Chapter 01 · The molecules
One target versus two
Semaglutide acts on a single receptor, GLP-1, a hormone that helps regulate appetite and slow gastric emptying. Tirzepatide acts on two receptors, GIP and GLP-1, which is why it is described as a dual agonist.1 Both are taken as a once-weekly injection, and both are used together with diet and activity rather than on their own.
In the pivotal trials, the average weight change differed. In STEP 1, adults on semaglutide lost about 15 percent of body weight over 68 weeks; in SURMOUNT-1, adults on the highest tirzepatide dose lost about 21 percent over 72 weeks.2 These are trial averages, not a promise of your result, and the two medications were studied in separate trials rather than head to head. Individual results vary.
| Medication | Brand-name retail | Compounded via sipra |
|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide (Wegovy®/Ozempic®) | $900 to $1,600/month | $79/mo |
| Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®/Zepbound®) | $1,000 to $1,300/month | $179/mo |
Sipra's price is fixed per molecule and does not change with dose. 6-month plan · $99/mo membership billed separately.
Chapter 02 · Who decides
Why the choice is clinical
Cost, average trial results, side effect tolerance, other medical conditions, and how your body responds all factor into which medication fits you, and they can point in different directions. To be clear about who does what: sipra connects you with US-licensed physicians who decide whether a medication is appropriate for you. We are not the compounder. Compounded medications are prepared by a licensed 503A pharmacy under a physician's patient-specific prescription; they are not FDA-approved and are not equivalent to the brand-name products.3
This comparison is educational. It does not say one medication is better for you; a licensed physician weighs your history and goals and makes that call. Individual results vary.
