Switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy

Mounjaro is an effective weight loss treatment that can help you lose up to 22.5% of your starting body weight after 72 weeks, but it’s not right for everyone. Recent price increases have left many people concerned about their ongoing treatment. However, there are other effective weight loss injections available, like Wegovy, that may be more appropriate or cost-effective, especially since Wegovy is also linked to a 20% reduced risk of cardiovascular events.

Switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy is simple. Take your final dose of Mounjaro, wait 7 days, and then start Wegovy on your usual injection day.

If you’re considering switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy, our guide outlines how you can do this safely and with as little impact on your current progress as possible.

Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria for Wegovy. You can place a treatment request and our doctors will review it.

You can switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy, but you’ll need to have a short break of 7 days between your last Mounjaro injection and your first Wegovy one for safety reasons.

Who can switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy?

Most people can switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy, but you will need to do so under the guidance of a doctor or healthcare professional because you cannot take both at the same time.

The prescribing criteria are similar for these medications, so as long as your health circumstances haven’t changed since you last requested Mounjaro treatment, you should be eligible for Wegovy as well.

If you are allergic to semaglutide or any other Wegovy ingredients, you will not be able to switch medications. Instead, you may need to continue with Mounjaro or consider an alternative weight loss medication, like generic liraglutide (Nevolat).

What is the criteria for qualifying for Wegovy?

To qualify for Wegovy:

• you must be at least 18 years old
• you must not have any conditions or take medications that could affect semaglutide's safety, and require assistance to manage your weight

You may be able to switch even if you've reached a healthy BMI of 25 or lower.

Why switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy?

There are several reasons you might consider switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy, including cost, better management of side effects, overcoming a weight loss plateau, or concerns about the effects of weight-loss medication on oral contraception.

Although Mounjaro can produce greater average weight loss results, some people switch to Wegovy for its cardiovascular benefits or because their bodies tolerate a single GLP-1 agonist better than the dual GLP-1 and GIP agonist effects of Mounjaro.

Cost

Mounjaro is typically more expensive than Wegovy, which can be a driving factor for many people who are seeking a cost-effective alternative. Here is a price comparison between Mounjaro and Wegovy Superdrug Online Doctor:

Side effects

Mounjaro and Wegovy share similar side effects, but some people find Wegovy's side effects are less intense, leading to a smoother experience. Most weight loss injection side effects improve or go away on their own as your body gets used to the medication, but individual reactions can vary. So, if you are finding Mounjaro side effects difficult to manage, switching to Wegovy may be beneficial.

Weight loss results

Although Mounjaro is an effective treatment, it may not work for everyone, so Wegovy may be a more suitable weight-loss option if you’re not getting the results you expected. Clinical trials have shown that the highest doses of Mounjaro and Wegovy are almost equally effective, with Wegovy 7.2mg associated with an average 21% weight loss, compared with people taking 15mg of Mounjaro per week, who lose an average of 22.5% of their starting body weight over 72 weeks.

If your weight loss progress has stalled or you have hit a weight loss plateau, you should discuss next steps with your doctor before switching. This way, your doctor can rule out any medical causes, they can also advise lifestyle changes that can be beneficial to your progress.

Cardiovascular benefits

Wegovy is the only weight loss injection which has been approved to help prevent heart attacks and strokes, making it a positive choice if you also have cardiovascular disease. Research shows that Wegovy’s active ingredient, semaglutide, can reduce the chance of serious heart problems by 20% in people who are overweight and have cardiovascular disease compared to a placebo.

Contraception

Unlike Mounjaro, Wegovy does not directly reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill, making it a more suitable choice for women who may be taking the pill to prevent pregnancy. However, side effects, such as being sick or diarrhoea within 3 hours of taking the pill, can affect the absorption of the pill and make it less effective. In this case, you should use extra precautions, such as condoms and follow the missed pill guidance in the patient information leaflet provided with your medication.

Mounjaro vs Wegovy comparison

Switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy is a simple process, but it must be done under medical supervision to make sure Wegovy is safe for you and to monitor how your body responds to treatment

Whether you are a new or existing patient with us, you will need to:

1. Complete an online health questionnaire. If you are a new patient, set up a patient account and request Wegovy treatment, or if you already have an account, request Wegovy and complete the questionnaire.
2. Doctor review. One of our doctors will review your questionnaire responses to determine whether Wegovy is right for you.
3. Medication approval and dose confirmation. The doctor will suggest a suitable starting dose of Wegovy based on your current Mounjaro dose and any side effects you may have experienced.
4. Medication dispatch. If approved, we will dispatch Wegovy to your home address in plain, discreet packaging, or you can choose to collect it from your nearest Superdrug Pharmacy.
5. Stop Mounjaro. You should stop taking Mounjaro once your current pen is finished, or stop immediately if you do not want to take it any longer.
6. Wait 7 days. You must leave a 7-day gap between your last Mounjaro injection and your first Wegovy dose. This makes sure it is safe to start taking Wegovy.
7. Follow the Wegovy dosage schedule. Continue injecting Wegovy once per week, following the dosage schedule, so that you gradually increase the dose until you reach the maintenance dose that is most comfortable and effective for you.

If you are injecting Wegovy for the first time, use our Wegovy injection guide for guidance.

Storing your Wegovy pen: Once you receive your Wegovy pen, store it in the fridge until you are ready to use it. It is best not to keep it in the fridge door as this is where the fridge temperature is most likely to fluctuate. Instead, keep it on a shelf, away from the freezing element if there is one and make sure your fridge temperature is between 2 and 8°C.

Can you switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy on a higher dosage?

Yes. A doctor can recommend a dosage of Wegovy which is higher than the starter dose, based on your current Mounjaro dose. This dose will be slightly earlier in the Wegovy dosing schedule than where you are with the Mounjaro dosing schedule. This is because it’s still a new medication so it’s best to be safe and start slightly lower.

The maximum dose of Wegovy you could switch to based on your current Mounjaro dose:

A doctor will help you choose a safe Wegovy dose for you to start with. This may be lower than the maximum if you've experienced side effects on your Mounjaro.

Switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy is generally safe for most people and requires a short 7-day gap between medications. You may notice temporary changes in appetite or side effects. However, some people experience no side effects at all, making the transition smooth and hassle-free.

You may notice your appetite come back slightly. This is because the dose of Wegovy you’re switching to might be lower than the equivalent Mounjaro dose you’re currently on. Some people notice their appetite slightly returns during the 7-day gap between finishing Mounjaro and starting Wegovy. This is normal and temporary.

Once you begin Wegovy treatment, there is a chance that you will get some side effects, but not everyone will get them. Like Mounjaro, Wegovy side effects are most common when you first start treatment or when you increase your dose.

Very common Wegovy side effects include:

• headaches
• feeling sick
• being sick
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• stomach pain
• weakness or tiredness

It’s possible to get Wegovy side effects even if you did not get any with Mounjaro and vice versa because they are different medications. Side effects are usually temporary and are most common when you first start Wegovy treatment and when you increase your dose, they usually go away on their own as your body adjusts to the medication.

There are no specific side effects associated with switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy if you follow the instructions carefully.

Do you get withdrawal symptoms if you switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy?

No, there are no withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping Mounjaro or switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy.

Yes, you can still lose or maintain the weight you've lost during the switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy because tirzepatide will remain partially active in your system. This means your appetite will remain suppressed, so as long as you stick to a healthy diet and exercise plan, you can continue to make weight loss progress.

If you’re considering switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy, perhaps because of the recent price increase announcement or because you feel it is not working for you, our doctors are here to help.

Despite the slightly increased potential weight loss of Mounjaro, Wegovy is a highly effective medication and can help you continue your weight loss journey safely.

Here are some guides on Mounjaro and Wegovy to help you be sure switching is right for you with confidence: