{"id":632892,"date":"2025-07-17T11:25:51","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T15:25:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=632892"},"modified":"2025-10-23T19:42:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T23:42:17","slug":"mounjaro-vs-jardiance-differences-and-similarities-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/mounjaro-vs-jardiance-differences-and-similarities-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Mounjaro vs. Jardiance: Differences and similarities explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/a>, you may have heard about prescription drugs like <\/span>Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Jardiance<\/span><\/a>. 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 <\/span>control blood sugar<\/span><\/a>. These differences influence their possible side effects, how they\u2019re taken, and even their costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mounjaro and Jardiance key differences<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, a dual GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and <\/span>GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist<\/span><\/a> that helps the body release more insulin and makes you feel full longer. On the other hand, Jardiance contains empagliflozin, an <\/span>SGLT2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter-2) inhibitor<\/span><\/a>, which helps get rid of extra glucose through the urine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Mounjaro vs. Jardiance key differences<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nMounjaro<\/b><\/td>\nJardiance<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nDual GIP and GLP-1 agonist<\/span><\/td>\nSGLT2 inhibitor<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand-name only<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nBrand-name only<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the active ingredient?<\/b><\/td>\nTirzepatide<\/span><\/td>\nEmpagliflozin<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nSubcutaneous injection<\/span><\/td>\nOral tablet<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\n2.5 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.<\/span><\/td>\n10 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.<\/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<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children 10 and older<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Conditions treated by Mounjaro and Jardiance<\/span><\/h2>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mounjaro is <\/span>FDA approved<\/span><\/a> 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jardiance is a bit different. In addition to Type 2 diabetes, it\u2019s also approved to lower the risk of <\/span>cardiovascular death<\/span><\/a> 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\u2019s approved to treat chronic kidney disease and heart failure, even for people who don\u2019t have Type 2 diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Neither medication is approved for <\/span>Type 1 diabetes<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Mounjaro vs. Jardiance conditions treated<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Condition<\/b><\/td>\nMounjaro<\/b><\/td>\nJardiance<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Reduce the risk of hospital visits and death in people with heart failure<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Reduce the risk of worsened kidney function, end-stage kidney disease, hospital visits, and death in people with chronic kidney disease<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Reduce the risk of death in people with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/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

Which is the best Type 2 diabetes medication?<\/span><\/h3>\n

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 <\/span>cardiovascular benefits<\/span><\/a>, reducing the risk of death from a heart attack or stroke, and hospital visits due to heart failure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One study compared diabetes medications and found that Mounjaro lowered blood sugar and <\/span>led to more weight loss<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mounjaro vs. Jardiance: Insurance coverage and cost comparison<\/span><\/h2>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/a>, it can still be expensive. Quantities and the pharmacy chosen can also affect the final retail price.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some people can save money by using prescription coupons. SingleCare offers discounts with <\/span>Mounjaro coupons<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Jardiance coupons<\/span><\/a>. These coupons may help you pay less, especially if insurance does not cover the full cost.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Mounjaro vs. Jardiance cost and coverage<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nMounjaro<\/b><\/td>\nJardiance<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by insurance?<\/b><\/td>\nSome plans may provide coverage, although it varies\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nSome plans may provide coverage, although it varies\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicare Part D?<\/b><\/td>\nSome plans may provide coverage, although it varies<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nSome plans may provide coverage, although it varies<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicaid?<\/b><\/td>\nVaries by state Medicaid program<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nVaries by state Medicaid program<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quantity<\/b><\/td>\n4 prefilled injection pens<\/span><\/td>\n30, 25 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare cost*<\/b><\/td>\n$872<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n$528<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
*Cost at time of publication. Drug prices vary by pharmacy and location.\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n

Jardiance vs. Mounjaro side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n

Because they have active ingredients that work in unique ways, Mounjaro and Jardiance can cause different side effects. The most <\/span>common side effects of Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n