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.
21%
Avg weight loss Zepbound
20%
Avg weight loss Mounjaro
$1,059/mo
Zepbound retail (no insurance)
$149
Zepbound via telehealth
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 |
| Max dose | 15 mg | 15 mg |
| Avg weight loss | ~21% | ~20% |
| Administration | Weekly injection | Weekly injection |
| Insurance | Limited | Moderate |
| Retail price/mo | $1,059/mo | $1,112/mo |
| Telehealth price | From $149/mo | From $149/mo |
Zepbound
Tirzepatide
Mounjaro
Tirzepatide
Zepbound
Weight Management
Mounjaro
Type 2 Diabetes
Zepbound
15 mg
Mounjaro
15 mg
Zepbound
~21%
Mounjaro
~20%
Zepbound
Weekly injection
Mounjaro
Weekly injection
Zepbound
Limited
Mounjaro
Moderate
Zepbound
$1,059/mo
Mounjaro
$1,112/mo
Zepbound
From $149/mo
Mounjaro
From $149/mo
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)
What you’ll pay
Real pricing — no misleading teaser rates or hidden fees.
Zepbound
- Retail (no insurance)
- $1,059/mo
- With insurance
- $25–$200/mo
- Telehealth (compounded)
- From $149/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 68 weeks.
Zepbound (15 mg)
Mounjaro (15 mg)
Placebo
What to expect
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Side Effect | Zepbound | Mounjaro |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 25% | 18% |
| Diarrhea | 19% | 17% |
| Vomiting | 8% | 9% |
| Constipation | 17% | 7% |
| Headache | 4% | 4% |
| Fatigue | 5% | 4% |
Zepbound
25%
Mounjaro
18%
Zepbound
19%
Mounjaro
17%
Zepbound
8%
Mounjaro
9%
Zepbound
17%
Mounjaro
7%
Zepbound
4%
Mounjaro
4%
Zepbound
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 approvals. Here’s how to think about it.
Choose based on your goal
- Choose Zepbound if weight management is your primary goal. The obesity indication makes it easier to access through weight-focused programs and telehealth providers.
- Choose Mounjaro if you have type 2 diabetes. The diabetes indication typically means better insurance coverage, and blood sugar outcomes are well-documented across 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 — 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.
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.