Medication overview
Weight-loss medication: compare the options
There are various prescription treatment options that can be used to aid weight loss. That is why it is important not only to look at the name of a medicine, but also at its use, how it works, the cost and your medical condition.
On this page, we compare Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Saxenda. We also explain how the treatments differ and why the choice ultimately always depends on a medical assessment.
The suitability of a particular treatment is always assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Not every remedy is the same
Compare the key differences before you read on.
Four treatment options
Compare Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Saxenda
These medicines differ in terms of their active ingredient, method of administration and official indication. Therefore, there is no single treatment that is automatically the best choice for everyone. First, take a look at the key features below, then read on for more information on the individual medication pages.
Ozempic
Semaglutide
Wegovy
Semaglutide
Mounjaro
Tirzepatide
Saxenda
Liraglutide
The information above is intended as a general comparison and not as personal treatment advice. Prescription medication should only be used under medical supervision. Which option may is suitable depends, amongst other things, on your medical condition, medical history, other medication and treatment goals.
Compare at a glance
What are the main differences?
The four treatment options differ in more than just their names. That is why we have compared their key features side by side. This allows you to see more quickly where the differences lie in terms of active ingredient, usage, indication, outcome and price.
The figures quoted are averages from clinical trials and do not guarantee your personal outcome. Furthermore, results across trials are not always directly comparable due to differences in trial duration, study population and dosage. The suitability of any particular treatment is always assessed by a doctor.
How medication can help
Feeling less hungry can give you the space to stick to other choices
Weight management medication can affect signals that play a role in appetite, satiety and food intake. As a result, some people may feel less hungry and feel full sooner.
Furthermore, a lower energy intake can support weight loss. However, the medicines on this page do not all work in exactly the same way. Semaglutide and liraglutide act via GLP-1 signalling, whilst tirzepatide also acts on GIP receptors. As a result, the effects, side effects and the most suitable choice may vary from person to person.
Diet, exercise and daily routines remain important. That is why medication is combined with counselling and a focus on behaviours that can be sustained in the longer term.
Changes in appetite cues
The treatment may affect the signals involved in hunger and food intake. As a result, the urge to eat may decrease in some people.
A fuller feeling
A stronger or longer-lasting feeling of fullness can make it easier to eat smaller portions and reach for food less often.
Lower energy intake
If a person consistently consumes fewer calories than they burn, their body weight may decrease. Medication can support this process in suitable patients.
Working to ensure conservation
At the same time, it remains important to establish routines around diet, exercise and day-to-day life. In short: the aim is not just to lose weight, but also to maintain a healthy lifestyle in the long term.
On the individual medication pages, we explain for each product how it works, what research has shown, and what points to bear in mind.
Which medication is right for you?
The choice depends on more than just price or the expected outcome
One treatment may be more popular or cheaper than another. However, that does not automatically determine which option is suitable. That is why the doctor considers a number of medical and practical factors before a treatment plan is chosen.
BMI and health risks
BMI is an initial point of reference, but it does not stand alone. Furthermore, weight-related conditions may be taken into account when deciding whether drug treatment is appropriate.
Medical history
Previous medical conditions, symptoms and treatments may be relevant. That is why your medical history is taken into account before a medication is prescribed.
Other medication
Other medicines you are taking may also be relevant. As a result, a doctor may need further information before a decision is made.
Contraindications and points to note
Not every treatment is suitable for everyone. That is why the doctor checks for any medical reasons why treatment should not be started or why extra caution is required.
Use and preference
Three of the options on this page are administered weekly, whilst Saxenda is taken daily. Practical preferences may therefore also be discussed during the consultation.
Objectives and progress
The decision-making process doesn’t stop at the start. We then assess how you respond to the treatment and whether the treatment plan should be continued or adjusted.
The exact suitability, contraindications, warnings and dosage options vary from one medicine to another. For this reason, these topics are discussed in greater detail on the individual medication pages, and the official product information remains the authoritative source.
Research findings
Average weight loss per treatment
Clinical research shows clear differences between the treatment options. That is why we have set out below the average weight loss observed in relevant studies. Your personal results may, of course, be higher or lower.
Average weight loss
±7%Weight loss has been observed with semaglutide at the doses used in Ozempic.
Ozempic is officially authorised for type 2 diabetes. However, studies involving semaglutide at these doses have also shown a clear reduction in body weight.
Average weight loss
±15%Average results with semaglutide for weight management.
Large-scale studies showed an average weight loss of approximately 15%. Lifestyle counselling formed part of the treatment.
Average weight loss
±20%Mixed results with tirzepatide in a weight management trial.
In clinical trials, Mounjaro showed the greatest average weight loss of the four options on this page. Here too, dosage, lifestyle and individual response play an important role.
Average weight loss
±8%Average results with liraglutide for weight management.
In clinical trials, an average weight loss of approximately 8% was observed. Furthermore, the treatment was combined with a focus on diet and exercise.
Results are not achieved through medication alone
The treatment can support weight loss, but diet, exercise and daily habits remain important. As a result, two people undergoing the same treatment may ultimately achieve very different results. That is why we combine medical treatment with support throughout the process.
* Average results from clinical trials. The duration of the trials varied by treatment and ranged roughly between approximately 9 and 17 months. Furthermore, the studies differ in terms of participants, dosage and design, and are therefore not directly comparable. Percentages do not guarantee an individual outcome.
Safety
Safe use starts with a thorough medical assessment
Medication for weight management is available on prescription only. That is why an assessment is carried out beforehand to determine whether treatment is appropriate and which option is best suited to your medical condition.
What, among other things, does the doctor look out for?
Previous medical conditions may influence the choice of treatment.
Some medicines require extra care or a different course of treatment.
Nausea and gastrointestinal symptoms are common, particularly during the build-up phase.
The treatment plan can be adjusted if necessary.
Want to start on your own without medical supervision?
We do not recommend this. Prescription medication should always be taken following a medical assessment and in accordance with a personalised treatment plan.
- Personal assessment by a doctor
- Checking for contraindications and risk factors
- Opportunity to ask questions during the consultation
- Support throughout the course of treatment
Frequently asked questions about medication
Which treatment is most suitable?
Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Saxenda differ in terms of how they work, how they are used, their official indications and their price. Therefore, there is no single treatment that is automatically the best choice for everyone.
Furthermore, research findings do not indicate exactly what results you personally will achieve. Medical history, other medication, lifestyle, tolerance and personal preference all play a part.
During the medical assessment, you can discuss which option might be suitable for your situation.
Check whether you are eligibleIn the studies discussed on this page, it is shown that Mounjaro has been shown to result in the greatest average weight loss, followed by Wegovy. However, that does not automatically mean that Mounjaro is the best treatment for you. Safety, medical suitability, side effects, costs and your personal circumstances remain important factors in your decision.
Both contain semaglutide and are usually administered once a week. The main difference is the official indication: Ozempic is authorised in the EU for type 2 diabetes, whilst Wegovy is specifically authorised for weight management in people who meet the medical criteria.
Wegovy contains semaglutide and Mounjaro contains tirzepatide. Both are administered once a week, but they do not work in exactly the same way. Clinical trials have shown that tirzepatide results in greater weight loss on average. At the same time, Mounjaro is priced at a higher level within WeightConsult.
Saxenda contains liraglutide and has a different dosage schedule to the three weekly treatment options. That is why Saxenda is injected once a day. For some people, this practical difference may be a factor when choosing a treatment.
Your preference can, of course, be discussed. However, the final decision is not simply a matter of choosing a product. That is why the doctor will first assess whether treatment is advisable and which option may be medically appropriate. Other medicines, previous medical conditions and possible contraindications are also taken into account.
Yes. Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Saxenda are prescription-only medicines. That is why a medical assessment is carried out first. Only when the doctor considers treatment to be medically justified can a prescription be issued and the supply arranged through the pharmacy.
This isn’t the same for everyone. Weight may increase again after you stop, particularly when underlying hunger cues return. That is why follow-up care is also part of the treatment plan. At WeightConsult, we continue to focus on lifestyle, maintaining your weight and a responsible follow-up plan as you get closer to your goal.
These treatments mainly involve stomach and intestinal problems for example. These include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting or constipation. Which side effects may occur and how often they occur varies from one medicine to another. That is why we discuss the specific points to note in more detail on each individual product page.
Your next step
Find out whether a treatment programme is right for you
You now know how the process works, when the doctor is involved and how support remains an integral part of the treatment. That’s why you can now easily complete the initial assessment and see whether you might be able to proceed with the medical intake.
A positive initial check is not the same as medical clearance.