Searches for Wegovy 1mg vs Mounjaro, 1mg Wegovy compared with Mounjaro, Wegovy 1mg equivalent to Mounjaro, Mounjaro vs Wegovy cost in the UK and Wegovy vs Mounjaro cost in the UK are all asking a reasonable question.
The problem is that 1mg Wegovy and Mounjaro cannot be compared simply by looking at the numbers on the pens. Wegovy contains semaglutide, while Mounjaro contains tirzepatide. They are different medicines with different dosing schedules, so there is no direct dose conversion between them.
A Wegovy 1mg pen is also one step in the dose escalation schedule, rather than the standard maintenance dose. If you are comparing costs, it is more useful to look at the full treatment journey and the prices for the doses you may actually be prescribed. Prices can also change between providers, so check the current price at the time you order.
This guide is for adults in the UK who are considering prescription weight management treatment and want to understand the differences between Wegovy and Mounjaro. It explains how the medicines differ, why their doses cannot be directly compared, what the clinical evidence shows, and what to consider when comparing treatment costs.
Both medicines are prescription only. If you are considering buying Wegovy or Mounjaro online, you need to go through an appropriate clinical assessment and receive a prescription before treatment can be supplied. A prescriber can then check whether the medicine is suitable for you and which dose is appropriate.
There Is No Dose Equivalence Between Wegovy and Mounjaro
This is the most important point to understand when comparing the two medicines.
Wegovy contains semaglutide, while Mounjaro contains tirzepatide. They work in different ways and have separate dosing schedules. Wegovy starts at 0.25mg once a week and is usually increased every 4 weeks. The standard maintenance dose is 2.4mg once a week. For some adults with obesity, the dose may be increased to 7.2mg once a week after at least 4 weeks at 2.4mg.
Mounjaro starts at 2.5mg once a week. After 4 weeks, the dose is usually increased to 5mg. Further increases can be made in 2.5mg steps after at least 4 weeks on the current dose, if needed. The maximum dose is 15mg once a week.
These numbers are not equivalent. There is no approved conversion such as "1mg of Wegovy equals Xmg of Mounjaro".
If you switch from one medicine to the other, your prescriber will decide how to start and increase the new medicine. You should not try to work out an equivalent dose yourself.
Why 1mg Wegovy is a poor comparison point
Wegovy 1mg is part of the dose escalation schedule. It is normally used during weeks 9 to 12 before the dose is increased to 1.7mg and then to the standard 2.4mg maintenance dose.
That means comparing 1mg Wegovy with a Mounjaro dose does not tell you which medicine is more effective overall. It is simply comparing one stage of one medicine with a stage of another medicine.
The weight loss figures you see online also need some context. For example, the often quoted result of around 15 per cent average weight loss in the STEP 1 trial was measured after 68 weeks, when participants were receiving the maintenance dose of semaglutide, alongside lifestyle changes. It was not a result from taking 1mg Wegovy for four weeks.
Early weight changes can also vary considerably from person to person. There is no fixed amount of weight that you should expect to lose during the 1mg stage.
What the Two Weight Loss Injections Actually Are
A useful comparison starts with the medicines themselves rather than the numbers printed on the pens.
| Feature | Wegovy | Mounjaro |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Semaglutide | Tirzepatide |
| How it works | GLP 1 receptor agonist | GIP and GLP 1 receptor agonist |
| Dose range | 0.25mg to 2.4mg, with 7.2mg available for some adults with obesity | 2.5mg to 15mg |
| Injection frequency | Once weekly | Once weekly |
| Standard maintenance dose | 2.4mg once weekly | 5mg, 10mg or 15mg once weekly |
| Pen type | Multi dose FlexTouch pen for 0.25mg to 2.4mg; single use pen available for 7.2mg | Multi dose KwikPen |
Wegovy works in a similar way to a natural hormone called GLP 1. It acts on receptors involved in appetite and can make you feel fuller and less hungry.
Mounjaro acts on both GIP and GLP 1 receptors. This gives it a different mechanism from Wegovy, even though both medicines are used for weight management alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Wegovy also has evidence from the SELECT trial showing a reduction in major cardiovascular events in a specific group of adults with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity. The reported relative risk reduction was 20 per cent. This was a specific clinical trial finding and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of cardiovascular benefit for every person taking Wegovy.
If you are comparing Mounjaro treatment with Wegovy, the type of pen and what is included in the pack may also be worth considering. Current UK Wegovy FlexTouch packs include 4 disposable needles, while Mounjaro KwikPen instructions use separate disposable needles.
What the Head to Head Trial Found
Until recently, much of the comparison between Wegovy and Mounjaro came from separate clinical trials. Comparing separate studies can be difficult because the participants, treatment schedules and study conditions are not always the same.
SURMOUNT 5 provided a more direct comparison. The trial included 751 adults with obesity who did not have type 2 diabetes. Participants received the maximum tolerated dose of tirzepatide, either 10mg or 15mg, or the maximum tolerated dose of semaglutide, either 1.7mg or 2.4mg, once a week for 72 weeks.
Average body weight fell by 20.2 per cent with tirzepatide and 13.7 per cent with semaglutide. The estimated difference between the treatments was 6.5 percentage points.
That is useful evidence, but it does not answer the question "Is 1mg Wegovy equivalent to Mounjaro?" The trial did not compare 1mg Wegovy with a particular Mounjaro dose. It compared the maximum tolerated doses used in the study.
The results also do not mean that everyone taking Mounjaro will lose more weight than everyone taking Wegovy. Trial averages describe what happened across a group of participants. Individual results can be different, and side effects, other health conditions, treatment response and how well someone can continue treatment all matter.
The higher 7.2mg Wegovy dose has also been studied separately. In the STEP UP trial, at least 25 per cent weight loss was achieved by 33.2 per cent of participants receiving 7.2mg, compared with 16.7 per cent receiving 2.4mg and 0 per cent receiving placebo. This was a separate trial, so it should not be treated as a direct comparison with SURMOUNT 5.
Comparing Costs: Why Price Per Pen Can Mislead
Cost is often one of the first things people want to compare, but looking at one pen can give you an incomplete picture.
Both medicines have several dose steps, and the price can change as the dose changes. A 1mg Wegovy pen, for example, represents one stage of treatment rather than the full cost of ongoing treatment.
Prices also vary between private providers and can change over time. Promotional prices may apply only to a first order, while repeat orders may have different prices. For that reason, the current price shown by the provider is more useful than an old price quoted in an article.
If you are comparing the cost of Wegovy and Mounjaro, look at:
- Compare the same stage of treatment where possible rather than comparing a starter dose with a maintenance dose
- Check the standard price as well as any first order discount
- Check whether the price includes the clinical assessment and prescription
- Check delivery charges and any optional delivery upgrades
- Check whether needles are included or need to be purchased separately
- Check whether a sharps bin is included or costs extra
- Look at the cost of repeat orders, not just the first order
- Check bundle prices against the cost of buying the same pens separately
- Consider the cost over several months rather than using one pen price to estimate a full year's treatment
A four week supply also does not always line up exactly with a calendar month, so this is worth keeping in mind when comparing monthly prices.
Wegovy 1mg Price and What It Actually Represents
Searches such as how much is 1mg Wegovy, how much is Wegovy 1mg, Wegovy 1mg price UK and Wegovy 1mg cost are usually looking for a simple number.
The important thing is to understand what that number represents. A standard 1mg Wegovy FlexTouch pen contains 4 doses, so it provides four weekly injections at the 1mg strength. It is one step in the Wegovy dose escalation schedule rather than the standard long term maintenance dose.
Private prices can change, so it is better to check the provider's current pricing page before ordering. For example, EverydayMeds currently lists its 1mg Wegovy pen at £99.99, but promotional codes and pricing can change.
If you are comparing prices, do not use the 1mg price alone to estimate the cost of your whole treatment. You may move through several strengths before reaching a maintenance dose, depending on your treatment plan.
The same principle applies when comparing Wegovy and Mounjaro. A low price at one dose does not necessarily mean that the provider will have the lowest overall cost at the dose you are eventually prescribed.
What the Advertised Price Does and Does Not Include
When you see a price for Wegovy or Mounjaro, check what is actually included before comparing it with another provider.
- The clinical assessment or consultation
- The prescription and prescriber review
- Delivery charges
- Any charge for faster or timed delivery
- Needles, where these are not included
- A sharps bin for safe disposal, if provided
- The price of repeat prescriptions or future pens
- Any first order discount and whether it applies again
- Whether the medicine is supplied by a properly regulated UK pharmacy
A headline price can look cheaper until these additional costs are added. Comparing the total cost for the same treatment stage gives you a much clearer picture.
Which One Is Right for You?
There is no single answer to whether Wegovy or Mounjaro is better for every person. The right choice depends on your health, treatment goals, other medicines, medical history, possible side effects and how you respond to treatment.
Both medicines are used alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adults who meet the relevant criteria.
For NHS treatment in England, access depends on the current NHS and specialist weight management pathway. Wegovy is available through specialist weight management services for eligible patients, while Mounjaro is being introduced through a phased NHS pathway. Eligibility can depend on your BMI, weight related health conditions and local arrangements.
Your prescriber will consider your individual circumstances before recommending a medicine. You may also want to ask practical questions, such as:
- How often will I need to increase the dose?
- What side effects should I look out for?
- Which pen is easier for me to use?
- What does the treatment cost after any first order discount?
- What will repeat prescriptions cost?
- What happens if I need to stay at a lower dose for longer?
- What should I do if I decide to stop treatment?
If you are still deciding which type of weight management treatment to explore, you can also look at the wider range of weight loss treatment options. The most useful comparison is not simply Wegovy vs Mounjaro by milligrams. It is which treatment is appropriate for you, what dose you may need, how well you tolerate it and what the full cost of treatment looks like over time.