Compare compounds

Semaglutide

Start

0.25 mg

Range

0.25–2.4 mg

Frequency

Once weekly

Cycle

Ongoing, titrated every 4 weeks

Vials

3 / 5 / 10 mg

Titration

1. Weeks 1–4: 0.25 mg
2. Weeks 5–8: 0.5 mg
3. Weeks 9–12: 1.0 mg
4. Weeks 13–16: 1.7 mg
5. Weeks 17+: 2.4 mg

Tirzepatide

Start

2.5 mg

Range

2.5–15 mg

Frequency

Once weekly

Cycle

Ongoing, titrated every 4 weeks

Vials

10 / 15 / 30 mg

Titration

1. Weeks 1–4: 2.5 mg
2. Weeks 5–8: 5 mg
3. Weeks 9–12: 7.5 mg
4. Weeks 13–16: 10 mg
5. Weeks 17–20: 12.5 mg
6. Weeks 21+: 15 mg (max studied)

Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist modified with a fatty-acid side chain that binds albumin, giving it a roughly week-long half-life. GLP-1 receptor activation increases glucose-dependent insulin secretion, lowers glucagon, slows gastric emptying and acts on brain appetite centres.

Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide is a single peptide that activates both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors (a 'twincretin'). It carries a fatty-acid chain for albumin binding and once-weekly exposure. Combined GIP/GLP-1 signalling affects insulin and glucagon secretion, gastric emptying and appetite.

Semaglutide

• STEP 1 (adults with obesity, no diabetes): mean body-weight change of −14.9% vs −2.4% with placebo at week 68.
• SUSTAIN-6 (type 2 diabetes): major cardiovascular events in 6.6% vs 8.9% with placebo (hazard ratio 0.74).
• SELECT (cardiovascular disease + overweight, no diabetes): primary cardiovascular events in 6.5% vs 8.0% (hazard ratio 0.80).

Tirzepatide

• SURMOUNT-1 (obesity, no diabetes): mean weight change of −15.0% to −20.9% across dose arms vs −3.1% with placebo at week 72.
• SURPASS-2 (type 2 diabetes): every tirzepatide arm lowered HbA1c more than semaglutide (−2.01 to −2.30 vs −1.86 points).
• SURMOUNT-5 (head-to-head, obesity): −20.2% weight change vs −13.7% with semaglutide at week 72.

Semaglutide

• FDA-approved (as Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus) for specific indications; research-grade material is not an approved product.
• Gastrointestinal effects were the most common adverse events; in SELECT, 16.6% stopped treatment for adverse events vs 8.2% on placebo.
• SUSTAIN-6 reported more diabetic retinopathy complications in the semaglutide group.

Tirzepatide

• FDA-approved (as Mounjaro and Zepbound) for specific indications; research-grade material is not an approved product.
• Gastrointestinal events were the most common adverse effects and occurred mostly during dose escalation.

Semaglutide

3 references · view

Tirzepatide

3 references · view