{"id":626340,"date":"2024-01-24T13:59:41","date_gmt":"2024-01-24T18:59:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=626340"},"modified":"2025-11-10T15:39:42","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T20:39:42","slug":"mounjaro-vs-ozempic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/mounjaro-vs-ozempic\/","title":{"rendered":"Mounjaro vs. Ozempic: Differences, similarities, and side effects"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Ozempic<\/span><\/a> are two brand-name medications commonly prescribed for the treatment of <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/a>. Both drugs come as injectable medications that are administered under the skin (subcutaneously). Doctors or healthcare providers typically prescribe them to be used alongside a diet and exercise plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mounjaro and Ozempic work similarly to mimic the effects of certain hormones called incretins. As a result, they help control blood sugar levels and manage weight. Although these medications are used for similar purposes, they may differ in several ways, such as their active ingredients, how they work, and potential side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read on to learn more about the differences between Mounjaro and Ozempic and when a healthcare provider might prescribe one over the other. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Main differences between Mounjaro vs. Ozempic<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
<\/td>\nMounjaro<\/b><\/td>\nOzempic<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nGLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist<\/span><\/td>\nGLP-1 receptor agonist<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand only<\/span><\/td>\nBrand only<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic name?<\/b><\/td>\nTirzepatide<\/span><\/td>\nSemaglutide<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nSubcutaneous injection<\/span><\/td>\nSubcutaneous injection<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\n2.5 mg is injected under the skin once weekly for 4 weeks, then increased to 5 mg once weekly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on the treatment response, the dosage may be increased in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the present dose up to a maximum of 15 mg once weekly.<\/span><\/td>\n

0.25 mg injected under the skin once weekly for 4 weeks. Then, the dosage is increased to 0.5 mg once weekly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on the treatment response, the dosage may be increased to 1 mg once weekly after 4 weeks on the 0.5 mg dosage and then again to 2 mg once weekly after 4 weeks on the 1 mg dosage.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults 18 years and older<\/span><\/td>\nAdults 18 years and older<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What are the main differences between Mounjaro vs. Ozempic?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The main difference between Mounjaro and Ozempic lies in their active ingredient. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, while Ozempic contains semaglutide.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mounjaro is part of a relatively new class of drugs called dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors to mimic the effects of key incretins. In contrast, Ozempic acts as a <\/span>GLP-1 receptor agonist<\/span><\/a>, activating just the GLP-1 receptors. The dual action of Mounjaro may lead to better blood sugar control than Ozempic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mounjaro and Ozempic also differ in their dosages. Mounjaro is started at 2.5 mg injected once weekly, which is then increased to 5 mg weekly after four weeks. The dosage of Mounjaro may be increased to a maximum of 15 mg once weekly. Ozempic is started at 0.25 mg once weekly and then increased to 0.5 mg after four weeks. The maximum dosage of Ozempic is 2 mg once weekly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Conditions treated by Mounjaro vs. Ozempic<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mounjaro and Ozempic are both approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to manage Type 2 diabetes, a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. These medications can help the body make more insulin in response to food, reduce the <\/span>amount of glucose<\/span><\/a> the liver makes, and slow down digestion. As a result, these medications can help lower blood sugar levels and reduce appetite.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ozempic is also approved to reduce the <\/span>risk of heart-related problems<\/span><\/a>, such as heart attack and stroke, in people with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In addition, Ozempic is approved to reduce the risk of severe kidney problems, such as kidney failure, in adults with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Currently, Mounjaro has not been approved for these indications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mounjaro and Ozempic may sometimes be prescribed <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> to support weight loss. However, they are not approved as weight-loss drugs. Instead, the active ingredients of these drugs are available under different brand names for weight management: <\/span>Zepbound<\/span><\/a> (tirzepatide) and <\/span>Wegovy<\/span><\/a> (semaglutide).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Condition<\/b><\/td>\nMounjaro<\/b><\/td>\nOzempic<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lower the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, and death<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lower the risk of severe kidney complications, such as kidney failure and cardiovascular death<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight loss<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Is Mounjaro or Ozempic more effective?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Both Mounjaro and Ozempic are effective medications when used as prescribed by a healthcare provider. However, clinical trials suggest Mounjaro may be more effective than Ozempic for managing blood sugar levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a <\/span>40-week study<\/span><\/a> involving 1,879 patients with Type 2 diabetes, researchers compared the effectiveness of tirzepatide and semaglutide. Tirzepatide was tested in three doses: 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg, while semaglutide was given at a dose of 1 mg. The results showed that tirzepatide reduced blood sugar levels more effectively, with reductions of 2.01%, 2.24%, and 2.30% for the different doses versus a 1.86% reduction with semaglutide.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tirzepatide also helped patients lose more weight than semaglutide. Patients lost an average of 2 kg (4.4 lbs) more with a 5 mg dose, 4 kg (8.8 lbs) more with a 10 mg dose, and 6 kg (13.2 lbs) more with a 15 mg dose.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coverage and cost comparison of Mounjaro vs. Ozempic<\/span><\/h2>\n

The costs of Mounjaro and Ozempic will depend on different factors, such as insurance coverage and market prices. Mounjaro and Ozempic are brand-name drugs that may be covered by some Medicare and private health insurance plans. However, the copay or coinsurance amounts will vary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These medications are covered only for their approved uses, including Type 2 diabetes and, for Ozempic, heart and kidney disease. They\u2019re not typically covered for off-label uses such as weight management.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: Does Kaiser cover Ozempic?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

For many people, the costs of Mounjaro and Ozempic may be burdensome even with insurance. Without insurance, the average retail prices can vary based on the pharmacy location and dosage prescribed. Using a prescription discount card like the <\/span>SingleCare card<\/span><\/a> may offer savings on the retail cost of these drugs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nMounjaro<\/b><\/td>\nOzempic<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by insurance?<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicare Part D?<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quantity<\/b><\/td>\n4 prefilled injection pens<\/span><\/td>\n1 prefilled injection pen<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typical Medicare copay<\/b><\/td>\nVaries<\/span><\/td>\nVaries<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare cost<\/b><\/td>\n$872 at CVS<\/span><\/td>\n$811 at CVS<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

RELATED: See more coupons for weight loss drugs<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Common side effects of Mounjaro vs. Ozempic<\/span><\/h2>\n

The most common side effects for Mounjaro and Ozempic are gastrointestinal problems, such as:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n