Why do people do it anyway?
So if it means side effects might come back, why do people still switch? In 2025, the answer is usually cost and availability. Mounjaro has become more expensive and harder to get, while Ozempic and Wegovy are more widely stocked and often cheaper. For many people, the choice isn’t between one drug or another; it’s between switching or stopping altogether.
TL;DR
Yes, it’s safe to swap between GLP-1s, but only under medical supervision. There’s no official rulebook, so approaches vary, but most prescribers will restart you on a low dose, build you up carefully, and always include a 7-day gap between medications.
Switching isn’t always smooth, and it can come with a few weeks of adjustment. But for many people, it’s the practical, safe way to stay on treatment when circumstances change.
Read Can I Switch to a Different GLP1? The Full Guide to find out more.
Different approaches to dosing
Here’s where the advice gets less consistent.
Most providers say you’ll restart at the lowest dose of semaglutide (0.25 mg) and titrate up again, even if you were already on a higher dose of Mounjaro. That’s the cautious approach, and it’s designed to minimise side effects.
A handful of clinics suggest they’ll match your dose “like for like.” This sounds attractive; there's no going backwards and no weak appetite control, but it’s not clear if this really happens once you’re in the door. Some of those promises may be more about marketing than medicine.
Either way, the dose you start on should always be decided by a prescriber after reviewing your history, not by a headline on a prescriber's website.
Side effects and safety
Switching doesn’t remove the possibility of side effects. In fact, it’s a very common experience for people to feel queasy, bloated, or tired again in the early weeks, even if they’d settled on their old medication. That doesn’t mean the switch is unsafe; it just means your body is adjusting to a slightly different molecule.
Serious side effects are rare, but the same red flags apply whichever GLP-1 you’re on: persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or symptoms that feel worrying should always be checked by a medical professional.
If you’ve been thinking about moving from one GLP-1 to another, like switching from Mounjaro to Ozempic, the first question that usually comes up is simple: Is it even safe?
It’s a very common concern, and the short answer is yes. People are switched between GLP-1s every day. But like most things with these medications, the details matter. Here’s what you should know.
No one-size-fits-all rule
Right now, there isn’t a single official protocol that says “this is how you must switch.” Regulatory bodies like NICE and the MHRA haven’t published step-by-step instructions for moving between tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy). That means prescribers rely on their training, the drug labels, and their clinical judgement to decide the safest path for each patient.
So while switching is common, how it’s done can vary depending on the provider you’re with.
The 7-day washout
One thing every provider seems to agree on: there needs to be a 7-day gap between your last injection of one drug and your first injection of the other. This “washout period” avoids overlap and lowers the risk of side effects stacking up. It’s a small but important step in making the switch safely.
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Nick M
Published:
4 Sept 2025
Updated:
6 Oct 2025
Is It Safe to Swap Between GLP-1s? Here’s the Truth
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