Wegovy vs. Mounjaro: Which Weight-Loss Jab Works Best?

As India becomes the new and latest nation witnessing the for weight-loss drugs frenzy, Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy challenges Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro in a high-stakes obesity treatment challenge. While early trial results show Mounjaro as the clear winner but what works for you can be different and personalised. Here is a detailed breakdown of every aspect of both the drugs to help you make a informed healthy decision.Four years after receiving the green light from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and following closely on the heels of Eli Lilly's Mounjaro's launch in India, Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has finally brought Wegovy to India—a launch that has the potential to drastically transform the way the nation treats obesity.Wegovy, with its foundation in the semaglutide molecule and classification among the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist class, is now sold in Indian markets as a once-weekly injectable for managing chronic weight and reducing cardiovascular risk. With its presence across dosages (0.25 mg to 2.4 mg), the drug is set to tackle an ever-growing concern—India's rising obesity epidemic.The timing is strategic as India’s obesity burden has swelled over the past decade, with recent government data indicating that nearly 24% of women and 23% of men aged 15 to 49 are overweight or obese—a sharp increase from 2015. The numbers are even more alarming considering that India now has over 1.4 billion people.Wegovy comes not long after the launch of Mounjaro, Eli Lilly's own GLP-1 and GIP dual agonist, sparking intense competition in what's projected to be a $150 billion worldwide market in the early 2030s. With semaglutide about to lose its patent protection in India by 2026, local generic players are also in a mad dash to roll out affordable substitutes.What is Wegovy?Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription FDA-approved medication for weight reduction and lowering cardiovascular risk in obese or overweight individuals with the associated conditions. It is a GLP-1 mimetic hormone that acts in the gut to affect hunger, glucose handling, and gastric motility. Wegovy slows gastric emptying and triggers a sense of fullness to decrease total food consumption and facilitate maintenance of weight loss.Clinical trials indicate patients taking Wegovy lose an average of 15% of their body weight when coupled with lifestyle changes. Novo Nordisk India MD Vikrant Shrotriya said that "One in three patients achieve 20% weight loss with the higher dose of Wegovy."How Wegovy Works?Wegovy (semaglutide) is part of a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists—short for glucagon-like peptide-1. They are intended to replicate the activity of a naturally occurring hormone found in the body that assists in blood sugar, appetite, and digestion regulation. Wegovy acts through multiple body processes, including:Spurring insulin release following meals, assisting in reducing blood sugar levels after mealsBlocking glucagon secretion, a hormone that usually increases blood sugarSlowing down the process of digestion by delaying gastric emptyingSuppressing appetite by evoking signals of satiety in the brain and thus reducing food consumptionWegovy vs Mounjaro: Which Helps In Losing More Weight?Eli Lilly's Mounjaro has raised the bar. Published clinical trials in The New England Journal of Medicine demonstrate that Mounjaro (tirzepatide) provides a relative 47% more weight loss than Wegovy—20.2% vs. 13.7% on a 72-week trial. Mounjaro patients lost an average of 22.8 kg, versus 15 kg with semaglutide.FEATUREWEGOVYMOUNJARODrug ClassGLP-1 receptor agonistDual GIP and GLP-1 agonistTypeSemaglutideTirzepatideFrequencyOnce weeklyOnce weeklyUseObesity, cardiovascular risk reductionType 2 diabetes (off-label for obesity)Dosage0.25–2.4 mg2.5–15 mgAverage Weight Loss (based on early trials)15%20.2%Cost in India₹17,345–26,015/month (high dose)₹3,500–₹4,375 (low doses)Side EffectsNausea, vomiting, fatigue, GI issuesNausea, vomiting, dizziness, GI issuesWegovy vs Mounjaro: Pricing and AccessThough the price of Wegovy is between ₹17,345 ($201) and ₹26,015 ($302) per month based on the strength, this comes in comparably close to Mounjaro. Pricing, however, will be a concern for an Indian market in general, being price-sensitive. Generics are looming as early as 2026, and with that, pricing strategies will hold paramount importance for both pharma giants.Wegovy vs Mounjaro: Safety and Side EffectsBoth Wegovy and Mounjaro have warnings in their boxed warnings regarding the possibility of cancer of the thyroid. The side effects seen commonly include diarrhea, nausea, constipation, vomiting, and reaction. Gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, and depression are seen rarely by users.Precautions Before Starting Wegovy or MounjaroThe patients should go to their physicians before starting either therapy, particularly if they have:History of thyroid cancer or endocrine disordersPancreatitisSevere gastrointestinal diseases such as gastroparesisKidney or liver diseaseMental health issues, such as depressionHow Important Is Wegovy Launch For India's Weight-Loss Struggle?With the introduction of Wegovy, Indian patients now have access to one of the greatest and most science-based weight-loss medications in the world. But the ultimate question is whether its clinical advantage will ever make a difference in India in actual practice, considering the variations in access to healthcare, insurance, and compliance by patients.There is also a significant factor for doctors treating type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease patients. Wegovy's dual function of facilitating weight loss as well as heart disease risk reduction has the potential to be a game-changer in preventive care.India stands at the crossroads of battling obesity. With two next-generation injectable drugs now on offer, the future of physician-assisted weight loss in India is rapidly changing. Which one gains the upper hand, either Wegovy or Mounjaro, one thing is certain—doctors and patients now have more options, more information, and more promise.As access grows and research ensues, actual-world evidence from India will inform the application, optimization, and local adaptation of these therapies. For the moment, Wegovy's introduction to the Indian market represents a milestone as well as an urgently needed wake-up call in the narrative around obesity care in the country.

Wegovy vs. Mounjaro: Which Weight-Loss Jab Works Best?

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Wegovy vs. Mounjaro: Which Weight-Loss Jab Works Best?