Compare drug alternatives
Wegovy® Alternatives
Wegovy®(semaglutide) | Zepbound®(tirzepatide) |
|---|---|
Prescription Only | Prescription Only |
| Dosage & Administration | |
Administration | |
Subcutaneous. Learn more. | Subcutaneous. Learn more. |
Dosing | |
Initiate at 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. In 4 week intervals, increase the dose until a dose of 2.4 mg is reached. The maintenance dosage of WEGOVY® in adults is either 2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg once-weekly. Learn more. | Starting dosage is 2.5 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly. After 4 weeks, increase 5 mg once weekly. Increase the dosage in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks. Maintenance dosages are 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly.. Learn more. |
Latin Shorthand | |
Begin at 0.25 mg qw for 4w. Increase by 4-week intervals until reaching 2.4 mg. The maintenance dosage for adults using WEGOVY® is either 2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg qw... Learn more. | The initial dose is 2.5 mg SQ q/week. After 4 weeks, increase to 5 mg q/week. Then, every 4 weeks, raise the dosage by 2.5 mg. Maintenance doses are either 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg injected SQ q/week.. Learn more. |
| Financial Assistance | |
Out-Of-Pocket Costs With Copay Card | |
$0. Learn more. | $25. Learn more. |
Annual Cap | |
$225 per fill. Learn more. | $1,800. Learn more. |
Assistance Expiration | |
12/31/2023. Learn more. | 12/31/2024. Learn more. |
Generics | |
No lower-cost generic available | No lower-cost generic available |
| Physician Advisory | |
Adverse Reactions | |
Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5%) in adults
or pediatric patients aged 12 years and older are: nausea,
diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache,
fatigue, dyspepsia, dizziness, abdominal distension, eructation,
hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes, flatulence,
gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and
nasopharyngitis. . Learn more. | The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with ZEPBOUND are: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, injection site reactions, fatigue, hypersensitivity reactions, eructation, hair loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease.. Learn more. |
Mechanism of Actions (MoA) | |
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. Learn more. | GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. Learn more. |
Special Populations | |
What is the Pregnancy Exposure Registry for Semaglutide (Wegovy)? The Pregnancy Exposure Registry monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to semaglutide during pregnancy. Pregnant women or healthcare providers can contact Novo Nordisk at 1-877-390-2760 or www.wegovypregnancyregistry.com. What risks are associated with using Wegovy (semaglutide) during pregnancy? Animal studies suggest potential risks to the fetus from semaglutide exposure during pregnancy. Weight loss, induced by Wegovy, offers no benefit during pregnancy and may lead to fetal harm. When pregnancy is identified, patients are advised of the potential fetal risk, and Wegovy treatment is discontinued. What are the known risks of birth defects or miscarriage with Wegovy use during pregnancy? The available data from pharmacovigilance and clinical trials on Wegovy's use in pregnant patients are insufficient to establish its association with major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal/fetal outcomes. The estimated background risk for major birth defects and miscarriage in the general U.S. population is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. How does Semaglutide (Wegovy) affect pregnant animals in studies? Studies on pregnant rats, rabbits, and monkeys show that semaglutide exposure during organogenesis caused embryofetal mortality, structural abnormalities, and altered growth at doses below the recommended human dose. In monkeys and rabbits, there were early pregnancy losses and structural abnormalities observed at doses below or equal to the recommended human dose. What clinical considerations are advised for pregnant patients using Wegovy? Pregnant patients, including those with overweight or obesity, should aim for appropriate weight gain due to the necessary weight gain during pregnancy. Wegovy should be discontinued upon pregnancy recognition due to the potential risks to both the mother and fetus. Are there any data on Semaglutide (Wegovy) in lactating mothers? There is no data available on semaglutide or its metabolites in human milk. However, semaglutide was found in the milk of lactating rats. When drugs are present in animal milk, they're likely to be present in human milk. What recommendations are provided for females and males of reproductive potential using Wegovy? To prevent potential fetal harm, discontinue Wegovy in patients planning pregnancy at least 2 months before conception, considering semaglutide's long half-life. Is Wegovy (Semaglutide) safe and effective for pediatric use? Wegovy is deemed safe and effective as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with a BMI corresponding to ≥95th percentile. However, its safety for children less than 12 years old or with type 2 diabetes is not established. How is Wegovy (Semaglutide) used in geriatric patients? In clinical trials, no notable differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between patients aged 65 and older and younger adults. Does renal or hepatic impairment require dosage adjustments for Wegovy (Semaglutide)? No dosage adjustments are recommended for patients with renal or hepatic impairment based on clinical studies that showed no significant changes in semaglutide pharmacokinetics in these conditions. | Is there a pregnancy exposure registry for ZEPBOUND (tirzepatide)? Yes, there is a pregnancy exposure registry to monitor outcomes in pregnant women exposed to ZEPBOUND. Pregnant patients and healthcare providers can contact Eli Lilly and Company at 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979). What are the risks associated with ZEPBOUND during pregnancy? Weight loss is not recommended during pregnancy and discontinuation of ZEPBOUND is advised when pregnancy is recognized. Insufficient data exist to assess the risk of birth defects or miscarriage with tirzepatide use during pregnancy. Animal studies suggest potential fetal risks with exposure to tirzepatide. Are there clinical considerations for pregnant patients using ZEPBOUND? Pregnant patients, including those with obesity, should gain appropriate weight as required during pregnancy. Weight loss is not advised in pregnant patients. What animal data is available regarding tirzepatide exposure during pregnancy? Animal studies show fetal growth reductions and abnormalities in rats and rabbits given tirzepatide during pregnancy. These effects correlated with reductions in maternal body weights and food consumption. Is ZEPBOUND recommended during lactation? There is no data on tirzepatide's presence in animal or human milk. The benefits of breastfeeding should be weighed against any potential adverse effects of ZEPBOUND on the breastfed infant or maternal condition. Does ZEPBOUND impact oral hormonal contraceptives? ZEPBOUND may reduce the effectiveness of oral hormonal contraceptives due to delayed gastric emptying. Patients using these contraceptives should consider alternative or additional contraceptive methods for specific durations. What is known about ZEPBOUND's use in pediatric patients and the elderly? ZEPBOUND's safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients below 18 years old. In elderly patients (65 years and older), no significant differences were observed in safety or effectiveness compared to younger adults. Are dosage adjustments necessary for patients with renal or hepatic impairment? No dosage adjustment is recommended for patients with renal or hepatic impairment based on clinical studies, as no significant changes in tirzepatide pharmacokinetics were observed. |