Ozempic and Mounjaro are two popular medications which can help you lose weight. Not sure which one is best for you? Here are 5 key differences to help you decide:
Ozempic and Mounjaro each rely on different active ingredients. Ozempic uses semaglutide, while Mounjaro uses tirzepatide.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It helps to regulate appetite and food intake, making it easier for people to lose weight. Semaglutide is also found in another medication called Wegovy, which is used to help with weight loss.
Semaglutide works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1. Similar to Mounjaro below, Ozempic slows down gastric emptying, which makes you feel full sooner and helps reduce your appetite.
Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. This means it works on two different receptors in the body to help control blood sugar and promote weight loss. Theoretically, this additional mechanism can lead to better weight loss outcomes and improved blood sugar control.
By activating GLP-1 receptors, Mounjaro slows down gastric emptying, which means food stays in the stomach longer, making you feel full sooner and for a longer period. This helps reduce your appetite. The activation of GIP receptors enhances insulin secretion and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
When it comes to helping people lose weight, both Mounjaro and Ozempic have shown promising results. Mounjaro has been found to lead to more weight loss compared to Ozempic. In separate studies, Mounjaro demonstrated greater weight loss than semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic. This has been supported by multiple analyses and head-to-head comparisons. However, Ozempic tends to have less intense side effects, especially if you have a sensitive stomach.
It's important to note that both medications, when combined with healthy lifestyle interventions, are effective ways of losing weight. While Mounjaro seems to have the edge in terms of losing weight, you may find Ozempic provides you with better quality of life due to its lower side effects. We recommend you learn about both options. It's always good to have more choices!
Mounjaro and Ozempic both operate similarly in your body, so it's not surprising that they share a lot of the same side effects.
The most common side effects reported for both Mounjaro and Ozempic include:
Because Mounjaro also acts on an additional chemical pathway which affects insulin secretion, another reported side effect of Mounjaro can be low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Both medications should be avoided if you have a personal history of pancreatitis, type 1 diabetes, diabetic retinopathy (a diabetes condition that affects eyesight), or a family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia.
Your healthcare provider will guide you on how to properly use these medications, ensuring you get the most benefit from your treatment.
When it comes to dosage and administration, Ozempic and Mounjaro are fairly similar.
Both Ozempic and Mounjaro can be injected into the following areas:
Without insurance, Ozempic and Mounjaro have similar costs, but Ozempic may be slightly cheaper. Ozempic usually costs between $1,000 to $1,100 per month, while Mounjaro usually costs between $1,000 to $1,200 per month before insurance.
We've helped patients obtain insurance coverage for both of these medications. Some of our customers have emailed us to say they now pay as little as a $25 monthly copay for their monthly supply.
Both Ozempic and Mounjaro are FDA approved medications for treating Type 2 diabetes, but Ozempic is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss.
Mounjaro is approved for the treatment of adults with Type 2 diabetes. It helps manage blood sugar levels effectively.
Ozempic is also approved for treating Type 2 diabetes, but doctors may prescribe it off-label for weight loss if your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher, or if your BMI is 27 or higher and you have at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure or heart disease.
In summary, while both Ozempic and Mounjaro are effective in aiding weight loss, Mounjaro tends to result in greater average weight loss compared to Ozempic. However, studies suggest that Ozempic produces less side effects, especially for people with sensitive stomachs. Both medications require a long-term commitment and should be used under the guidance of a healthcare provider. It's essential to discuss with your doctor to determine which medication aligns best with your health needs and lifestyle.
Ozempic contains semaglutide, while Mounjaro contains tirzepatide. Both medications mimic hormones that control hunger. Mounjaro activates GLP-1 and GIP receptors, while Ozempic only activates GLP-1 receptors.
Studies suggest that Mounjaro may lead to more weight loss compared to Ozempic. On average, people using Mounjaro lost about 25% of their body weight in a year, while Ozempic users lost around 16%.
Both Ozempic and Mounjaro are easy to use. Each medication requires that you inject yourself once a week. The only real difference is that Ozempic stays stable at room temperature for much longer (56 days for Ozempic vs. 21 days for Mounjaro). Despite this, we recommend that you store both drugs in your fridge.
Switching between these medications is possible but should be done under a doctor's guidance to ensure it's safe and effective for you.
