Mounjaro® is one of the most effective weight loss treatments available, but recent UK price increases from Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, means many people are looking for affordable alternatives.

To help you learn more about your options, we’ve put together a list of the most popular treatments to see how they stand up against Mounjaro. But first, it’s important to understand what makes Mounjaro different.

What makes Mounjaro so effective for weight loss?

On average, people lose 20.9% body weight over 36 weeks and 25.3% body weight over 88 weeks, making it one of the most effective weight loss injectables available. [1]

One potential explanation for Mounjaro’s effectiveness is its ‘dual-action’ formula. Most injectable weight loss medications mimic the hormone GLP-1, but Mounjaro also mimics GIP.

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist’) is a natural hormone in the gut that is produced after eating to help to control your appetite and make you feel fuller.

GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) is another natural hormone produced in the gut. It helps regulate blood sugar by stimulating insulin release and influencing fat metabolism.

GLP-1 Alternatives to Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

As mentioned, GLP-1 treatments mimic a natural hormone in your gut, helping control your appetite and making you feel fuller for longer. When paired with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity or exercise, using these medications can result in effective, healthy weight loss. Here are some of the most popular.

Semaglutide 

Semaglutide is arguably the best known active ingredient used for weight loss. It’s administered with a weekly self-injection pen, which, like other GLP-1s, supports healthy weight loss by reducing your appetite and making you feel fuller for longer. 

An exciting development in the research surrounding semaglutide is that it can also benefit your heart health, it’s the first weight loss medication approved to cut heart disease risk by up to 20%*. A study found that people taking 2.4 mg of semaglutide, the highest dose of Wegovy, had fewer heart attacks or strokes. [2] The study also indicated that semaglutide can lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels.

One of the potential downsides to choosing semaglutide-based treatments over tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is that you may be more likely to experience common side effects such as nausea, constipation and diarrhea. Most people find these side effects subside as they adjust to their treatment.

Thinking about trying semaglutide? Here are two treatments that include it.

Wegovy

Wegovy is a cost-effective alternative to Mounjaro that could help you lose 15% of your weight on average [3]. Both treatments are highly effective, but studies [4] show that Mounjaro can provide more weight loss and better blood sugar control. Despite this, many people still choose Wegovy for its lower price and proven results.

Rybelsus

Rybelsus is an oral form of semaglutide used to control blood sugar and treat type 2 diabetes, but it can be prescribed off-label for weight loss, as it has shown promising results. It’s a suitable alternative for those who would prefer not to use injectables, and may be less likely to cause side effects than other semaglutide treatments such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

Liraglutide 

Liraglutide is an injectable medication primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. It’s often sold under the brand names Saxenda® and Nevolat. The key two differences between these treatments and Mounjaro are that they’re taken as a daily injection (as opposed to weekly) and some side effects may be more common, such as nausea, constipation and diarrhea. However, it’s important to note that both medications have very similar side effects.

Other Alternatives to Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Xenical, Alli (Orlistat)

Orlistat isn’t a GLP-1 or GIP receptor agonist, but it can help you lose 50% more weight than dieting alone. [5]

It’s available unbranded, but is also sold under the names Xenical and Alli.

It works by preventing the amount of fat your body absorbs, typically one third. Instead of your body absorbing this fat, it disposes of it as waste via the digestive system. 

To take Orlistat safely, you must have a starting BMI over 30. It’s also available for people with a BMI over 28 who have additional weight-related health concerns, like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and raised cholesterol.

Starting or switching weight loss treatments

Want to learn more about weight loss medication? It’s important to only access treatments from licensed, registered pharmacies who take your healthcare requirements into consideration before prescribing.

Find out what treatment is suitable for you on MedExpress.

References

1. Tan B, Pan XH, Chew HSJ, Goh RSJ, Lin C, Anand VV, et al. Efficacy and safety of tirzepatide for treatment of overweight or obesity. A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Obesity [Internet]. 2023 Aug 1;47(8):677–85. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41366-023-01321-5
2. A. Michael Lincoff, Kirstine Brown‐Frandsen, Colhoun HM, Deanfield J, Emerson SS, Sille Esbjerg, et al. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2023 Nov 11;389(24). Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2307563
3. 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). Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038
4. Aronne LJ, Horn DB, le Roux CW, Ho W, Falcon BL, Gomez Valderas E, et al. Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2025 May 11;393(1). Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2416394
5. Over-the-counter weight loss with orlistat? Evidence-Based Nursing. 2010 Jun 28;13(3):98–100.

Next review date: October 2028