Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide
Semaglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist; tirzepatide adds GIP receptor agonism in a single molecule. The SURPASS-2 head-to-head trial compared them directly in type 2 diabetes.
Semaglutide
A long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist, the reference molecule of the modern incretin era in both injectable and oral form.
BEST STUDIED FOR
Incretin & metabolic
Read the cited profile →
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a synthetic dual agonist of the GIP and GLP-1 incretin receptors.
BEST STUDIED FOR
Dual-agonist (GIP/GLP-1) metabolic research
FREE GIFTFree GHK-Cu 50 mg with every Tirzepatide 30mg vial and free GHK-Cu 100 mg with every Tirzepatide 60mg vial, until 15 Oct — one per vial, added automatically at checkout.
Side by side · to buy
Price, purity and dispatch
| Compare | Semaglutide | Tirzepatide30 mg · more sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | fromR1,399 |
| Cost per mg | — | R46.6 / mg |
| Purity (Janoshik) | — | 99.927%HPLC, published |
| Stock | — | Restocking |
| Dispatch | — | When restocked |
| Certificate | — | View CoA → |
| Literature | — | 3 papers → |
| Research focus | Incretin & metabolic | Dual-agonist (GIP/GLP-1) metabolic research |
| Read the cited profile | Notify me |
Prices are read live from the catalogue. Cost per mg is the vial price over its stated mg. Purity is shown only where the certificate is published. Every compound is supplied for laboratory research only.
SIDE BY SIDE
| Semaglutide | Tirzepatide | |
|---|---|---|
| The key difference | Single GLP-1 receptor agonist | Dual GIP + GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Class | Incretin & metabolic | Incretin & metabolic |
| Mechanism | Semaglutide is a GLP-1 analogue with amino-acid substitutions and a C18 fatty-diacid chain that binds albumin, extending its half-life to about a week. | Tirzepatide is a synthetic dual agonist of the GIP and GLP-1 incretin receptors. |
| Status | Approved medicine (type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management) in many countries, with a large phase 3 programme (STEP, SUSTAIN, SELECT). Prescription-only in South Africa. | An approved medicine (US/EU) for type 2 diabetes and obesity. |
| Reported safety signals | Reviews document gastrointestinal effects as the most common; pancreatitis, gallbladder events and the effect on lean mass are active topics. Trials show weight regain after stopping. | Phase 3 trials reported mainly gastrointestinal adverse events (nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting). |
| A key study | Reviews the safety profile of semaglutide across subcutaneous and oral formulations. (Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021, PMID 34305810) | The discovery-to-proof-of-concept study characterising LY3298176 (tirzepatide) as a novel dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. (Mol Metab 2018, PMID 30473097) |
WHEN TO RESEARCH WHICH
Semaglutide is the reference single-agonist; tirzepatide is the comparison point for whether adding GIP agonism changes metabolic outcomes. Both are discussed here strictly as research compounds; nothing on this page is medical advice or a dosing guide.
REFERENCES (PUBMED)
- [Semaglutide] Safety of Semaglutide — Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021. PMID 34305810
- [Semaglutide] A systematic review of the effect of semaglutide on lean mass: insights from clinical trials — Expert Opin Pharmacother 2024. PMID 38629387
- [Semaglutide] Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: The STEP 4 Randomized Clinical Trial — JAMA 2021. PMID 33755728
- [Tirzepatide] LY3298176, a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: From discovery to clinical proof of concept — Mol Metab 2018. PMID 30473097
- [Tirzepatide] Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes — N Engl J Med 2021. PMID 34170647
- [Tirzepatide] Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity — N Engl J Med 2022. PMID 35658024
FREQUENTLY ASKED
What is the difference between Semaglutide and Tirzepatide?
Semaglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist; tirzepatide adds GIP receptor agonism in a single molecule. The SURPASS-2 head-to-head trial compared them directly in type 2 diabetes.
What is the regulatory status of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide?
Semaglutide: Approved medicine (type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management) in many countries, with a large phase 3 programme (STEP, SUSTAIN, SELECT). Prescription-only in South Africa. Tirzepatide: An approved medicine (US/EU) for type 2 diabetes and obesity.
What safety signals have been reported?
Semaglutide: Reviews document gastrointestinal effects as the most common; pancreatitis, gallbladder events and the effect on lean mass are active topics. Trials show weight regain after stopping. Tirzepatide: Phase 3 trials reported mainly gastrointestinal adverse events (nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting).
Which studies is this comparison based on?
For Semaglutide: “Safety of Semaglutide” (PMID 34305810); “A systematic review of the effect of semaglutide on lean mass: insights from clinical trials” (PMID 38629387); “Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: The STEP 4 Randomized Clinical Trial” (PMID 33755728). For Tirzepatide: “LY3298176, a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: From discovery to clinical proof of concept” (PMID 30473097); “Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes” (PMID 34170647); “Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity” (PMID 35658024).
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