Mounjaro alternatives: What can I take instead of Mounjaro?

In this article:

• What can you take instead of Mounjaro?
• Mounjaro alternatives
• Natural alternatives
• How to switch
• Determining the best treatment for Type 2 diabetes

In this article

• What can you take instead of Mounjaro?
• Mounjaro alternatives
• Natural alternatives
• How to switch
• Determining the best treatment for Type 2 diabetes

Mounjaro is a brand-name diabetes medication made by Lilly that’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, the same ingredient in Zepbound, but the medicine is not available in a generic version. For some people, the price of Mounjaro may be costly, even when taking into account insurance coverage. For others, Mounjaro may not be covered at all. Some people cannot take Mounjaro or may have bothersome side effects. If you are considering trying an alternative to Mounjaro, the good news is that there are many options you can discuss with your healthcare provider.  

What can you take instead of Mounjaro?

If you are looking for an alternative treatment for Type 2 diabetes—or for weight loss—there are various other options available for these uses. These include both oral medicines as well as daily or weekly injectable medicines. One of these options may be more suitable for certain individuals, due to their different uses, side effects, and forms of administration. 

Top 5 Mounjaro alternatives

The following are some of the most common alternatives to Mounjaro.

1. Ozempic (semaglutide) or Wegovy (semaglutide)

Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable drug that is similar, but not exactly the same, to Mounjaro. It contains the active ingredient semaglutide, and is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Ozempic is FDA approved for blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It is also FDA approved for cardiovascular risk reduction (to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death) in people with both Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Ozempic is also used in people with both Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease to prevent cardiovascular death and worsening of kidney disease. This drug is also commonly prescribed off-label for weight loss. 

Ozempic and Wegovy are both made by the drug company Novo Nordisk. Wegovy contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic, semaglutide, and is FDA approved as a weight loss medication. Wegovy can be used in adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with a body mass index (BMI) in the obesity range—or adults who are overweight with other weight-related health conditions. Additionally, this weight loss drug is FDA approved for cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with cardiovascular disease who also have obesity or are overweight. If you are prescribed Ozempic or Wegovy, you will start at the lowest dose, and your healthcare provider will instruct you on how to gradually increase to higher doses. The highest doses of Wegovy (1.7 mg and 2.4 mg) are slightly higher than the highest doses of Ozempic (1 mg and 2 mg). 

Since Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active ingredient, the side effects are the same. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, and stomach pain. 

These drugs have a black box warning, which is the most serious warning required by the FDA. Mounjaro has this warning, too. The warning states that these drugs have caused thyroid tumors in animal studies. Although it’s not known whether this risk applies to humans, individuals with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) or a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) should not use these medicines.

2. Rybelsus (semaglutide)

Rybelsus contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy. However, while Ozempic and Wegovy are injectable drugs, Rybelsus contains semaglutide in the form of an oral tablet. It’s typically taken once daily in the morning on an empty stomach. 

If you want to avoid injections, Rybelsus might be a convenient option for you. This drug is FDA approved for controlling blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes, and is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss. 

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, stomach pain, and a decrease in appetite. Rybelsus has the same black box warning as Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy.

3. Zepbound (tirzepatide)

The most closely related medication to Mounjaro is Zepbound, which is also a once-weekly injection with the same active ingredient (tirzepatide) but is FDA approved for different indications. Zepbound is FDA approved for weight loss and long-term maintenance in adults with obesity, or adults who are overweight and have at least one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Zepbound was also recently approved by the FDA to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.

Zepbound and Mounjaro are classified as glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists—or more simply known as dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists. The dosages are the same as for Mounjaro: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg. 

Common side effects of Zepbound include stomach problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, stomach pain, indigestion, reflux, and burping. Other common side effects include fatigue, hypersensitivity reactions, hair loss, and injection site reactions. 

Zepbound also has the black box warning in regard to thyroid tumors and should not be used in certain individuals. 

4. Metformin

Metformin is a biguanide diabetes medicine. It can be found in immediate-release and extended-release tablet form, as well as an oral liquid. Metformin is also found in many combination drugs—drugs that contain more than one active ingredient. This medicine is commonly prescribed as a first choice of treatment for people with Type 2 diabetes. 

Common side effects include stomach problems such as nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, gas, and diarrhea. Taking metformin with meals can ease these problems, and often your body will adjust to the medicine after a few weeks. Other common side effects include weakness and headache.

RELATED: Mounjaro vs. metformin

5. Januvia (sitagliptin)

Januvia is a brand-name drug classified as a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. It contains the active ingredient sitagliptin and is available as a tablet that is typically taken by mouth once daily. 

Common side effects of Januvia include upper respiratory infection, stuffy nose, runny nose, sore throat, and headache. 

 

Compare Mounjaro alternatives
Drug name	Approved uses	Form	Average retail price*	Savings options
Mounjaro (tirzepatide)	Type 2 diabetes Off-label for weight loss	Injection (weekly)	$1,486 for 4, 5 mg syringes	Mounjaro coupons
Ozempic (semaglutide)	Type 2 diabetes Cardiovascular risk reduction Kidney disease Off-label for weight loss	Injection (weekly)	$1,379 for one 2 mg/3mL pen	Ozempic coupons
Wegovy (semaglutide)	Weight loss Cardiovascular risk reduction	Injection (weekly)	$1,842 for 4, 2.4 mg syringes	Wegovy coupons
Rybelsus (semaglutide)	Type 2 diabetes	Oral	$1,388 for 30, 7 mg tablets	Rybelsus coupons
Zepbound (tirzepatide)	Weight loss Obstructive sleep apnea	Injection (weekly)	$1,524 for 4, 5 mg syringes	Zepbound coupons
Metformin	Type 2 diabetes	Oral	$165 for 60, 500 mg tablets	Metformin coupons
Januvia (sitagliptin)	Type 2 diabetes	Oral	$731 for 30, 100 mg tablets	Januvia coupons
Invokana (canagliflozin)	Type 2 diabetes Cardiovascular risk reduction Diabetic nephropathy with albuminuria	Oral	$813 for 30, 300 mg tablets	Invokana coupons
Jardiance (empagliflozin)	Type 2 diabetes Heart failure Kidney disease Cardiovascular disease	Oral	$867 for 30, 25 mg tablets	Jardiance coupons
Saxagliptin	Type 2 diabetes	Oral	$502 for 30, 5 mg tablets	Saxagliptin coupons
Saxenda (liraglutide)	Weight loss	Injection (daily)	$1,802 for 5, 18 mg pens	Saxenda coupons
Tradjenta (linagliptin)	Type 2 diabetes	Oral	$756 for 30, 5 mg tablets	Tradjenta coupons
Trulicity (dulaglutide)	Type 2 diabetes Cardiovascular risk reduction	Injection (weekly)	$1,405 for 4, 1.5 mg syringes	Trulicity coupons
Victoza (liraglutide)	Type 2 diabetes Cardiovascular risk reduction	Injection (daily)	$1,440 for 3, 18 mg pens	Victoza coupons

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of October 2025. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.

Natural alternatives to Mounjaro 

It may be tempting to search for a natural Mounjaro by turning to the vitamin and supplement aisle at your pharmacy. Although these natural remedies have their place in various conditions, they are never a substitute for treatments prescribed by your healthcare professional. Some supplements may help with blood sugar control or weight loss—along with other measures like any medicine you are prescribed and lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and even getting enough quality sleep. 

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) advises that when considering a vitamin or supplement, you will need to consider drug interactions, potential side effects, and effects on your blood sugar. The ADA states that “supplements are not proven as an effective option for lowering your blood glucose (blood sugar) or supporting diabetes management.” However, they note that some people may benefit from a multivitamin—such as older adults, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and people who follow certain diets, such as vegetarian or very low-calorie or low-carbohydrate diets. 

Bottom line: Supplements may help, but are not a substitute for the medicines your healthcare provider recommends. Before adding a supplement to your routine, check with your healthcare provider to make sure it is safe and appropriate for you to take. 

How to switch to a Mounjaro alternative

If you are considering a switch to a Mounjaro alternative, here are some steps you can take:

• If price is a factor, contact your health insurance plan. Ask which Mounjaro alternatives are covered, and what your out-of-pocket costs would be. You can also find this information on your plan’s website. 
• Reach out to your healthcare provider. They may want you to come in for an appointment, or they may approve a switch after a phone consultation. Be sure your provider is aware of your medical conditions, medical history, and any medications you take. This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and any vitamins or supplements. 
• If your healthcare provider decides to prescribe an alternative to Mounjaro, they can send the prescription to your preferred pharmacy. Tell your pharmacist that you are switching from Mounjaro to the new prescription medication, so they can update your file accordingly. 
• You can always search the SingleCare website for coupons for Mounjaro alternatives. SingleCare customers save up to 80% on prescription prices at participating pharmacies. 

Determining the best treatment for Type 2 diabetes

There are many alternatives to Mounjaro, for those looking for a different treatment. Options include both oral and injectable medicines. Some of the most common Mounjaro alternatives include Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Zepbound, metformin, and Januvia. Many people will need more than one medicine in order to achieve optimal blood sugar control. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice on the best treatment for your condition.