Mounjaro vs Ozempic

Mounjaro and Ozempic both contain powerful active ingredients that can benefit both your weight and blood sugar levels. Mounjaro is generally considered the most effective weight loss medication available, while Ozempic is a diabetes medication that can cause weight loss as a side effect. Wegovy contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic, semaglutide, which is a lower-cost alternative to Mounjaro, but is slightly less effective.

With so many weight loss medications available, it can be difficult to know which is the most effective. Here, we compare Mounjaro and Ozempic for weight loss to help you make an informed decision about your weight loss journey.

Mounjaro and Ozempic are self-administered injections that contain glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. They work by binding to GLP-1 receptors in the brain to mimic the actions of a naturally produced hormone called GLP-1, including reducing cravings, suppressing appetite, and regulating blood sugar levels. Mounjaro also binds to glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors, making it a dual agonist. By mimicking 2 hormones that regulate your appetite, it offers greater weight loss results than single agonists like Wegovy and Ozempic, but it can also cause more intense side effects for some people. Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, and Ozempic contains semaglutide.

In the UK, Mounjaro is licensed for weight loss and type 2 diabetes, while Ozempic is only licensed for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is a medication that has the same active ingredient as Ozempic, but has been made specifically as a weight loss treatment. If you are looking for Ozempic for weight loss, Wegovy is the licensed and approved option that is available in the UK.

Mounjaro and Ozempic are both GLP-1 receptor agonists, which means they bind to GLP-1 receptors and mimic the actions of the naturally produced hormone.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists work by reducing your food intake, suppressing your appetite, making you feel less hungry, and controlling your blood sugar levels. Both Mounjaro and Ozempic act on GLP-1 receptors.

Mounjaro also binds to GIP receptors, which enhances its effectiveness. By binding to GIP receptors, Mounjaro:

• stimulates insulin release from the pancreas
• manages fat storage
• lowers food intake

Mounjaro and Ozempic are both once-weekly injections that can be used to manage type 2 diabetes and aid weight loss by slowing stomach emptying and improving blood sugar control. However, there are some distinct differences.

Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist, while Ozempic contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist.

Mounjaro is licensed for weight loss and type 2 diabetes whereas Ozempic is only licensed for type 2 diabetes. It has been prescribed off-label by some doctors in the past for weight loss, but this can cause shortages for people who need it to manage their blood sugar levels.

For weight loss, Mounjaro is more effective than Ozempic, particularly as it is licensed for this use whereas Ozempic is not. In clinical trials, Mounjaro has been shown to help people lose, on average, 22.5% of their starting body weight over 72 weeks. A weekly 1mg dose of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, resulted in an average weight loss of 4.5kg over 30 weeks.

A clinical trial investigated the effectiveness of tirzepatide and semaglutide formulations specifically labelled for type 2 diabetes. After 12 months, the average body weight change was 15.3% in the tirzepatide group and 8.3% in the semaglutide group. The overall results found that users are more likely to achieve clinically meaningful weight loss and larger body weight losses with Mounjaro than semaglutide for type 2 diabetes.

The SURMOUNT-5 trial was the first head-to-head trial comparing tirzepatide and semaglutide for weight loss. The results showed that over 72 weeks the average weight loss was 20.2% in the tirzepatide (Mounjaro) group and 13.7% for the semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) group.

However, it is important to note that in this trial, the semaglutide dose studied was equivalent to the maximum doses of Wegovy, 1.7 and 2.4mg, before the new current maximum 7.2mg dose became available.

Because Ozempic is not licensed for weight loss in the UK, Wegovy is the approved alternative that contains the same active ingredient, and in doses that have been specifically tested for weight loss. In clinical trials, at the maximum weekly dose of 7.2mg, Wegovy can help you lose, on average, 21% of your initial body weight. This may be a suitable option if Mounjaro is not suitable for you or if you have had side effects when using it.

Although Mounjaro and Ozempic work in similar ways, their active ingredients differ and are available in different strengths that follow different titration schedules.

For both Ozempic and Mounjaro, you will begin on the lowest dose, before increasing your dose each week until you reach the dose that is most effective for you or the maximum dose available. This allows your body to get used to the active ingredients and minimises the chance of side effects. Mounjaro and Ozempic are injected weekly, and you should choose a day that is most convenient for you.

The dosage schedules for Mounjaro and Ozempic are:

These dosing schedules are based on a typical titration. However, some people may need to stay on a lower dose for longer to allow their body to adjust or to make side effects more manageable. This means it can take longer to reach the maximum dose, some people may not need the highest dose.

A doctor will monitor your body’s response to Mounjaro or Ozempic and discuss the right dosage plan for you based on your personal circumstances.

Like all medications, Mounjaro and Ozempic can cause side effects, although not everyone will get them. The most commonly reported side effects of GLP-1 medications are gastrointestinal, such as feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, and constipation.

What should I do if I get side effects?

Mounjaro and Ozempic share many common side effects, and most of these are mild and will go away as your body gets used to the active ingredients. They can also be managed at home in the following ways:

• feeling or being sick – eat smaller, more frequent meals that contain plain foods, like rice and crackers, avoiding spicy or greasy foods, and stay hydrated
• headache – stay hydrated and take over-the-counter painkillers, like paracetamol and ibuprofen
• diarrhoea – drink plenty of water, and consider electrolyte replacement drinks, add more fibre to your diet, and speak to a pharmacist before taking any anti-diarrhoea medications
• stomach pain – stay rested until you feel better and apply a warm compress or hot water bottle to your stomach to help with the pain

If you get any side effects that are difficult to manage or get worse, speak to your doctor for more advice. If you get any serious side effects or in an emergency call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E.

In the UK, the cost of a private Mounjaro prescription ranges from £150 to £350 per month, whereas Ozempic tends to cost between £150 and £250 per month. At Superdrug Online Doctor, we do not provide Ozempic for weight loss, we only provide Wegovy.

The comparison table below shows the cost of each dose of Mounjaro and Ozempic’s weight loss equivalent, Wegovy, from Superdrug Online Doctor. We have also provided the likely cost of Ozempic online, but we do not provide Ozempic for weight loss.

While clinical trial data gives us a clear picture of how effective Mounjaro and Ozempic can be, real-world experiences often add valuable context. User reviews can highlight what it’s actually like to take these medications day to day, from how quickly people notice weight loss results to how manageable the side effects feel over time. Although individual experiences vary, looking at common themes in patient feedback can help you set realistic expectations and feel more confident when deciding which option might suit you best.

The following results were taken from drugs.com:

It is possible to switch from Ozempic to Mounjaro for both weight loss and type 2 diabetes, but it must be done under the guidance of a doctor or other healthcare professional.

Can I switch from Ozempic to Mounjaro?

Yes, you can switch from Ozempic to Mounjaro, if your doctor agrees that it is safe and suitable for you to do so.

If you want to switch from Ozempic to Mounjaro, you will need to:

1. Stop taking Ozempic as soon as your last pen has finished. If you’re getting Ozempic side effects and would prefer not to carry on with the treatment, you can stop straight away.
2. Wait at least 7 days before starting Mounjaro. This allows enough time for the semaglutide levels in your body to reduce and avoids a double dose of medication, which can cause severe side effects.
3. After 7 days, you can inject your first Mounjaro dose.

Is it safe to switch?

Yes, it is safe to switch from Ozempic to Mounjaro if a doctor approves your request and monitors the process.

Choosing between Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) ultimately depends on your goals, budget, and personal preferences, but there are some clear differences that need considering.

Weight loss results

When it comes to overall weight loss results, current evidence suggests that Mounjaro is the more effective option. Clinical trials show consistently greater average weight loss with tirzepatide compared to semaglutide, making it a strong choice for people looking to lose significant weight. Importantly, Ozempic is not licensed for weight loss in the UK, Wegovy is the approved alternative.

Cost

Cost can also be a deciding factor. Ozempic and Wegovy tend to be cheaper than Mounjaro, which, for anyone looking for a private prescription, can make semaglutide more appealing.

Route of administration

Both Mounjaro and Ozempic are self-injected once-weekly. Some people are not comfortable about self-injecting, and there are weight loss injections available, including a Wegovy pill in development, but these may not produce similar results as weight loss injections.

Side effects

Mounjaro and Ozempic have similar safety profiles and share several common side effects, including feeling and being sick, diarrhoea, constipation, and stomach discomfort. However, how the medication affects each user differs, some may get no side effects, some may get a few, and others may get many.

Suitability

There is no universal answer as to which is the most suitable for you. A doctor will consider your medical history, body mass index (BMI), existing medical conditions, and current medication to help them decide whether the weight loss medication you choose is safe and suitable for you.

Some weight-related medical conditions can mean that one weight loss injection may be more suitable for you based on clinical evidence than another. For example, Mounjaro is more suitable for those who have sleep apnoea, while Wegovy is recommended for people with cardiovascular disease and osteoarthritis.

Which is best overall?

For most people who are looking to achieve significant weight loss, Mounjaro will be the preferred option over Ozempic, especially as it is licensed for this use, whereas Ozempic is not. On average, at the maximum dose, Mounjaro can help you lose 22.5% of your initial body weight over 72 weeks, making it an effective and reliable choice.

At Superdrug Online Doctor, we do not prescribe Ozempic for weight loss, instead we offer Wegovy as an approved and effective alternative.