Mounjaro® vs Saxenda®
Both from Eli Lilly, but one is a weekly diabetes injection and the other is a daily oral pill for weight loss. Very different approaches.
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11.0%
Avg weight loss Mounjaro*
From
$149/mo
Mounjaro
June 2026
8%
Avg weight loss Saxenda*
From
$145/mo
Saxenda
June 2026
What are they?
Mounjaro uses injectable tirzepatide with a dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism for type 2 diabetes. Saxenda uses daily liraglutide — an older GLP-1-only injection now available as a generic for chronic weight management.
Mounjaro
Type 2 DiabetesFDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Uses a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor mechanism, activating both simultaneously. It’s not a weight loss drug but does regulate blood sugar and decrease how much food you consume.
Maker
Eli Lilly
Approved
2022
Format
Weekly injection
Max dose
15 mg
Saxenda
Weight ManagementFDA-approved for chronic weight management since 2014. Uses liraglutide — a GLP-1 receptor agonist that requires daily injection. Generic liraglutide was approved in August 2025, reducing costs.
Maker
Novo Nordisk
Approved
2014
Format
Daily injection
Max dose
3 mg
Quick comparison
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Feature | Mounjaro | Saxenda |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Liraglutide |
| FDA approved for | Type 2 Diabetes | Weight Management |
| Avg weight loss | 11.0%† | 8%† |
| Administration | Weekly injection | Daily injection |
| Insurance | Moderate | Moderate |
| Monthly Price | From $149/mo | From $145/mo |
Mounjaro
Tirzepatide
Saxenda
Liraglutide
Mounjaro
Type 2 Diabetes
Saxenda
Weight Management
Mounjaro
11.0%†
Saxenda
8%†
Mounjaro
Weekly injection
Saxenda
Daily injection
Mounjaro
Moderate
Saxenda
Moderate
Mounjaro
From $149/mo
Saxenda
From $145/mo
† Average weight loss data: Mounjaro — SURPASS-1 (tirzepatide 15 mg, 40 weeks); Saxenda — SCALE (liraglutide 3 mg, 56 weeks).
More energy,
less weight
How you ramp up
Both medications use a gradual dose escalation to minimize side effects.
Mounjaro
- 1
2.5 mg
Weeks 1–4
- 2
5 mg
Weeks 5–8
- 3
7.5 mg
Weeks 9–12
- 4
10 mg
Weeks 13–16
- 5
12.5 mg
Weeks 17–20
- 6
15 mg
Weeks 21+
(Maintenance)
Saxenda
- 1
0.6 mg
Week 1
(Daily)
- 2
1.2 mg
Week 2
(Daily)
- 3
1.8 mg
Week 3
(Daily)
- 4
2.4 mg
Week 4
(Daily)
- 5
3.0 mg
Week 5+
(Maintenance)
Start your weight‑loss
journey today
Weight loss compared
Clinical trial data showing average body weight reduction over 68 weeks.
Mounjaro (15 mg)
Saxenda (3 mg)
† Average weight loss data: Mounjaro — SURPASS-1 (tirzepatide 15 mg, 40 weeks); Saxenda — SCALE (liraglutide 3 mg, 56 weeks).
What to expect
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Side Effect | Mounjaro (15 mg) | Saxenda (3 mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 18% | 39.3% |
| Diarrhea | 17% | 20.9% |
| Vomiting | 9% | 15.7% |
| Constipation | 7% | 19.4% |
| Headache | N/A | 13.6% |
| Fatigue | N/A | 7.5% |
Mounjaro (15 mg)
18%
Saxenda (3 mg)
39.3%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
17%
Saxenda (3 mg)
20.9%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
9%
Saxenda (3 mg)
15.7%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
7%
Saxenda (3 mg)
19.4%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
N/A
Saxenda (3 mg)
13.6%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
N/A
Saxenda (3 mg)
7.5%
Side effects may be more noticeable during dose escalation, but individual experiences vary and some risks can be serious. GLP-1 medications are not appropriate for everyone. Review important warnings, contraindications, and the FDA label or Medication Guide with a licensed healthcare provider before starting or switching treatment.
The bottom line
Branded GLP-1 medications can offer effective weight loss, requiring individualized risk-benefit clinical evaluation.
Two different GLP-1 options
- Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, with blood-sugar control, weekly dosing convenience, and clinical trial evidence supporting metabolic outcomes in appropriate patients.
- Saxenda supports steady weight loss, appetite reduction, flexible daily dosing, and long-standing clinical experience demonstrating effective, sustainable metabolic health improvements for many patients.
Providers may pay BestGLP1 a referral fee. We disclose this for FTC compliance; rankings remain editorial.
What you
need to know
Yes. In clinical trials, Mounjaro produces roughly 20% average weight loss versus 8.0% for Saxenda — close to a 2.5x difference. Mounjaro’s dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism and once-weekly dosing both contribute to the gap.
Saxenda itself is approved only for chronic weight management. Liraglutide is sold under the brand Victoza for type 2 diabetes — same molecule, different indication and dosing. If diabetes is the goal, your provider will typically prescribe Mounjaro or Victoza rather than Saxenda.
Many patients see greater average weight loss on Mounjaro in trials, especially if Saxenda has plateaued or daily injections are hard to keep up with. Your provider will restart you at the lowest Mounjaro dose and titrate up to manage side effects.
Tirzepatide produces larger A1C reductions than liraglutide across most dose ranges, thanks to the added GIP receptor activity and weekly steady-state dosing. Both lower blood sugar effectively, but tirzepatide is generally the stronger option for type 2 diabetes.
Yes. Both Mounjaro and Saxenda require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. A consultation is required to assess whether treatment is appropriate for you.
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide 5/10/15 mg). Trial: SURPASS-1 (478 participants, 40 weeks, adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on diet and exercise). Average weight loss by dose: 5 mg: −7.9%, 10 mg: −9.3%, 15 mg: −11.0% vs −0.9% placebo. Rosenstock et al., Lancet 2021.
- Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg). Trial: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (3,731 participants, 56 weeks, adults with obesity/overweight without Type 2 Diabetes). Average weight loss: −8.0% vs −2.6% placebo. Pi-Sunyer et al., NEJM 2015.
BestGLP1 publishes these guides for informational and comparison purposes only. The information on this site is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and is not a substitute for guidance from a licensed healthcare professional. GLP-1 medications must be prescribed and monitored by a qualified provider; consult your provider to determine whether treatment is appropriate for your individual circumstances. Prices, side-effect rates, and clinical figures shown here are general references drawn from manufacturer labelling and published trials, and may not reflect your specific situation.
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Providers may pay BestGLP1 a referral fee. We disclose this for FTC compliance; rankings remain editorial.