Across the globe, weight loss injections like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Zepbound are red-hot commodities—so popular, in fact, they’ve leapt from the doctor’s office to the cultural zeitgeist. The buzz isn’t just hype: clinical trials confirm that these new GLP-1 drugs are dramatically more effective than older therapies, and the race to weigh their benefits against costs shows no sign of slowing.
Head-to-Head: Tirzepatide Versus Semaglutide
The pivotal moment came in May 2025. A head-to-head trial published in *The New England Journal of Medicine* compared tirzepatide (the compound in Mounjaro and Zepbound) to semaglutide (found in Ozempic and Wegovy). Over 72 weeks, tirzepatide edged out semaglutide with greater average weight loss and waist reduction. Specifically, in the SURMOUNT-1 trial, people taking tirzepatide lost over 20% of their body weight, a result once reserved for bariatric surgery, compared to a roughly 15% reduction for semaglutide in the STEP-1 trial.
Cost and Accessibility: US vs India
With global revenue for Zepbound and Mounjaro topping $10.1 billion for Eli Lilly in Q3 2025 alone, cost is a major question. According to the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), the annual net price is $7,973 for Zepbound and $6,829 for Wegovy in the US—well below their calculated “cost-effective” range of $9,100 to $12,500 for Wegovy, and $8,300 to $11,400 for Zepbound. Indian clinics offer these drugs at lower prices, making them more attainable, though still costly for many.
Ozempic and Mounjaro are primarily diabetes medications with side-effect weight loss, while Wegovy and Zepbound are purpose-built for obesity. Doctors such as Dr. Kovil note: “If you have diabetes, Ozempic or Mounjaro are your go-to, but for pure weight loss, Mounjaro [tirzepatide] is superior to Wegovy [semaglutide].” Wegovy at its highest dosage can approach Mounjaro’s results but usually comes up a bit short.
Beyond Weight: Heart Health and Side Effects
What’s really turning heads in 2025 isn’t just the scale. Large studies like the SELECT trial have shown semaglutide can cut heart attack and stroke risk by 20%—even for people who didn’t lose much weight. That means it’s not just about looking slimmer; these drugs might fundamentally reduce inflammation, blood pressure, and heart risk.
Still, it’s not all upside. Common early side effects include nausea, constipation, vomiting, and diarrhea. There’s also fresh scientific concern over muscle loss—especially in women and older adults taking semaglutide—underscoring the importance of medical supervision.
With soaring demand, high prices, and growing evidence of both substantial benefits and risks, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound are more than a passing fad—they’re reshaping the landscape of obesity and chronic disease treatment worldwide.
