia
  • Injection site reactions

Serious (rare)

  • Pancreatitis
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Acute kidney injury
  • Suicidal ideation (under investigation)
  • Potential fracture risk (Dec 2025 warning)

Mounjaro

Very common

  • Nausea (up to 33%)
  • Diarrhoea (up to 23%)
  • Decreased appetite

Common

  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dyspepsia
  • Injection site reactions

Serious (rare)

  • Pancreatitis
  • Hypoglycaemia (with insulin)
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Thyroid tumour risk (animal data)
  • May reduce effectiveness of oral contraceptives

Compare How Wegovy and Mounjaro Work

Wegovy

GLP-1 receptor agonist

Same mechanism as Ozempic but at higher dose (2.4mg vs 1mg) optimised for weight management. Mimics GLP-1 hormone, reducing appetite, slowing gastric emptying, and improving satiety. The oral pill (US only) uses SNAC technology to protect the molecule in the stomach.

Mounjaro

Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist

First dual-agonist: targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors simultaneously. This dual mechanism produces greater weight loss than GLP-1-only drugs. Reduces appetite, slows gastric emptying, improves insulin sensitivity, with additional metabolic benefits through the GIP pathway.

Compare Wegovy vs Mounjaro Dosing Schedule

Wegovy

Weekly injection (oral pill in US only)

DosePeriodNote
0.25mgWeeks 1-4Starting dose
0.5mgWeeks 5-8Escalation
1mgWeeks 9-12Escalation
1.7mgWeeks 13-16Escalation
2.4mgWeek 17+Maintenance dose

Mounjaro

Weekly injection

DosePeriodNote
2.5mgWeeks 1-4Starting dose
5mgWeeks 5-8Escalation / maintenance
7.5mgWeeks 9-12Escalation
10mgWeeks 13-16Escalation / maintenance
12.5mgWeeks 17-20Escalation
15mgWeek 21+Maximum maintenance

Compare Wegovy vs Mounjaro Australian Regulatory Status

Wegovy

TGA StatusRegistered on ARTG for chronic weight management and CV risk reduction
PBS ListedPBAC recommended Jan 2026; price negotiation underway
PBS CriteriaBMI ≥35 (≥32.5 for Asian, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander) + established CVD
Supply StatusMore stable supply than Ozempic as of early 2026
Oral PillNot available in Australia. Launched in US Jan 2026.

Mounjaro

TGA StatusRegistered on ARTG for T2D, weight management, and OSA
PBS ListedNo PBS listing for any indication
Zepbound BrandUS/UK weight loss brand name not used in Australia
Supply StatusAvailability improving; no critical shortage reported
Oral VersionEli Lilly's oral GLP-1 (orforglipron) expected FDA decision mid-2026; not yet in AU

Full Wegovy profile

View Wegovy Details

Full Mounjaro profile

View Mounjaro Details

Compare Other Medications

Wegovy vs Ozempic

~15-17% vs ~15% avg. weight loss

Contrave vs Wegovy

~5-8% vs ~15-17% avg. weight loss

Orlistat vs Wegovy

~3-5% vs ~15-17% avg. weight loss

Saxenda vs Wegovy

~8% vs ~15-17% avg. weight loss

Mounjaro vs Ozempic

~21% vs ~15% avg. weight loss

Contrave vs Mounjaro

~5-8% vs ~21% avg. weight loss

View all weight loss medications

This website is for informational and research purposes only. We are not medical professionals and nothing on this page constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified doctor or specialist before making any decisions about medication.

The weight loss medication landscape in Australia is changing rapidly. Information on this page may become outdated without notice. Data sourced from the TGA, FDA, MHRA, NICE, PBAC, Australian Prescriber, Obesity Evidence Hub, and clinical trial publications. Last reviewed March 2026.