Medically reviewed on July 14, 2023 by Jordan Stachel, M.S., RDN, CPT. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.
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If you’re seeking treatment for Type 2 diabetes, you’ve likely discovered two prescription drugs during your research: Mounjaro® and Ozempic®. Both drugs are prescribed to help people with Type 2 diabetes manage their weight. [1,2]
To that end, you might wonder, “What’s the difference between Mounjaro® and Ozempic® regarding weight management?”
In this guide, everything you need to know about Ozempic® vs. Mounjaro® for weight loss is detailed so that you can better determine which drug may be right for you and your healthcare needs.
Let’s start the Mounjaro® vs. Ozempic® comparison with an in-depth description of Mounjaro®—its active ingredient, approved uses, and potential side effects.
Mounjaro®’s active ingredient is tirzepatide. Tirzepatide is one of a few drugs known as “glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists,” or GLP-1 agonists. [3]
To understand how GLP-1 drugs like Mounjaro® work, let’s explore how insulin and blood sugar are regulated in people without Type 2 diabetes [4]:
However, people with Type 2 diabetes can develop insulin resistance, a condition in which their cells don’t readily accept sugars for energy production. As a result, their bodies often produce even more insulin to trigger cellular sugar absorption, but this increased insulin production often can’t keep up with steadily rising blood sugar levels. [4]
This is why GLP-1 agonist drugs can be helpful for people with Type 2 diabetes. They attach to GLP-1 receptors in the body, simulating your response to eating and accomplishing two key tasks [5]:
Since Mounjaro® makes you feel full and helps your body use up its available blood sugar and stored sugars for energy, it can help you lose weight.
Currently, Mounjaro® is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved to help individuals with type 2 diabetes to regulate their insulin and blood sugar levels in combination with an exercise regimen and dietary changes. [3]
It’s important to note that Mounjaro® is approved only for people with type 2 diabetes—not anyone struggling with weight management.
So, why isn’t Mounjaro® approved for general weight loss applications or type 1 diabetes treatment? [6]
People with Type 2 diabetes have a serious health condition, and Mounjaro® was designed—and is prescribed—to help manage that health condition, not just to help people lose weight.
The most common side effects patients experience while taking Mounjaro® are [8]:
Now that Mounjaro® has been explored, let’s dive into Ozempic®: another GLP-1 agonist drug. [2]
The active ingredient in Ozempic® is semaglutide. [2] Semaglutide, like tirzepatide, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor antagonist that [2]:
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are functionally identical: these drugs perform the same purposes in your body despite having slightly different chemical compositions.
In addition, both semaglutide and tirzepatide (Ozempic® and Mounjaro®, respectively) are drugs that are administered via injection—patients self-administer injections once per week. [8,9]
Unlike Mounjaro®, Ozempic® is approved for two patient groups [10]:
In the Mounjaro® vs. Ozempic® conversation, this distinction is key. While both semaglutide and tirzepatide can help people with Type 2 diabetes manage their weight and control their blood sugar, only the former is approved (and prescribed) for some patients who don’t have Type 2.
But, also like Mounjaro®, Ozempic® is not approved for treatment of Type 1 diabetes.
The Ozempic® weight loss side effects are similar to Mounjaro® and can include [11]:
Many patients also report appetite changes, like [12]:
Scientists are still studying the relationship between Ozempic® and reduced alcohol consumption—but current studies on rodents and primates suggest that Ozempic® has an impact on dopamine regulation, which is closely tied to eating and drinking behaviors. [13]
As always, you should talk to your healthcare provider about potential side effects before and during your treatment.
See related: Ozempic® Foods to Avoid
With a clear picture of Ozempic® and Mounjaro®, their uses, and their side effects, let’s compare Mounjaro® vs. Ozempic® for weight loss and Type 2 diabetes treatment.
Mounjaro® and Ozempic® have distinct active ingredients: tirzepatide and semaglutide, respectively. However, both of these drugs are GLP-1 agonists, which bind to GLP-1 receptors, simulate a feeling of satiety, and signal the pancreas to produce insulin.
Perhaps the most important question you might have about Mounjaro® vs. Ozempic® is, “Which one is more effective?”
There are two effectiveness metrics to consider:
It’s also important to note the long-term effectiveness of any weight loss drug. While long-term studies on both drugs are still in the works (since they’re both relatively new to the market), anecdotal reports indicate that: [18]
What does this mean for your long-term treatment with either drug?
Do you have more questions about Mounjaro® vs. Ozempic®? Explore the FAQs below for answers to some common queries about GLP-1 drugs.
No, Ozempic® and Mounjaro® are both approved to treat high blood sugar and insulin regulation concerns in people with Type 2 diabetes. However, only Ozempic® is approved as a treatment in some instances for weight-related health issues that include risk of several comorbidities.
What does that mean for you?
If you’re trying to lose weight with prescription drug treatment:
But, remember that conditions like high cholesterol and heart disease aren’t always connected to body weight.19 Talk to your healthcare provider about identifying the root causes of your health concerns and treating them with appropriate interventions.
Healthcare experts don’t currently recommend combining Ozempic® and Mounjaro® (or taking two of any GLP-1 drugs simultaneously).20 However, your provider may combine one of these drugs with other diabetes management medications like metformin.
Before starting any medication, you should talk to your healthcare provider about your existing prescriptions to prevent adverse combination effects. Your pharmacist can also help you identify potentially dangerous combinations when you fill your prescriptions.
While the answer will depend on your specific health insurance policy, there are a few important things to note about paying for Ozempic®, Mounjaro®, and other GLP-1 drugs:
If you’re looking to treat Type 2 diabetes or to manage your weight with prescription medications, talk to a healthcare provider about Mounjaro® vs. Ozempic®—either or neither of these drugs may be right for you long-term.
When it comes to finding quality healthcare providers who can offer support on your schedule and help you make informed decisions, trust Everlywell. With our online weight management program, you’ll have access to telehealth consultations with licensed clinicians, at-home lab tests, prescription medications, and more—all from the comfort of your own home.
Reach out today to learn more about how Everlywell can help you reach your healthcare goals.
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Ozempic® for Weight Loss: Side Effects and Risks
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