Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide
Semaglutide: GLP-1 receptor agonist. Tirzepatide: Dual GIP / GLP-1 receptor agonist. Per milligram, Tirzepatide is cheaper right now ($0.350 vs $0.230 at the cheapest tested vendor). Prices per mg compare cost, not effect: the amounts used in studies differ between compounds.
Semaglutide
A long-acting analog of the gut hormone GLP-1 that increases insulin release after meals, slows stomach emptying and reduces appetite. Large trials showed substantial weight loss and cardiovascular benefit.
- What it is
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Category
- GLP-1 & metabolic
- Status
- FDA-approved as Ozempic and Rybelsus (type 2 diabetes) and Wegovy (weight management).
- Cheapest
- $0.350 per mg (BFF Chem)
- Median price
- $2.70 per mg
- Vendors
- 74 independently tested, 22 with a lab report
- Research
- Grade A: Strong human evidence (8 papers)
- Studied as
- an approved drug
- Reported side effects
- Nausea, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal events (mostly mild-moderate, transient); Discontinuation due to adverse events; Serious hepatobiliary/GI events such as acute pancreatitis and gallstones; Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (observational association)
Tirzepatide
Activates both the GIP and GLP-1 incretin receptors, lowering blood sugar and appetite. In trials it produced more weight loss on average than GLP-1-only drugs.
- What it is
- Dual GIP / GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Category
- GLP-1 & metabolic
- Status
- FDA-approved as Mounjaro (type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (weight management, obstructive sleep apnea).
- Cheapest
- $0.230 per mg (Andy Peps Studio)
- Median price
- $1.68 per mg
- Vendors
- 92 independently tested, 45 with a lab report
- Research
- Grade A: Strong human evidence (8 papers)
- Studied as
- an approved drug
- Reported side effects
- Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and other GI events (mostly mild-moderate, during dose escalation); Discontinuation due to adverse events; Serious adverse events; Hypoglycemia (in type 2 diabetes)
Questions people ask
What is the difference between Semaglutide and Tirzepatide?
Semaglutide: GLP-1 receptor agonist. Tirzepatide: Dual GIP / GLP-1 receptor agonist. Per milligram, Tirzepatide is cheaper right now ($0.350 vs $0.230 at the cheapest tested vendor). Prices per mg compare cost, not effect: the amounts used in studies differ between compounds.
Which is cheaper, Semaglutide or Tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is cheaper per mg: $0.350 for Semaglutide vs $0.230 for Tirzepatide at the cheapest independently tested vendor.