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. Plus, 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.

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.

Although both Mounjaro and Wegovy are approved for weight loss in the UK, the planned 170% Mounjaro price increase may make access to Mounjaro more difficult, prompting many people to consider switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy or an alternative.

Mounjaro is a dual agonist because it binds to the receptors of 2 digestive hormones, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), to suppress your appetite and promote weight loss. Wegovy, on the other hand, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist and only binds to the GLP-1 receptors in the body to make you feel less hungry, reduce cravings, and help you lose weight. Clinical trials show that after 68 weeks on the highest Wegovy dose, it is possible to lose 20% of your initial body weight on average.

Despite the lower average weight loss, many people find semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, to be more effective, especially as it can have fewer side effects.

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).

You can learn more about the Wegovy dosage schedule in our guide.

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.

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.

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.

You won’t get any withdrawal symptoms from switching. You shouldn’t notice anything during the 7-day break since this is how long you would normally wait between doses.

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.

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. Most people find that they go away on their own as their body gets used to the medication.

There are no specific side effects associated with switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy if you follow the instructions carefully. If you do not take a break between medications, then you will increase the chance of serious side effects. Speak to your doctor urgently if you have not taken a sufficient break between Mounjaro and Wegovy.

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: