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Drug vs. Drug

Ozempic vs. Wegovy vs. Mounjaro: What’s the difference?

Ozempic vs. Wegovy vs. Mounjaro—find out how these popular weight loss and diabetes injections compare by ingredients, FDA use, cost, and which is most effective
Leandra Beabout
By | May 23, 2025 Medically reviewed by Samantha Marr, DNP, APN, AGPCNP-BC, CCRN
Question marks and a injectable syringe: Ozempic vs. Wegovy vs. Mounjaro: What’s the difference?

Key takeaways

  • Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are all brand-name injection drugs that help control blood sugar and reduce appetite.

  • Ozempic and Mounjaro are both FDA-approved diabetes medications, while Wegovy is an FDA-approved weight loss drug.

  • Ozempic and Wegovy share the same active ingredient, semaglutide, but are available in different doses. Mounjaro has the active ingredient tirzepatide.

  • Though these drugs have similar side effect lists and costs, only a healthcare provider familiar with your medical history, health conditions, insurance coverage, and other medications can help you determine whether Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro is best for you.

In this article:

If you have Type 2 diabetes or obesity, you have probably heard about these once-weekly injections used to treat one or both conditions: Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. These brand-name medications belong to different, but overlapping drug classes and work similarly to stimulate insulin production, resulting in lower blood sugar and reduced appetite. Ozempic and Mounjaro are FDA-approved to treat diabetes, while Wegovy is an FDA-approved weight loss medication.

Although these medications are used for similar purposes, they differ in several ways, including their active ingredients, potential side effects, and likelihood of insurance coverage.

What are the main differences between Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro? 

Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are similar drugs, but they are not identical to one another. The main differences when comparing these injectable medications are their active ingredients, drug classifications, and FDA-approved purposes. 

  • Active ingredient. Ozempic and Wegovy are both brand-name forms of semaglutide, their active ingredient. Mounjaro’s active ingredient is tirzepatide.
  • Drug classification. Ozempic and Wegovy’s active ingredient, semaglutide, targets glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors and is classified as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. In contrast, Mounjaro’s active ingredient, tirzepatide, targets GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors. This categorizes it as a dual GIP/GLP receptor agonist.
  • Approved uses. Ozempic and Mounjaro are FDA-approved treatments for blood sugar control. Wegovy is an approved weight management medication.
Comparing Ozempic vs. Wegovy vs. Mounjaro
Ozempic Wegovy Mounjaro
Drug class GLP-1 receptor agonist GLP-1 receptor agonist GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist
Brand/generic status Brand Brand Brand
What is the generic name?

Or

What is the brand name?

 Semaglutide Semaglutide Tirzepatide
What form(s) does the drug come in? Subcutaneous injection Subcutaneous injection Subcutaneous injection
What is the standard dosage? The starting dose is 0.25 mg injected under the skin once weekly for 4 weeks. 

Over time and depending on the treatment response, the dosage is increased to 0.5 mg-2 mg injected once a week.

 The starting dose is 0.25 mg injected under the skin once weekly for 4 weeks.

Over time and depending on the treatment response, the dosage is then increased to 0.5 mg-2.4 mg once weekly.

 The starting dose is 2.5 mg injected under the skin once weekly for 4 weeks.

Over time and depending on the treatment response, the dosage is increased in 2.5 mg increments up to a maximum of 15 mg once weekly.
How long is the typical treatment? Long-term Long-term Long-term
Who typically uses the medication? Adults 18 years and older Adults and children 12 years and older Adults 18 years and older

Comparing FDA approval: Ozempic vs. Wegovy vs. Mounjaro

Of these three medications, only Ozempic and Mounjaro are approved to treat Type 2 diabetes, and only Wegovy is approved for weight loss. 

FDA-approved diabetes treatment

According to drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk, Ozempic is currently approved for three uses in adults with Type 2 diabetes:

  • Improving blood sugar levels (when used alongside lifestyle changes like diet and exercise)
  • Reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other major cardiovascular disease problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
  • Preventing worsening chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure in adults with Type 2 diabetes and CKD

According to drug manufacturer Eli Lilly, Mounjaro is only approved to improve blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes.

FDA-approved weight management treatment

Wegovy, also made by Novo Nordisk, is approved for the following:

  • Managing weight in people who are obese (a body mass index, or BMI, of >30)
  • Managing weight in people who are overweight with a BMI of at least 27 and at least one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol
  • Lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other major cardiovascular problems in people who are overweight or obese and have heart disease 

Ozempic and Mounjaro are sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss. It’s unlikely for Wegovy to be prescribed off-label for diabetes because it is less likely to be covered by insurance. 

FDA-approved age populations

Another difference in FDA approval is age. Ozempic and Mounjaro are approved for use in adults 18 and older, while Wegovy is approved for adults and children 12 and older.

Which medication is most effective for weight loss?

Though all three of these medications are effective for weight loss, “tirzepatide works better,” says Cynthia Odogwu, MD, a family and lifestyle medicine physician in Maryland. The increased effectiveness is likely because tirzepatide products like Mounjaro target two metabolic hormone receptors — GIPs and GLP-1s — compared to semaglutide products like Ozempic and Wegovy, which only target GLP-1s. 

Let’s take a look at clinical trials on these drugs:

  • In a 40-week study comparing the effectiveness of tirzepatide and semaglutide in patients with Type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide users lost an average of 2-6 kg (4.4-13.2 lbs) more than semaglutide users, depending on the dosage. Higher doses resulted in more weight loss.
  • In a 68-week clinical study comparing Wegovy (semaglutide) with a placebo, about 69% of Wegovy users lost 10% or more of their body weight compared to 12% of placebo users who lost about the same body weight percentage. 
  • In a cohort study of 18,386 adults with overweight or obesity, the average reduction in body weight after three months of treatment for tirzepatide users was 5.9% compared to 3.6% for semaglutide users.

As for comparing Ozempic vs Wegovy? “Both these medications have semaglutide as the active ingredient. They are just different brands,” emphasizes Marisa Landetta, RD, a registered dietitian specializing in weight management in Lehi, Utah. Ultimately, the weight loss effectiveness of Ozempic versus Wegovy comes down to dosage. 

It’s important to remember that Ozempic and Mounjaro are meant for diabetes rather than weight loss. Wegovy has the same active ingredient as Ozempic and is an FDA-approved weight loss drug. Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, is also available as a weight loss drug under the brand name Zepbound. Another GLP-1 receptor agonist that has been approved for weight loss is called Saxenda (liraglutide). Ultimately, you should seek personalized medical advice for the best weight loss treatment for you.

Dosing and administration

Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are all administered via once-weekly subcutaneous self-injection. They are all intended for long-term use. They all start at a lower dose that is gradually increased depending on the treatment response. 

Ozempic dosage starts at 0.25 mg and maxes out at 2 mg injected once weekly, while Wegovy dosage starts at 0.25 mg and can be increased to a maximum dose of 2.4 mg once weekly. Mounjaro dosage begins at 2.5 mg injected once weekly and has an upper limit of 15 mg injected once weekly.

Not everyone reaches the maximum dosage, as many healthcare providers prefer to keep patients at the lowest effective dose for their needs. It is essential to work with your healthcare provider to determine whether you should decrease the dosage to a maintenance level after reaching a healthy weight.

Insurance coverage and cost

The out-of-pocket costs of Ozempic vs. Wegovy vs. Mounjaro vary based on retail price and insurance coverage. Mounjaro and Ozempic for diabetes are more likely to be covered by Medicare and private health insurance plans than Wegovy for weight loss. Still, some plans cover Wegovy with prior authorization or proof that the patient has tried other weight loss treatments first. Even when one of these drugs is covered by insurance, the copay amount varies by plan.

Without insurance or discounts, the average retail cost for a one-month supply of these medications is $1,844 for Wegovy, $1,368 for Ozempic, and $1,492 for Mounjaro. SingleCare Wegovy, Ozempic, or Mounjaro coupons may help reduce the cash price by hundreds of dollars.

Compare Ozempic vs. Wegovy vs. Mounjaro cost & coverage
Ozempic Wegovy Mounjaro
Typically covered by insurance? Yes No Yes
Typically covered by Medicare Part D? Yes No Yes
Typically covered by Medicaid? Sometimes (varies by state) Unlikely (varies by state) Sometimes (varies by state)
Quantity 1, 3 mL of 2 mg/3 mL pen (4 doses) 4, 0.75 mL of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL pens (4 doses) 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg/0.5 mL pens (4 doses)
SingleCare cost $825 $1,225 $872

Side effects and considerations 

Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro share similar side effects, but Dr. Odogwu says side effect frequency is lower with tirzepatide than semaglutide.

The most common side effects for all three are gastrointestinal issues, including:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation

Other possible side effects include:

  • Indigestion
  • Bloating
  • Fatigue
  • Injection site reactions

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a serious side effect of all three drugs and warrants urgent medical attention. 

Side effects vary by drug and dosage, and this is not a complete list of side effects. Higher doses are associated with increased incidence and severity of side effects. It’s important to consult your healthcare provider if you experience severe side effects after starting one of these medications.

Making informed decisions

Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are similar drugs, but they’re not identical. Ozempic and Wegovy both contain semaglutide, but they’re approved for different uses: diabetes treatment and weight loss, respectively. Ozempic and Mounjaro have different active ingredients but share the same approved uses: blood sugar management in Type 2 diabetes. 

“Although you can find pretty helpful information online, I do recommend to still get lab work and discuss with your provider about which option is best for you, since they will be able to take into account factors including other health conditions, medications, and insurance coverage,” says Landetta. 

Ultimately, consulting with a prescribing healthcare provider ensures that you are receiving the best treatment for your weight loss goals and circumstances, including your insurance coverage. And if you’re struggling to navigate the costs of these expensive injectable drugs, a healthcare provider can offer more affordable alternatives or point you toward ways to save with copay assistance programs or drug manufacturer discount offerings.