Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide
A side-by-side comparison of Semaglutide, Tirzepatide by independent evidence grade, FDA status, mechanism of action, key safety considerations, and which FDA 503B outsourcing facilities report compounding each.
| Semaglutide | Tirzepatide | |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence grade | Grade A: Approved and proven | Grade A: Approved and proven |
| FDA status | FDA approved Approved as Ozempic (subcutaneous injection, type 2 diabetes), Wegovy (subcutaneous injection 2.4 mg and oral 25 mg tablet, chronic weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction in obesity), and Rybelsus (oral tablet, type 2 diabetes). | FDA approved Approved as Mounjaro (subcutaneous injection, type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (subcutaneous injection, chronic weight management and, additionally, obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity). |
| Mechanism | Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite via central and peripheral GLP-1 receptor activation. | Tirzepatide is a dual GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 receptor agonist, which stimulates insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, reduces appetite, and slows gastric emptying through activation of both receptor pathways. |
| Key safety | Boxed warning: semaglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents at clinically relevant exposures; human relevance is unknown but it is contraindicated in... | Boxed warning: tirzepatide causes thyroid C-cell tumors in rats at clinically relevant exposures; human relevance is unknown and the drug is contraindicated in... |
Key differences
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide hold the same evidence grade (A): grade a: approved and proven. Both are fda approved. Mechanistically, Semaglutide works by semaglutide is a glp-1 receptor agonist that stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite via central and peripheral glp-1 receptor activation, whereas Tirzepatide works by tirzepatide is a dual gip (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and glp-1 receptor agonist, which stimulates insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, reduces appetite, and slows gastric emptying through activation of both receptor pathways.
What the evidence shows
Semaglutide A
Semaglutide has the broadest and strongest human evidence base among GLP-1 receptor agonists currently approved for weight management and type 2 diabetes. The STEP clinical trial program, comprising multiple large phase 3 randomized controlled trials, demonstrated clinically meaningful weight loss in adults with...
Compounding: FDA-approved; brand and generic forms available. Mass compounding from bulk API by 503A and 503B facilities was permitted during a declared shortage; the semaglutide shortage was resolved by FDA in...
Tirzepatide A
Tirzepatide is approved by the FDA for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and chronic weight management (Zepbound), supported by an extensive phase 3 trial program. The SURPASS series of trials in type 2 diabetes demonstrated substantial reductions in HbA1c and body weight, with tirzepatide outperforming comparator GLP-1...
Compounding: FDA-approved; brand name only (no generic as of mid-2026). Mass compounding from bulk API was permitted during a declared shortage that FDA resolved in December 2024; enforcement grace periods for...
Where these are compounded
Semaglutide: reported compounded by Annovex Pharma, Inc., Apollo Care, BPI Labs LLC, Delta Pharma, Inc., Eagle Pharma, Empower Clinic Services New Jersey, Empower Pharma, Fagron Compounding Services dba Fagron Sterile Services, and 9 more.
Tirzepatide: reported compounded by AnazaoHealth Corporation, Annovex Pharma, Inc., Apollo Care, BPI Labs LLC, Empower Pharma, Hybrid Pharma, LLC, Olympia Pharmaceuticals, PQ Pharmacy LLC, and 2 more.
From the FDA Outsourcing Facility Product Report. PeptideGrids does not sell or source any compound.
Frequently asked questions
Is Semaglutide or Tirzepatide FDA approved?
Semaglutide is fda approved. Tirzepatide is fda approved.
Which has stronger clinical evidence, Semaglutide or Tirzepatide?
Both hold grade A. PeptideGrids grades evidence A to D; see each compound page for the cited trials.
What is the difference between Semaglutide and Tirzepatide?
Semaglutide: Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows.... Tirzepatide: Tirzepatide is a dual GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 receptor agonist, which stimulates....
Full profiles: Semaglutide, Tirzepatide. Browse all GLP-1s and therapeutic peptides.