Mounjaro vs Wegovy Cost Comparison: Which Is Better Value?

With Mounjaro now available alongside Wegovy, New Zealanders have two proven options for prescription weight loss. But which offers better value for money?

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Monthly Cost Comparison

Wegovy (semaglutide):

• All doses are priced the same (typically $450-500/month, depending on pharmacy)
• Available now
• Multi-use FlexTouch (4 weekly doses per pen)

Mounjaro (tirzepatide):

• Starting dose (2.5 mg): $429.99/month
• Mid-range doses (5-10 mg): $499.99-$689.99/month
• Maximum dose (15 mg): $874.99/month
• Multi-use KwikPen (4 weekly doses per pen)

At lower doses, the costs are comparable. At higher maintenance doses, Mounjaro is more expensive.

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Weight Loss Results Comparison

Clinical trials suggest Mounjaro produces greater average weight loss:

Mounjaro (SURMOUNT-1 trial):

• 15 mg dose: 22.5% average weight loss at 72 weeks
• 10 mg dose: 21.4% average weight loss
• 5 mg dose: 16.0% average weight loss

Wegovy (STEP trials):

• 2.4 mg dose: approximately 15% average weight loss at 68 weeks

Individual results vary significantly. Some people respond better to one medication than the other.

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Cost Per Percentage of Weight Loss

If we consider cost-effectiveness based on average trial results:

Wegovy at $450/month delivering 15% weight loss works out to roughly $30 per percentage point of weight loss per month.

Mounjaro at $689.99/month (10 mg) delivering 21.4% weight loss works out to roughly $32 per percentage point per month.

At the highest doses, the value proposition is similar, though Mounjaro's superior efficacy may justify the higher absolute cost for some people.

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Other Factors to Consider

Dose flexibility: Mounjaro offers more dose options (six strengths vs four for Wegovy), allowing finer adjustments.

Mechanism: Mounjaro targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Wegovy targets only GLP-1. Some people who don't respond well to one mechanism may respond to the dual approach.

Side effects: Both medications have similar gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, diarrhoea, constipation). These typically improve over time and during dose escalation.

Switching: If you're already on Wegovy and achieving good results, there may be no reason to switch. If your weight loss has plateaued, Mounjaro could be worth discussing with your doctor.

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The Bottom Line

Wegovy remains a cost-effective choice, especially at maintenance doses. Mounjaro offers potentially greater weight loss but at a higher price point for maximum doses. The best choice depends on your individual response, budget, and health goals.

Both medications require a prescription and ongoing medical supervision.

At Well Revolution, we offer a free initial consultation to determine if Mounjaro is safe and appropriate for you.