| What are they? |
Active ingredient in Mounjaro™ and Zepbound™ |
Active ingredient in Ozempic® and Wegovy® |
| Creators |
Eli Lilly and Company (USA) |
Novo Nordisk A/S (Denmark) |
| Brand Names |
Mounjaro™, Zepbound™ |
Ozempic®, Wegovy® |
| Drug Class |
GIP + GLP-1 receptor agonists |
GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Conditions Prescribed For |
Mounjaro™ for diabetes, Zepbound™ for weight loss |
Ozempic® for diabetes, Wegovy® for weight loss |
| Mechanism of Action |
Activates GIP and GLP-1 receptors to enhance insulin secretion and sensitivity |
Activates GLP-1 receptors in the brain to regulate appetite |
| Doses |
2.5–15 mg weekly |
0.25–2.4 mg weekly |
| FDA Regulations |
Requires prescription; not a controlled substance |
Requires prescription; not a controlled substance |
| FDA Approval Year |
Mounjaro™ 2022, Zepbound™ 2023 |
Ozempic® 2017, Wegovy® 2021 |
| Good Candidates |
Adults BMI ≥30 or ≥27 with comorbidities |
Same as Tirzepatide + pediatrics ≥12 with BMI ≥95th percentile |
| Injection Frequency |
Once weekly |
Once weekly |
| Method of Administration |
Subcutaneous injection |
Subcutaneous injection |
| Average Weight Loss |
Up to 20.9% (1 in 3 lose ~26.6%) |
Up to 15% (1 in 4 lose ~20%) |
| Common Side Effects |
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn |
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn |
| Contraindications |
MTC or MENS2 history, hypersensitivity |
Same as Tirzepatide |
| Cost Comparison |
Typically higher than semaglutide, varies by dosage |
Slightly less expensive on average |
| Insurance Coverage |
Variable; some insurers require prior authorization |
Similar; better coverage for Ozempic® (diabetes) |
