Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) is currently only available as a weekly injection, but oral weight loss treatments like the Wegovy pill may offer an alternative for people who do not want to continue with injectable treatment.
Switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy tablets is not always as simple as swapping one medicine for another, though. This guide explains how a switch could work, what differences you might notice, and what we recommend if you are thinking of switching from Mounjaro injections to Wegovy pill.
In this article:
How does switching from Mounjaro to the Wegovy pill work?
What should you expect when switching to Wegovy tablets?
Will the Wegovy pill work as well as Mounjaro?
Why does Mounjaro produce greater average weight loss?
What should you consider before switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy pills?
How does switching from Mounjaro to an oral GLP-1 work?
While switching from Mounjaro to the Wegovy pill may be possible for many patients, you can’t simply stop taking Mounjaro one day and start taking a tablet the next day.
Because Mounjaro contains Tirzepatide and the Wegovy pill contains Semaglutide, you will need a 7-day gap between your last injection and first Wegovy tablet to ensure a "washout" period between the different medicines.
If you are currently taking Mounjaro injections, here is our full switching guide depending on which Mounjaro injection strength you are currently taking:
Current Mounjaro injection dose | Recommended starting Wegovy pill dose | Time gap from last injection | Available? |
|---|---|---|---|
2.5mg weekly | 1.5mg daily | 7 days | Yes |
5mg weekly | 4mg daily | 7 days | Yes |
7.5mg weekly | 9mg daily | 7 days | Yes |
10mg weekly | 9mg daily | 7 days | Yes |
12.5mg weekly | 25mg daily* | 7 days | Coming soon |
15mg weekly | 25mg daily* | 7 days | Coming soon |
*Please be aware of the small but increased risk of side-effects when switching straight to the 25mg tablet. If you are concerned then contact our pharmacist team.
If you have questions about stopping Moujaro and starting Wegovy pills, you can speak to your prescriber.
What should you expect during the switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy pills?
While everyone responds differently, you may experience an adjustment period in the weeks following the switch.
Because you’ll usually start on a new medication including a new active ingredient (Semaglutide), you may experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhoea as you may have done with Mounjaro.
This is completely normal in the first month and doesn’t necessarily mean the weight loss tablet isn’t working, it just means your body is getting used to a new medication and needs time to adjust.
These are usually temporary and often improve as treatment continues. If you experience severe side effects, contact your prescriber immediately.
Will the Wegovy pill work as well as Mounjaro?
Not necessarily, and it's important to have realistic expectations when switching from Mounjaro.
Many people will continue to lose weight or maintain their progress after switching. But some people may find that appetite suppression isn't quite as strong as it was on Mounjaro (more information on why this happens below).
For some people, this may lead to a lower rate of weight loss, as reflected in clinical trials:
Weight loss medication | Dose | Weight loss result |
|---|---|---|
Mounjaro injection | 15mg | Average weight loss of around 20% of starting weight after 72 weeks (1) |
Wegovy pill | 25mg | Average weight loss of around 14% of starting weight after 64 weeks (2) |
That said, weight loss isn't the only factor that matters. For many patients, the trade-off for convenience is worthwhile, especially if they’re more likely to continue with a tablet long-term.
Why does Mounjaro produce greater average weight loss?
The Wegovy tablet isn't an oral version of Mounjaro. It's a different weight loss medicine (Semaglutide) that works in subtly different ways.
Mounjaro contains Tirzepatide, which works on two hormonal pathways involved in appetite regulation: GLP-1 and GIP. This is known as a dual agonist. In contrast, the Wegovy tablet contains Semaglutide. Both work through the GLP-1 pathway alone.
That doesn't mean Wegovy tablets aren't effective. Both Mounjaro and Wegovy pills reduce hunger, increase feelings of fullness, and support significant weight loss (1,2). But because they work slightly differently, you shouldn't expect them to produce identical effects.
What should you consider before switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy pills?
Before switching from Mounjaro to a weight loss tablet, it's worth thinking about:
Your weight loss goals: If achieving the greatest possible weight loss is your priority, staying on Mounjaro may make more sense. If you've already achieved your target weight, the convenience of a tablet may become more important.
How you're getting on with Mounjaro: If Mounjaro injections are causing problems or don't fit your lifestyle, switching may be the right decision. If you're happy with your current treatment, there may be less reason to change.
What best fits your routine: Although the Wegovy tablets remove the need for injections, it doesn’t mean it’s simpler to take, as the Wegovy pill has very specific instructions on how to take Wegovy pills correctly (3). Because of this, some people may actually find weekly injections simpler.
Should you swap from Mounjaro injections to Wegovy pills?
We want every customer at Oxford Online Pharmacy to have the best treatment experience possible and we know weight loss can be a complex journey.
If you're seeing meaningful weight loss on Mounjaro with no serious side effects, you might find it more beneficial to stay on Mounjaro rather than switching to Wegovy tablets. This is because you may find your body takes time to adjust to the change in medicine and moving to a different active ingredient, that works on one less hormone pathway, may mean less appetite-suppressing effect.
After switching you may notice:
Increased hunger
Increased food cravings
Reduced fullness after eating
This may lead to some weight regain and a disappointing weight loss treatment experience.
However, some patients may wish to find an alternative to injecting weekly and so an oral tablet may provide them with the continual support to help maintain their weight loss.
If you're not sure whether switching from Mounjaro is right for you, contact the Oxford Online Pharmacy team, who will help you decide. Alongside all weight loss treatments, a balanced diet and regular exercise are required for sustainable and meaningful weight loss results.
References
Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, Wharton S, Connery L, Alves B, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2022 Jun 4;387(3):205–16.
Wharton S, Ildiko Lingvay, Bogdanski P, Duque R, Jacob S, Karlsson T, et al. Oral Semaglutide at a Dose of 25 mg in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2025 Sep 17;393(11):1077–87.
Novo Nordisk. Wegovy (semaglutide) prescribing information [Internet]. Plainsboro (NJ): Novo Nordisk; [cited 2026 Jun 11].
To assist with the ongoing safety monitoring of your treatment, please report any suspected side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.