Wegovy Alternatives: Can you Change From Wegovy?

Wegovy has become a go-to option for many people looking to shed pounds, but it’s not a perfect fit for everyone. If you’re finding that Wegovy isn’t right for you, don’t worry—you have options!

Whether you’re dealing with side effects, not seeing the progress you desire, or simply feeling that it’s time for a change, it’s important to understand how to safely switch to one of the Wegovy alternatives.

Reasons for choosing Wegovy alternatives

Wegovy is a highly effective weight loss medication, but there are many reasons it may not be the right treatment for you. Here are some common reasons people look for alternatives:

Wegovy Side Effects.

While Wegovy is effective for weight loss, some users may react poorly to the medication. Side effects can range from uncomfortable or bothersome to more severe issues that can affect daily life.

While all of the weight loss medications will have potential side effects, it’s possible that you will react less strongly to another option.

Do Wegovy alternatives have fewer side effects?

If you’re struggling with nausea, diarrhea, or other adverse reactions, you might be wondering if there are alternatives that offer similar benefits with fewer side effects.

Generally speaking, all of the current weight loss medications carry the same potential side effects.

But, you may react better to one of the Wegovy alternatives.

Wegovy Cost.

The cost of Wegovy can be a significant consideration, especially if you’re paying out of pocket or dealing with high insurance co-pays. The current list price for Wegovy is $1,349.

If your insurance doesn’t cover your weight loss medication, you’ll be paying for your prescription out-of-pocket. If insurance does cover your Wegovy, you may not find a cheaper option—Wegovy has the highest likelihood of insurance coverage.

Are there cheaper alternatives to Wegovy?

If you’re looking for more budget-friendly options, there are cheaper alternatives to Wegovy. But, they may not be as effective.

The most effective Wegovy alternatives are less expensive, but still pricey:

Ozempic. Current list price: $968 for a 30-day supply—a $381 savings
Mounjaro. Current list price: $1,069.08 for one month—a $279.92 savings
Zepbound. Current list price: $1059.97 for one month—a $289.03 savings

Wegovy Shortage.

Supply issues can also play a role in your decision. While many weight loss medications are currently listed as “in shortage” by the FDA, only one medication actually has a limited supply: Wegovy’s starter dose.

There are ways to try and ensure Wegovy is available when you need it, there’s no guarantee.

Are Wegovy alternatives in stock?

Yes, there are Wegovy alternatives in stock. While the FDA has both semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic) and tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound) listed as “currently in shortage,” only Wegovy’s starting dose is actually marked as having “limited availability.”

This means you’re much less likely to encounter supply issues if you switch to a Wegovy alternative.

No Results.

It is also possible that semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) may not work for you. While Wegovy has proven effective for many people, individual responses to medications can vary.

If you’re not seeing the desired results with Wegovy, it might be time to consider other weight loss treatments that could be a better fit for your body.

Are Wegovy Alternatives more effective?

Some of the Wegovy alternatives do show similar or better weight loss results. If Wegovy doesn’t work for you, Ozempic won’t either. So, you may want to consider alternatives like tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound), which shows an average 20.9% weight loss—up to 26% when combined with diet and exercise.

What are alternatives to Wegovy?

There are several alternatives to Wegovy, and the best option for you will depend on why you’re considering a switch. Whether you’re looking to avoid side effects, manage costs, or deal with supply issues, there are other medications that can support your weight loss journey.

Change from Wegovy to Ozempic (semaglutide)

Ozempic and Wegovy share the same active ingredient (semaglutide) and are manufactured by the same company (Novo Nordisk). So, if your reasons for switching to one of Wegovy alternatives are side effects or a lack of results, this is not the right choice for you.

If you are looking to switch because of the cost or availability of Wegovy, Ozempic is an excellent option. Since they share an active ingredient, switching could be relatively seamless. And, unlike Wegovy, Ozempic costs under $1000 per month and is generally available when needed.

Reasons for changing to Ozempic:

Lower cost. Current list price is $968 for a 30-day supply. So, you can save $381 per month.
Better availability. None of the doses of Ozempic are listed with limited supply, unlike Wegovy.

Ozempic is not for you if:

You’re not seeing results. Ozempic has the same active ingredient as Wegovy. If you’re not seeing results with Wegovy, you won’t see results with Ozempic.
You’re experiencing debilitating side effects. See above.

Learn more about Ozempic.

Change from Wegovy to Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Mounjaro is another popular choice. This is not a GLP-1 receptor agonist like other options, it is a dual agonist—mimicking both GLP-1 and GIP. This is what makes tirzepatide medications so effective for weight loss.

Mounjaro is only FDA-approved for diabetes management, but is often prescribed off-label for weight loss. This means your insurance will be unlikely to cover the medication without a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

Reasons for changing to Mounjaro:

Better availability. None of the doses of Mounjaro are listed with limited supply.
Better results (maybe). If you’re not seeing results with Wegovy, you may see some when switching to Mounjaro.
Lower cost. While a savings of $279.92 per month may not seem like a lot, it adds up over time—that’s over $3300 per year.
Fewer side effects (maybe). Since Mounjaro has a different active ingredient, there is a possibility you will deal with fewer adverse effects.

Learn more about Mounjaro.

Change from Wegovy to Zepbound (tirzepatide)

Zepbound is an FDA-approved tirzepatide weight loss medication. Like Mounjaro, it is incredibly effective thanks to being a dual agonist. While it is FDA-approved for weight loss, many insurance providers still don’t cover Zepbound—yet.

This is a newer medication (approved in November 2023), so we may see it making its way onto insurance formularies next year.

Reasons for changing to Zepbound are the same as Mounjaro:

Better availability.
Better results (maybe).
Lower cost. $289.03 less per month, so about $3500 less per year.
Fewer side effects (maybe).

Learn more about Zepbound.

Change from Wegovy to Saxenda (liraglutide)

Like Wegovy, Saxenda is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that is FDA-approved for weight management. The difference here is the active ingredient. Saxenda is a liraglutide medication as opposed to a semaglutide.

Unlike Wegovy, though, Saxenda is injected daily. It comes in a pack of 5 pens with each pen holding one week’s doses.

Reasons for choosing Saxenda:

Better availability. Liraglutide medications are not listed as in shortage by the FDA.
Fewer side effects (maybe). Since it has a different active ingredient, there is a chance you won’t react as poorly to Saxenda.
Lower cost. Again, your savings won’t be significant. The current list price for saxenda is $1349.02 for 5 pens (or 5 weeks of treatment). So, while the list price for one pack is the same, you’ll actually be saving yearly by purchasing fewer.

Saxenda is not for you if:

You’re looking for better results. If you’re not seeing any results with Wegovy, it’s always worth trying a different medication if your healthcare provider agrees. But, Saxenda only shows about 5% to 10% weight loss on average.
You don’t want daily medication. The semaglutide and tirzepatide medications are once weekly injections. Saxenda is a once daily injection.

Change from Wegovy to Metformin

Metformin is a well-known diabetes management medication that has gained attention for other benefits—including anti-aging and weight loss. This medication can help to reduce insulin resistance, suppress appetite, and stabilize blood sugar preventing excess glucose from converting into fat.

Weight loss with Metformin is not as quick as it is with the other medications, though. Most users lost about 5.5 pounds in the short term. When taken long-term, it can show sustainable weight loss.

The only reason to switch to Metformin? The cost. Metformin is significantly less expensive, costing only about $30-$50 per month.

Comparing Wegovy alternatives

Medication	Active Ingredient	Dosing Frequency	List Price	FDA-approved for weight loss?	Average Weight Loss
Wegovy	Semaglutide	Weekly	$1349 / month	Yes	10-15%
Ozempic	Semaglutide	Weekly	$968 / month	No	10-15%
Mounjaro	Tirzepatide	Weekly	$1,069.08 / month	No	20.9%
Zepbound	Tirzepatide	Weekly	$1059.97 / month	Yes	20.9%
Saxenda	Liraglutide	Daily	$1349 / 5 weeks	Yes	5-10%
Metformin	Metformin	Twice daily	/ month	No	5.5 lbs

How to choose the right weight loss medication

It is up to you and your healthcare provider to decide which weight loss medication is right for you. You should consider several factors when trying to find the best fit for your unique situation, including:

Your lifestyle: The ease of taking the medication, whether it’s a daily or weekly injection, and how it fits into your routine.
Side effects: Your ability to tolerate any potential side effects, and if another medication may cause fewer issues for you.
Financial means: The cost of the medication, and whether your insurance covers it or if there are more affordable alternatives.
Personal preferences: Your comfort with certain types of medications and the method of administration.
Other conditions and medications: Any existing health conditions or medications that may interact with or affect the efficacy of your weight loss treatment.

By considering all of these factors, you and your doctor can choose the best weight loss medication to meet your goals.

Switching to one of the Wegovy alternatives

Switching from Wegovy to another weight loss medication requires careful planning. You can’t simply finish your last dose of Wegovy and immediately start a new medication.

The process will vary based on your specific needs and your healthcare provider’s recommendations, but it typically involves two key steps:

Taper off Wegovy: Gradually reducing your dosage of Wegovy helps your body adjust and minimizes potential side effects during the transition.
Begin with the starting dose of the next medication: Once you’ve tapered off Wegovy, you’ll usually start the new medication at its lowest dose and gradually increase it, depending on your doctor’s instructions.

This ensures a safe transition between medications. But, it will likely cause a stall in your results, so prepare for this.

Get started with your Wegovy alternative

If you’ve decided that Wegovy isn’t the right fit for you, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about switching to a new medication. They’ll guide you through the process to ensure it’s done safely and effectively.

If you don’t have a healthcare provider, Heally can help. Heally connects you with doctors knowledgeable in weight loss treatments, offering access to prescriptions that can be delivered directly to your door. This includes alternatives like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Zepbound, and Metformin.

Get started today!