Semaglutide vs tirzepatide: what the FDA labels say about Wegovy and Zepbound

In short

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are both prescription injections. Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are FDA-approved for weight management, always alongside a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity.¹²

This page sets out what each label lists. It doesn't say which is better, how much weight people lose on either, or what they cost. The labels don't support a head-to-head comparison, and that is the point of the last section. Whether either is right for you is a question for a doctor who knows your health.

At a glance

Wegovy acts on

The GLP-1 receptor

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Zepbound acts on

GIP and GLP-1 receptors

Tirzepatide is a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Children

Wegovy: from age 12

Zepbound's label says safety and effectiveness are not established in pediatric patients.

Both labels carry

A boxed warning

Thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents. The risk to humans is unknown.

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What each is

Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Its weight use covers adults and children 12 and over. Zepbound contains tirzepatide, which the label calls a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist: it acts on two receptors.¹²

What each one is

Wegovy

Contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist (label)
Weight use covers adults and children 12 and over (label)
Other label uses: lowering the risk of major heart events, and a liver disease called MASH (label)

Zepbound

Contains tirzepatide, a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist: it acts on two receptors (label)
Weight use is for adults (label)
Other label use: moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity (label)

What each label lists

Here is each label's list of approved uses and limits.¹²

Wegovy and Zepbound, from their FDA labels

On the label	Wegovy (semaglutide)	Zepbound (tirzepatide)
What it is	Wegovy (semaglutide): Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist	Zepbound (tirzepatide): Tirzepatide, a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist
Weight use	Wegovy (semaglutide): Adults and children 12 and over with obesity; adults with overweight and a weight-related condition	Zepbound (tirzepatide): Adults with obesity; adults with overweight and a weight-related condition
Other uses on the label	Wegovy (semaglutide): Lower the risk of major heart events in adults with heart disease and obesity or overweight; a liver disease called MASH	Zepbound (tirzepatide): Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity
Children	Wegovy (semaglutide): Approved from age 12 for weight	Zepbound (tirzepatide): Safety and effectiveness not established
Boxed warning	Wegovy (semaglutide): Thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents; human risk unknown	Zepbound (tirzepatide): Thyroid C-cell tumors in rats; human risk unknown
Must not be used if	Wegovy (semaglutide): Personal or family history of MTC or MEN 2, or a serious allergic reaction to it	Zepbound (tirzepatide): Personal or family history of MTC or MEN 2, or a serious allergic reaction to it

MTC is medullary thyroid carcinoma, and MEN 2 is multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.¹²

Wegovy (semaglutide)

Used forWeight management in adults and children 12 and over with obesity, and adults with overweight and a weight-related condition. Also listed: heart-event risk, and a liver disease called MASH.

Zepbound (tirzepatide)

Used forWeight management in adults with obesity, and adults with overweight and a weight-related condition. Also listed: moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.

Most of the warnings overlap. Both labels list pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney injury from dehydration, severe stomach and gut reactions, serious allergic reactions, worsening diabetic eye disease in people with type 2 diabetes, and low blood sugar in people who also take insulin or similar medicines.¹² Both warn that food or liquid can enter the lungs under general anesthesia or deep sedation, and tell patients to inform providers of any planned procedure.¹²

Both labels warn about

Stomach and body

Pancreatitis and gallbladder disease
Severe stomach and gut reactions
Kidney injury from dehydration

Other

Serious allergic reactions
Diabetic eye disease can worsen
Low blood sugar with insulin
Risk under anesthesia or sedation

Don't use both. The Zepbound label says using it with any other tirzepatide product or any GLP-1 receptor agonist isn't recommended.²

What the labels don't let you compare

Each label says its side effect rates came from trials of that drug, run in different conditions, and can't be directly compared with rates from another drug's trials.¹²

Myth

The numbers on the two labels show which drug is gentler or works better.

Fact

Both labels say the rates seen in one drug's trials cannot be directly compared with another's, because the trials were run under different conditions. The labels are not head-to-head comparisons.

WEGOVY prescribing information, DailyMed, read 29 Oct 2026ZEPBOUND prescribing information, DailyMed, read 29 Oct 2026

Choosing between them, if either, is for you and a prescriber, based on your health history and what each is approved for.

Copies sold by clinics

The FDA has concerns about unapproved versions of both drugs. It says compounded versions are not FDA-approved and are not reviewed for safety, effectiveness or quality, and should be used only when a patient's medical needs can't be met by an approved drug.³ It has reports of dosing errors with compounded semaglutide and of fraudulent products with false labels.³ Our semaglutide page covers this in more detail.

At the clinics we list

3,194 of the 7,475 med spas we list offer weight loss. That doesn't say which drug, who prescribes it or whether it is compounded, so ask.⁴

43%

of the med spas we list offer weight loss3,194 of 7,475 med spas we list, in 14 states

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Here is what to bring to a consultation.

What to ask about

Which of these is closest to what you want to ask about?

Whether a label covers my situation
Ask your prescriber which uses are on the label of the drug they propose, and whether your age and health history fit it.
My health history
Ask what the boxed warning and the other warnings mean for you, including any personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2.
Compounded versions
Ask whether it is the FDA-approved product or a compounded one, and which pharmacy supplies it.
Other medicines I take
Ask your prescriber about every medicine you take, including insulin. The Zepbound label says using it with any GLP-1 receptor agonist isn't recommended.

Bring these questions to your visit.

Questions to bring

The drug

Which drug is this, and is it the FDA-approved product or a compounded one?
Is the use you're proposing one the label lists?
Which pharmacy supplies it, and is it state-licensed?

Me

Do my health history, my family's history and my medicines change anything?
What side effects should I watch for, and who do I call, including after hours?
What follow-up is included?

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Cost

We don't give prices on this page. Insurance and payment are covered in our guide to paying for med spa treatments.

Common questions

What is the difference between semaglutide and tirzepatide?

Semaglutide (Wegovy) acts on the GLP-1 receptor. Tirzepatide (Zepbound) acts on the GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Their labels also list different other uses: heart events and liver disease for Wegovy, sleep apnea for Zepbound.

Which is better for weight loss, Wegovy or Zepbound?

The labels don't say. Each says its trial results can't be directly compared with another drug's. A prescriber who knows your history can discuss what suits you.

Can children use Wegovy or Zepbound?

Wegovy's label covers weight management from age 12. The Zepbound label says its safety and effectiveness haven't been established in pediatric patients.

Can I use both at the same time?

The Zepbound label says using it with any GLP-1 receptor agonist isn't recommended.

Is compounded tirzepatide the same as Zepbound?

No. The FDA says compounded drugs are not FDA-approved and are not reviewed for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are marketed.

Sources (4)

WEGOVY (semaglutide) prescribing information, DailyMed (set id ee06186f-2aa3-4990-a760-757579d8f77b) · Novo Nordisk; FDA-approved labeling (effective 18 Jun 2026 per DailyMed). The label covers the injection and the tablet; this page uses the injection parts. · read 29 Oct 2026
ZEPBOUND (tirzepatide) prescribing information, DailyMed (set id 487cd7e7-434c-4925-99fa-aa80b1cc776b) · Eli Lilly; FDA-approved labeling (effective 28 Aug 2026, version 40 per DailyMed). · read 29 Oct 2026
FDA, FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss · US Food and Drug Administration (content current as of 10/01/2026 per the page) · read 29 Oct 2026
Clinic websites: what they say on their own pages · Our own read of listed clinics' websites in the 14 states we cover, October 2026. A clinic counts once. · read 29 Oct 2026

Where to go next

TreatmentSemaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) for weight loss: uses, risks and what to ask a clinic GuideHow to choose a weight loss clinic: what to check and what to ask GuideQuestions to ask before you book a med spa treatment GuidePaying for med spa treatments: financing, memberships and payment plans