Mounjaro v. Ozempic: What’s the difference?

Key Points

• Mounjaro and Ozempic are two different type 2 diabetes drugs with different active ingredients.
• Both Mounjaro and Ozempic are effective at improving blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.
• Mounjaro may reduce blood sugar levels and cause weight loss to a greater degree than Ozempic.

Mounjaro® and Ozempic® are two of the leading GLP-1 medications for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Both have been shown to be meaningfully effective in improving blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. So, what's the difference between the two??

When it comes to Mounjaro versus Ozempic, it can be hard to know how the two differ and which is right for you. Let’s break it down.

The difference between Mounjaro & Ozempic

Mounjaro and Ozempic are different drugs, although they are both approved to improve blood sugar levels in those with type 2 diabetes and act in a similar way.

Mounjaro’s active ingredient is tirzepatide and Ozempic’s active ingredient is semaglutide. Mounjaro is a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist. Ozempic acts only on GLP-1.

GLP-1s mimic the hormone glucagon-like peptide 1, increasing insulin production, reducing appetite, and slowing digestion. This leads to an extended feeling of fullness, which often contributes to a decreased food intake.

Here are additional differences between Mounjaro and Ozempic:

How they work

• Mounjaro’s active ingredient tirzepatide is a dual-acting GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist. GIP and GLP-1 are both hormones relating to blood sugar and appetite. Mounjaro has been found to lower blood sugar, decrease food intake, and reduce body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro is produced by Eli Lilly.
• Ozempic’s active ingredient is semaglutide, which is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Semaglutide binds to GLP-1 receptors and stimulates insulin release from the pancreas. This helps slow down how fast food travels through your digestive tract. This can help you feel fuller for longer and reduce how much you eat, leading to weight loss. Ozempic is produced by Novo Nordisk.

How to take Ozempic or Mounjaro

Both Mounjaro and Ozempic are administered as subcutaneously weekly injections (under the skin) in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. These injections can be done at home on your own or with the help of someone else.

Ozempic comes with four pre-measured doses per pen, meaning you use one pen per month.

Mounjaro comes in a single-dose pen, meaning you use four pens per month.

Both medications are taken once per week on the same day, at any time of the day.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible. You may take a missed dose of Ozempic up to five days after the missed dose or within four days for Mounjaro.

Ozempic v. Mounjaro doses

Mounjaro has a higher maximum dosage than Ozempic does, capping out at 15 mg per week versus 2 mg per week. This doesn’t mean Mounjaro is inherently more effective than Ozempic—they are two different drugs with distinct active ingredients.

The doses for each medication are:

https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/mounjaro-ozempic-compare-3571637/

• Mounjaro starts at a 2.5 mg weekly dose and increases to 5 mg once weekly after four weeks. The 2.5 mg dosage is intended for treatment initiation and is not designed for glycemic control. After at least four weeks at 5 mg, your doctor will assess whether to increase based on your side effects and results. The maximum dosage is 15 mg subcutaneously once weekly.
• Ozempic starts at a .25 mg weekly dose. The 0.25 mg dosage is to help your body adjust to the medication and is not effective for glycemic control. After four weeks, the dose is increased to 0.5 mg once weekly. Your doctor may increase your dose based on your A1C levels. The maximum recommended dose of Ozempic is 2 mg weekly.

These initial low doses help prevent common stomach side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, or diarrhea. You cannot adjust your dose on your own—only a medical provider can modify your medication dosing.

Similarities between Ozempic & Mounjaro

Ozempic and Mounjaro are both approved to improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes in combination with a healthy diet and exercise.

Although both are associated with weight loss, they are not approved as weight loss drugs.

Both drugs act on the GLP-1 pathway to help regulate blood sugar, but Mounjaro also acts on the GIP pathway. This mechanism affects your appetite by slowing how fast food leaves your stomach, making you feel fuller sooner and often leading to weight loss.

Weight loss on Ozempic vs. Mounjaro

While neither Mounjaro nor Ozempic is a weight loss drug, both drugs have been found to cause weight loss as a secondary effect after improving A1C levels.

Mounjaro was compared to semaglutide (Ozempic) in a 40-week study that examined A1C reduction but also measured weight loss as a secondary outcome:

• Mounjaro reduced A1C by 2% compared to a 1.9% reduction in the Ozempic 1 mg group.
• Mounjaro led to an average weight loss of 7.7 kg (17 lb) to 11.4 kg (25 lb); Ozempic lead to 5.9 kg (13 lb) lost.

It’s important to note that this study was conducted before Ozempic was approved for a 2 mg dose, which has been available since March 2022.

A meta-analysis comparing the use of tirzepatide versus semaglutide to treat people with type 2 diabetes found that tirzepatide was the more effective in lowering A1C at every dose amount. Tirzepatide was also found to be more effective in reducing body weight.

In July 2024, a retrospective study on overweight or obese adults treated for type 2 diabetes, 81.8% of people receiving tirzepatide (Mounjaro) lost at least 5% of their weight within one year compared to 66.5% of those using semaglutide (Ozempic), a significant difference (which means it did not just happen by chance).

Side effects of Ozempic versus Mounjaro

Both Ozempic and Mounjaro have side effects, with stomach side effects being the primary issue. Stomach side effects occurred in 37% to 44% of Mounjaro-treated patients while 33% to 36% of Ozempic patients experienced them.

Both drugs elicit similar side effects, including:

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain

Ozempic may cause serious side effects, such as possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Do not use Ozempic if you or any of your family have ever had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Mounjaro may also cause thyroid tumors, including cancer. It should also not be used in anyone with a history of MTC or MEN 2. It may cause pancreatitis, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), kidney problems, vision issues, or gallbladder issues.

Keep track of your side effects and report them all to your healthcare provider. Your provider will determine the best next steps based on your symptoms and dosage. Do not stop taking your medication without guidance from your medical provider.

How to succeed with Mounjaro or Ozempic

If you want to take control of your blood sugar and improve your diabetes markers, drugs like Mounjaro and Ozempic can be an excellent option. And one of the best ways to ensure lasting success with these drugs is by working with a registered dietitian.

An RD can take you through every step of the way as you adjust to the medication and how it impacts your food intake. They can create a custom meal plan for you to follow as your appetite and habits change. Whenever you hit a speed bump, they’ll be there to talk you through it and ensure you achieve lasting results, like improving your blood sugar and A1C levels and possibly losing weight (and keeping it off!).

Fay offers a database of qualified and vetted registered dietitians, many of whom specialize in diabetes and weight loss. With Fay, your care could be completely covered by health insurance, too, drastically reducing the potential cost of such high-quality nutrition care.

To get started with a qualified diabetes dietitian, click here.

The views expressed by authors and contributors of such content are not endorsed or approved by Fay and are intended for informational purposes only. The content is reviewed by Fay only to confirm educational value and audience interest. You are encouraged to discuss any questions that you may have about your health with a healthcare provider.