Medication Comparison
Tirzepatide vs Liraglutide
Tirzepatide achieves nearly three times the weight loss of liraglutide (~22% vs ~8%) with the added convenience of weekly dosing. Liraglutide remains an option for patients who need the longest safety track record or adolescent approval.
| Category | Tirzepatide | Liraglutide |
|---|---|---|
| Brands | Mounjaro / Zepbound | Victoza / Saxenda |
| Class | GLP-1/GIP dual agonist | GLP-1 RA |
| Administration | Weekly injection | Daily injection |
| Average weight loss | ~22% | ~8% |
| Compounded cost | $150-450/mo (compounded) | $100-300/mo (compounded) |
| Brand cost | $1,000-1,200/mo | $1,300-1,500/mo |
| Half-life | ~5 days | ~13 hours |
| Dosing frequency | Once weekly | Once daily |
| Key trial | SURMOUNT-1 (22.5% weight loss) | SCALE (8% weight loss) |
Best for Tirzepatide
Patients seeking maximum weight loss with a next-generation medication
Best for Liraglutide
Adolescents or patients requiring the most-studied first-generation GLP-1
Tirzepatide tradeoffs
Pros
- Greatest weight loss of any GLP-1
- Dual mechanism
- Weekly dosing
Cons
- Newest with least long-term data
- No oral option
Liraglutide tradeoffs
Pros
- Longest safety record
- Daily dosing for fine adjustment
- Approved for adolescents
Cons
- Daily injections
- Significantly less weight loss
- First-generation GLP-1
Common questions
How much more weight loss does tirzepatide cause vs liraglutide?
Based on clinical trial data, tirzepatide produces roughly 22% body weight loss compared to about 8% for liraglutide — nearly three times as much.
Is liraglutide still worth taking?
Liraglutide can still be a good option for patients who want the longest-studied GLP-1, prefer daily dosing flexibility, or cannot access newer medications.
Can you switch from Saxenda to Mounjaro?
Yes, with your doctor's guidance. You would stop Saxenda and start Mounjaro at the lowest dose (2.5mg weekly), then titrate up over several months.
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