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.
20%
Avg weight loss Mounjaro
8.0%
Avg weight loss Saxenda
$1,112/mo
Mounjaro retail (no insurance)
$149
Mounjaro via telehealth
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 |
| Max dose | 15 mg | 3 mg |
| Avg weight loss | ~20% | ~8% |
| Administration | Weekly injection | Daily injection |
| Insurance | Moderate | Moderate |
| Retail price/mo | $1,112/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Telehealth price | From $149/mo | From $149/mo |
Mounjaro
Tirzepatide
Saxenda
Liraglutide
Mounjaro
Type 2 Diabetes
Saxenda
Weight Management
Mounjaro
15 mg
Saxenda
3 mg
Mounjaro
~20%
Saxenda
~8%
Mounjaro
Weekly injection
Saxenda
Daily injection
Mounjaro
Moderate
Saxenda
Moderate
Mounjaro
$1,112/mo
Saxenda
$1,350/mo
Mounjaro
From $149/mo
Saxenda
From $149/mo
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)
What you’ll pay
Real pricing — no misleading teaser rates or hidden fees.
Mounjaro
- Retail (no insurance)
- $1,112/mo
- With insurance
- $25–$200/mo
- Telehealth (compounded)
- From $149/mo
- Manufacturer savings
- Available
Special offer
Save up to 30% EVERY month!
Saxenda
- Retail (no insurance)
- $1,350/mo
- With insurance
- $0–$200/mo
- Telehealth (compounded)
- From $149/mo
- Manufacturer savings
- Available
Special offer
Save up to 30% EVERY month!
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Weight loss compared
Clinical trial data showing average body weight reduction over 68 weeks.
Mounjaro (15 mg)
Saxenda (3 mg)
Placebo
What to expect
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Side Effect | Mounjaro | Saxenda |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 18% | 39% |
| Diarrhea | 17% | 21% |
| Vomiting | 9% | 16% |
| Constipation | 7% | 19% |
| Headache | 4% | 14% |
| Fatigue | 4% | 8% |
Mounjaro
18%
Saxenda
39%
Mounjaro
17%
Saxenda
21%
Mounjaro
9%
Saxenda
16%
Mounjaro
7%
Saxenda
19%
Mounjaro
4%
Saxenda
14%
Mounjaro
4%
Saxenda
8%
Side effects are generally most pronounced during the first 4–8 weeks and tend to subside. Always consult your healthcare provider.
The bottom line
Different molecules, different mechanisms. Here’s how to think about it.
Choose based on your goal
- Choose Mounjaro if you have type 2 diabetes or want stronger weight loss outcomes — tirzepatide delivers nearly triple the weight loss of liraglutide in clinical trials.
- Choose Saxenda (generic liraglutide) if you want Saxenda (FDA-approved for chronic weight management) at a lower entry cost, especially with generic now widely available.
Some providers pay BestGLP1 a referral fee when you sign up. We disclose this because the FTC requires it. Our rankings are 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 stronger results on Mounjaro, 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.
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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Some providers pay BestGLP1 a referral fee when you sign up. We disclose this because the FTC requires it. Our rankings are editorial.