Mysimba and Wegovy can both help you lose weight – but what are the differences between the two? Do they work in a similar way, or are they completely different? Let’s find out.
Read on to learn all about Wegovy and Mysimba, and the key differences between the two.
What is Mysimba?
Mysimba is a weight loss treatment – and unlike many others on the market at the moment (such as Wegovy and Mounjaro), Mysimba comes in tablet form. You take this tablet once a day before moving up to two doses of two tablets a day. This makes Mysimba a good option if you don’t like needles.
Mysimba contains two main ingredients:
- Naltrexone hydrochloride
- Bupropion hydrochloride
These two ingredients target areas of the brain that control hunger signals and feelings of fullness – helping you to control food cravings and reduce your appetite. This is how you lose weight by taking Mysimba.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is a once-weekly injection. It contains semaglutide – a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps you to regulate your appetite and food intake.
It suppresses your appetite and makes you feel fuller for longer. This makes it much easier to maintain the calorie deficit needed to lose weight safely and effectively.
When you take Wegovy, you'll begin at 0.25mg - and gradually increase until you reach the maximum maintenance dose of 2.4mg a week. Many people start losing weight on Wegovy by 12 weeks and many even earlier.
"The Key Differences Between Mysimba and Wegovy
| Criteria | Mysimba | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Active Ingredient | Naltrexone and Bupropion | Semaglutide |
| Administration | Oral tablets | Once-weekly injection |
| Cost | £109 – £200 for 5 weeks | £200 - £300+ per month |
| Availability | Readily available in the UK | Limited availability in the UK |
| Effectiveness | Moderately effective – average weight loss of 8.1%. Learn more | More effective – average weight loss of 14.9% (STEP 1 trial). Learn more |
| Time to See Results | May notice results within 4-8 weeks but most people see results after 12 weeks of treatment | Patients may lose at least 6% of their body weight by 12 weeks and then 10% by 20 weeks. Learn more |
| Eligibility | BMI of 30+, or a BMI of 27-30 with a weight-related health complication | BMI of 30+ or 27-30 with a weight-related health issue (lower BMI thresholds for certain ethnic backgrounds) |
| How it Works | Suppresses appetite and cravings, affecting areas of the brain that control food intake, energy, and pleasure | Mimics GLP-1 hormone to reduce cravings and appetite and slow down digestion so you feel fuller for longer |
Which is More Effective for Weight Loss?
Wegovy is the most effective option for weight loss. Here’s why:
- In the STEP-1 trial, patients taking 2.4mg of Wegovy had an average weight loss of over 14.9% over 68 weeks. Learn more
- Almost 50% achieved around 15% weight loss, and 85% lost around 5%.
- The average weight loss over 4 years was 10%.
You can expect to lose up to 15% of your body weight when taking Wegovy. The average weight loss on Mysimba is 3.7% to 5.7%. Learn more
- Patients lost an average of 8.1% of their body weight
- 30% achieved >10% weight loss
- 46% lost >5% weight loss
To summarise, Wegovy appears to be much more effective for weight loss than Mysimba. Learn all of Wegovy’s benefits here.
Which is Best for Me?
Choosing the right option can be tough. If you’re exploring your weight loss treatment options, our team of weight loss experts at Dr Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic are on hand to help.
- If you’re looking for a more effective option, then Wegovy may be the best choice for you. However, if you hate needles, then you may prefer Mysimba.
- If you’d prefer a once-weekly option, then Wegovy may be the best choice. However, if you’d prefer to take a tablet every day, then you might prefer Mysimba.
- If you're looking for a cheaper option, Mysimba might be more suitable, costing around £115 per month. Wegovy can cost up to £300 per month (on the highest dose).
Both are great options if you have a BMI of 30+ or 27+ (depending on health issues). However, Wegovy is generally the more attractive option for sustained weight loss. Learn more here.
We have GLP-1 medications available – including Wegovy – to help you lose weight but also support people who wish to try Mysimba. We offer a personalised approach and can determine the best course of treatment for you, considering your goals, medical history, and preferences.
Make the most of our monthly reviews and well-being calls. We can ensure you're on the right track and help you overcome any obstacles that may get in your way.
Begin your weight loss journey with Dr Frank's Weight Loss Clinic or complete an online assessment today.
