Mounjaro vs Ozempic: How do these weight loss medications stack up?

The newest drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight isn’t totally new to people seeking help with weight loss, or to care providers. Zepbound®  contains the same active ingredient as Mounjaro®—tirzepatide—a drug for type 2 diabetes that people have used off-label to lose weight. 

Manufactured by Eli Lilly, a phase 3 clinical trial of Mounjaro discovered participants lost up to 22.5% of their body weight, according to an Eli Lilly news release.

But is Mounjaro better for weight loss than Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic®? It has demonstrated remarkable weight loss results over the years and has been studied longer. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, is also FDA-approved for weight loss at a higher dose under the brand name Wegovy.

It's important to understand that as the patient taking either medication, it's about what works best for you.

At Found, we emphasize choosing weight loss medication based on your body’s biology. That’s why our members take the MetabolicPrint^TM quiz—an assessment that helps you and your provider understand the cause of your weight gain and choose the right medicine.   

You might be eager to take the medication with the best weight loss results, but it’s important to learn what’s going to help you achieve your goals.

Let’s dive into what we know now about Mounjaro vs Ozempic.

Mounjaro vs Ozempic: What are they?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is both a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist. A drug that works as an agonist activates the same cell receptors as the body's natural hormones. GLP-1 and GIP are incretins, hormones your body naturally produces, that stimulate insulin secretion in response to increased blood glucose levels after eating. GLP-1 also works to slow digestion, causing you to feel fuller longer after eating. 

Lilly's tirzepatide imitates these hormones, helping to promote weight loss in patients with overweight and obesity.

Mounjaro is indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The increased insulin secretion after using Mounjaro (tirzepatide) lowers blood sugar levels. The FDA recently approved tirzepatide, available as Zepbound®, for chronic weight management.

In comparison, the type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic is solely a GLP-1 agonist and activates one hormone receptor. 

Are the doses of Mounjaro and Ozempic the same?

Both of these weight loss medications are once-weekly subcutaneous (beneath the skin) injectable doses and vary in dosage.

Doses of Ozempic

Doses of Ozempic begin with the 0.25 mg pen for the first four weeks. Your provider may slowly increase your dose, as clinically indicated, to a maximum of 2 mg if you continue to tolerate the semaglutide injections and experience healthier blood sugar levels.

Doses of Mounjaro 

Doses of Mounjaro start at 2.5 mg weekly for at least four weeks. Over time, your provider may increase the dose incrementally to a maximum of 15 mg per week, depending on how well you tolerate the medication and its effectiveness.

Ozempic vs Mounjaro: Which is better for weight loss?

In a 72-week clinical trial published in 2022 in The New England Journal of Medicine, 2,539 participants with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater or a BMI of 27 or greater with at least one weight-related condition like high blood pressure took 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg once weekly doses of tirzepatide or a placebo. They also made lifestyle changes, like a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. 

The results showed folks in the 10 mg and 15 mg dose groups had an average body weight reduction of almost 20%. The placebo group had an average of only a 3% reduction. 

In 2018, The Lancet published the results of a similar 52-week trial on Ozempic’s weight loss results. Of the 957 participants, those given the 0.4-mg semaglutide dose had an average loss of almost 14% of their body weight. The placebo group saw only an average body weight reduction of 2.3%.  

These results may make you think Ozempic (semaglutide) isn’t as effective as Mounjaro. Remember, Mounjaro is a different medication than Ozempic. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better, especially since these two weight loss medications aren’t in the same medication class. 

Additionally, no clinical trials have a direct comparison of Mounjaro vs Ozempic for weight loss. Ultimately, what is best for you is the drug that works with your biology and helps you lose weight effectively. 

Mounjaro vs Ozempic cost

Both of these medications can have expensive out-of-pocket costs: The list price for Mounjaro is $1,069.08 for a month’s supply (four pre-filled pens), and the monthly list price for Ozempic is $935.77 (also four pre-filled pens). If you have commercial insurance that covers these medications, you may pay significantly less. Check your policy for coverage and your co-pay.

Eli Lilly, which manufactures Mounjaro, offers a savings program for people with commercial insurance that can bring the cost down to as little as $25 for a 1-month, 2-month, or 3-month supply, depending on your insurance coverage.

Novo Nordisk, has an Ozempic savings offer; eligible patients may be able to pay as little as $25 for up to 24 months. 

Which has fewer side effects, tirzepatide or Ozempic?

This is where the tirzepatide vs Ozempic comparisons become very similar. The most common side effects for both are gastrointestinal, like nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, and constipation. Headaches can be another common side effect. Both also come with warnings about more rare adverse side effects that include:

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Thyroid problems
• Gallbladder issues
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Worsening diabetic eye disease

Those with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasias should not use these drugs. Find detailed side effect and risk information for these and other drugs on our dedicated medication page.  

Can I take Mounjaro and Ozempic together?

Health care providers generally advise not taking Mounjaro and Ozempic together. Doing so can result in more severe side effects and increase your risk of rare complications.

Research suggests you may be able to take other types of diabetes medications with Mounjaro or Ozempic. Found, where providers personalize a prescription based on your MetabolicPrint, has a wide portfolio of medications that can be combined in different ways to work with your biology.  

Your Found affiliated health care provider will recommend weight loss medications based on your MetabolicPrint, medical history, lifestyle, and preferences to determine the best fit for you for a sustainable weight management journey.

While GLP-1s and tirzepatide are effective for weight loss, they are not clinically appropriate for everyone. Eligibility for these drugs is based on a provider’s evaluation of your medical history, MetabolicPrint™, and lab work. If tirzepatide or a GLP-1 is not appropriate for you, our providers will work with you to determine an effective medication for your health profile. Prescriptions are written at a medical provider’s discretion. 

About Found

Found is among the largest medically-supported telehealth weight care clinics in the country, having served more than 250,000 members to date. To discover your MetabolicPrint and start your journey with Found, take our quiz.

‍

‍