Ozempic vs Mounjaro
Both target type 2 diabetes, but their mechanisms differ. Here’s what that means for blood sugar and weight loss outcomes.
15%
Avg weight loss Ozempic
20%
Avg weight loss Mounjaro
$935/mo
Ozempic retail (no insurance)
$99
Ozempic via telehealth
What are they?
Ozempic activates GLP-1 receptors alone. Mounjaro adds GIP receptor activation for a dual-action effect that drives stronger results in clinical trials.
Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, not for weight loss. Wegovy is the FDA-approved semaglutide formulation for chronic weight management.
Ozempic
Type 2 DiabetesFDA-approved to improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. Frequently prescribed off-label for weight loss due to its semaglutide formulation.
Maker
Novo Nordisk
Approved
2017
Format
Weekly injection
Max dose
2.0 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 | Ozempic | Mounjaro |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Semaglutide | Tirzepatide |
| FDA approved for | Type 2 diabetes | Type 2 Diabetes |
| Max dose | 2.0 mg | 15 mg |
| Avg weight loss | 13.7% | 20.2% |
| Administration | Weekly injection | Weekly injection |
| Insurance | Broader | Moderate |
| Retail price/mo | $935/mo | $1,112/mo |
| Telehealth price | From $99/mo | From $149/mo |
Ozempic
Semaglutide
Mounjaro
Tirzepatide
Ozempic
Type 2 diabetes
Mounjaro
Type 2 Diabetes
Ozempic
2.0 mg
Mounjaro
15 mg
Ozempic
13.7%
Mounjaro
20.2%
Ozempic
Weekly injection
Mounjaro
Weekly injection
Ozempic
Broader
Mounjaro
Moderate
Ozempic
$935/mo
Mounjaro
$1,112/mo
Ozempic
From $99/mo
Mounjaro
From $149/mo
More energy,
less weight
How you ramp up
Both medications use a gradual dose escalation to minimize side effects.
Ozempic
- 1
0.25 mg
Weeks 1–4
- 2
0.5 mg
Weeks 5–8
- 3
1.0 mg
Weeks 9+
(Maintenance)
- 4
2.0 mg
Optional max dose
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)
What you’ll pay
Real pricing — no misleading teaser rates or hidden fees.
Ozempic
- Retail (no insurance)
- $935/mo
- With insurance
- $25–$150/mo
- Telehealth (compounded)
- From $99/mo
- Manufacturer savings
- Available
Special offer
Save up to 30% EVERY month!
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!
Some providers pay BestGLP1 a referral fee when you sign up. We disclose this because the FTC requires it. Our rankings are editorial.
Start your weight‑loss
journey today
Weight loss compared
Clinical trial data showing average body weight reduction over 72 weeks.
Ozempic (2.0 mg)
Mounjaro (15 mg)
Data based on the SURMOUNT-5 Phase 3b study, released May 2025 — a head-to-head, 72-week study of Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide.
What to expect
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Side Effect | Ozempic | Mounjaro |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 20% | 18% |
| Diarrhea | 9% | 17% |
| Vomiting | 9% | 9% |
| Constipation | 3.1% | 7% |
| Headache | 1.6% | 4% |
| Fatigue | 2.5% | 4% |
Ozempic
20%
Mounjaro
18%
Ozempic
9%
Mounjaro
17%
Ozempic
9%
Mounjaro
9%
Ozempic
3.1%
Mounjaro
7%
Ozempic
1.6%
Mounjaro
4%
Ozempic
2.5%
Mounjaro
4%
Side effects are generally most pronounced during the first 4–8 weeks and tend to subside. Always consult your healthcare provider.
The bottom line
Same molecule, different use cases. Here’s how to think about it.
Choose based on your goal
- Choose Ozempic if you have type 2 diabetes and want the broadest insurance coverage, an established long-term safety profile, and the lowest telehealth price from $99/month.
- Choose Mounjaro if you have type 2 diabetes and want the dual-action GIP/GLP-1 mechanism, which shows higher average weight loss and stronger A1C reductions in trials.
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, many patients switch between the two with guidance from a provider. Because they target different receptor pathways, your provider will typically restart you at the lowest Mounjaro dose and titrate up to manage tolerability — they’ll also monitor blood sugar and weight loss to confirm the new medication is working as expected.
Mounjaro’s active ingredient (tirzepatide) targets two receptors — GIP and GLP-1 — while Ozempic’s semaglutide targets only GLP-1. Activating both pathways simultaneously appears to produce stronger appetite suppression and metabolic effects, which translates to higher average weight loss in head-to-head trials.
Trial data suggests tirzepatide produces slightly larger reductions in A1C than semaglutide across most dose ranges, but the difference is modest. Both are highly effective for type 2 diabetes — your provider will weigh tolerability, cost, and your individual response when choosing between them.
Yes. Both Ozempic and Mounjaro 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.