Ozempic vs. Mounjaro

Here’s information about the generic status for Ozempic and Mounjaro, as well as details on their active ingredients.

Below are answers to some common questions about Ozempic and Mounjaro.

How does Ozempic and Mounjaro compare with Trulicity?

Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Trulicity are brand-name medications. They contain different active ingredients but have similar uses.

Below are a few ways these medications compare.

All of these medications have a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Precautions for Ozempic and Mounjaro” section below. You can also see this article about Trulicity’s side effects.

If you have other questions about how these medications compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is Ozempic a better treatment option than Mounjaro or vice versa?

Whether Ozempic or Mounjaro is a better treatment option for you depends on several factors. Examples include how your body responds to the drug, the condition your doctor has prescribed the drug to treat, and other health conditions you have.

To learn whether Ozempic or Mounjaro may be a better treatment option, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about both medications and help you decide between these treatment options.

For a description of their uses, see the “Uses of Ozempic vs. Mounjaro” section below. You can also refer to these detailed articles about Ozempic and Mounjaro.

How much Ozempic or Mounjaro costs depends on the treatment plan your doctor prescribes, your insurance plan, and your pharmacy. You can visit Optum Perks* for price estimates of Ozempic and Mounjaro.

Both Ozempic and Mounjaro are brand-name drugs. Neither medication comes in a generic form. Brand-name medications are often more expensive than generics. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.

Ozempic and Mounjaro have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the following uses.

• Both Ozempic and Mounjaro are FDA-approved to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. You will use them in combination with diet and exercise.
• Ozempic is also FDA-approved to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular problems in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Examples of these problems include stroke and heart attack.

Note: For more information about the drugs’ uses, see our articles about Ozempic and Mounjaro.

Here’s a quick look at the dosage and administration of Ozempic and Mounjaro for the conditions both drugs treat.

Dosage for type 2 diabetes

Below are the dosages of Ozempic and Mounjaro for managing blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Strengths are given in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL).

* One Ozempic pen contains multiple doses, but you should never share your injection pen with another person.

Your doctor will show you or a caregiver how to inject Ozempic or Mounjaro at home. You can inject either drug under the skin of your upper arm, abdomen, or thigh. Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Ozempic or Mounjaro that’s right for you.

Note: For more information about dosage, see our dosage articles about Ozempic and Mounjaro.

Both Ozempic and Mounjaro treat type 2 diabetes. These drugs can cause some of the same and different side effects. Some of the side effects reported in clinical trials of these drugs are mentioned below.

For more details about side effects of the two drugs, see our side effect articles about Ozempic and Mounjaro. You can also refer to the Ozempic prescribing information and Mounjaro prescribing information.

Mild side effects

The following table lists some of the more commonly reported mild side effects of Ozempic and Mounjaro. The table also includes some less common mild side effects that might concern you.

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. If the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* An allergic reaction is possible after using either drug. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of Ozempic or Mounjaro but has happened since the drugs were approved.

Serious side effects

The following table lists the reported serious side effects of Ozempic and Mounjaro.

If you have serious side effects while using Ozempic or Mounjaro, call your doctor immediately. If the side effects feel life threatening or you believe you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

* This side effect wasn’t reported when Mounjaro was used on its own in clinical trials. However, it was reported when Mounjaro was used in combination with certain other type 2 diabetes drugs. To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the “FAQs about the side effects of Mounjaro” section of this article.

† Ozempic and Mounjaro have a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Precautions for Ozempic and Mounjaro” section below.

‡ An allergic reaction is possible after using either drug. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of Ozempic or Mounjaro but has happened since the drugs were approved.

Keep reading for details about the effectiveness of Ozempic and Mounjaro.

Comparison studies. Here’s a brief look at whether Ozempic or Mounjaro was found to be more effective for treating type 2 diabetes.

Comparison studies from 2021 and 2022 showed that certain strengths of Mounjaro may be more effective than certain strengths of Ozempic for managing blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

However, keep in mind that results of research studies may not apply to your health situation. Your doctor can help determine whether Ozempic or Mounjaro may be right for you.

Prescribing information. For details about how these drugs performed in separate clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Ozempic and Mounjaro. Keep in mind that trial results may not apply to your individual health situation.

Treatment guidelines. Another way to see whether a drug is considered effective is to look at treatment guidelines. When an organization includes certain drugs in treatment guidelines, this means that research has shown the drug to be safe and effective.

The American Diabetes Association recommends Ozempic and Mounjaro as treatment options for people with type 2 diabetes.

Ozempic and Mounjaro may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The two drugs share some of the same precautions, but they also have different ones. Some of these precautions are mentioned below.

Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer

Ozempic and Mounjaro have a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Animal studies have shown that using semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) or tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro) may increase the risk of thyroid cancer.

However, animal studies do not always predict what happens with humans. The risk of thyroid cancer in humans using Ozempic or Mounjaro is not known for certain. Still, doctors typically won’t prescribe Ozempic or Mounjaro for people with health conditions that increase their risk of thyroid cancer or have a family history of such conditions. These include:

• a genetic (inherited) condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
• a rare type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid cancer

Symptoms of thyroid cancer include trouble swallowing, hoarse voice, and a lump in your neck.

If you have symptoms of thyroid cancer during treatment with Ozempic or Mounjaro, tell your doctor right away. They may do tests to check for thyroid cancer.

To learn more about this warning, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

In addition to boxed warnings, Ozempic and Mounjaro have other warnings.

If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors are relevant to you, talk with your doctor before using Ozempic or Mounjaro.

Note: For more comprehensive information about these two drugs, you can refer to our Ozempic and Mounjaro articles.

Switching between Ozempic and Mounjaro might be possible.

If you’d like to know more about switching between Ozempic and Mounjaro, talk with your doctor. They can give you additional details and help determine the best course of action for your personal situation. Even if two drugs treat the same condition or are in the same drug class, your body can still respond differently.

It is important that you do not stop, start, or switch any of your drug treatments without your doctor’s recommendation.

Some key points to remember when comparing Ozempic and Mounjaro include:

• Ozempic and Mounjaro are approved to treat type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is also approved to reduce serious cardiovascular risk in certain people with type 2 diabetes.
• Mounjaro has been reported to cause abdominal bloating and loss of appetite. These side effects were not reported in the clinical trials for Ozempic.
• Ozempic may be a safer treatment option than Mounjaro for people with gastroparesis or other severe stomach problems.

If you’d like to learn more about Ozempic or Mounjaro, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about similarities and differences between the drugs. They can also help determine whether one drug or the other might work well for you.

Note: For more information about type 2 diabetes, see our diabetes hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.