Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are prescription drugs used to manage type 2 diabetes. They can also help with weight loss. Both drugs are injected once per week. Ozempic and Mounjaro are not available as generic drugs.
This article explains the main ways that Ozempic and Mounjaro are alike and different. For more information about these drugs, including details about their uses, see the in-depth overviews on Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Neither Ozempic nor Mounjaro are available in generic versions. A generic drug contains an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
And generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.
See the table below for details on the approved uses of each drug.
| Approved use | Ozempic | Mounjaro |
|---|---|---|
| helps lower blood sugar levels, along with diet and exercise, in adults with type 2 diabetes | ✓ | ✓ |
| helps prevent certain risks, such as heart attack and stroke, in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease | ✓ | — |
| helps prevent kidney function decline, end stage kidney disease, and heart-related death in adults with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease | ✓ | — |
Use for weight loss
In addition to the drugs’ approved uses for type 2 diabetes, doctors may prescribe Ozempic and Mounjaro off-label for weight loss. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
To learn more about each drug’s off-label use for weight loss, see the following articles:
To learn more about using Ozempic or Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes or weight loss, talk with your doctor.
Below is an overview of the dosage and how you’ll use Ozempic and Mounjaro for managing blood sugar levels with type 2 diabetes.
To learn more about the dosages for these drugs, see the articles for Ozempic’s dosage and Mounjaro’s dosage. The strength is measured in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL).
Dosage for type 2 diabetes
| Ozempic for type 2 diabetes | Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes | |
|---|---|---|
| Forms | liquid solution for injection in prefilled pens containing multiple doses | liquid solution for injection in prefilled pens and vials containing a single dose |
| Strengths | • 2 mg/3 mL • 4 mg/3 mL • 8 mg/3 mL | • 2.5 mg/0.5 mL • 5 mg/0.5 mL • 7.5 mg/0.5 mL • 10 mg/0.5 mL • 12.5 mg/0.5 mL • 15 mg/0.5 mL |
| Dose | depends on the treatment plan your doctor prescribes for you | depends on the treatment plan your doctor prescribes for you |
| How often to take | once per week | once per week |
Dosage for weight loss
Ozempic and Mounjaro are not approved for weight loss. Because of this, neither drug has a specific dosage for this use.
But the FDA has approved weight loss drugs that contain the same active ingredients as Ozempic and Mounjaro. Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are prescription injections that are FDA-approved for weight loss.
Doctors sometimes prescribe Ozempic or Mounjaro off-label for weight loss. They may determine your dosage based on the recommended dosages of Wegovy or Zepbound.
For more information, see these articles on Wegovy’s dosage and Zepbound’s dosage.
Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Ozempic and Mounjaro.
How do Ozempic and Mounjaro compare with other similar drugs, such as Trulicity or Wegovy?
Ozempic (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), and Trulicity (dulaglutide) are all used to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic and Trulicity are also used to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. And research is ongoing to determine whether Mounjaro may be effective for this use.
Ozempic and Trulicity belong to the same group of drugs, called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Mounjaro belongs to a similar group of drugs, called GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists. These medications have many similar side effects.
Wegovy contains the same active drug (semaglutide) as Ozempic, but Wegovy is not used for type 2 diabetes. Instead, it’s used to help with long-term weight management in people with overweight or obesity. Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Trulicity aren’t approved for weight loss. But these medications reduce appetite, and many people who take them lose weight. So doctors may sometimes prescribe these drugs off-label for weight loss. (With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.)
In addition, a medication called Zepbound contains the same active drug (tirzepatide) as Mounjaro. But Zepbound is not used for type 2 diabetes. Instead, like Wegovy, it’s approved to help with long-term weight management in people with obesity or who are overweight.
Your doctor can tell you more about how these medications compare. They can also help determine which one of these treatments is a better option for you.
Is Mounjaro better than Ozempic?
The best medication for you will depend on the condition you’re using it to treat. It will also depend on how your body responds to the medication.
Ozempic and Mounjaro are both approved to help lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. But studies have shown that Mounjaro may be more effective than Ozempic for managing blood sugar levels.
Ozempic is also approved to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have heart disease. It’s not known whether Mounjaro is effective for this use.
Ozempic and Mounjaro also have some other differences. For example, they belong to different drug classes. Although they can cause similar side effects, side effects may be more common with Mounjaro. Because of this, one of them may be a better choice for you, depending on your specific health factors.
If you’re considering treatment with Ozempic or Mounjaro, talk with your doctor about your health history. Ask whether one of these drugs may be a better option for you.
Ozempic and Mounjaro may cause side effects ranging from mild to serious.
For more information about possible side effects, see the articles about Ozempic side effects and Mounjaro side effects.
Mild side effects
Ozempic and Mounjaro may cause mild side effects. Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with both drugs include:
- constipation
- diarrhea
- nausea and vomiting
- abdominal pain
- indigestion (upset stomach)
- gas
- acid reflux
- injection site reactions
- reduced appetite
This list may not include all mild side effects of these drugs. For more information on mild side effects of the two drugs, see the prescribing information for Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Serious side effects
In addition to the mild side effects described above, serious side effects may occur in people using Ozempic or Mounjaro. Serious side effects that have been reported with both these drugs include:
- severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that may lead to dehydration and kidney problems
- gallbladder problems, such as gallstones
- pancreatitis (swelling in your pancreas)
- low blood sugar (mainly in people also taking insulin or certain other diabetes medications)
- risk of thyroid cancer*
Allergic reaction
For some people, Ozempic or Mounjaro can cause an allergic reaction.
Allergic reactions were reported in clinical studies of Mounjaro. They weren’t reported in studies of Ozempic, but there have been reports since Ozempic was approved for use.
In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep using Ozempic or Mounjaro.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Ozempic or Mounjaro, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
To learn about your specific risk of serious side effects with Ozempic or Mounjaro, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* Ozempic and Mounjaro have a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “What are the warnings of Ozempic and Mounjaro?” section.
You may wonder how effective Ozempic or Mounjaro are for your condition.
Ozempic and Mounjaro are both used, along with diet and exercise, to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Studies of Ozempic and Mounjaro have shown that both drugs are effective for this use. In addition, the American Diabetes Association includes both drugs in its treatment recommendations for managing blood sugar levels with type 2 diabetes.
Studies show that Mounjaro may be more effective than Ozempic for managing blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. These studies also show that Mounjaro may be more effective for helping people with type 2 diabetes lose weight. And weight loss may be beneficial for some people with type 2 diabetes.
It’s important to note that your results from Ozempic or Mounjaro may differ from those seen in studies. Talk with your doctor about whether one of these drugs is right for you.
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering these drugs. Visit Optum Perks to get price estimates for Ozempic and Mounjaro when you use coupons from the site. (Optum Perks is a sister site of Heathline). It’s important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
Keep in mind that what you’ll pay for either drug will depend on your treatment plan, health insurance, and the pharmacy you use. If you’re prescribed Ozempic or Mounjaro off-label for weight loss, your insurance plan may not cover it.
Ozempic and Mounjaro are both brand-name drugs. Generic forms of these drugs are not available at this time. You’ll usually pay more for brand-name drugs than for generics.
For other resources that might help you save on the price of these drugs, see these articles about Ozempic’s cost and Mounjaro’s cost.
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Ozempic and Mounjaro may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These may be referred to as warnings.
The two drugs share many of the same warnings, but they also have different ones. Some of these warnings are mentioned below. Before you start using Ozempic or Mounjaro, be sure to talk with your doctor to see if these warnings apply to you.
Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer
Ozempic and Mounjaro both have a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
The active drugs in Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) have caused thyroid cancer in animals. It’s not known whether these drugs can cause thyroid cancer in humans.
But due to this possible risk, your doctor will likely not prescribe either of these drugs if you or a family member has had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid cancer. Also, your doctor will likely not prescribe these drugs if you have a condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). This condition can raise your risk of thyroid cancer.
If you use Ozempic or Mounjaro, see your doctor right away if you develop possible symptoms of thyroid cancer, such as:
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- hoarseness that doesn’t get better
- a swelling or lump in your neck
Other warnings
In addition to boxed warnings, Ozempic and Mounjaro have other warnings.
Before using Ozempic or Mounjaro, talk with your doctor if any of the following conditions or health factors apply to you.
- if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug, or any of its ingredients, or similar drugs (GLP-1 receptor agonists)
- if you have a kidney problem (Mounjaro)
- if you have diabetic retinopathy
- if you take insulin or other diabetes drugs called sulfonylureas, such as glipizide (Glucotrol XL)
- if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- if you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed
- if you have a history of pancreatitis
- if you’re planning to undergo a surgery or procedure that requires general anesthesia
- if you have severe disease affecting your stomach or intestines
To learn more about these drugs, see the in-depth articles on Ozempic interactions and Mounjaro interactions.
The short answer: It’s possible.
Details: Both Ozempic and Mounjaro are used to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. These drugs work in a similar way, so it’s possible to switch from one to the other.
But keep in mind that if you have type 2 diabetes and heart disease, using Ozempic also reduces your risk of heart attack and stroke. And if you have chronic kidney disease, Ozempic can reduce your risk of kidney disease progression, end stage kidney disease, and heart-related death. Mounjaro isn’t approved for these uses.
If you do switch from Ozempic to Mounjaro or vice versa, you’ll usually start the new drug the week after stopping your previous drug. Your doctor will likely prescribe a low dosage of the new drug to begin with. Then, if needed, they’ll increase your dose every 4 weeks until you reach the dosage that’s right for you.
Reminder: You should not switch drugs or stop your current treatment unless your doctor recommends it.
Ozempic and Mounjaro are similar drugs that are very effective for managing blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.
If you have any questions about these drugs, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best treatment option for you. Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- If I have high blood pressure, would Ozempic or Mounjaro be a better option for me?
- Can either of these drugs interact with other medications I take?
- How common are side effects with these drugs?
To learn more about Ozempic or Mounjaro, see these articles:
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.