Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Weight Loss Drugs Compared

Key Takeaways

Mounjaro and Ozempic are prescribed to treat type-2 diabetes mellitus, along with healthy lifestyle changes such as a calorie-restricted diet and increased physical activity.
The active ingredients of Mounjaro (tripeptide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are also FDA-approved weight loss drugs under the brand names Zepbound and Wegovy.
To be eligible for these medications, you must meet certain criteria, such as being obese or overweight and having at least one weight-related health condition.

The active ingredients of Mounjaro (tripeptide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) were initially developed and marketed as diabetes medications. Due to their weight loss benefits, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approvals for these medications for chronic weight management.

This article will discuss some key points to keep in mind when comparing Mounjaro and Ozempic. Please continue reading to find out how these medications compare and the key differences between them.

What are the similarities between Mounjaro and Ozempic?

Both drugs share some common characteristics. Both Mounjaro and Ozempic are prescription medications that are only available as brand name. No generic equivalents are available at this time.

The FDA approved both Mounjaro and Ozempic to be used in adults with type-2 diabetes. Therefore, doctors prescribe them to treat type-2 diabetes mellitus, along with healthy lifestyle changes such as a calorie-restricted diet and increased physical activity. Learn more about Ozempic for weight loss.

Each of these drugs is an injectable medication and is administered by subcutaneous injection (under the skin) once a week.

In addition to controlling blood sugar levels, the two drugs can also result in significant weight loss. However, neither Ozempic nor Mounjaro is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a weight loss drug.

Both Ozempic and Mounjaro have proven cardiovascular benefits. They help to manage blood sugar levels and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and major cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.

Mounjaro and Ozempic both carry a black box warning, the FDA’s most serious warning, for an increased risk of thyroid cancer.

Ozempic and Mounjaro cause similar unwanted drug effects. Common side effects include abdominal pain, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and decreased appetite.

What are the differences between weight loss medications Mounjaro and Ozempic?

Active ingredient

Mounjaro is a brand name for tirzepatide. The active ingredient tirzepatide is also sold under the brand name Zepbound as an FDA-approved weight loss drug. Learn more about tirzepatide for weight loss.

Tirzepatide belongs to a drug class called dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

The different active ingredients cause these medications to work differently in the body.

Ozempic is a brand name for the generic drug semaglutide. The active ingredient semaglutide is also available under the brand name Wegovy as an FDA-approved weight loss drug. It belongs to a drug class called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Check out our blog to compare Ozempic vs Wegovy for weight loss. Learn more about Wegovy’s uses and side effects.

Mechanism of Action

Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It mimics a hormone called GLP-1 to increase insulin secretion from the pancreas, which helps to manage blood sugar levels.

Mounjaro is a dual GIP receptor and GLP-1 receptor agonist. It mimics the actions of two hormones to help lower blood sugar levels, making it unique compared to other diabetes and weight loss medications.

Effectiveness

Head-to-head trials between Mounjaro vs Ozempic have shown that taking Mounjaro results in a greater reduction in hemoglobin A1C (this is a measure of average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months).

Clinical trials have also shown that Mounjaro results in a greater reduction in body weight compared to Ozempic.

Ozempic (semaglutide) results in an average weight loss of 14.9% from the baseline body weight after 68 weeks of treatment at a dose of 2.4 mg per week. Learn more about semaglutide for weight loss.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) results in a more significant weight loss of 25.3% compared to the baseline body weight after 88 weeks of treatment at doses of 10 mg or 15 mg per week.

FDA Approval

Ozempic or Mounjaro are not FDA-approved weight loss drugs. These prescription drugs have FDA approval for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. However, in some cases, healthcare providers will prescribe these medications off-label for weight loss.

Off-label prescribing is a common practice where healthcare providers use their clinical judgment to prescribe an FDA-approved medication for indication that has not been approved by the FDA. Learn more about the best diabetes drug for weight loss.

While these two medications are not approved for weight loss, you should talk to your doctor about Wegovy and Zepbound if you are interested in chronic weight management.

Semaglutide (the active ingredient of Ozempic) is also available under a different brand name called Wegovy. Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in addition to diets and exercise.

Similarly, tirzepatide, the active ingredient of Mounjaro, is also available under the brand name Zepbound. Like Wegovy, Zepbound is an FDA-approved weight loss drug.

Dosage and Administration

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) is available as prefilled single-use pens in the following strengths:

2.5 milligrams (mg)/0.5 milliliters (mL),
5 mg/0.5 mL,
7.5 mg/0.5 mL,
10 mg/0.5 mL,
12.5 mg/0.5 mL
15 mg/0.5 mL.

The starting dose of tirzepatide is 2.5 mg once a week. The dose can be increased by 2.5 mg at 4-week intervals if the current dose does not provide an adequate response. 15 mg per week is the maximum dosage of Mounjaro and Zepbound.

Semaglutide (Ozempic) is available as prefilled single-use pens in the following strengths:

2 mg/3 mL (0.68 mg/mL) delivers a dose of 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg per injection
4 mg/3 mL (1.34 mg/mL) delivers a dose of 1 mg per injection
8 mg/3 mL (2.68 mg/mL) delivers a dose of 2 mg per injection

The starting dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg once a week for the first 4 weeks. After four weeks of the 0.25 mg dosage, the dose is increased to 0.5 mg once weekly.

If additional glycemic control is needed after four weeks of being on the 0.5 mg dosage, the dose can be further increased to 1 mg once weekly. The dose can be increased to 2 mg once weekly after four weeks of the 1 mg dosage, and additional glycemic control is still needed.

The maximum dose of Ozempic is 2 mg once weekly.

Keep in mind that Wegovy (semaglutide) products have different strengths compared to Ozempic. The recommended dosage of Wegovy is also different.

Eligibility

Mounjaro and Ozempic can be used in adults with type-2 diabetes to manage blood glucose levels. If you have type-2 diabetes, you may be eligible for these medications unless you have contraindications that make it unsafe for you to use these medications.

Your doctor will help determine if you can take one of these newer diabetes medications.

Regarding chronic weight management, you may be eligible for these weight loss medications if you have a body mass index (BMI) above 30 kg/m² or a BMI above 27 kg/m² with obesity-related medical conditions such as high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels, or high cholesterol.

Children who are at least 12 years old with an initial BMI at the 95^thpercentile or greater standardized for age and sex may be eligible for chronic weight management with Wegovy.

In summary, both Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are approved to treat type-2 diabetes in adults only. Similarly, Zepbound (tirzepatide) is also only approved for adults for chronic weight management. On the other hand, in addition to adults, Wegovy (semaglutide) can be used as a weight loss medication for children 12 years and older.

Insurance Coverage

If healthcare providers prescribe Ozempic or Mounjaro for weight loss, they may not be covered as this is an off-label use (they are not FDA-approved for this purpose).

If you don’t have diabetes, and weight loss is your primary goal, you should talk to your healthcare provider about FDA-approved weight loss medications like Wegovy or Zepbound.

These brand-name drugs are approved explicitly as weight loss agents, so you may have a better chance of getting approval from your health insurance provider as long as they are on your plan’s formulary.

Check out our blog on how to get a Wegovy prescription.

Learn more about who should not take Wegovy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much body weight do you lose on Ozempic?

Adults who take Ozempic for type-2 diabetes may lose up to 14 pounds of weight. Note that Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss. However, taking it may help you lose weight by regulating your appetite.

Do you regain weight after stopping Ozempic?

Changes in your appetite after stopping Ozempic could lead to weight regain. One study found that people who took semaglutide for 68 weeks had an average weight loss of 15% from the baseline weight.

In STEP 1 trial extension, by week 120, participants who were previously on semaglutide regained two-thirds of their body weights after a year without receiving semaglutide or lifestyle intervention.

Notably, the initial weight loss was achieved with the maximum dose of Wegovy (2.4 mg of semaglutide once weekly).

Learn more about what happens when you stop taking Wegovy, which contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic.

What does Mounjaro do to your body?

Mounjaro is used for glycemic treatment in adults with type-2 diabetes. Mounjaro manages blood sugar levels by increasing insulin levels while lowering the amount of sugar produced by the liver. Additionally, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) delays gastric emptying. Thus, it helps you feel fuller for longer. Mounjaro exerts all of these effects on the body by activating two receptors, GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1).

How fast do you lose weight on Mounjaro?

You may start losing weight a few weeks after starting Mounjaro. The maximum weight loss effects of this drug occur in 12-18 months. Note that Mounjaro is not approved as a weight loss drug. It is approved to treat type-2 diabetes but can cause weight loss as a side effect.

Which is better: Mounjaro vs Ozempic?

It appears that Mounjaro may be more effective than Ozempic, both for managing blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes and for helping people with type-2 diabetes lose weight.

Your doctor will develop an individualized treatment plan and choose a diabetes medication for you, Mounjaro vs Ozempic or others, based on various health factors.

Check out our blog to find out the strongest weight loss prescription.

How to get Mounjaro for $25?

If you have health insurance, you can apply for a Mounjaro Savings Card and obtain this diabetes medication for $25 per prescription. You can also use a free BuzzRx Mounjaro coupon to save money. Learn more about how much weight loss injections cost.

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