Tirzepatide vs semaglutide: up to ~22.5% vs ~15% trial weight loss, side effects, dosing and verified prices at 8 providers, from $49/month.
Last updated September 15, 2026
Reviewed for medical accuracy by Francheska Capistrano, RMT, MPH · Medical Content Reviewer
Clinically checked Checked · Author: Top Weight Loss Research Team · Our review process
Key points
Semaglutide activates one receptor, GLP-1. Tirzepatide activates two, GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), and that dual action is what sets it apart.
Working both pathways at once gives tirzepatide stronger appetite suppression, better insulin sensitivity and potentially wider metabolic benefits.
One way to picture it: semaglutide is a precise tool and tirzepatide a broader one, and both are effective. For more on the mechanisms, read how GLP-1 medications work.
The two providers our editors recommend first, with the same checked prices and scores used in our full ranking.
Exceptional
Treatments offered
Compounded semaglutide injection (GLP-1) · Compounded tirzepatide injection (GLP-1 + GIP) · Online doctor review and prescription · Dose changes through the patient portal
Starting price
$79$69/month
*Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
from $69/month
embody prescribes compounded semaglutide at $69/mo and tirzepatide at $119/mo online, ships in 1-2 days, and requires no insurance. Trustpilot: 3.8 from 9,604 reviews.
Read full embody review
Exceptional
Treatments offered
Compounded semaglutide injection (GLP-1) · Compounded tirzepatide injection (GLP-1 + GIP) · Brand-name Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy · Once-weekly injection schedule
Starting price
$199$89/month
*Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
from $89/month
altRx sells compounded semaglutide from $89/month and tirzepatide from $149/month at a flat price per dose, plus brand-name Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy. Self-pay, no insurance needed.
Read full altRx reviewOnly slightly. Both commonly cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation, especially while the dose is being raised.
Trial side effect rates for tirzepatide were broadly similar to semaglutide's, with some studies pointing to a little more GI upset at the highest tirzepatide doses.
Both are considered acceptably tolerated, and symptoms usually ease with time. The tips in our semaglutide side effects guide work for either drug.
| Provider | Semaglutide /mo | Tirzepatide /mo |
|---|---|---|
| welludr | $49 (12-month plan) | $89 |
| embody | $69 promo (reg $79) | $119 promo (reg $129) |
| altRx | $89 promo (reg $199) | $149 promo (reg $299) |
| Medvi | $99 promo (reg $199) | $166 promo (reg $299) |
| HealthRx | $99 (12-month prepaid) | from $179 |
| DirectMeds | $147 flat | $147 flat |
| Sprout | from $149 | from $199 |
| TrimRx | $149 (same at every dose) | $259 |
The cheapest published plans, sorted from lowest price, with the terms listed under every price.
GLP-1 medication is prescription-only: a licensed clinician has to decide it is appropriate, and it is not a fit for everyone. Side effects are possible, and they tend to show up in the first few weeks while your body adapts.
Results are usually best when the medication is paired with simple daily habits, such as balanced meals and regular movement.
For both safety and lasting progress, pick a provider that screens you properly before prescribing and keeps following up once treatment starts.
Which weight loss provider fits you best?
Our ranking compares the leading providers on price, clinical support and medication choices.
How Do GLP-1 Medications Work for Weight Loss?
GLP-1 drugs copy a gut hormone that signals fullness. How semaglutide and tirzepatide cut appetite, steady blood sugar and drove 15-22.5% trial weight loss.
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Why weight shifts to the middle around menopause, what actually helps, where GLP-1s fit (trial loss of ~15-22.5%) and what hormone therapy can and can't do.
ScienceDoes Ozempic Cause Hair Loss? Causes and Recovery (2026)
Hair shedding on Ozempic, Wegovy or Zepbound is usually telogen effluvium triggered by fast weight loss and is typically temporary. Why it happens and what helps.
Semaglutide Side Effects (2026): How to Manage Them
Weight Loss Medication Cost (2026): Full Price Guide
Side-by-side comparisons with checked prices, the ones readers rely on most when choosing.
The medication facts on this page rest on FDA guidance and peer-reviewed clinical trials, while prices and plan terms come from what each provider publishes. Use this page as general information, not medical advice, and speak with a licensed clinician before you start any weight loss treatment.
