Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide
A factual side-by-side from public databases — chemical identity, literature volume, and attributed independent-test coverage. Not a recommendation; we don't rank one above the other.
Semaglutide is described in the provided sources as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and as an once-weekly candidate developed by increasing albumin affinity to obtain prolonged exposure and action. The sources include clinical comparisons of semaglutide with tirzepatide (in type 2 diabetes and in obesity), with dulaglutide (SUSTAIN 7), and a review of semaglutide safety. The sources also describe semaglutide pharmacokinetics (half-life, exposure) and formulation context.
Tirzepatide is described in the provided sources as a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Multiple phase 3 randomized clinical trials evaluated tirzepatide in adults with obesity (SURMOUNT-1, -4), obesity with type 2 diabetes (SURMOUNT-2), obstructive sleep apnea with obesity (SURMOUNT-OSA), and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction with obesity (SUMMIT).
| Semaglutide | Tirzepatide | |
|---|---|---|
| Family | GLP-1 & incretin agonists | GLP-1 & incretin agonists |
| Research goals | Metabolic & weight | Metabolic & weight |
| Amino acids | — | — |
| Molecular formula | C187H291N45O59 | C225H348N48O68 |
| Molecular weight | 4114 g/mol | 4813 g/mol |
| CAS number | 910463-68-2 | 2023788-19-2 |
| Approx. half-life | — | — |
| Regulatory status | FDA-approved drug | FDA-approved drug |
| WADA status | — | — |
| Evidence maturity | — | — |
| Research references | 12 | 10 |
| Vendors independently tested | 20 | 8 |
| Best test score (Finnrick) | 84.0 |