Mounjaro and Ozempic are two drugs that may assist with diabetes and weight administration. However is there a winner within the Mounjaro vs Ozempic battle?
Weight problems is a world pandemic. Based on the World Well being Group (WHO), grownup weight problems on the planet greater than doubled between 1990 and 2022. This has led to extra well being issues starting from cardiovascular ailments, diabetes and neurological problems, power respiratory ailments and digestive points. On this situation, it’s in individuals’s greatest curiosity to take care of wholesome weight. Nevertheless, the pursuit of losing a few pounds rapidly is main individuals to search out options in medication meant for diabetes administration, however which additionally result in weight reduction. Ozempic and Mounjaro are two such weight reduction medication which have brought about a stir globally. Are they related or totally different? Allow us to break down the Ozempic vs Mounjaro debate for you!
How does Mounjaro work?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a novel injectable treatment developed for the remedy of kind 2 diabetes, however can be used as a weight reduction drug. “It’s a twin glucose- dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist,” says diabetologist Dr Shankar Kumar Venkatarayaraju. So, it mimics the actions of each GIP and GLP-1 hormones that management blood sugar ranges and scale back urge for food, resulting in weight reduction.

The drug, out there in prefilled pen, is run as soon as weekly by way of subcutaneous injection, which implies it’s injected underneath the pores and skin of the stomach, thigh or higher arm. It’s authorised by the US Meals and Drug Administration for kind 2 diabetes, with off-label use for weight problems.
How does Ozempic work?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injectable treatment meant for kind 2 diabetes administration and used off-label for weight reduction. “It’s a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics endogenous glucagon-like peptide-1,” shares the skilled. It will increase the degrees of intestine hormones, incretins, and helps to provide extra insulin when wanted. It additionally helps in lowering the quantity of sugar produced by the liver, and slows down digestion of meals. These mechanisms assist to decrease blood sugar ranges and contribute to weight reduction.
Mounjaro vs Ozempic: What are the similarities?
Each the drugs are related in a number of methods.
1. Not authorised for weight reduction
Mounjaro just isn’t authorised by the FDA for weight reduction regardless that tirzepatide, which is its energetic ingredient, bought a inexperienced sign for weight reduction underneath the model title Zepbound. Equally, Ozempic can be not authorised for this function. The one authorised by the FDA for weight administration is Wegovy, which additionally makes use of semaglutide, the primary ingredient in Ozempic.
2. Weekly injectable medicines
In the case of Mounjaro vs Ozempic, each are weekly injectable medicines used to deal with kind 2 diabetes, and work as weight reduction medication. They work by way of incretin hormone pathways to decrease blood sugar ranges and suppress urge for food, resulting in weight reduction.
3. Administered subcutaneously
Each the medication are administered subcutaneously and require dose titration (gradual addition of 1 resolution of a focus that’s already identified). These are vital, as they will scale back gastrointestinal unwanted side effects corresponding to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
“Additionally, each the medicines, that are beneficial after failure of first-line brokers like metformin, present beneficial cardiovascular and metabolic profiles, and usually are not appropriate for kind 1 diabetes,” says Dr Venkatarayaraju.
Mounjaro vs Ozempic: What are the variations between them?
Listed here are some key variations between Mounjaro and Ozempic:
1. Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Substances and mechanism
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a twin GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, whereas Ozempic (semaglutide) targets solely the GLP-1 receptor. This twin concentrating on in Mounjaro gives probably optimistic results on metabolism, and helps with weight reduction.
2. Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Dose
Whereas each are administered subcutaneously as soon as in every week, the doses are totally different. “Mounjaro is out there in doses from 2.5 to fifteen mg weekly, whereas Ozempic is often titrated as much as 2 mg,” says the skilled.
3. Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Security
Ozempic, which was launched in 2017 within the US, has extra intensive long-term knowledge, together with optimistic cardiovascular outcomes in individuals with kind 2 diabetes. “Mounjaro’s long-term security continues to be underneath analysis, though early knowledge is promising,” in keeping with Dr Venkatarayaraju.

Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Which one is best?
From a scientific efficacy standpoint, Mounjaro seems superior to Ozempic for each glycemic management and weight reduction. Throughout a research, revealed in JAMA Inside Medication, contributors who had been obese or overweight used tirzepatide and semaglutide. They skilled considerably higher weight reduction after they used tirzepatide.
“Nevertheless, ‘higher’ additionally depends upon patient-specific elements. Ozempic has a powerful cardiovascular knowledge, together with FDA approval for lowering main cardiovascular occasions in high-risk individuals. Mounjaro doesn’t but have this label,” says the skilled.
Within the Mounjaro vs Ozempic battle, the previous could also be most popular when maximal weight reduction and glycemic management are major objectives. Ozempic could also be chosen when cardiovascular safety is a precedence.
Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Unintended effects
Listed here are among the unwanted side effects:
Mounjaro unwanted side effects
- Stomach bloating
- Stomach ache
- Constipation
- Flatulence
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Lack of urge for food
- Discomfort or discolouration across the spot the place the drugs was injected
Ozempic unwanted side effects
- Stomach ache
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Discomfort across the injection space
Whereas these unwanted side effects of Ozempic and Mounjaro could also be momentary, there could be critical dangers too. “They’re uncommon, however individuals utilizing each could find yourself with pancreatitis, thyroid tumors and gallbladder illness,” says the skilled.
Within the Mounjaro vs Ozempic debate, there isn’t any clear winner. Their energetic elements are totally different, however their well being objectives, unwanted side effects, and routes of administration overlap significantly.
Associated FAQs
How a lot weight are you able to lose in 6 weeks on Ozempic?
You could lose round 2 % of your physique weight within the first six weeks on Ozempic. However you additionally must eat wholesome and have interaction in common bodily exercise.
Can you turn from Ozempic to Mounjaro?
Sure, transitioning from Ozempic to Mounjaro is feasible and could also be useful in individuals who want higher glycemic management or enhanced weight reduction. This swap must be finished underneath medical supervision.