Key takeaways
Mounjaro and Jardiance are both used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways.
Mounjaro tends to cause more weight loss, while Jardiance is approved for added heart and kidney health benefits.
Jardiance is a once-daily pill, while Mounjaro is a weekly injection that may be more expensive without insurance.
If you have Type 2 diabetes, you may have heard about prescription drugs like Mounjaro or Jardiance. These medications are prescribed to help people lower their blood sugar levels and slow disease progression. Both Mounjaro and Jardiance are brand-name diabetes medications, but they belong to different drug classes and work in different ways to help control blood sugar. These differences influence their possible side effects, how they’re taken, and even their costs.
Mounjaro and Jardiance key differences
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, a dual GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist that helps the body release more insulin and makes you feel full longer. On the other hand, Jardiance contains empagliflozin, an SGLT2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter-2) inhibitor, which helps get rid of extra glucose through the urine.
Compare Mounjaro vs. Jardiance key differences |
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Mounjaro | Jardiance | |
Drug class | Dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist | SGLT2 inhibitor |
Brand/generic status | Brand-name only | Brand-name only |
What is the active ingredient? | Tirzepatide | Empagliflozin |
What form(s) does the drug come in? | Subcutaneous injection | Oral tablet |
What is the standard dosage? | 2.5 mg injected under the skin once weekly for 4 weeks. If needed, the dosage may be increased to 5 mg once weekly. The dosage can then be increased by 2.5 mg every 4 weeks, up to a maximum of 15 mg once weekly. | 10 mg by mouth once daily in the morning, with or without food. If well tolerated, the dose may be increased to 25 mg once daily. |
How long is the typical treatment? | Long-term | Long-term |
Who typically uses the medication? | Adults | Adults and children 10 and older |
Conditions treated by Mounjaro and Jardiance
Mounjaro and Jardiance are medicines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Type 2 diabetes. Both help lower blood sugar levels in people who are unable to control their glucose levels without medication.
Mounjaro is FDA approved for Type 2 diabetes because it helps the pancreas make more insulin to lower blood glucose. However, some healthcare providers and doctors also prescribe it off-label for obesity, since it can reduce body weight and appetite.
Jardiance is a bit different. In addition to Type 2 diabetes, it’s also approved to lower the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Jardiance can also help reduce blood pressure, which can protect the kidneys and benefit those with heart failure. Therefore, it’s approved to treat chronic kidney disease and heart failure, even for people who don’t have Type 2 diabetes.
Neither medication is approved for Type 1 diabetes.
Compare Mounjaro vs. Jardiance conditions treated |
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Condition | Mounjaro | Jardiance |
Type 2 diabetes | Yes | Yes |
Reduce the risk of hospital visits and death in people with heart failure | No | Yes |
Reduce the risk of worsened kidney function, end-stage kidney disease, hospital visits, and death in people with chronic kidney disease | No | Yes |
Reduce the risk of death in people with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease | No | Yes |
Weight loss | Off-label | Off-label |
Which is the best Type 2 diabetes medication?
Jardiance is a once-daily pill, which some people may prefer over an injection like Mounjaro. Clinical trials show that in addition to lowering blood sugar, it has various cardiovascular benefits, reducing the risk of death from a heart attack or stroke, and hospital visits due to heart failure.
One study compared diabetes medications and found that Mounjaro lowered blood sugar and led to more weight loss than Jardiance for people with Type 2 diabetes. People taking the highest dose of Mounjaro lost about 8.7 kg (19 pounds), while those on Jardiance lost about 2 kg (4 pounds) compared to placebo. However, Jardiance was more effective at lowering blood pressure, making it a good option for people with diabetes who also have high blood pressure.
The most effective medication can often depend on whether the person has other health problems. The effectiveness can also change with the dosage and how a person responds to treatment. These medications should only be started and managed with help from a healthcare professional.
Mounjaro vs. Jardiance: Insurance coverage and cost comparison
Mounjaro and Jardiance are brand-name drugs with no generic versions available for either medicine. Although some private insurance and Medicare plans may cover both medications, coverage can vary depending on the plan. How much you pay out of pocket depends on the pharmacy and the prescribed quantity.
Retail costs for these drugs may be high for some people without insurance. For example, the price for Mounjaro averages about $1,475 per month. Jardiance usually costs less, but at about $876 a month, it can still be expensive. Quantities and the pharmacy chosen can also affect the final retail price.
Some people can save money by using prescription coupons. SingleCare offers discounts with Mounjaro coupons and Jardiance coupons. These coupons may help you pay less, especially if insurance does not cover the full cost.
Compare Mounjaro vs. Jardiance cost and coverage |
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Mounjaro | Jardiance | |
Typically covered by insurance? | Some plans may provide coverage, although it varies | Some plans may provide coverage, although it varies |
Typically covered by Medicare Part D? | Some plans may provide coverage, although it varies | Some plans may provide coverage, although it varies |
Typically covered by Medicaid? | Varies by state Medicaid program | Varies by state Medicaid program |
Quantity | 4 prefilled injection pens | 30, 25 mg tablets |
SingleCare cost* | $872 | $528 |
*Cost at time of publication. Drug prices vary by pharmacy and location.
Jardiance vs. Mounjaro side effects
Because they have active ingredients that work in unique ways, Mounjaro and Jardiance can cause different side effects. The most common side effects of Mounjaro include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Stomach or abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Decreased appetite
The most common side effects of Jardiance include:
- Urinary tract infections
- Yeast infections
- Increased urination
- Nausea
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Joint pain
- Abnormal lipid levels
Both medications may also cause serious side effects, including serious allergic reactions and kidney problems. Always consult a healthcare provider and the prescribing information on the drug label for all possible side effects.
Mounjaro and Jardiance drug interactions and warnings
Both Mounjaro and Jardiance can increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when taken with insulin or sulfonylureas, such as glipizide and glimepiride. Mounjaro can also affect how well other oral medications are absorbed, which may be especially important for people on medications like warfarin or birth control pills.
Jardiance also has other drug interactions. Combining it with diuretics (water pills) may lead to dehydration or low blood pressure. For those who regularly take lithium, Jardiance may reduce lithium levels in the blood, potentially leading to decreased effects of the drug. In addition, Jardiance can cause sugar to appear in urine tests and may affect certain lab tests used to monitor blood sugar, such as the 1,5-AG assay.
Warnings to consider with Mounjaro and Jardiance
Mounjaro and Jardiance each have specific risks to consider. Although rare, Mounjaro is linked to the following:
- Thyroid cancer: Mounjaro may increase the risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, so you should not use it if you or your family have a history of medullary thyroid cancer or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
- Pancreatitis: This drug may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which may develop as ongoing stomach pain that sometimes spreads to the back.
- Eye problems: Mounjaro can worsen diabetic eye conditions, particularly if you have a history of diabetic retinopathy.
- Gallbladder problems: The use of Mounjaro has been linked to gallbladder problems, such as gallstones or inflammation of the gallbladder.
Jardiance, on the other hand, comes with the following warnings and precautions:
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): Jardiance carries a risk of DKA, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can occur even if your blood sugar is not very high.
- Dehydration: This medication may increase the risk of dehydration, especially in older adults or people with kidney problems.
- Infections: Jardiance may cause serious UTIs or genital yeast infections.
These may not be all of the drug interactions and warnings. Always consult a healthcare provider for medical advice before taking Mounjaro or Jardiance.
Can you take Mounjaro and Jardiance together?
Mounjaro and Jardiance are sometimes used together because they work differently to lower blood sugar. If one medication isn’t enough, the other may be added for additional benefits. For example, Jardiance may be added to Mounjaro for heart and kidney benefits, or Mounjaro may be added to Jardiance for improved weight-loss effects. However, using both can raise the risk of side effects like low blood sugar, an upset stomach, or dehydration.
Only a healthcare provider who knows your medical history and current health conditions can determine which medication may be safest and most effective for you. Talk to your doctor before starting, stopping, or changing a diabetes medication.
- Mounjaro highlights of prescribing information, Food and Drug Administration (2024)
- Jardiance highlights of prescribing information, Food and Drug Administration (2023)
- Oral and injectable (non-insulin) pharmacological agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, Endotext (2024)
- Evaluation and comparison of efficacy and safety of tirzepatide, liraglutide and SGLT2i in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a network meta-analysis, BMC Endocrine Disorders (2024)
- Empagliflozin-mediated lithium excretion: a case study and clinical applications, American Journal of Case Reports (2020)
- GLP-1 receptor agonists and the risk of thyroid cancer, Diabetes Care (2023)
- Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis, StatPearls (2023)