Compare 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.
Compare Wegovy vs Mounjaro at a Glance
Compare Wegovy vs Mounjaro Cost in Australia
Private prescription cost per month in AUD.
Compare Wegovy vs Mounjaro Weight Loss Efficacy
Wegovy Clinical Trials
STEP 1
14.9% weight loss vs 2.4% placebo
STEP UP (7.2mg)
21% weight loss
SELECT
20% reduction in CV events
OASIS-4 (pill)
16.6% weight loss (oral form)
Mounjaro Clinical Trials
SURMOUNT-1
20.9% weight loss (15mg)
SURMOUNT-2
15.7% weight loss (diabetes pop.)
SURMOUNT-3
25.3% weight loss (with lifestyle intervention)
SURMOUNT-OSA
Significant improvement in sleep apnoea
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)
| Dose | Period | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25mg | Weeks 1-4 | Starting dose |
| 0.5mg | Weeks 5-8 | Escalation |
| 1mg | Weeks 9-12 | Escalation |
| 1.7mg | Weeks 13-16 | Escalation |
| 2.4mg | Week 17+ | Maintenance dose |
Mounjaro
Weekly injection
| Dose | Period | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5mg | Weeks 1-4 | Starting dose |
| 5mg | Weeks 5-8 | Escalation / maintenance |
| 7.5mg | Weeks 9-12 | Escalation |
| 10mg | Weeks 13-16 | Escalation / maintenance |
| 12.5mg | Weeks 17-20 | Escalation |
| 15mg | Week 21+ | Maximum maintenance |
Compare Wegovy vs Mounjaro Australian Regulatory Status
Wegovy
- TGA Status
- Registered on ARTG for chronic weight management and CV risk reduction
- PBS Listed
- PBAC recommended Jan 2026; price negotiation underway
- PBS Criteria
- BMI ≥35 (≥32.5 for Asian, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander) + established CVD
- Supply Status
- More stable supply than Ozempic as of early 2026
- Oral Pill
- Not available in Australia. Launched in US Jan 2026.
Mounjaro
- TGA Status
- Registered on ARTG for T2D, weight management, and OSA
- PBS Listed
- No PBS listing for any indication
- Zepbound Brand
- US/UK weight loss brand name not used in Australia
- Supply Status
- Availability improving; no critical shortage reported
- Oral Version
- Eli Lilly's oral GLP-1 (orforglipron) expected FDA decision mid-2026; not yet in AU
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.