Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide: What's the Difference?
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide have transformed medical weight loss. Both are GLP-1 receptor agonists, both are injected weekly, and both can produce dramatic results — but they aren't identical. Here's what every patient should know.
How Semaglutide works
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It mimics a natural gut hormone that signals fullness, slows stomach emptying, and regulates blood sugar. Patients typically see significant appetite reduction within weeks.
How Tirzepatide differs
Tirzepatide works on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors — a dual-action approach. Clinical trials have shown greater average weight loss compared to Semaglutide, though individual response varies.
Which one is right for me?
That's a decision for you and your provider. Factors include your starting weight, response to previous medications, side-effect tolerance, and cost. Compounded versions offer flexible dosing that can make titration easier.
Are compounded versions the same?
Compounded Semaglutide and Tirzepatide contain the same active ingredients but are prepared for individual prescriptions. They're not FDA-approved (compounds are patient-specific), but they're prepared in state-licensed facilities from USP-grade raw material.