Zepbound® vs Mounjaro®
Same active ingredient (tirzepatide), different FDA approvals — Zepbound for chronic weight management, Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes. But the results look remarkably similar.
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22.5%
Avg weight loss Zepbound*
From
$299/mo
Zepbound
June 2026
11.0%
Avg weight loss Mounjaro*
From
$149/mo
Mounjaro
June 2026
What are they?
Zepbound and Mounjaro both contain tirzepatide at the same doses. The key differences are the FDA indication, insurance coverage, and how they’re marketed.
Zepbound
Weight ManagementFDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI 30+) or overweight (BMI 27+) with at least one weight-related condition. Uses the same dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism as Mounjaro at equivalent doses.
Maker
Eli Lilly
Approved
2024
Format
Weekly injection
Max dose
15 mg
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
Quick comparison
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Feature | Zepbound | Mounjaro |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Tirzepatide |
| FDA approved for | Weight Management | Type 2 Diabetes |
| Avg weight loss | 22.5%† | 11.0%† |
| Administration | Weekly injection | Weekly injection |
| Insurance | Limited | Moderate |
| Monthly Price | From $299/mo | From $149/mo |
Zepbound
Tirzepatide
Mounjaro
Tirzepatide
Zepbound
Weight Management
Mounjaro
Type 2 Diabetes
Zepbound
22.5%†
Mounjaro
11.0%†
Zepbound
Weekly injection
Mounjaro
Weekly injection
Zepbound
Limited
Mounjaro
Moderate
Zepbound
From $299/mo
Mounjaro
From $149/mo
† Average weight loss data: Zepbound — SURMOUNT-1 (tirzepatide 15 mg, 72 weeks); Mounjaro — SURPASS-1 (tirzepatide 15 mg, 40 weeks).
More energy,
less weight
How you ramp up
Both medications use a gradual dose escalation to minimize side effects.
Zepbound
- 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)
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)
Start your weight‑loss
journey today
Weight loss compared
Clinical trial data showing average body weight reduction over 68 weeks.
Zepbound (15 mg)
Mounjaro (15 mg)
† Average weight loss data: Zepbound — SURMOUNT-1 (tirzepatide 15 mg, 72 weeks); Mounjaro — SURPASS-1 (tirzepatide 15 mg, 40 weeks).
What to expect
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Side Effect | Zepbound (15 mg) | Mounjaro (15 mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 28% | 18% |
| Diarrhea | 23% | 17% |
| Vomiting | 13% | 9% |
| Constipation | 11% | 7% |
| Headache | N/A | N/A |
| Fatigue | 7% | N/A |
Zepbound (15 mg)
28%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
18%
Zepbound (15 mg)
23%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
17%
Zepbound (15 mg)
13%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
9%
Zepbound (15 mg)
11%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
7%
Zepbound (15 mg)
N/A
Mounjaro (15 mg)
N/A
Zepbound (15 mg)
7%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
N/A
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
- Zepbound is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in eligible adults and has shown substantial average weight loss in clinical trials, with weekly dosing and medical supervision.
- 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.
Providers may pay BestGLP1 a referral fee. We disclose this for FTC compliance; rankings remain editorial.
What you
need to know
Yes — both contain tirzepatide as the active ingredient and use the same dosing schedule. Eli Lilly markets them under different brand names because they’re FDA-approved for different conditions: Zepbound for chronic weight management and Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes.
Mounjaro typically has broader coverage because diabetes medications are more commonly included in insurance formularies than weight-management drugs. Zepbound coverage is improving but still varies by plan — check your formulary before starting.
The active ingredient and doses are identical, so the underlying side-effect profile is the same. Reported rates can look slightly different across trials due to patient population differences, but day-to-day experience on either medication is essentially equivalent.
Yes. Both Zepbound and Mounjaro require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. A consultation is required to assess whether treatment is appropriate for you.
- Zepbound (tirzepatide 5/10/15 mg). Trial: SURMOUNT-1 (2,539 participants, 72 weeks, adults with obesity/overweight without Type 2 Diabetes). Average weight loss by dose: 5 mg: −16.0%, 10 mg: −21.4%, 15 mg: −22.5% vs −2.4% placebo. Jastreboff et al., NEJM 2022.
- 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.
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.