| Tirzepatide | Semaglutide | |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Dual agonist: GLP-1 and GIP | Single agonist: GLP-1 only |
| Approval status | FDA approved 2022 (Mounjaro), 2023 (Zepbound) | FDA approved 2017 (Ozempic, diabetes), 2021 (Wegovy, obesity) |
| Side-effect profile | Thyroid cancer (in animal studies), pancreatitis and gallbladder warnings; nausea, constipation and fatigue during titration | Thyroid cancer (in animal studies), pancreatitis and gallbladder warnings; nausea, constipation and fatigue during titration |
Sourcing note: research-grade tirzepatide is research material, not a substitute for a prescribed Mounjaro pen. Primara Labs, our partner and supplier, holds research vials inside the Philippines; vials are batch-numbered, and Metro Manila orders verified before noon go out the same day. Order tirzepatide 15mg
In SURMOUNT-5, a 72-week phase 3b trial of 751 adults with obesity but without type 2 diabetes, mean body weight fell by 20.2% on tirzepatide, maximum tolerated dose, against 13.7% on semaglutide, maximum tolerated dose. Source
Semaglutide has the longer track record: Ozempic was approved by the US FDA in 2017, tirzepatide as Mounjaro in 2022. Which medicine suits a given person, and at what dose, is a decision for a licensed Philippine physician.
Semaglutide is a single-agonist GLP-1 drug developed by Novo Nordisk. It mimics the GLP-1 hormone your gut releases after eating. FDA approved 2017 (Ozempic, diabetes), 2021 (Wegovy, obesity).
Tirzepatide is a dual-agonist drug targeting GLP-1 AND GIP, developed by Eli Lilly. GIP is involved in fat storage, insulin response, and energy balance. In the one head-to-head trial, SURMOUNT-5, it produced more weight loss than semaglutide (figures below). FDA approved 2022 (Mounjaro), 2023 (Zepbound).
STEP 1 (semaglutide): In STEP 1, a 68-week phase 3 trial of 1,961 adults with BMI of 30 or greater (27 or greater with at least one weight-related coexisting condition), without diabetes, body weight fell by 14.9% on the 2.4 mg arm, against 2.4% on placebo. Source
SURMOUNT-1 (tirzepatide): In SURMOUNT-1, a 72-week phase 3 trial of 2,539 adults with BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with at least one weight-related complication, excluding diabetes, body weight fell by 15%, 19.5% and 20.9% on the 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg arms, against 3.1% on placebo. Source
SURMOUNT-5 (head-to-head): In SURMOUNT-5, a 72-week phase 3b trial of 751 adults with obesity but without type 2 diabetes, mean body weight fell by 20.2% on tirzepatide, maximum tolerated dose, against 13.7% on semaglutide, maximum tolerated dose. Source
| Metric | Semaglutide | Tirzepatide |
|---|---|---|
| Mean weight loss, pivotal trial | 14.9% on 2.4 mg (STEP 1, phase 3, 68 wk) | 20.9% on 15 mg (SURMOUNT-1, phase 3, 72 wk) |
| Mechanism | GLP-1 only | GLP-1 + GIP |
| FDA approval | 2017 / 2021 | 2022 / 2023 |
Both drugs share the same serious risk warnings: thyroid cancer (in animal studies), pancreatitis, and gallbladder issues. Both can cause nausea, constipation, and fatigue. In STEP 5, a 104-week phase 3 trial of 304 adults with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity, without diabetes, semaglutide reported nausea: 53.3% on the 2.4 mg arm, against 21.7% on placebo. In SURMOUNT-3, a 72-week phase 3 trial of 579 adults with BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with at least one obesity-related complication (excluding diabetes), who achieved 5.0% or more weight reduction after a 12-week intensive lifestyle intervention, tirzepatide reported nausea: 39.7% on the Maximum tolerated dose (10 or 15 mg) arm, against 14% on placebo. The two trials enrolled different populations, so the rates are not a direct comparison. See the GLP-1 side effects guide for management.
| Channel | Semaglutide | Tirzepatide |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Philippines | Registered (Ozempic, Wegovy) | Registered (Mounjaro) |
| Prices | On the GLP-1 price tracker | On the GLP-1 price tracker |
Dated Philippine pharmacy prices are on the semaglutide guide (Ozempic) and the Mounjaro page.
Prescription only; prescribing belongs with a licensed Philippine physician. Trials and side effects: the tirzepatide guide. The law: regulation hub.
Which is better for weight loss, tirzepatide or semaglutide?
The one head-to-head trial favoured tirzepatide. In SURMOUNT-5, a 72-week phase 3b trial of 751 adults with obesity but without type 2 diabetes, mean body weight fell by 20.2% on tirzepatide, maximum tolerated dose, against 13.7% on semaglutide, maximum tolerated dose. Which medicine suits a given person is a decision for a licensed physician.
Is Mounjaro or Ozempic available in the Philippines?
Both are registered with FDA Philippines as prescription medicines: Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). The pen prices Philippine pharmacies publish are dated on the GLP-1 price tracker, and Mercury Drug publishes none online. Prescribing belongs with a licensed Philippine physician.
Which has worse side effects?
No trial in the data this page draws on compares their side-effect rates head to head. Both carry the same label warnings (thyroid C-cell tumours in rodent studies, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease), and nausea is the most commonly reported effect of both. In STEP 5, a 104-week phase 3 trial of 304 adults with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity, without diabetes, semaglutide reported nausea: 53.3% on the 2.4 mg arm, against 21.7% on placebo. In SURMOUNT-3, a 72-week phase 3 trial of 579 adults with BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with at least one obesity-related complication (excluding diabetes), who achieved 5.0% or more weight reduction after a 12-week intensive lifestyle intervention, tirzepatide reported nausea: 39.7% on the Maximum tolerated dose (10 or 15 mg) arm, against 14% on placebo. The two trials enrolled different populations, so the rates are not a direct comparison.
How does research-grade tirzepatide differ from Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is a registered prescription medicine made and labelled to pharmaceutical standards. Research-grade tirzepatide is research material, not a pharmacy product, and it is not a substitute for a prescribed medicine. Prescribing belongs with a licensed Philippine physician.
