Switching From Tirzepatide to semaglutide for weight loss?
This article was reviewed by Lynn Marie Morski, MD, JD.
Key takeaways:
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You can switch from tirzepatide to semaglutide if tirzepatide isn’t working for you.
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You may be able to take semaglutide 1 week after your last tirzepatide dose.
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If you have tirzepatide side effects, your healthcare provider may suggest waiting until they subside before starting semaglutide.
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To reduce side effects, you’ll likely start on a low dose of semaglutide, even if you were on a high dose of tirzepatide.
Medications aren’t lifelong contracts. You can switch from one to another — if it’s safe for you to do so and under the guidance of a healthcare provider, of course.
So, if you’re taking tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) and it’s not working out for you, semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) could be a good alternative to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
We’ll cover everything you need to know about switching from tirzepatide to semaglutide, including why you might do it, how to switch, and which side effects could crop up.
Image Credit: Carolina Rudah/istockphoto.
Can You Switch From Tirzepatide to Semaglutide?
You can switch from tirzepatide to semaglutide. They’re both weight loss medications that work in similar ways.
But the drugs target different hormone receptors, so one might suit your body better or cause fewer side effects than the other.
However, you can’t take both medications at the same time. Your healthcare provider will let you know what to do, of course. But you’ll probably stop taking tirzepatide and start on a low dose of semaglutide that gradually increases — even if you were on a high dose of tirzepatide.
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Why You Might Switch From Tirzepatide to Semaglutide
There are many reasons you might switch from tirzepatide to semaglutide, including:
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Side effects. If tirzepatide side effects are bothering you and not getting better, semaglutide might cause fewer side effects.
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Efficacy. Everyone reacts differently to medications. If tirzepatide isn’t affecting your hunger or cravings, semaglutide might work better for you.
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Cost. Depending on where you get your medication, semaglutide medications are sometimes more affordable than tirzepatide medications.
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Insurance coverage. Insurance plans don’t often cover weight loss drugs, but you might get coverage in some situations for semaglutide over tirzepatide.
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Health conditions. Wegovy is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in people with cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity. Tirzepatide drugs don’t have this FDA approval.
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Form. Semaglutide is available as a tablet under the brand name Rybelsus. Rybelsus is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss and chronic weight management. Tirzepatide is only available in weekly injections.
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What’s the Difference Between Tirzepatide vs. Semaglutide?
Tirzepatide and semaglutide are similar medications, but they’re not exactly the same. Here’s how they compare at a glance.
Tirzepatide
Once-weekly injection
GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist
Suppresses hunger and makes you feel fuller
FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and weight loss or sleep apnea in people with obesity or overweight (Zepbound)
Primary side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation
Semaglutide
Once-weekly injection or daily pill
GLP-1 receptor agonist
Suppresses hunger and makes you feel fuller
FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic, Rybelsus) and weight loss and cardiovascular risk reduction in people with obesity or overweight (Wegovy)
Primary side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation
As you can see, tirzepatide is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and a GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptor agonist. That means it activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors in your body.
Semaglutide, on the other hand, is just a GLP-1, meaning it only activates GLP-1 receptors.
This difference means one medication may be more effective for weight loss or blood sugar control (or cause fewer side effects) than the other. It all depends on how your body reacts.
Image Credit: JNemchinova/Istockphoto.
Which Is More Effective: Tirzepatide vs. Semaglutide?
Research suggests tirzepatide is more effective than semaglutide. A 2025 study found that Zepbound led to an average weight loss of about 20 percent over 72 weeks, whereas Wegovy led to an average weight loss of roughly 14 percent.
That said, everyone reacts differently to medications. Semaglutide might help you lose more weight, especially if tirzepatide side effects make it hard to exercise or stick to your treatment plan. Many people reach their weight loss goals on semaglutide.
Image Credit: Carolina Rudah/Istockphoto.
How to Switch From Tirzepatide to Semaglutide
To switch from tirzepatide to semaglutide, start by connecting with a healthcare provider. They can make sure semaglutide is right for you and walk you through the best way to switch.
Here are the steps:
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Connect with a healthcare professional. Your provider can go over your medical history and current health, ensure semaglutide is right for you, and write you a prescription if so.
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Discontinue tirzepatide. Your provider will let you know how to do this. You may be able to take your first semaglutide injection 1 week after your last tirzepatide injection on your usual injection day. If you’re experiencing troubling side effects, your provider may recommend waiting for them to get better before starting semaglutide.
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Start semaglutide on a low dose. Your provider will probably prescribe a starting dose of 0.25 milligrams (mg) of semaglutide, even if you were on a higher dose of tirzepatide. Your dose will gradually increase every four weeks.
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Keep up healthy lifestyle changes. Like tirzepatide, semaglutide is prescribed alongside eating nutritious foods and doing more movement. Stick with new habits to promote healthy weight loss on your new medication.
Image Credit: Jacob Wackerhausen/istockphoto.
Side Effects of Switching From Tirzepatide to Semaglutide
Tirzepatide and semaglutide have similar side effects. For example, common side effects of Zebound and Wegovy include:
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Constipation
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Diarrhea
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Abdominal pain
Wegovy side effects are common when you first start the medication, but get better with time. So you might experience them when you switch, but things should improve.
Some research suggests that tirzepatide is more likely to cause gastrointestinal (GI) side effects than semaglutide. So, in the long run, you may feel better than you did before switching medications.
There’s another potential side effect to watch out for. Since you’re starting on a lower dose of semaglutide, you might experience more hunger and food cravings than you did when you were on tirzepatide.
To maintain your weight loss progress, stay on top of healthy lifestyle habits, like:
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Eating nutritious foods, including protein and fiber, to stay fuller for longer
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Drinking plenty of water
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Doing more movement
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Getting enough sleep
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Being mindful of stress-eating or grazing when you’re not hungry
As your semaglutide dose increases, your hunger and cravings may go down, helping you continue your weight loss journey.
Image Credit: Carolina Rudah/istockphoto.
Switching From Tirzepatide to Semaglutide: The Bottom Line
Switching from tirzepatide to semaglutide is possible — as long as you’re a good candidate for semaglutide, of course.
Here are the key points one more time:
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You can switch from tirzepatide to semaglutide. You might find that semaglutide causes fewer side effects, helps you lose more weight, improves your health in other ways, or is more affordable than tirzepatide.
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You may be able to take tirzepatide 1 week after semaglutide. However, if you’re dealing with side effects, your healthcare provider may recommend waiting until these resolve before starting semaglutide.
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Keep up healthy habits to reach your weight loss goals. Eating nutritious foods, doing more movement, getting enough sleep, and keeping stress levels low can help you lose weight as you switch from tirzepatide to semaglutide — and then beyond.
FAQs
Get answers to frequently asked questions about switching from tirzepatide to semaglutide below.
Is it safe to switch from tirzepatide to semaglutide?
Yes, it’s safe to switch from tirzepatide to semaglutide if a healthcare provider determines semaglutide is safe for you. You shouldn’t take both medications at the same time, but you can stop tirzepatide and start semaglutide afterward.
Is semaglutide stronger than tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide may be stronger than semaglutide. Some clinical trials show it can lead to greater weight loss. However, people react differently to different medications. So you might find that semaglutide is more effective for you for weight reduction, especially if you’re experiencing tirzepatide side effects.
How long does it take to adjust to semaglutide after switching?
There’s no set timeframe for how long it takes to adjust to semaglutide after switching from another medication. You might experience side effects when you first start taking semaglutide, but these should get better with time. For example, Ozempic and Rybelsus side effects tend to happen in the first 8 to 12 weeks.
Do you lose more muscle on tirzepatide or semaglutide?
You may lose muscle on either tirzepatide or semaglutide as you’re losing body fat. To minimize muscle loss, strength train regularly and eat plenty of protein. Go for lean protein sources like chicken, turkey, fish, and tofu. And do strength exercises at least twice a week with bodyweight exercises, dumbbells, or resistance machines.
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This article originally appeared on Forhers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org