Our most effective option for maximum weight loss results — with full lifestyle support included.
A proven GLP-1 treatment offering accessible pricing alongside full lifestyle support.
Everything you need to lose weight, all in one app.
Our most effective option for maximum weight loss results — with full lifestyle support included.
A proven GLP-1 treatment offering accessible pricing alongside full lifestyle support.
Everything you need to lose weight, all in one app.
GLP-1 agonists like Wegovy and Mounjaro work by mimicking or enhancing the body's natural hormonal responses to food. But their mechanisms have nuanced differences that matter when it comes to effectiveness and side effects.
Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, meaning it imitates the glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone to regulate appetite and insulin response. Here’s what it does:
- Reduces hunger by acting on appetite control centres in the brain.
- Slows gastric emptying, which helps you feel full for longer.
- Improves insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar levels.
Wegovy is taken as a once-weekly injection and is currently approved in the UK for both adults and adolescents aged 12 and over.
Mounjaro is a newer, more complex medication. It’s a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, meaning it activates both the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1 pathways.
What this means in practice:
- Greater appetite suppression and fullness signals compared to GLP-1 alone.
- Enhanced insulin response and fat metabolism.
- Potential increase in calorie expenditure, which may explain its superior results in clinical trials.
For now, Mounjaro is licensed only for adults and not yet approved for adolescent use in the UK.
If the goal is weight reduction, both medications are effective—but one stands out.
In the STEP clinical trials, Wegovy led to an average 15–17% body weight loss over 72 weeks.
Mounjaro outperformed in the SURMOUNT-1 and SURMOUNT-5 trials, achieving up to 22.5–25% weight loss.
In SURMOUNT-5, Mounjaro delivered a 47% greater weight loss compared to Wegovy over the same timeframe.
Both medications share similar side effect profiles due to their impact on the digestive system:
- Very Common (≥10%): Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
- Common (1–10%): Fatigue, bloating, stomach discomfort, injection site reactions
Wegovy shows a higher dropout rate in clinical trials—16% vs. 8% on placebo—likely due to gastrointestinal discomfort.
Though rare, these medications may lead to:
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder issues
- Kidney function impairment
- Thyroid tumours
- Start low and titrate slowly
- Eat smaller, low-fat meals
- Stay hydrated
- Consult your clinician for persistent or severe symptoms
GLP-1 agonists like Wegovy and Mounjaro are redefining weight loss therapy by focusing on the why behind overeating and metabolic dysfunction. While Wegovy is a reliable choice—especially for younger patients—Mounjaro’s dual-action approach makes it a frontrunner in clinical outcomes.
Ultimately, the choice between the two should be tailored to individual health goals, age, medical history, and tolerance to side effects. And as always, these medications are most effective when paired with sustainable lifestyle changes and professional medical guidance.
👉 Start a consultation today to find out if Mounjaro is right for your goals.
This article was created in line with our editorial standards. Medical information is checked against UK-relevant guidance and reliable sources, which may include the NHS, NICE, the MHRA, medicine safety information, recognised clinical guidance and peer-reviewed research.
Medical content is reviewed regularly and updated sooner if clinical, safety or regulation guidance changes. This article is general information, and not a substitute for personal advice from your own prescriber.
