Can I Switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy?
New Wegovy Pill Is Available To Pre-Order
The Wegovy pill has been approved in the UK and is available to pre-order at The Independent Pharmacy. Pre-order now to receive the Wegovy pill as soon as it's available, subject to eligibility.
If you’re thinking about switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy, it’s important to understand the differences between them.
While both treatments are currently available as weekly injections in the UK, newer options are also emerging. A new oral version of Wegovy, called the Wegovy pill, contains the same active ingredient (semaglutide) in a once-daily tablet form and will be available in the UK soon, now that it has been approved by the MHRA.
If you’re thinking of switching to Wegovy injections or the upcoming Wegovy pill, this guide gives you all the information you need to know.
Key Takeaway 1
Mounjaro and Wegovy work slightly differently but both help manage weight and decrease appetite
Key Takeaway 2
All weight loss medication works best alongside healthy habits, lifestyle changes and ongoing clinical support
Key Takeaway 3
You can’t make a direct “mg-for-mg” switch between Mounjaro and Wegovy because they are different drugs with different strengths
What are Mounjaro and Wegovy?
Mounjaro and Wegovy are different types of weight loss medications, taken as weekly injections. They belong to a group of medications called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. They both work by mimicking GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone that manages hunger levels.
While Mounjaro and Wegovy weight loss injections work in broadly the same way, they have different active ingredients. The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide, while the active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide.
Wegovy was the first GLP-1 weight loss injection approved to treat obesity and to support obesity-related health conditions, such as diabetes, in the UK. It’s also worth noting Wegovy is currently the only GLP-1 medication licensed in the UK to reduce the risk of major cardiac events, such as a heart attack or stroke, in people with obesity and established heart disease.
Both Mounjaro and Wegovy are only available on prescription via regulated online services or selected NHS weight loss clinics.
As GLP-1 treatments continue to evolve, newer oral alternatives are being developed. The Wegovy pill contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient used in Wegovy injections, but in a daily tablet form instead.
Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, has also developed an oral GLP-1 medication called orforglipron. Although approved by the FDA in the US under the brand name Foundayo, the treatment is still awaiting regulatory approval in the UK and may offer a tablet alternative to some injectable GLP-1 medications.
Although these weight loss tablets are not yet available in the UK, they may offer future options for people who prefer oral medication over weekly injections.
Wegovy (0.25mg - 2.4mg) Weight Loss Injections
You can buy Wegovy Weight Loss Injections after taking a free, three minute consultation. Click through to view the treatment page, and then click Start Assessment, to see if Wegovy could be right for you.
Can I Switch From Mounjaro Injections To Wegovy Injections?
Yes, this is possible under medical supervision. While both medicines help with weight loss and blood sugar control, they work slightly differently and have different dosing schedules.
You cannot alternate between the two medications or inject both medications at the same time. However, you can make a permanent switch from one to the other.
While dosing works differently, as long as you take a week long break you can follow up your next dose of the different medication on your usual dosing schedule.
It’s important to note that your doses are not interchangeable and a member of our clinical team will assist you with understanding which strength would be most suitable for you.
What’s the Difference Between Mounjaro and Wegovy?
While both are injectable GLP-1-based medications, there are key differences:
| Feature | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Generic Name | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| Type of medication | Dual GIP & GLP-1 receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Dosing Frequency | Once weekly | Once weekly |
| Starting dose | 2.5mg | 0.25mg |
| Titration | Gradual increase every 4 weeks | Gradual increase every 4 weeks |
| Common Side Effects | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, reduced appetite | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, reduced appetite |
The main distinction is that Mounjaro targets two receptors (GIP and GLP-1), while Wegovy targets only GLP-1. This can influence both effectiveness and side effects.
Read more about your weight loss options on our Weight Loss page.
Can You Switch From Mounjaro Injections To The Wegovy Pill?
Weekly injections may be working well for you, but you may prefer a treatment that feels simpler to manage at home, while travelling or as part of your daily routine. The Wegovy pill has been approved in the UK, and when it becomes available to buy, you may be able to switch from Mounjaro injections to oral semaglutide treatment following a clinical assessment.
The Wegovy tablet contains semaglutide, while Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, so switching would require medical supervision.
Unlike weekly injections, the Wegovy tablet is taken once daily on an empty stomach. You can read more about how it works in our Complete Guide to Wegovy Tablets.
Is Mounjaro As Good As Wegovy?
Clinical trials suggest Mounjaro may produce greater average weight loss than Wegovy for many patients, likely due to its dual-receptor mechanism.
| Feature | Mounjaro Injections | Wegovy Injections | Wegovy Pill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide | Semaglutide |
| Type of medication | Dual GIP & GLP-1 receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Dosing frequency | Once weekly | Once weekly | Once daily |
| Clinical effectiveness | Gave an average weight loss of of 22.5% over 72 weeks¹ | Wegovy 7.2mg gave 20.7% average weight loss over 72 weeks² | Gave an average weight loss of 22%* over 64 weeks³ |
| Common side effects | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, reduced appetite | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, reduced appetite | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, reduced appetite |
| Approved in the UK | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Over a 72 week clinical trial on Mounjaro the average weight loss was up to 22.5% of body weight, while a 72 week trial of Wegovy 7.2mg saw up to 20.7% body weight loss.
*The Wegovy pill showed an average weight loss of 22% over 64 weeks for early responders (those who lost 10% within the first 16 weeks) and an average of 17% for other participants.
It’s worth remembering that individual results vary and different people react differently to each medication. It’s worth noting that Wegovy also has a longer track record for weight management. The amount of weight you can lose will be influenced by any lifestyle changes you make too.
Both treatments appear to have similar levels of gastrointestinal side effects in clinical trials.
You can also find out about switching to the new Wegovy pill, to see if it might be right for you now it's been approved in the UK.
Is Wegovy As Good As Mounjaro?
Clinical trials suggest Mounjaro may produce greater average weight loss than Wegovy for many patients, likely due to its dual-receptor mechanism.
Over a 72 week clinical trial on Mounjaro the average weight loss was up to 22.5% of body weight, while a 72 week trial of Wegovy saw up to 14.9% body weight loss on Wegovy 2.4mg and up to 20.7% body weight loss on Wegovy 7.2mg.
From September 2025, it is likely that Wegovy will be available privately to UK patients at around half the price (or less) than a similar maintenance dose of Mounjaro so the price paid for the weight loss achieved may be more favourable to Wegovy if affordability of treatment is an influence.
It’s worth remembering that individual results vary and different people react differently to each medication. Wegovy also has a longer track record for weight management. The amount of weight you can lose will be influenced by any lifestyle changes you make too.
Both treatments appear to have similar levels of gastrointestinal side effects in clinical trials.
You can also find out about the new Wegovy Pill here, to see if it might be right for you.
How Do I Know Which Strength Of Wegovy To Choose When Switching From Mounjaro?
You can’t make a direct “mg-for-mg” switch between Mounjaro and Wegovy because they are different drugs with different strengths. Instead, our medical professionals use a dose conversion approach to decide an appropriate switching strength.
As part of the process our clinical team will need to assess your current Mounjaro dose and tolerance, and then convert this to an appropriate strength from Wegovy, which is based on a number of factors.
It may not always be possible to just start on a similar strength and you may need a step down. This will be followed by gradual titration increase every 4 weeks until reaching a maintenance dose that's suitable for you.
The slower start helps reduce gastrointestinal side effects and gives your body time to adjust to the new medication. Nevertheless, it’s important that you monitor your side effects and, if necessary, slow titration.
An example of dose switching between Mounjaro and Wegovy is detailed in the table below.
| Current Mounjaro Dose | Starting Wegovy Dose |
|---|---|
| 2.5mg | 0.25mg |
| 5mg | 0.5mg |
| 7.5mg | 1mg |
| 10mg | 1.7mg |
| 12.5mg | 1.7mg |
| 15mg | 1.7mg |
Please note, depending on your medical history, previous weight loss, incidence of side effects, and other relevant details, our clinicians may suggest a different strength which is more appropriate for you.
If you have previously suffered from side effects when starting Mounjaro or when you increased your dose, our clinical team will likely advise you to to start Wegovy on a lower dose and work your way up to ensure your switch goes as smoothly as possible.
Will Switching Halt My Weight Loss?
Potentially, yes. Some people see a brief pause in weight loss after switching, which is usually temporary. For many however switching can assist you moving forward. You may be at a point where your weight loss has plateaued, or you have struggled with side effects.
You may find that your new weight loss medication suits you better, and this will allow you to increase your doses smoothly, which could provide better results over time.
Keeping your habits consistent and having patience is also important. Your weight loss journey is as unique as you, but if you are considering switching, complete an online consultation and a member of our clinical team can provide the help and support you need to take charge of your weight loss journey.
How Does the Recent Wegovy Storage Update Affect Me?
Following a recent update from the MHRA, Wegovy injections can now be delivered at temperatures below 30°C for up to 48 hours.
This update relates to how Wegovy injections are transported to you and does not change how you should store your medication at home.
We are reviewing what this means for our packaging and delivery processes to ensure everything remains safe and in line with guidance. In the meantime, please continue to follow the storage instructions provided with your medication. If anything changes, we’ll update our guidance and let you know.
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