tirzepatide
semaglutide
Most common
More serious
Most common
More serious
You should not use Mounjaro if you:
You should talk to your doctor before using Mounjaro if you:
You should not use Wegovy if you:
You should talk to your doctor before using Wegovy if you:
Once weekly
Once weekly
4 weeks treatment of Mounjaro will typically cost around $975
0.25 mg/0.5 mL, 2 milliliters Wegovy subcutaneous solution costs around $1,400
Mounjaro and Wegovy are brand names for prescription drugs used in combination with diet and other lifestyle changes to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Mounjaro and Wegovy are both classed as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. Glucagon-like peptide-1 is a hormone produced by the intestines in response to food intake. It works in three main ways: controlling appetite, controlling blood sugar, and controlling intestinal movement. GLP-1 receptor agonists like Mounjaro and Wegovy work by mimicking the natural GLP-1 hormone our bodies produce.
Here we will explain how they work, their similarities and differences, their side effects, and more. This should provide you with the basics to better understand your options.
Mounjaro is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved medication manufactured by Eli Lilly and Co. Mounjaro mimics 2 types of incretin hormones produced by the human body. It is classed as a GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist. GIP decreases food intake and increases energy expenditure which causes weight loss. When taken with a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it may result in greater positive effects on blood glucose and body weight.
Mounjaro is used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes, pancreatitis, or to treat children under 18 years of age.
FDA approval for Lilly’s Mounjaro was based on the SURPASS study, which compared Mounjaro with Ozempic, insulin glargine, semaglutide 1 mg, and insulin degludec. Participants who took Mounjaro experienced an average reduction in hemoglobin A1c, and HbA1c (an indicator of blood sugar level). Participants who took a placebo saw an average increase in A1C levels.
Mounjaro is available in injection form, in the following doses: 2.5 mg/0.5 mL, 5 mg/0.5 mL, 7.5 mg/0.5 mL, 10 mg/0.5 mL, 12.5 mg/0.5 mL, or 15 mg/0.5 mL single-dose pens.
Mounjaro is injected subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm once weekly, with or without food. If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible within 96 hours after the missed dose. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day.
Use Mounjaro alongside dietary changes and exercise to improve glycemic control and always speak with a healthcare professional about any changes to your dose so they can monitor and evaluate your condition.
Wegovy is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved weight loss drug manufactured by Novo Nordisk. It is a higher-dose, 2.4 mg version of the diabetes drug Ozempic (semaglutide). Semaglutide is also manufactured in tablet form under the name Rybelsus.
Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adult patients with a body mass index (BMI):
Wegovy is available in prefilled injection form, in the following doses: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, or 2.4 mg.
Wegovy is also a once-weekly injection, given on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without meals. Inject Wegovy subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
Start at 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. Increasing the dose 4 weekly until a dose of 2.4 mg is reached. The maintenance dose of Wegovy is 2.4 mg once weekly.
See the full prescribing information for the complete boxed warning for Wegovy. You are recommended to read the medication guide and advised to always speak with your healthcare provider about any changes to your dose so they can monitor and evaluate your condition.
The most common side effects of Mounjaro in clinical trials include:
More serious side effects of Mounjaro include:
The most common side effects of Wegovy in clinical trials include:
More serious side effects of Wegovy include
These aren’t all the side effects Mounjaro or Wegovy can cause. You can find more details in the patient leaflet that comes with your medication. If you have any concerns about side effects, talk to your physician or pharmacist.
Mounjaro can interact with other medications. These include:
Wegovy can interact with other medications. These include:
Mounjaro and Wegovy can interact with other medications. This can change how Mounjaro and Wegovy and other medications work and can make side effects more likely. Tell your prescribing physician about all your drugs, including vitamins and dietary supplements.
You should not use Mounjaro if you:
Talk to your doctor before using Mounjaro if you:
You should not use Wegovy if you:
Talk to your doctor before using Wegovy if you:
If you have any concerns about Mounjaro or Wegovy side effects, talk to your physician, or pharmacist for medical advice. Also inform your healthcare provider about any medical conditions, supplements, and over-the-counter meds you are taking. You are also encouraged to report side effects to the FDA: visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
