Wegovy vs Zepbound: Approved Uses Compared
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[GLP-1 · Comparison]

Wegovy vs Zepbound: what is each one approved for?

Approved uses · Tablets · Label dosing · Devices

Short answer: Both are approved for long-term weight reduction. Beyond that the labels split: Wegovy (semaglutide) also covers heart risk reduction in people with heart disease, MASH liver disease, teens 12 and up, and comes as a daily tablet.1 Zepbound (tirzepatide) also covers obstructive sleep apnea with obesity and is injection only.2

This page is about the brands and what each label covers. For the head-to-head weight trial and the drug-level comparison, see Semaglutide vs tirzepatide: what did the head-to-head trial show?.

How do Wegovy and Zepbound compare side by side?

From the current US Wegovy (injection and tablets) and Zepbound labels.
WegovyZepbound
Active ingredientSemaglutide, GLP-1 receptor agonist1Tirzepatide, GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist2
Weight reductionYes: adults, and ages 12 and up with obesity1Yes: adults2
Heart risk reductionYes: adults with heart disease and obesity or overweight (SELECT)1Not on the label2
MASH (liver)Yes, injection: noncirrhotic MASH with F2 to F3 fibrosis, accelerated approval1Not on the label2
Obstructive sleep apneaNot on the label1Yes: moderate to severe, in adults with obesity2
FormsWeekly injection, or a daily tablet (1.5 to 25 mg)1Weekly injection only2
Injection doses0.25 mg start, stepped every 4 weeks; maintenance 1.7 or 2.4 mg, up to 7.2 mg for weight12.5 mg start, then up by 2.5 mg every 4 or more weeks; maintenance 5, 10 or 15 mg2
DevicesSingle-dose pens and syringes, a 4-dose 2.4 mg pen1Single-dose pens and vials, 4-dose vials and KwikPens2
Half-lifeabout 7 days1about 5 days2

Reviewed . Half-life figures are shown only where the value Dose Track uses agrees with the cited source.

Where do the extra indications come from?

  • Heart (Wegovy): SELECT enrolled 17,604 adults with heart disease and a BMI of 27 or more but no diabetes. On semaglutide 2.4 mg, 6.5% had a heart attack, stroke or heart death vs 8.0% on placebo (hazard ratio 0.80).3
  • Liver (Wegovy): in adults with MASH and F2 to F3 fibrosis, steatohepatitis cleared without worse fibrosis in 62.9% vs 34.3% at 72 weeks.4
  • Sleep apnea (Zepbound): in SURMOUNT-OSA, breathing interruptions per hour fell by 25.3 vs 5.3 (no CPAP) and 29.3 vs 5.5 (on CPAP) at 52 weeks.5

A missing indication does not mean the other drug was shown not to help. It means that use has not been approved on the label.

Which one causes more weight loss?

One trial compared them directly. In SURMOUNT-5, adults with obesity and no diabetes lost 20.2% of body weight on tirzepatide and 13.7% on semaglutide at 72 weeks.6 It did not test Wegovy 7.2 mg or Wegovy tablets. The full numbers are on Semaglutide vs tirzepatide: what did the head-to-head trial show?.

Is there a pill version?

Only for Wegovy. Wegovy tablets are taken once daily on an empty stomach with up to 4 ounces of water, 30 minutes before food, drink or other pills. They start at 1.5 mg and step up every 30 days to 25 mg.1 The label allows switching from 2.4 mg injections to 25 mg tablets one week after the last shot.1 Zepbound has no tablet form.2

Semaglutide vs tirzepatide: what did the head-to-head trial show?SURMOUNT-5 results, label titration, half-life Ozempic vs Wegovy: what is actually different?Same molecule: uses, dose ceilings, pens, tablets Mounjaro vs Zepbound: what is the difference?Same molecule: uses, sleep apnea, doses, vials

Frequently asked questions

Is Zepbound approved for heart disease like Wegovy?+
No. Heart risk reduction in adults with heart disease and obesity or overweight is on the Wegovy label, based on SELECT. The Zepbound label covers weight reduction and obstructive sleep apnea.12
Is Wegovy approved for sleep apnea?+
No. Obstructive sleep apnea with obesity is a Zepbound indication, based on SURMOUNT-OSA.25
Can teenagers take Wegovy or Zepbound?+
The Wegovy injection label includes weight reduction in ages 12 and up with obesity. The Zepbound label is for adults.12
Can I take Wegovy and Zepbound together?+
No. Both labels say not to use them with any other GLP-1 receptor agonist.12
Can I track Wegovy or Zepbound in Dose Track?+
Yes. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are both built in, with their half-lives, so you can log shots or Wegovy tablets and set reminders.

Sources

  1. Wegovy (semaglutide) injection and tablets prescribing information. DailyMed, revised June 2026.
  2. Zepbound (tirzepatide) prescribing information. DailyMed, revised August 2026.
  3. Lincoff AM, et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes (SELECT). N Engl J Med. 2023;389:2221-2232.
  4. Sanyal AJ, et al. Phase 3 trial of semaglutide in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. N Engl J Med. 2025;392:2089-2099.
  5. Malhotra A, et al. Tirzepatide for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and obesity (SURMOUNT-OSA). N Engl J Med. 2024;391:1193-1205.
  6. Aronne LJ, et al. Tirzepatide as compared with semaglutide for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-5). N Engl J Med. 2025;393:26-36.

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