{"id":630191,"date":"2024-11-06T09:30:12","date_gmt":"2024-11-06T14:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630191"},"modified":"2025-10-28T16:59:42","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T20:59:42","slug":"switching-from-ozempic-to-mounjaro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/switching-from-ozempic-to-mounjaro\/","title":{"rendered":"Switching from Ozempic to Mounjaro"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ozempic<\/span><\/a> (semaglutide) and <\/span>Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> (tirzepatide) are two brand-name medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help treat <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/a>. Because they suppress appetite, these drugs are sometimes prescribed <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> for <\/span>weight loss<\/span><\/a>. Specifically, the brand names Ozempic and Mounjaro are not FDA approved for this use, but medications with the same active ingredients have been FDA approved as weight loss injections under the brand names <\/span>Wegovy<\/span><\/a> (semaglutide) and <\/span>Zepbound<\/span><\/a> (tirzepatide).<\/span><\/p>\n

Though these medications share intended uses and administration through once-weekly injections, they differ in mechanism of action and dosage. <\/span>Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> has the potential to be more effective for blood sugar control and weight loss, according to Raj Singh, MD, a primary care provider at Healor and medical director at Rarev Medical Spa in Las Vegas. Given that, some may wonder whether switching from Ozempic to Mounjaro is possible. The answer is yes. If your prescriber agrees that stopping Ozempic to start Mounjaro would be beneficial, the healthcare provider will determine the next steps, including the best dosage.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t$872.48\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$872.48\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Mounjaro prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the benefits of switching from Ozempic to Mounjaro?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Switching from Ozempic to Mounjaro is only recommended for some. If someone is experiencing good results from Ozempic, switching to Mounjaro might not boost results.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, sometimes switching to a new <\/span>diabetes medication<\/span><\/a> has clear benefits. In that case, a medical professional should determine the best new medicines and treatment plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Effectiveness<\/span><\/h3>\n

Mounjaro is a dual-action GIP and <\/span>GLP-1 receptor agonist<\/span><\/a> that targets glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors. Ozempic, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, only targets GLP-1 receptors. Mounjaro\u2019s dual action may increase its effectiveness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Research suggests that Mounjaro may be more effective than Ozempic. A<\/span> 40-week study<\/span><\/a> found that tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, <\/span>reduced blood sugar levels<\/span><\/a> (through measurement of <\/span>glycated hemoglobin, also known as<\/span> A1C<\/span><\/a>) by up to 2.30%; while semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, only caused a 1.86% A1C reduction.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mounjaro might also lead to greater weight loss, according to <\/span>Charu Sawhney<\/span><\/a>, DO, internal medicine physician at Harbor Health in Austin, Texas. \u201cOzempic can aid in reducing weight up to <\/span>10% of an individual\u2019s total body weight<\/span><\/a>. However, Mounjaro can aid in <\/span>reducing weight up to 20%<\/span><\/a>,\u201d she says. \u201cIf blood sugars are not well managed on Ozempic or if weight loss has plateaued and an individual would benefit from reducing their weight and body fat percentage further, Mounjaro is an excellent medication to consider.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dosage and frequency<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Ozempic dose ranges from 0.25 mg to 2 mg injected once weekly, whereas a dose of Mounjaro ranges from 2.5 mg to 15 mg injected once weekly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Common side effects<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cRegardless of which medication you are taking, the side effects are the same,\u201d says Kim Matta, PA-C, a physician assistant at <\/span>LifeSculpt by ChristiMD<\/span><\/a> in Houston, Texas. Both medications are known to cause common side effects such as <\/span>nausea<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>vomiting<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>diarrhea<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>constipation<\/span><\/a>. Like all medications, Ozempic and <\/span>Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> also present a risk of allergic reactions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Sawhney says Mounjaro is more likely than Ozempic to cause side effects, but anecdotally, Matta says many of her patients have reported fewer side effects from tirzepatide. Clinical trial data on<\/span> Ozempic<\/span><\/a> show <\/span>gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain occurred in 32.7% receiving Ozempic 0.5 mg and 36.4% receiving Ozempic 1 mg.<\/span> In contrast, clinical trials of<\/span> Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> showed <\/span>gastrointestinal side effects occurred in 37.1% receiving Mounjaro 5 mg, 39.6% receiving Mounjaro 10 mg, and 43.6% receiving Mounjaro 15 mg. With both Ozempic and Mounjaro, the increase in gastrointestinal side effects occurred with dose increases and often decreased over time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cost<\/span><\/h3>\n

The list prices of<\/span> Ozempic versus Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> are similar. However, insurance coverage and copays vary by plan. Some people might save money by switching medications if their insurance plan covers one but not the other. (These drugs are typically only covered for Type 2 diabetes, not weight management.)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese medications are very expensive, and we have to go by what the insurance covers,\u201d says <\/span>Dr. Singh<\/span><\/a>. There is currently <\/span>no shortage<\/span><\/a> of either medication.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Ozempic vs. Mounjaro comparison chart <\/span><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Comparison<\/b><\/td>\nOzempic<\/b><\/td>\nMounjaro<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/span><\/td>\nGlucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist<\/span><\/td>\nDual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mechanism<\/span><\/td>\nBinds to GLP-1 receptors to regulate appetite, stimulates insulin release from the pancreas, and inhibits glucagon release from the liver<\/span><\/td>\nBinds to GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors to regulate appetite, stimulates insulin release from the pancreas, and inhibits glucagon release by the liver<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dose\/Frequency<\/span><\/td>\nStarting dose: 0.25 mg injected under the skin once weekly<\/span><\/p>\n

Maintenance dose: <\/span>0.5 mg to 2 mg injected once weekly<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Maximum dose: 2 mg injected once weekly<\/span><\/td>\n

Starting dose: 2.5 mg injected under the skin once weekly<\/span><\/p>\n

Maintenance dose: 2.5 mg to15 mg injected once weekly<\/span><\/p>\n

Maximum dose: 15 mg injected once weekly<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

A1C (%) reduction from baseline\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n-1.6<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n –<\/span>1.7<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mean body weight reduction (pounds)<\/span><\/td>\n 10<\/span><\/td>\n17<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Side effect frequency<\/span><\/td>\nOzempic 0.5 mg:<\/span><\/p>\n

Nausea: 16%<\/span><\/p>\n

Stomach pain: 7%<\/span><\/p>\n

Constipation: 5%<\/span><\/p>\n

Diarrhea: 9%<\/span><\/td>\n

Mounjaro 5 mg:<\/span><\/p>\n

Nausea: 12%<\/span><\/p>\n

Stomach pain: 6%<\/span><\/p>\n

Constipation: 6%<\/span><\/p>\n

Diarrhea: 12%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

How to switch from Ozempic to Mounjaro<\/span><\/h2>\n

First things first: Consult your healthcare provider. Dr. Singh emphasizes that if someone is already getting good results from Ozempic, he does not recommend switching. If deemed beneficial, the switch from Ozempic to Mounjaro \u201ccan happen quickly and safely,\u201d says Dr. Sawhney.<\/span><\/p>\n