Weight Loss Drug Comparisons
Every head-to-head we've published, grouped by drug.
Every head-to-head we've published between weight loss drugs — retatrutide, tirzepatide, semaglutide, orforglipron, CagriSema, mazdutide, survodutide, and more.
Related topic hubs
- GLP-1 Guide — How the GLP-1 class works
- Drugs — Single-drug profile pages
- Retatrutide — Retatrutide-specific deep-dive
How to compare weight loss drugs
Five dimensions matter more than the rest. When you read any head-to-head, check these first:
- Mechanism. Single vs dual vs triple agonist. Each additional receptor tends to add 5–10 percentage points of peak weight loss.
- Peak weight loss in trials. Reported as mean % body weight at the highest dose, at the trial endpoint. Longer trials usually show more.
- Administration. Once-weekly injection vs daily oral pill. Same drug can behave differently by route.
- Approval status. Approved, off-label, or investigational. Drives cost, access, and legal risk.
- Side-effect profile. GI tolerability, lean-mass loss, hair loss, mental health, pregnancy — see safety.
Drug-class matrix
| Drug | Mechanism | Peak loss | Admin | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retatrutide | Triple (GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon) | ~28.7% | Weekly injection | Phase 3 |
| Tirzepatide (Zepbound/Mounjaro) | Dual (GLP-1 + GIP) | ~21–23% | Weekly injection | Approved |
| Semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic) | GLP-1 only | ~15–17% | Weekly injection | Approved |
| Orforglipron | GLP-1 (small-molecule, oral) | ~12.4% | Daily pill | Approved Apr 2026 (Foundayo) |
| CagriSema | GLP-1 + amylin | ~22% | Weekly injection | Phase 3 |
| Mazdutide | GLP-1 + glucagon | ~14–18% | Weekly injection | Approved in China |
| Survodutide | GLP-1 + glucagon | ~19% | Weekly injection | Phase 3 |
Every row above links through to the full drug profile or comparison article below. For single-drug profiles see drug profiles.
All compare articles
22 articles
Cagrilintide and Tirzepatide: Stacking Amylin With a Dual Agonist
Cagrilintide + tirzepatide stacking: no human trial data, CagriSema lost to tirzepatide in REDEFINE 4, and retatrutide offers 28.7% weight loss from one molecule.
Updated February 2026
CagriSema vs Tirzepatide (Zepbound): REDEFINE 4 Head-to-Head Results
CagriSema lost to tirzepatide in REDEFINE 4: 23.0% vs 25.5% weight loss at 84 weeks. Retatrutide achieved 28.7% in TRIUMPH-4.
Updated February 2026
Mazdutide vs Survodutide: Two GLP-1/Glucagon Dual Agonists Compared
Both target GLP-1 and glucagon, but mazdutide is approved in China with best-in-class tolerability while survodutide leads on MASH liver data.
Updated March 2026
Mazdutide vs Tirzepatide: GLP-1/Glucagon vs GLP-1/GIP Compared
Mazdutide pairs GLP-1 with glucagon for liver fat clearance. Tirzepatide pairs GLP-1 with GIP for maximum appetite suppression. Different second receptors, different strengths.
Updated February 2026
Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Which Is Better for Weight Loss and Diabetes?
Mounjaro produced twice the weight loss of Ozempic in head-to-head trials. Practical comparison of cost, insurance, and prescribing differences.
Updated February 2026
Orforglipron vs Rybelsus (Oral Semaglutide): Two Oral GLP-1 Pills Compared
Orforglipron has no food restrictions and beat Rybelsus on weight loss in ACHIEVE-3. Rybelsus requires fasting but is available now.
Updated March 2026
Orforglipron vs Tirzepatide (Zepbound): Oral Pill vs Weekly Injection
Orforglipron offers 12.4% weight loss as a daily pill. Tirzepatide delivers 22.5% as a weekly injection. Both are from Eli Lilly.
Updated February 2026
Orforglipron vs Zepbound (Tirzepatide): Daily Pill vs Weekly Injection
Orforglipron offers 12.4% weight loss as a daily pill starting at $149/month. Zepbound delivers 22.5% as a weekly injection at $299-$449/month. Both from Eli Lilly.
Updated March 2026
Ozempic vs Wegovy: Same Drug, Different Purpose
Ozempic and Wegovy both contain semaglutide. The difference: indication (diabetes vs weight loss), max dose (2.0 vs 2.4 mg), and insurance coverage.
Updated February 2026
Peptides for Weight Loss vs GLP-1 Drugs: What the Evidence Says
GLP-1 drugs have Phase 3 trials and FDA approval. Research peptides have failed trials and animal data. The full evidence comparison.
Updated March 2026
Retatrutide vs AOD-9604: Triple Agonist vs Growth Hormone Fragment
Retatrutide produced 28.7% weight loss in Phase 3 trials. AOD-9604 failed its largest trial. Here's how they compare.
Updated March 2026
Retatrutide vs CagriSema (Cagrilintide + Semaglutide): Triple Agonist vs Amylin + GLP-1 Combo
Cagrilintide vs retatrutide: triple agonist vs amylin + GLP-1 combo — 28.7% vs 22.7% weight loss, different receptors, and stacking considerations.
Updated February 2026
Retatrutide vs Mazdutide: Triple vs Dual Agonist Compared
How the triple agonist retatrutide compares to the dual agonist mazdutide on weight loss, diabetes, and liver fat data.
Updated February 2026
Retatrutide vs Mounjaro vs Ozempic
How the three generations of weight loss drugs compare — single, dual, and triple agonists.
Updated February 2026
Retatrutide vs Orforglipron: Injectable Triple Agonist vs Oral GLP-1
Retatrutide produces 28.7% weight loss via injection. Orforglipron offers 12.4% weight loss as a daily pill. Both are from Eli Lilly.
Updated February 2026
Retatrutide vs Survodutide
Two next-generation obesity drugs that both include glucagon agonism — how the triple and dual agonist approaches compare.
Updated February 2026
Retatrutide vs Tirzepatide (Zepbound): Triple Agonist vs Dual Agonist
Retatrutide produces 28.7% weight loss (triple agonist) vs tirzepatide's 22.5% (dual agonist). A head-to-head trial is underway.
Updated February 2026
Retatrutide vs Wegovy: Triple Agonist vs GLP-1
Retatrutide produces nearly double the weight loss of Wegovy, but Wegovy is available now with proven cardiovascular protection.
Updated February 2026
Retatrutide vs Zepbound: What's the Difference?
Same manufacturer, different drugs. Retatrutide adds glucagon agonism for 28.7% vs Zepbound's 22.5% weight loss.
Updated February 2026
Survodutide vs Tirzepatide (Zepbound): Glucagon vs GIP as the Second Target
Survodutide adds glucagon for energy expenditure and liver fat. Tirzepatide adds GIP for insulin and appetite. Different second receptors, different strengths.
Updated February 2026
Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide: Complete Comparison (2026 Data)
Tirzepatide vs semaglutide with SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head data: -20.2% vs -13.7% weight loss. Full comparison of efficacy, side effects, and access.
Updated February 2026
Zepbound vs Wegovy: Which Weight Loss Drug Is Better?
Zepbound produced -20.2% vs Wegovy's -13.7% weight loss in the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial. Full comparison of cost, side effects, and CV data.
Updated February 2026