Mazdutide vs. tirzepatide: which is better for weight control?

Many new weight loss medications are being studied, giving people more options than ever to manage their health. Two names generating significant interest are mazdutide and tirzepatide, both of which have shown promising results.

This article breaks down the research on mazdutide vs. tirzepatide, what each medication is, and how they work, so you can have a more informed conversation with your healthcare provider.

Whether mazdutide or tirzepatide is "better" for weight loss depends on what's available to you, your individual health history, and your healthcare provider's guidance.

If you're in the US, tirzepatide is currently your only option between mazdutide and tirzepatide for weight loss. Mazdutide hasn’t been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and isn’t available in the United States.

Mazdutide has shown meaningful weight loss results in clinical trials conducted in Chinese adults with obesity and overweight. But those trials were run in different populations, using different designs and dose ranges from tirzepatide trials. So, it’s difficult to draw a direct comparison between the two drugs’ weight loss effects. 

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In comparing tirzepatide vs. mazdutide, both medications have shown meaningful weight loss in separate clinical trials: up to nearly 21% and 19%, respectively. But they haven't been studied head-to-head. So, again, a direct comparison isn't possible.

Tirzepatide weight loss results

A SURMOUNT-1 trial found that adults with obesity or with overweight and at least one weight-related complication who took tirzepatide lost an average of 15%–20.9% of their body weight over 72 weeks, depending on dose.

For someone starting at 200 pounds, that translates to roughly 30–42 pounds lost.

Mazdutide weight loss results

In a phase 2 trial, adults with overweight or obesity taking mazdutide lost an average of 6.7%–11.3% of their body weight over 24 weeks, depending on dose (3–6 mg).

In a GLORY-1 phase 3 trial, participants taking 4 mg or 6 mg of mazdutide lost an average of 11%–14% of their body weight over 48 weeks.

In the GLORY-2 trial, adults with obesity taking mazdutide 9 mg lost an average of 18.6% of their body weight over 60 weeks, with no plateau observed by the end of the study. For someone starting at 200 pounds, that translates to roughly 37 pounds lost. Among participants without type 2 diabetes, average weight loss was even higher at about 20.1%.

Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injection that targets two hormone receptors simultaneously to help regulate blood sugar and reduce your appetite: GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). It’s used in addition to changes in diet and exercise. 

In the US, it’s available under two brand names:

• Mounjaro, which was approved in 2022 to improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.

• Zepbound, which was approved in 2023 for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or with overweight and at least one weight-related condition. It’s also approved to treat obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.

Tirzepatide is also sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss in people who don't meet the formal criteria for these approved uses. 

Mazdutide is also a once-weekly injection that works by activating two hormone receptors simultaneously: GLP-1 and glucagon. This dual action can help reduce appetite and may increase energy expenditure.

It was approved in China in June 2025 for long-term weight management in adults with obesity or overweight. A second approval followed in September 2025 for blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Mazdutide isn’t currently approved by the FDA and isn’t available in the US.

Both mazdutide and tirzepatide target two hormone receptors at once to support weight loss. The table below highlights the key differences between them.

Note: These figures come from different studies, populations, timeframes, and dose ranges. They aren’t from a head-to-head trial and shouldn’t be used as a direct comparison. *Mazdutide dosing shown here reflects doses in clinical trials. Mazdutide has not received FDA approval and is not available in the US.

When it comes to mazdutide peptide vs. tirzepatide, both medications target two hormone receptors at once. But the receptors these drugs target and the effects that follow are different.

How tirzepatide works

Tirzepatide activates two receptors that play a role in appetite and blood sugar control. It targets both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors simultaneously, which creates a broader effect than medications that target only one.

Tirzepatide reduces hunger and food cravings while helping you feel fuller after eating. It also slows digestion, helping you stay satisfied for longer between meals.

At the same time, it improves insulin production in the pancreas and lowers glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar. Because tirzepatide works across multiple pathways in the body, its effects go beyond those of older weight loss medications.

How mazdutide works

Mazdutide works by targeting two hormone receptors in your body at the same time: GLP-1 and glucagon. It’s based on oxyntomodulin, a hormone your gut naturally releases after you eat.

Mazdutide helps curb your appetite and keep your blood sugar stable, similar to other weight loss medications. By activating the glucagon receptor at the same time, it may help your body burn more energy.

Together, these two effects support weight loss in a way that differs slightly from how tirzepatide works. But mazdutide isn’t FDA-approved, and everything known about how it works comes from clinical trials, not approved labeling.

Both tirzepatide and mazdutide have side effects worth knowing about before you start treatment. Here’s what the clinical data shows for each.

Tirzepatide side effects

Gastrointestinal side effects are the most common with tirzepatide, particularly during dose increases. This includes nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and decreased appetite. Some people have also noticed hypersensitivity and injection site reactions.

These are similar for both Zepbound and Mounjaro side effects. 

Like other GLP-1 medications in this category, tirzepatide carries an FDA boxed warning about a possible risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, based on animal studies.

It isn’t known for sure if tirzepatide causes thyroid tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans. However, because of the risk in animal studies, it isn’t recommended for anyone with a personal or family history of MTC or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2).

Tirzepatide is also not recommended for anyone who has had a serious allergic reaction to the drug or any of its ingredients in the past, including severe reactions like anaphylaxis.

Mazdutide side effects

Based on trial data, the most common mazdutide side effects are diarrhea, nausea, and upper respiratory tract infections. These gastrointestinal side effects are similar to those of other GLP-1-based medications, with dose escalation generally associated with a greater likelihood of side effects.

Mazdutide’s full global safety picture is still developing.

Both mazdutide and tirzepatide medications are taken as once-weekly injections. The doses below reflect FDA-approved labeling for tirzepatide and clinical trial data for mazdutide.

*Mazdutide dosing shown here reflects doses in clinical trials. Mazdutide has not received FDA approval and is not available in the US.

If you're in the US, tirzepatide is the only option currently available to you if you’re choosing between mazdutide peptide vs. tirzepatide. Tirzepatide has a well-established safety and efficacy profile backed by large clinical trials and FDA approval for both type 2 diabetes and weight management.

Mazdutide has shown strong results in clinical trials and was named among the most anticipated drug launches of 2025 by FIERCE Pharma. But it’s not yet available in the US, and any decision about future access would depend on regulatory developments.

Whichever medication you're considering, the right choice depends on your health history, your treatment goals, and guidance from a licensed healthcare provider.

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Comparing mazdutide vs. tirzepatide? Choosing between the two isn't really a choice if you’re in the US — at least not yet. Tirzepatide is FDA-approved and available in the US today. Mazdutide is not. Here's what to keep in mind:

• The two drugs work differently. Tirzepatide targets GLP-1 and GIP receptors. Mazdutide targets GLP-1 and glucagon receptors. They both have the same number of pathways to help you lose weight, but slightly different mechanisms.

• Both have shown meaningful weight loss. Tirzepatide produced up to 20.9% weight loss over 72 weeks. Mazdutide produced up to 18.55% over 60 weeks. However, these results come from different trials, different populations, and different timeframes, so they can’t be directly compared.

• Side effects of mazdutide and tirzepatide are similar. Both mazdutide and tirzepatide share a similar profile of side effects. Nausea and diarrhea are common with both, but mazdutide can also cause respiratory tract infections.

If you're ready to explore weight loss medication now, tirzepatide is currently available (if you’re eligible) on Ro. Our telehealth platform connects you with licensed healthcare providers who can review your health history, walk you through your options, and help you find the right treatment plan for your goals.