Mounjaro™ is a weekly diabetic injection medication whose active ingredient is Tirzepatide. This type of treatment is known to control type 2 diabetes. While this is not a weight loss medication, it has the added benefit of stimulating significant weight loss. The obesity drug for Mounjaro is Zepbound.

Ozempic is a weekly diabetic injection medication whose active ingredient is Semaglutide. It is also used to control type 2 diabetes. Similar to Mounjaro, Ozempic is not a weight loss medication but has the added benefit of stimulating weight loss. The obesity drug for Ozempic is WEGOVY.

While these medications have similarities, the main difference is that Mounjaro’s™ active ingredient is Tirzepatide, which is a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor substance. Meanwhile, Ozempic’s active ingredient is Semaglutide, which is a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor receptor.

Since Mounjaro’s™ active ingredient is Tirzepatide, it works by controlling blood sugar and slowing down digestion, leaving the user to feel fuller faster. On the other hand, Ozempic’s active ingredient causes the medication to work by suppressing the appetite, leaving the user feeling less hungry.  Both medications have been shown to be effective in controlling diabetes and has shown to stimulate weight loss in those using it on a regular basis.

While both medications are known to be extremely effective, the active ingredient in Mounjaro has shown to stimulate more weight loss than Ozempic. 

Whether you’re taking Ozempic or Mounjaro, you’ll administer the injection at least once per week unless otherwise recommended by your doctor.

Side effects can include swelling, redness and/or itching at the injection site.  You may feel tired, have decreased appetite, experience some nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, or constipation.  

Serious side effects can occur such as kidney problems, vision changes, pancreatic inflammation, gallbladder disease, thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer.  If you experience serious side effects such as nausea/vomiting that doesn’t stop, severe stomach/abdominal pain tell your doctor and seek medical attention immediately.

Please be sure to refer to the manufacturer safety and warning information:  https://www.mounjaro.com/

Please read prescribing information:  https://uspl.lilly.com/mounjaro/mounjaro.html#pi

Side effects can include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, abdominal pain and/or constipation. Serious side effects can occur including allergic reactions, changes in vision, pancreatitis, kidney complications. Ozempic has an FDA box warning for a risk of thyroid C-cell tumors.

Please be sure to refer to the manufacturer safety and warning information:  https://www.ozempic.com/ or read the attached Prescribing Information (link to Ozempic PDF).

Both medications have been FDA-approved and proven to be effective in the treatment of diabetes and have shown to be effective in weight loss.  If your doctor has prescribed either of these medications for you, the benefit may outweigh your potential risk.

It’s easy to lose results once you completely stop taking the medications. Your doctor may taper you off once you begin seeing results, but you’ll still need to inject the medication every once in a while to maintain the full effects of treatment.

If you struggle to lose weight, are considered overweight or obese, or have type 2 diabetes, then either treatment might be right for you. Talk with your doctor to learn which option is best.