For many people living with obesity, Wegovy and Mounjaro offer the possibility of substantial weight loss without surgery. Yet data from one private provider points to a troubling divide: prescription rates of these drugs in England are lowest in communities where obesity is most common.
Wegovy contains semaglutide, which acts on the GLP-1 hormone pathway involved in appetite. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which targets both GLP-1 and another hormone pathway called GIP. In trials involving adults without diabetes, participants taking semaglutide lost an average of 14.9% of their starting weight after 68 weeks. Those receiving the highest dose of tirzepatide lost an average of 20.9% after 72 weeks. Both trials also provided support with diet and physical activity.
