Ozempic and Mounjaro are both common injectable medications used to treat blood glucose levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.
This guide will explain the important differences between Ozempic and Mounjaro and help you decide which medication to choose.
What are the active ingredients in Ozempic and Munjaro?
Ozempic and Mounjaro are similar medicines, but do not combine or use them at the same time. This is because they have different active ingredients and mechanisms of action.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, mimics the GLP-1 hormone, especially in the body, reducing appetite, blunting to the stomach cavity, reducing glucose release from the liver, and playing a role in increasing insulin release.
Meanwhile, Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, has a double function. It is nicknamed “Twincretin” because it mimics both GLP-1 and GIP incretin hormones.
Although it shares the effects of GLP-1, the addition of GIP action promotes insulin release in response to hyperglycemia and plays a role in fat metabolism.
The combined activity of GLP-1 and GIP in Mounjaro offers a broader approach to regulating blood glucose and appetite compared to GLP-1 alone.
Why do people take Ozempic or Moonjaro?
Both Ozempic and Mounjaro are used to treat type 2 diabetes.
They are liquid injectable medicines that help lower blood sugar and A1c levels, and are ingested subcutaneously (just under the skin) in areas such as the abdomen, thighs, and upper arms.
Both drugs help improve insulin sensitivity while reducing insulin resistance.
Another notable effect is slowing digestion and suppressing appetite. As a result, many people taking these medications experience weight loss.
read more: Does Ozempic help you lose weight? and Can Mounjaro help you lose weight?
Ozempic and Mounjaro can also help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
People may be prescribed Ozempic or Munjaro “off-label” in ways that are not officially approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Neither Ozempic nor Mounjaro are FDA approved due to weight loss. However, the FDA has approved a drug called Zepbound for this purpose.
read more: Everything you need to know about Zepbound.
Zepbound is chemically identical to Mounjaro, which contains the same active ingredient of the same strength, but is sold under a different name when used in weight loss treatments.
People are not prescribed both Ozempic and Munjaro at the same time. You can take either one. Do not mix the two medicines.
How do Ozempic and Mounjaro look similar?
Ozempic and Mounjaro can be used alone or with other diabetes medications.
The two drugs are similar in the following ways:
Hypoglycemia and A1c levels
Both Ozempic and Mounjaro have been proven to lower blood sugar and A1c levels.
Those taking the maximum dose of Mounjaro (15 milligrams (mg) per week) will lower A1c by 2.3%.
People taking Ozempic can reduce A1C by 1.4-2.1% on average.
As outlined previously, these drugs lower blood glucose levels through multiple mechanisms. It increases insulin secretion in response to high blood glucose levels, inhibits the liver from releasing excess glucose into the bloodstream, improving overall insulin sensitivity.
Furthermore, they indirectly contribute to improved glycemic control by emptying the stomach and reducing appetite.
It can cause weight loss
Neither of the drugs is FDA approved as weight loss drugs. However, studies have shown that both drugs can help people lose weight.
Ozempic suppresses appetite and slows digestion. This helps you lose weight.
One study reported that over 40 weeks, people taking 1 mg of Ozempic per week lost an average of 13 pounds. People taking 2 mg each week lost an average of 15 pounds.
In other studies, Mounjaro helped people lose 12-15 pounds at a 5 mg dose every week, 15-21 pounds at a 10 mg dose every week, and 17-25 pounds at a 15 mg weekly dose.
These drugs are not approved for weight loss by the FDA, so there are no recommended doses for weight loss. (For Zepbound, the maximum doses available for the weight-reduced version of Mounjaro are 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg, with 15 mg being the maximum dose.)
For more information on administering these medications, see below. Ozempic Infusion: Where and How to Inject and Mounjaro Infusion: Where and How to Inject.
If you are interested in losing weight, talk to your doctor. They can provide you with information on both pharmaceutical and lifestyle approaches that will help you.
Low cardiovascular risk
These medications support cardiovascular health. This is important for diabetic patients.
In the study, participants at the highest dose of Munjaro (15 mg per week) after 52 weeks:
- Lowered total cholesterol by about 5.6%
- Triglycerides have been reduced by 22.5%
- Lowered LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by 7.9%
- Lower VLDL cholesterol by 21.8%
- Increased HDL (“good”) cholesterol by 10.8%
Furthermore, from meta-analysis (analysis of data from several clinical trials) Rancet It was found that Ozempic reduced cardiovascular risk and even reduced the risk of death in people with diabetes and heart disease.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends GLP-1 agonists to people suffering from type 2 diabetes and heart disease, lowering cardiovascular risk.
In addition to taking Ozempic or Mounjaro, eating healthy and increasing your physical activity can go a long way in improving your heart health.
It can cause adverse effects
Both Ozempic and Munjaro can cause mild to severe side effects, especially when you start taking the medication first.
Side effects of these drugs include:
It can also cause serious side effects, including:
- Pancreatitis
- Kidney problems
- Increased risk of thyroid cancer
- Allergic reactions
For more information: Ozempic Side Effects: Things You Need to Know and Side effects of Mounjaro: Things you need to know.
They are not substitutes for insulin
Ozempic and Mounjaro are not substitutes for insulin.
If you decide to start treatment with one of these medications, you will need to continue taking other diabetes medications as prescribed.
Insulin needs may decline over time as a result of improved insulin sensitivity, but they are likely to not halt insulin treatment completely.
They can be taken with or without food
Unlike insulin, these drugs do not cause acute hypoglycemic levels and can be taken with or without food.
Eat bland things like toast, bananas, or crackers to reduce the nausea you experience after the injection.
They can worsen diabetic retinopathy
These drugs can cause or worsen diabetic retinopathy, especially when you first start taking it.
Studies have shown that semaglutide, the active ingredient in ozenpic, is associated with early worsening of diabetic retinopathy.
Similarly, tilzepatide, the active ingredient in murjaro, can exacerbate diabetic retinopathy.
Although this side effect does not occur in all people taking these medications, this medication has a higher risk of vision changes and worsening.
If you have early stage diabetic retinopathy or are concerned that taking Ozempic or Moonjaro may affect your eye health, consult your doctor.
What is the difference between Ozempic and Mounjaro?
It is important to note the important differences between these drugs. This will allow you to make the healthiest and best choice for you.
The two drugs differ in the following ways:
Dosing is different
Ozempic and Mounjaro have completely different dosage schemes, and they are not interchangeable.
The doses of Ozempic are:
- First time treatment: 0.25 mg once a week for the first 4 weeks.
- Continuous treatment: 0.5 mg once a week from week 5. If your doctor thinks you need more, there are available doses with 1 mg and 2 mg pens.
read more: Ozempic Dosage Guide: How much should it cost?
The doses of Mounjaro are:
- First time treatment: 2.5 mg once a week for the first 4 weeks.
- Continuous treatment: Once every 5 weeks to once every 5 weeks. If your doctor thinks you need more, there are doses with 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg pens.
read more: Mounjaro Dosing Guide: How much should it cost?
Because the active ingredients are different, these dosages are not interchangeable and are extremely dangerous to try to use this method.
They have different active ingredients
The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, and the active ingredient in Murujaro is tilzepatide.
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to either active ingredient so that you can prescribe an alternative.
Can I switch between the two medications?
This may be possible unless you are allergic to other medication ingredients.
If you have severe adverse effects on one drug, we recommend trying another to see if your body is better conditioned.
However, if you are taking Ozempic, you will need to wait a week from the last dose before starting the first dose of Mounjaro.
Simply switch medications under the guidance of a doctor. The administration is completely different between the two drugs and does not translate between them.
Even if you are taking the highest dose of Ozempic, your doctor will probably start with a small amount of murjaro (and vice versa) until your body is used to the new active ingredients.
Is ozempic better than Mounjaro?
Individual responses to these drugs vary, and what is better for one person may not be good for another person.
Studies have shown that Mounjaro leads to better glycemic control and weight loss than Ozempic. However, Mounjaro is more expensive and can cause additional side effects. Ozempic is also FDA approved to reduce cardiovascular risk.
How much does Ozempic and Mounjaro cost?
Ozempic and Mounjaro out-of-pocket costs will depend on your insurance plan, including out-of-pocket or deductions. Both medications are generally covered by insurance for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but coverage may vary if prescribed for off-label purposes such as weight loss.
To see the exact co-payment or coverage of either medication, you can access the manufacturer’s co-payment calculator using a prescription or medical insurance card.
Ozempic Co-Pay and Coverage Calculator
Mounjaro Savings Card and Cost Estimator
If you have any questions regarding Ozempic insurance coverage or joint payment costs, please contact Novo Nordisk’s support line at 1-833-693-6742.
For Mounjaro, you can contact Eli Lilly’s customer support at 1-800-Lillyrx (1-800-545-5979).
Patient Support Program
For qualified individuals, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly offer Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) that offer free or reduced medications. These programs are designed to help people who are not insured or have limited incomes.
Novo Nordic Pap (For Ozempic): For more information, please call 1-866-310-7549.
Lily cares about her dad (For Mounjaro): For more information, call 1-800-Lillyrx (1-800-545-5979).
Always talk to your health care provider to understand eligibility for these programs and explore additional savings options.
If I lose enough weight with Ozempic or Mounjaro, can I get rid of other diabetes medications?
This is possible, but it does not usually happen.
Loss of weight can help improve both insulin resistance and blood glucose levels. This may eliminate the need for insulin or other diabetes medications.
That said, Ozempic and Munjaro don’t cure diabetes.
However, if you lose a significant amount of weight and your blood sugar levels are very well controlled, you may be able to reduce your insulin needs or stop taking insulin completely.
This applies only to people with type 2 diabetes, as people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin for life.
If you have any questions about taking other diabetes medications while using Ozempic or Mounjaro, check in with your doctor.
Was this article helpful? (Yes) or click “No” to let us know!
