Mounjaro and Ozempic are two medicines 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. In keeping with the World Well being Group (WHO), grownup weight problems on this planet greater than doubled between 1990 and 2022. This has led to extra well being issues starting from cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes and neurological problems, power respiratory illnesses and digestive points. On this situation, it’s in individuals’s greatest curiosity to keep up wholesome weight. Nevertheless, the pursuit of dropping pounds rapidly is main individuals to seek out options in medicine meant for diabetes administration, however which additionally result in weight reduction. Ozempic and Mounjaro are two such weight reduction medicine which have brought about a stir globally. Are they related or completely different? Allow us to break down the Ozempic vs Mounjaro debate for you!
How does Mounjaro work?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a novel injectable medicine developed for the therapy of sort 2 diabetes, however can also 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, accessible in prefilled pen, is run as soon as weekly through 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 sort 2 diabetes, with off-label use for weight problems.
How does Ozempic work?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injectable medicine meant for sort 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 knowledgeable. It will increase the degrees of intestine hormones, incretins, and helps to supply 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 medicines are related in a number of methods.
1. Not authorised for weight reduction
Mounjaro will not be authorised by the FDA for weight reduction regardless that tirzepatide, which is its lively ingredient, bought a inexperienced sign for weight reduction underneath the model title Zepbound. Equally, Ozempic can also be not authorised for this function. The one authorised by the FDA for weight administration is Wegovy, which additionally makes use of semaglutide, the principle ingredient in Ozempic.
2. Weekly injectable medicines
In the case of Mounjaro vs Ozempic, each are weekly injectable medicines used to deal with sort 2 diabetes, and work as weight reduction medicine. They work via incretin hormone pathways to decrease blood sugar ranges and suppress urge for food, resulting in weight reduction.
3. Administered subcutaneously
Each the medicine are administered subcutaneously and require dose titration (sluggish addition of 1 resolution of a focus that’s already recognized). These are vital, as they’ll scale back gastrointestinal unwanted effects akin to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
“Additionally, each the medicines, that are advisable after failure of first-line brokers like metformin, present beneficial cardiovascular and metabolic profiles, and aren’t appropriate for sort 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: Elements and mechanism
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a twin GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, whereas Ozempic (semaglutide) targets solely the GLP-1 receptor. This twin focusing on in Mounjaro supplies probably optimistic results on metabolism, and helps with weight reduction.
2. Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Dose
Whereas each are administered subcutaneously as soon as in per week, the doses are completely 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 knowledgeable.
You might also like


3. Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Security
Ozempic, which was launched in 2017 within the US, has extra in depth long-term knowledge, together with optimistic cardiovascular outcomes in individuals with sort 2 diabetes. “Mounjaro’s long-term security remains to be underneath analysis, though early knowledge is promising,” in accordance with Dr Venkatarayaraju.

Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Which one is healthier?
From a scientific efficacy standpoint, Mounjaro seems superior to Ozempic for each glycemic management and weight reduction. Throughout a research, printed in JAMA Inner Medication, members who have been obese or overweight used tirzepatide and semaglutide. They skilled considerably better weight reduction after they used tirzepatide.
“Nevertheless, ‘higher’ additionally depends upon patient-specific elements. Ozempic has a robust cardiovascular knowledge, together with FDA approval for lowering main cardiovascular occasions in high-risk individuals. Mounjaro doesn’t but have this label,” says the knowledgeable.
Within the Mounjaro vs Ozempic battle, the previous could also be most well-liked when maximal weight reduction and glycemic management are main objectives. Ozempic could also be chosen when cardiovascular safety is a precedence.
Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Uncomfortable side effects
Listed here are a few of the unwanted effects:
Mounjaro unwanted effects
- Belly bloating
- Belly ache
- Constipation
- Flatulence
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Lack of urge for food
- Discomfort or discolouration across the spot the place the medication was injected
Ozempic unwanted effects
- Belly ache
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Discomfort across the injection space
Whereas these unwanted effects of Ozempic and Mounjaro could also be non permanent, there might be critical dangers too. “They’re uncommon, however individuals utilizing each might find yourself with pancreatitis, thyroid tumors and gallbladder illness,” says the knowledgeable.
Within the Mounjaro vs Ozempic debate, there isn’t a clear winner. Their lively elements are completely different, however their well being objectives, unwanted effects, and routes of administration overlap significantly.
Associated FAQs
How a lot weight are you able to lose in 6 weeks on Ozempic?
It’s possible you’ll lose round 2 % of your physique weight within the first six weeks on Ozempic. However you additionally have to 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 completed underneath medical supervision.