Is Mounjaro better than Ozempic?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both injectable medications approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that both medications can also lead to substantial weight loss. We spoke with Dr. Felix Gussone, MD, about which of the two medications is better when it comes to treating diabetes or helping with weight management. 

Both Mounjaro and Ozempic are once-weekly injections that are FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes. They are also effective for weight loss, and many healthcare providers prescribe them off-label for that purpose. Like Mounjaro, Ozempic belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist family, but Mounjaro brings something extra to the table: its GIP receptor activation. 

This dynamic duo of receptor activation sets Mounjaro apart and makes it superior to semaglutide when it comes to blood sugar control and weight loss. Mounjaro is particularly effective for blood sugar control and weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. 

Patients on Ozempic lost an average of 7% of their body weight in 1 year in a 68-week clinical trial evaluating 1 mg semaglutide. Mounjaro comes out ahead in studies, resulting in over 20% reduction in body weight on the highest dose of 15 mg per week, suggesting that Mounjaro is a more effective medication than Ozempic when it comes to weight loss. A presentation at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in October of 2023 showed the results of a meta analysis of 22 different studies showing that tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro) is more effective for both blood sugar control and weight loss than semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic). 

Soon, you won’t have to ask your healthcare provider about Mounjaro for weight loss anymore. On November 8th, 2023, the FDA approved a new weight-loss drug: Zepbound (tirzepatide), which has the same active ingredient as Mounjaro, but is approved specifically for weight management. According to Eli Lilly, Zepbound is expected to be available in the U.S. by the end of 2023.

Just like Zepbound contains the same active ingredient as Mounjaro but is approved for weight management, Wegovy contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic but is approved for weight management. Unlike Zepbound, which is prescribed in the same dosages as Mounjaro, Wegovy is actually available in higher doses than Ozempic. Still, when it comes to choosing whether you should be treated with Ozempic or Mounjaro (or one of the other similar medications available, your healthcare provider will take the entire picture into consideration, including your medical history, your BMI, what medications (if any) you’re taking, and additional factors.

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Current version

November 09, 2023

Written by

Felix Gussone, MD

Fact checked by

Yael Cooperman, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Yael Cooperman, MD, Ro

Yael Cooperman is a physician and works as a Senior Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.