Semaglutide vs Liraglutide vs Tirzepatide Review

Key Takeaways

Tirzepatide may be more effective than semaglutide or liraglutide for weight loss, as it has a dual mechanism of action.
Semaglutide has the longest half-life of the three, which may provide superior results for some people.
Tirzepatide is the least expensive medication out-of-pocket; semaglutide and liraglutide are similar in cost.
Side effects are similar between the three medications, but liraglutide is the most likely to cause psychiatric side effects.

Semaglutide (brand name Wegovy), liraglutide (Saxenda), and tirzepatide (Zepbound) are all glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists that effectively support weight loss. Though all three drugs are FDA-approved and work by blocking the GLP-1 hormone to reduce appetite, tirzepatide also blocks the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) hormone, which may provide an extra boost in weight loss for some individuals. Tirzepatide is also less expensive than semaglutide or liraglutide for individuals paying out of pocket.

Tirzepatide may be the most effective medication for weight loss, as it can provide a 15% to 20% reduction in body weight, compared to 10% to 15% with semaglutide and 5% to 10% with liraglutide. However, these medications can work differently for different people, so it’s important to consult a licensed physician before making a decision.

In this article, we’ll compare semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide, specifically looking at their efficacy, dosage, cost, and side effects. We also spoke with a pharmacist, Dr. Tina Haroutunian, about the safety of GLP-1 drugs.

Related reading: Better U Review: Semaglutide + Weight Loss Plan

Comparison Chart: Semaglutide vs. Liraglutide vs. Tirzepatide

We directly compared semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide to help you determine which medication could work for you.

Swipe or scroll to view all columns →

Comparison: Comparison Chart: Semaglutide vs. Liraglutide vs. Tirzepatide
Semaglutide vs. Liraglutide vs. Tirzepatide	Semaglutide	Liraglutide	Tirzepatide
Average weight loss	10-15% of your body weight	5-10% of your body weight	15-20% of your body weight
Eligibility	Adults with type 2 diabetes, obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related condition BMI of 27 kg/m2 or higher	Adults with type 2 diabetes and BMI of 27 kg/m2 or higher with at least one weight-related condition Children aged 12-17 years with a body weight above 132 pounds (60 kg)	Adults with type 2 diabetes, obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related condition BMI of 27 kg/m2 or higher
Dosage	0.25mg to 2.4mg	0.6mg to 3.0mg	2.5mg to 15mg
Half life	1 week	13 hours	5 days
FDA-approved?	✅ Under the brand name Wegovy	✅ Under brand name Saxenda	✅ Under the brand name Zepbound
Administration method(s)	Subcutaneous injection, oral medication	Subcutaneous injection	Subcutaneous injection
How to take	Once weekly, any time of day, with or without meals	Once daily, any time of day, with or without meals	Once weekly, any time of day, with or without meals

Semaglutide vs. Liraglutide

Semaglutide tends to be more effective than liraglutide, providing a 15.8% average weight loss, compared to 6.4%. It also has a much longer half-life, meaning that it provides much longer-lasting appetite-suppressing effects. Additionally, semaglutide is a once-weekly injection or pill, while liraglutide is a once-daily injection, making semaglutide more convenient. However, semaglutide and liraglutide are comparable in cost.

Which one is better, semaglutide or liraglutide?

Semaglutide may be better than liraglutide for weight loss. The difference between semaglutide and liraglutide is that semaglutide is more effective for some individuals and more convenient to take.

Related reading:

Semaglutide vs. Tirzepatide

Studies show that tirzepatide is more effective than semaglutide for weight loss. Tirzepatide has a dual mechanism of action, so it works in multiple ways to support weight management. It’s also significantly less expensive for individuals paying out of pocket. However, semaglutide has a longer half-life than tirzepatide, meaning that it provides appetite-suppressing effects for longer.

Is tirzepatide better than semaglutide?

Tirzepatide may work better than semaglutide for weight loss because it provides superior results for some individuals.

Related reading: How to Get Tirzepatide (Zepbound) Online

Liraglutide vs. Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide has shown superior results for weight loss when compared to liraglutide. It also has a significantly longer half-life, which may improve weight loss. Tirzepatide has a dual mechanism of action, which can further boost weight loss. Additionally, tirzepatide is significantly less expensive than liraglutide out-of-pocket.

Is liraglutide better than tirzepatide for weight loss?

Liraglutide isn’t better than tirzepatide for weight loss for some individuals, as tirzepatide has shown superior results in clinical studies.

What’s The Difference Between Semaglutide, Liraglutide, and Tirzepatide?

Semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide are all categorized as GLP-1 receptor agonists, meaning that they mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone, which stimulates insulin. In mimicking the hormone, these medications lower blood sugar levels, curb hunger signals, and slow stomach emptying.

These drugs differ in effectiveness for weight loss, dosage, cost, and how long they take to work.

Efficacy in Weight Management

Unlike semaglutide and liraglutide, tirzepatide has a dual mechanism of action. It’s a GLP-1 receptor agonist and a GIP, meaning it mimics both the GLP-1 and GIP hormones. GIP can induce insulin production and feelings of fullness, so tirzepatide may provide added weight loss support.

Semaglutide and liraglutide are GLP-1 receptor agonists and work exclusively by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, leading to a reduced appetite.

Research notes:

A 2023 study found that 15mg tirzepatide resulted in 17.8% weight loss, compared to 12.4% weight loss with 2.4mg semaglutide.
A clinical trial comparing 2.4mg semaglutide and 3mg liraglutide (both with diet and exercise) found that semaglutide led to an average weight loss of 15.8%, compared to 6.4% with liraglutide.
A 2023 study found that tirzepatide and semaglutide are significantly more likely than liraglutide to achieve a weight loss of 5% to 20% for obesity management in adults without diabetes.

Patient Suitability and Eligibility

The FDA indicates semaglutide (Wegovy), liraglutide (Saxenda), and tirzepatide (Zepbound) for weight loss in individuals with:

A BMI of 30kg/m2 or higher
A BMI of 27kg/m2 or higher and at least one weight-related condition, like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure

In individuals with type 2 diabetes, a 2021 study found that tirzepatide produced greater reductions in body weight than semaglutide. A 2021 study found that semaglutide more effectively reduced blood sugar levels than liraglutide and led to greater weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes.

Who Can’t Take Semaglutide, Liraglutide, or Tirzepatide?

Individuals with the following conditions are generally told to avoid GLP-1 agonists, including semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide:

A history of medullary thyroid cancer
A history of pancreatitis
A history of gallbladder disease
Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)

Additionally, GLP-1 agonists shouldn’t be used in combination with other GLP-1 agonists, insulin, sulfonylurea drugs for diabetes, or other weight loss medications.

How Long It Takes to Work

Some people may experience some weight loss within 4 weeks of starting semaglutide. However, the full effect can take several months. Clinical studies found that after 68 weeks, individuals lost between 9.6% and 17.4% of their initial body weight.

Tirzepatide can start to work for weight loss within a few weeks, but the final result is generally achieved after 72 weeks.

Liraglutide can produce some weight loss within 2 to 4 weeks, but it can take 56 weeks to see the final result. This makes liraglutide the fastest-working medication in this review, although it may produce less significant weight loss than semaglutide or tirzepatide.

Dosage

Semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide differ significantly in recommended dosage:

The dosage range of semaglutide is 0.25mg to 2.4mg, taken orally or as a subcutaneous injection once weekly.
The dosage range of liraglutide is 0.6mg to 3mg, taken once daily as a subcutaneous injection.
The dosage range of tirzepatide is 2.5mg to 15mg, taken once weekly as a subcutaneous injection.

Tirzepatide has the highest dosage range, while semaglutide has the lowest dosage range. Despite this, clinical studies show that the medications have a similar incidence of side effects. One study found that 68.9% of individuals taking a 15mg dosage of tirzepatide experienced adverse effects, while 64.2% of individuals taking a 1mg dosage of semaglutide experienced adverse effects

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are once-weekly injections, while liraglutide must be injected once daily. Some individuals find this less convenient, and the need for daily administration can compromise treatment consistency.

It’s also important to note that liraglutide’s half-life is 13 to 15 hours, compared to 1 week with semaglutide and 5 days with tirzepatide. A drug’s half-life is the time it takes for the drug’s active substance in the body to reduce by half. With a dramatically shorter half-life, liraglutide can cause a more sudden and noticeable return of hunger signals, which may impact some individuals’ results.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

The cost of GLP-1 receptor agonists fluctuates, and the price can vary depending on the pharmacy and insurance plan. Additionally, the generic forms of these medications are often more affordable than the brand-name versions.

A month's supply of Wegovy can cost $950 to $1,400 out of pocket.
A 6-week supply of Saxenda can cost $950 to $1,400 out of pocket.
A month’s supply of Zepbound can cost $750 to $1,100 out of pocket.

Some health insurance plans provide full or partial coverage for Wegovy, Saxenda, or Zepbound. However, tirzepatide is the most affordable option for people paying out of pocket.

How to Obtain

Wegovy (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are all FDA-approved for weight loss. Other brand names for these medications may be prescribed off-label for weight loss, including Ozempic (semaglutide), Victoza (liraglutide), and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). However, as these off-label drugs are formulated for diabetes management, not weight loss, they may not be as safe or effective.

To obtain semaglutide, liraglutide, or tirzepatide, you’ll need to undergo a consultation with a licensed healthcare professional. This may be done in person or through a telemedicine platform.

Related reading:

Side Effects of Semaglutide, Liraglutide, and Tirzepatide

Semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide can all cause side effects.

The most common side effects of semaglutide include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Constipation
Burping
Heartburn
Redness or rash at the injection site

The most common side effects of liraglutide include:

Headache
Constipation
Heartburn
Fatigue
Runny nose
Sneezing or coughing
Difficulty urinating or pain/burning while urinating
Redness or rash at the injection site

The most common side effects of tirzepatide include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Indigestion
Burping
Constipation
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Gastroesophageal reflux
Redness or rash at the injection site

One study found that common adverse effects were mild to moderate for both tirzepatide and semaglutide. This study also found that serious adverse effects were reported in 5% to 7% of individuals taking tirzepatide, compared to 3% in the semaglutide group. A different study reported that the incidence of serious adverse effects in people taking liraglutide was 6.2%.

Psychiatric adverse events, including suicidal ideations, are a possible risk of GLP-1 agonists. One study noted that of the psychiatric adverse events reported between January 2021 and May 2023, 44.4% occurred with semaglutide, 53.2% occurred with liraglutide, and 2.3% occurred with tirzepatide. This indicates that tirzepatide may be the least likely to cause psychiatric adverse events.

A Word From Our Expert

— Dr. Tina Haroutunian

The most common side effects of GLP-1 agonists are digestive related; heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, and nausea. These side effects usually go away within a few weeks of starting therapy or increasing their dose. It is possible to switch to another medication in the class if one is causing unnecessary side effects. Since they are relatively “new” medications we don’t have much data on long term use in patients. No drug is a miracle drug so patients do need to modify their lifestyle with diet and exercise changes while taking GLP-1 agonists to see the biggest benefit."

Summary

Although semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide all work by blocking GLP-1 to curb hunger signals, tirzepatide may be the most effective for weight loss, with the potential to provide a 15% to 20% decrease in body weight. Semaglutide can provide a 10% to 15% decrease, and liraglutide can provide a 5% to 10% decrease. However, results can vary from person to person.

Tirzepatide is also the least expensive for individuals paying out of pocket, although prices fluctuate frequently. The risk of side effects is similar between the three medications, but liraglutide is the most likely to cause psychiatric side effects, like suicidal ideations.

To obtain a prescription for semaglutide, liraglutide, or tirzepatide, schedule a consultation with a physician, either in-person or through a telemedicine platform.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does everyone gain weight back after semaglutide?

Gaining weight back after semaglutide is common, but doesn’t occur in all individuals.

Can you lose weight on semaglutide without changing your diet?

Semaglutide produces weight loss by making it easier to consume fewer calories, so it only works if you reduce your caloric intake.

Is tirzepatide hard on kidneys?

Some studies indicate that tirzepatide can increase the risk of kidney damage in some people. However, other studies indicate that tirzepatide slows the progression of chronic kidney disease.

What’s the best semaglutide for weight loss?

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic. However, Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight management, while Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss.

Can you switch from liraglutide to semaglutide?

Yes, you can switch from liraglutide to semaglutide under a physician’s supervision. One study found that switching from daily liraglutide to weekly semaglutide significantly improved body weight and glycemic control.

Can you take Wegovy and Saxenda together?

No, you can’t take Wegovy and Saxenda together. Doing so is unsafe and may lead to serious complications.

Methodology

We conduct extensive research to evaluate the pricing, effectiveness, accessibility, overall quality, and user experience of every telehealth service we review. This also includes examining and comparing each provider to comparable telemedicine alternatives. We also evaluate usability, treatments, prescription delivery time, and more to determine the best value for those seeking fast and reliable telehealth services.