Weight loss injections have become a clinically proven option for people who struggle to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. Mounjaro and Wegovy are prescription-only, once-weekly injections that support appetite control and weight reduction when combined with nutrition and lifestyle changes.
At Batley Pharmacy, patients access these treatments through a structured in-person consultation, ensuring personalised prescribing, clear expectations, and ongoing safety monitoring throughout their weight loss journey.
Understanding Weight Loss Injections in 2026
Weight loss injections work by regulating appetite, reducing hunger signals, and improving metabolic control. They are most effective when prescribed following a full clinical assessment and combined with lifestyle support.
What Is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, a dual-action medication that targets two hormone receptors involved in appetite regulation. It is administered once weekly via subcutaneous injection and is approved for Weight management in adults with obesity or weight-related conditions and Type 2 diabetes management.
How Mounjaro works:
Mounjaro activates:
- GLP-1 receptors to reduce appetite and slow digestion
- GIP receptors to enhance insulin sensitivity and metabolic response
What Is Wegovy?
Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist specifically approved for weight loss. It is also injected once weekly.
How Wegovy works:
Wegovy:
- reduces hunger signals in the brain
- slows gastric emptying
- helps patients feel full sooner and for longer
This dual mechanism of Mounjaro sets Mounjaro apart in the Mounjaro vs Wegovy comparison.
Why This Comparison Needs Clinical Context
Mounjaro vs Wegovy has become one of the most searched weight loss comparisons in the UK. In clinical settings, prescribing weight loss injections is not about selecting the most powerful medication. It is about identifying the treatment that best matches an individual’s health history, current needs, and capacity for long-term weight management.
Patients commonly attend consultations having absorbed:
- personal experiences shared on social media or forums
- the belief that quicker weight loss always means better results
What is often missing from these discussions includes:
- how Mounjaro and Wegovy act differently within the body
- why effectiveness varies from one patient to another
- how side effects, dose increases, and treatment duration influence outcomes
- the role of ongoing clinical supervision in maintaining safety
This guide’s purpose is to help UK patients understand not only which medication may be associated with greater average weight loss, but how to approach treatment decisions in a safe and informed way.
Mounjaro vs Wegovy for Weight Loss: Clinical Effectiveness
Clinical trial data suggest:
- Mounjaro achieved an average weight loss of up to 20% over 72 weeks
- Wegovy achieved an average weight loss of approximately 14% over 68 weeks
Researchers concluded that while both medications are highly effective, Mounjaro may offer greater weight reduction, particularly for individuals with higher starting body weight.
However, effectiveness also depends on:
- Tolerability
- Dose escalation
- Patient adherence
- Lifestyle support
Difference between Mounjaro and Wegovy: Dosing and Titration
Both treatments are usually started at a lower dose and increased gradually. This process is called titration, and it matters because most side effects happen when you start or when the dose increases.
A pharmacist-led plan focuses on:
- Going up at the right pace and not rushing to “the highest dose”
- Managing symptoms early so you do not stop unnecessarily
- Reviewing progress and adjusting strategy when weight loss plateaus
In 2026, there is also an important Wegovy update: the UK regulator has approved a higher maximum dose of semaglutide (Wegovy) up to 7.2 mg weekly for obesity only, which may influence future prescribing and availability, depending on local supply and clinical criteria.
Mounjaro vs Wegovy Side Effects
Most side effects are digestive and often improve as your body adapts. The most commonly reported include:
- Nausea
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Heartburn or reflux
- Feeling overly full
- Reduced appetite that can lead to under-eating
Practical pharmacist guidance that helps:
- Smaller meals, slower eating, prioritise protein and fibre
- Hydration targets and electrolytes when needed
- Dose timing strategies and symptom tracking
- Reviewing other medicines (some can worsen nausea or constipation)
Seek urgent medical advice for severe or persistent symptoms, especially severe abdominal pain, vomiting that does not settle, or signs of dehydration.
Clinical Support at Batley Pharmacy
Choosing between Mounjaro and Wegovy depends on:
- Weight loss goals
- Medical history
- Previous response to GLP-1 medications
- Side effect tolerance
This is why Batley Pharmacy offers in-person pharmacist-led weight loss solutions, ensuring long-term success rather than short-term results.
FAQs
Which is more successful, Mounjaro or Wegovy?
Both can be highly effective. In a large head-to-head trial, average weight loss at 72 weeks was about 20.2% with tirzepatide (Mounjaro) versus 13.7% with semaglutide (Wegovy), though individual results vary.
When will the pill form of Wegovy be available?
A Wegovy pill has been approved in the US, but UK timing depends on MHRA review, supply, and commissioning. Current reporting suggests UK approval is still pending, so injections remain the main option in the UK right now.
Why are people switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy?
Common reasons include side effects during dose increases, preference for semaglutide’s tolerability profile, cost differences at maintenance doses, or changes in availability. Switching should be clinician-led to avoid dose mismatch and unnecessary symptoms.
What is 7.5 mg Mounjaro equivalent to on Wegovy?
There is no direct dose equivalent. Tirzepatide and semaglutide are different medicines with different receptors and titration steps. Safe switching depends on your current dose, tolerance, and clinical goals, so it needs a personalised plan.
What is the new weight loss drug in 2026?
In 2026, the biggest “new” developments are next-generation options in trials (not yet approved), plus higher-dose semaglutide developments. For example, retatrutide and other pipeline medicines are progressing, but they are not UK-approved for routine prescribing yet.
How long does it take to see results on Wegovy or Mounjaro?
Many people notice appetite changes within the first few weeks. Measurable weight loss often becomes clearer by weeks 4 to 12 as doses increase and eating patterns stabilise. Your rate depends on dose, diet, sleep, and consistency.