Mounjaro vs. Wegovy: Which Weight Loss and Obesity Treatment is Right for Me? (Mounjaro Effects, Usage, Side Effects, and Comparison)

In recent years, injectable medications that aid in weight loss, such as Wegovy, Saxenda, and Trulicity, have garnered significant attention, ushering obesity treatment into a new era of choice.

Obesity is not merely a weight issue; it is a complex disease where metabolism, hormones, and lifestyle are all intertwined, leading to a diversification of treatment approaches.

While exercise and diet were once considered the only answers, scientifically proven options for weight control have emerged, broadening the scope of customized obesity treatment.

Today, we will explore the latest injectable, ‘Mounjaro,’ which is at the center of these changes, with Professor Sena Hwang, a specialist in Endocrinology and Metabolism.

What kind of drug is Mounjaro? (Mechanism and Effects)

Launched by the American multinational pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, ‘Mounjaro (ingredient name: Tirzepatide)’ is a dual agonist that activates two incretin receptors: GIP (Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide) and GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1). This dual action suppresses postprandial blood sugar spikes, increases insulin secretion, delays gastric emptying, and enhances satiety, resulting in both blood sugar control and weight loss effects.

GLP-1 increases insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner and reduces excessive glucagon secretion, providing a strong blood sugar-lowering effect. Initially used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, it also acts directly on the brain’s appetite center to suppress hunger and delay gastric emptying, promoting satiety. Due to its excellent weight loss effects, it has also been approved as an obesity treatment. Tirzepatide is being studied for its even more powerful weight loss effects by adding the action of GIP to this mechanism.

Mounjaro VS Wegovy (Comparison of Mechanism, Efficacy, and Side Effects)

According to research, data shows that the tirzepatide group achieved a higher average weight loss percentage compared to the semaglutide (Wegovy) group. Specifically, the average weight loss at the 6-month mark was higher for tirzepatide. The combination of GIP + GLP-1 allows for stronger appetite suppression and blood sugar improvement; results also indicated that a higher percentage of the tirzepatide group achieved a weight loss of 10% or more. However, considering individual health status (e.g., presence of diabetes), eating habits, dosage, drug tolerance, and treatment duration, the decision on which ingredient is more effective should be made after thorough consultation with a doctor. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40666599/

	Wegovy	Mounjaro
Ingredient	Semaglutide GLP-1 Single Agonist	Tirzepatide GIP + GLP-1 Dual Agonist
Administration	Pen-type injection	Pen-type injection
Weight Loss Effect	Reported ~13-15% reduction	Reported up to 20.9% reduction (Varies by conditions of use)
Physical Symptoms	Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating. Rare cases of gallstones, cholecystitis, or pancreatitis.	Similar to Wegovy (some studies report a lower incidence of GI side effects).

Can anyone take Mounjaro? (Prescription Criteria)

Like Wegovy, Mounjaro is a ‘prescription drug’ intended for obesity treatment and requires a doctor’s prescription. It is strictly different from health functional foods or supplements and should not be taken lightly.

Since Mounjaro was originally a diabetes treatment, it can be prescribed for both blood sugar control and weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, for simple weight loss, because individual weight loss varies and initial side effects or drug reactions must be monitored, the following medical criteria from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) apply:

1) BMI of 30 or higher

2) BMI of 27 or higher with weight-related complications (hypertension, dyslipidemia, fatty liver, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, etc.)

※ Mounjaro is difficult to prescribe for adolescents, those who are pregnant/breastfeeding, individuals with a history of pancreatitis, allergies to drug components, or severe gastrointestinal disease.

How to Inject Mounjaro and What is the Dosage? (Stepwise Titration and Usage Tips!)

It is administered once a week via subcutaneous injection and can be taken at any time of day, regardless of meals. The recommended starting dose is 2.5 mg; do not adjust the dose arbitrarily without consulting your doctor. Even if further titration is desired, the same dose must be administered for at least 4 weeks before increasing in steps (of 2.5 mg). If you miss a dose, administer it as soon as possible if it is within 4 days (96 hours) of the scheduled date. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take the next injection on the originally scheduled day. For example, if your injection day is [Monday morning], you can take the missed shot until Thursday. After that, skip that week and resume the following Monday morning.

Mounjaro Side Effects/Adverse Reactions?

Commonly reported adverse reactions include: - Nausea (very common) - Diarrhea - Vomiting. These are primarily gastrointestinal symptoms. According to Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, these reactions were more frequent during the dose escalation period and tended to decrease over time. However, do not ignore adverse reactions; if symptoms persist or worsen, you must consult your doctor. Additionally, if you are taking specific concurrent medications, drug interactions are possible, so a comprehensive review through consultation with medical staff before prescription is essential.

Where to get a Mounjaro prescription? Prescriptions are available after a consultation with a specialist at the Chaum Outpatient Center’s Department of Endocrinology, the Detox Slimming Center, or the Health Life Center. In addition to supportive self-injection treatments like Mounjaro, Wegovy, Trulicity, and Saxenda, Chaum operates programs that help with weight loss while treating chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

Health Principles to Follow While Using Mounjaro!

Finally, it is advisable to re-examine your lifestyle and eating habits while taking Mounjaro. While the ingredients in Mounjaro certainly have weight loss effects, healthy weight loss is not completed by the drug alone. Maintaining poor habits under the perception that it is a ‘weight loss shot’ is harmful to your health.

<10 Health Commandments to Follow During Mounjaro Treatment, Recommended by Professor Sena Hwang of Endocrinology>

1) Do not drastically reduce food intake (consume at least your basal metabolic rate).

2) Ensure adequate protein intake (the risk of muscle loss is high, so prioritize protein-centered meals. Muscle loss is a major cause of the yo-yo effect!).

3) Stay well-hydrated (when appetite decreases, water intake often naturally drops. Dehydration can worsen headaches, constipation, and nausea, so ensure you drink enough water).

4) Exercise regularly.

5) Adhere to the dosage titration schedule (there is a reason for increasing the dose slowly. Please follow the stepwise titration recommended by your doctor).

6) Avoid greasy, sugary, spicy, salty, or stimulating foods and late-night snacking.

7) Reduce coffee and carbonated drinks, and avoid alcohol.

8) Eat slowly and do not lie down immediately after eating.

9) Get enough sleep and manage stress.

10) Consult medical staff immediately if you experience any abnormal signals in your body.

If you are curious about Wegovy, click here!

https://blog.naver.com/chaum_plc/223655811555

Areas of Expertise: Metabolic Syndrome, Diabetes, Thyroid Disease, Osteoporosis, Menopause. Professor Sena Hwang is an endocrinologist who graduated from Yonsei University Graduate School of Medicine. After serving as a Clinical Research Assistant Professor of Endocrinology at Yonsei University Severance Hospital, she currently oversees endocrinology and hormone therapy at Chaum. She is an active member of the Korean Endocrine Society, the Korean Thyroid Association, the Korean Diabetes Association, the Korean Society for Osteoporosis, the Korean Society for Bone and Mineral Research, and the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity. Through continuous research, she has received Best Oral Presentation Awards at the Seoul International Congress of Endocrinology and Metabolism and the Asia-Pacific International Osteoporosis Foundation Meeting. Inquiries: Chaum Endocrinology 02-3015-5300 | 2nd Floor Outpatient Center, Chaum, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.