Switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy Pills

There are plenty of weight loss medications available in the UK, with two of the most prominent injections being Mounjaro and Wegovy. While coming from different manufacturers, they both work similarly towards the same goal: to manage and reduce weight.

The two treatments have similar side effects, and both have the same eligibility criteria: a BMI (Body Mass Index) of ≥ 30 or ≥ 27 if you have at least one weight-related health issue. They’re both GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) agonists, this being the hormone they target within the body that allows for weight loss, though Mounjaro also targets GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). In many ways, Mounjaro and Wegovy don’t seem to differ much, and switching from one to the other may be due to side-effect severity or ingredient allergies.

However, in 2026, the Wegovy pill became widely available, offering a third option to those who dislike needles/injections. It’s the first GLP-1 pill to be approved by the MHRA, giving it a ‘best of both worlds’ appeal - the accessible administration of an oral pill, and the high rates of weight loss Wegovy is known for. If you’re considering switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy pills, this article will cover any questions or concerns you may have.

 

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Can I Switch From Mounjaro to Wegovy Pills?

Yes, you can switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy pills if you feel it would be beneficial for your weight loss journey. For example, you could be showing low rates of progress with tirzepatide (Mounjaro’s active ingredient), having difficulty managing side effects, or feeling more comfortable with the idea of taking an oral tablet instead of injecting yourself.

Whatever your reasons, it’s essential that you seek clinical advice before making any changes to your medications. This is to ensure that your new treatment is safe and suitable for your circumstances. It also helps you get a good idea of what your new regimen and routine will look like, giving you the best possible chance of making a positive start.

Switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy pills means moving from injectable tirzepatide to oral semaglutide (Wegovy’s active ingredient) and adapting to a brand-new treatment routine and dosage schedule. Exactly where you start will depend on several factors, such as your current Mounjaro dose, how well you are tolerating it, your weight loss progress, and when you last took your dose. 

 

 

How Do the Mounjaro Injections and Wegovy Pills Work?

To understand the process of switching between the two treatments, we must first understand how they both work, their similarities and their differences.

Mounjaro Injections

Mounjaro is a subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection that is taken on the same day each week. It can be administered at any time of day and does not require an empty stomach. It contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, a ‘dual agonist’ that targets two hormones in the body rather than one - these being GLP-1, the same as Wegovy, and GIP. This additional hormone gives it an edge over Wegovy by making the treatment much more effective.

Since it’s injected under the skin, the medicine can enter your bloodstream straight away with relative ease. The Mounjaro in your system will decrease your appetite and slow down digestion in your stomach. This results in you eating less and consuming fewer calories, which makes other healthy lifestyle changes more effective. It also lowers blood sugar levels.

In trials, it has shown an average 22.5% reduction in body weight. It is the only dual agonist available in the UK.

Wegovy Pills

By comparison, Wegovy is a daily pill to be taken after an eight-hour fast, which for most will be after a night’s sleep. After swallowing it with water, an additional 30-minute fast is required to allow it to dissolve in your system. The pill is coated with a protective layer of Salcaprozate Sodium and Magnesium Stearate, so it cannot be taken crushed, split, or chewed, as this will damage the protective coating it needs to be absorbed correctly.

Wegovy’s active ingredient is semaglutide, and it has essentially the same effect as Mounjaro’s: suppressing appetite, slowing digestion, and lowering blood sugar, just to a less effective degree since it’s a ‘solo agonist’, only targeting the GLP-1.

In trials, it has shown an average 13.6% reduction in body weight. It is the only GLP-1 pill available in the UK.

 

 

Why Should I Switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy Pills?

There are several reasons why the choice to move from Mounjaro injections to Wegovy pills could be made, including:

Administration

A common reason to switch is a dislike of needles. Not a fear necessarily, but many patients aren’t keen on needles, or are understandably squeamish about them, especially when it comes to injecting their own body. A pill is much more straightforward and accessible, and with less room for user error.

Taking an injection once a week may lead some users to dread that upcoming day or forget about it entirely as it comes around less frequently. A daily pill may fit into your routine a lot better than a weekly injection.

Ingredients

Since Mounjaro and Wegovy contain different ingredients, people will have different reactions to the two treatments. Some may suffer more severe side effects with one, whereas others may find that one is simply less effective than the other. If you find the Mounjaro side effects to be a struggle, you may be better suited to Wegovy pills.

Furthermore, the two treatments may interact with other medications you may be taking. For example, Mounjaro can make diabetes medications too effective, lowering blood sugar levels to dangerous amounts.

Secondary Benefits

Mounjaro doubles as a type 2 diabetes treatment, while Wegovy doubles as a medication to reduce the risk of certain cardiac events for those who are vulnerable to them, such as strokes and heart attacks. Depending on your medical history, this may also serve as a reason to switch or stay.

 

Wegovy Pill

Rated 0 out of 5 based on 0 reviews
Rated 0 out of 5 based on 0 reviews
  • Average weight loss of 16.6% over 64 weeks
  • Convenient treatment without injections
  • Available in 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg, and 25 mg daily doses

Prices from £115.00

 

Contraceptives

Wegovy has no proven impact on the effectiveness of contraception, while Mounjaro does. Oral contraceptives like progestogen-only or combined pills may be drastically less effective while taking Mounjaro, but because of the different active ingredient, there has been no evidence that Wegovy pills interact with contraceptives in any way.

Cost

Wegovy pills are cheaper than Mounjaro injections, and the ratios of price to dosages can be seen here:

 

 

Overall, the Wegovy treatment is considerably cheaper than Mounjaro, especially in the long term. This could be another reason to switch; however, it should not be the only reason - you must undergo the treatment that works best for you.

How do I Switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy Pills?

Switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy pills is a simpler process than many expect. Speaking with your clinician will always be the first step; nothing can happen without their professional approval. They will address how the Mounjaro treatment is working for you, considering a range of factors.

If your clinician agrees that Wegovy may be better suited to you, then your first Wegovy pill can be taken on the same day as your next Mounjaro injection should have been. This will typically be at least seven days after your last one, to ensure the Mounjaro has enough time to substantially leave your system by the time you start the pills, since having two medications affecting you in the same way can cause worsened side effects. Again, your clinician will guide you through this.

What Should I Expect After Switching to the Wegovy Pill?

Everyone’s weight loss journey is different, so everyone’s experience switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy pills will be different, too. However, there are commonly seen effects you may experience.

Since a full seven days between stopping injections and starting pills is required to allow the Mounjaro to be mostly removed from your system, you may see an increase in appetite again. This will quickly settle back down once on Wegovy, and it is important to exercise restraint during this time to avoid losing weight loss momentum. Keep up your healthy diet and regular exercise, and keep your weight loss goals in mind to help see you through.

You may need to re-adjust to side effects. Starting any new treatment, even one so similar, can cause significant side effects. You may see an initial spike in severity, but once your body is used to Wegovy, the effects should settle down. Your clinician will recommend a lower starting dose if they feel side effects may cause an issue for you, helping to create a smoother transition.

After adjusting to the Wegovy treatment, you should notice a more comfortable feeling in your body, a more effectively suppressed appetite, and a reduction in both quantity and severity of side effects. This will show that the transition to Wegovy has been successful. If few or none of these occur, your clinician may recommend a switch back to Mounjaro, or an alternative weight loss treatment, such as Mysimba or Nevolat.

Will My Dosage Stay the Same After Switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy Pills?

Mounjaro and Wegovy are measured in different doses, so there is no universal 1:1 conversion to determine your starting point with Wegovy tablets.

The Wegovy pill dosage you switch to will be assessed by your clinician based on your prior progress and experiences with Mounjaro dosages, as well as how well you responded to them. An idea of how the doses may transfer is below, though this can differ case by case:

 

 

As stated, these measurements are subject to change and vary by individual. Your clinician will decide which Wegovy dosage is right for you based on several factors, including the severity of side effects and weight loss progress. If the Mounjaro injections have led to you struggling with side effects, you may be placed on a lower dosage of Wegovy to ease your body into the new medicine.

How Effective is the Wegovy Pill Compared to Mounjaro?

In clinical trials, the Wegovy pill is consistently less effective than Mounjaro injections. In a 72-week trial, the highest dose of Mounjaro reduced body weight by an average of 22.5%, while in other trials, the highest dose of Wegovy pill reduced body weight by an average of 13.6% in 71 weeks. Wegovy injections fall somewhere in the middle, around 14.9% in 68 weeks.

 

 

However, as stated earlier, there are many reasons you may favour Wegovy over Mounjaro, despite the lower average weight loss. It is important to research all aspects before starting or switching your treatment, and Prescription Doctor is here to answer any queries you may have.

What are the Side Effects of the Wegovy Pill?

Since Mounjaro and Wegovy contain different active and passive ingredients, they can lead to higher or lower severities, or even different side effects altogether. A major reason to switch treatments may be side effects, so knowing which side effects to expect with Wegovy is important for making an informed decision.

 

 

The most commonly seen side effects of Wegovy pills are gastrointestinal in nature, meaning they occur within or originate from the digestive system; these include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, and constipation. Therefore, many effective ways to counter them are food-related, which brings us to:

Managing Side Effects Through Diet

Eating plain foods (toast, rice, crackers) and increasing your fluid intake (water, soup, peppermint tea) will help reduce what your stomach has to digest. Remember, Wegovy works in part by slowing down the speed of digestion, so consumables that pass through your stomach more easily will reduce nausea.

Managing Side Effects Through Lifestyle

In addition, physical and lifestyle changes are also effective ways to reduce side effects. After meals, try going for a light, slow walk to help with digestion. Or, simply sitting upright instead of lying down will allow the digestion process to occur more smoothly.

If you find that after switching to Wegovy, your side effects are worse than they were on Mounjaro, speak to your clinician, as you may need to return to Mounjaro or try a different treatment altogether. Additionally, the full list of side effects can be read in the Wegovy pill Patient Information Leaflet.

 

Wegovy Pill

Rated 0 out of 5 based on 0 reviews
Rated 0 out of 5 based on 0 reviews
  • Average weight loss of 16.6% over 64 weeks
  • Convenient treatment without injections
  • Available in 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg, and 25 mg daily doses

Prices from £115.00

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Switching from Mounjaro to the Wegovy Pill

We receive many questions about switching from Mounjaro to the Wegovy pill, which we see as a good thing. After all, you should be well-informed about which treatment is right for you. Here are some we are asked frequently:

Can I Take Mounjaro and Wegovy Pills at the Same Time?

No. You should wait 7 days before starting Wegovy pills after your last Mounjaro injection, and you should never take both at the same time. Since they both target the body in similar ways, the medications can interact with one another and lead to severe health issues or an overdose.

When Should I Stay on Mounjaro?

If your body is responding well to Mounjaro injections, you are seeing a steady rate of weight loss, and you are managing side effects well, your clinician may advise you to stick with it.

It can be tempting to adopt a ‘grass is always greener’ outlook and believe that a different treatment may fast-track your weight loss progress, but you must keep in mind that the journey will be slow, no matter the medication you use. If Mounjaro is already helping, then it may be best to see it through and not disturb the momentum.

Will my Dose Strength Reset After Switching?

Not necessarily. Your clinician will conduct an assessment to decide which dosage amount to start you on. If you are early in your Mounjaro treatment, you may be started on the lowest Wegovy pill dose. It depends on many factors, and there is no universal answer, but rest assured, you will not be back to square one. The progress you have made so far is not going anywhere - provided you keep diet and exercise up.

Can I Switch Back to Mounjaro?

Yes, if you switched to the Wegovy pill and it isn’t working out, for whatever reason, you can switch back to Mounjaro injections. Your clinician will help you make this decision, and may even recommend trying a third, different treatment instead.

If you decide to switch back to Mounjaro injections, since the medicine in a pill does not last as long in your system, you can often start Mounjaro a day or two after your last Wegovy pill. Once again, your clinician will guide you through the process, keeping you informed about exactly when you can resume your new (or old) medication.

No Bait, All Switch

If you believe that any of the reasons for switching mentioned in this article apply to your situation, one of our clinicians is available to listen. Our talented team will be able to advise and guide you through the process of switching from Mounjaro to the Wegovy pill, or, if you just want to talk through your options first, we can do that too. Prescription Doctor offers a wide range of weight loss treatments, so finding the one that fits you best is a streamlined, stress-free process with us.

If you do make the switch, your new Wegovy pills will arrive in the post the exact same way all our treatments do - discreetly packaged and sent right to your door. We put a large focus on discretion and care to ensure you feel comfortable on your treatment, and we can even offer next-day delivery if your order is processed before 3pm on a weekday.

The same level of security and care will be put into your order to ensure you feel comfortable with your new treatment.

At the end of the day, your weight loss journey is your weight loss journey, and if it isn’t helping you to achieve the best results possible, then it’s our duty to support you in what you need. We’ve been helping people since 2013, and we’ve garnered a strong reputation for the quality and discretion of our service. Start your consultation today, and let’s hit your weight loss goal together.

 

Authored & Reviewed By

Mohamed Imran Lakhi

MPharm - Lead Pharmacist
Imran Lakhi is the superintendent pharmacist and founder at Prescription Doctor. He has been at the core of our team.

Published on: 23/07/2026 Reviewed on: 23/07/2026
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