Obesity is becoming a commonplace health risk worldwide, affecting many individuals and their quality of life. The advent of new medication-based therapies has made obesity management much like any other chronic disease. Among these medications and weight loss drugs, Mounjaro and Ozempic are two commonly used medications that are used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and for weight loss. The fact that there are several medications to choose from often has patients wondering which is best for them and thus has people wondering: Is Mounjaro better than Ozempic? Which should I choose? We will discuss Ozempic vs Mounjaro and provide details on their effectiveness, how they work, insurance coverage, and more information to help you make a well-informed decision on which medication is right for you.
Ozempic Explained
Ozempic is a brand-name medication that contains the active ingredient Semaglutide. It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which means it works by increasing the amount of insulin released by the pancreas in response to meals. This can help lower blood sugar levels and improve glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes. They can also promote satiety by slowing gastric emptying resulting in feeling full much faster.
Mounjaro Explained
Mounjaro is a brand-name medication that contains the active ingredient Tirzepatide. It is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist (a dual-agonist, in fact! also acting on GIP) and works in a similar way to Ozempic. It also works to increase insulin and can promote slower gastric emptying. These mechanisms of action help in managing high glucose levels in diabetes and also promote weight loss.
What are the differences between Ozempic and Mounjaro?
Both of these medications have a somewhat similar mechanism- they are both GLP-1 receptor agonists, meaning that they can bind to the GLP-1 receptor in your brain, stomach, and pancreas to alter your hunger signaling pathways, fullness, and insulin resistance. Mounjaro, or Tirzepatide, has the additional factor of being a GIP agonist and can thus further help with insulin resistance and weight loss.
Ozempic and Mounjaro are extremely similar in how the medication is administered. Both are taken as weekly injections of the abdomen delivered subcutaneously once a week. This means the injections penetrate the skin overlying the abdomen.
Different patients can respond differently to each of these medications. Head-to-head trials have only compared a “medium dose” of Ozempic 1 mg to Mounjaro ‘high dose” 15mg. Comparing data from these, preliminary data seems to suggest patients lost more weight on Mounjaro.
Ozempic’s counterpart, Wegovy is another semaglutide-based medication FDA-approved for weight loss. Mounjaro is not yet approved by the FDA for weight loss, however there’s lots of promising trial data from the SURMOUNT-1 Trial.
This table provides a side-by-side comparison of the three drugs commonly used for weight loss:
Mounjaro vs Ozempic
Which is more effective?
In terms of weight loss, both Ozempic and Mounjaro have been shown to cause modest weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes. In clinical trials, people taking Ozempic lost an average of 2-3% of their body weight, while those taking Mounjaro lost an average of 3-4% of their body weight. Patients who used Ozempic or Mounjaro off-label for weight loss, rather than type 2 diabetes, lost more weight– on average around 10% for Ozempic and up to 15% for Mounjaro.
What are the cost and insurance coverage differences between Mounjaro and Ozempic?
Beyond determining which medication would be best for you to meet your health goals, it’s critical to understand the costs and insurance coverage of these two medications to support any decision-making processes. Let’s breakdown the cost of Mounjaro vs Ozempic:
Which is more effective?
Both Mounjaro and Ozempic are administered as subcutaneous injections to the abdomen or thigh. There are, however, differences in the amount that can be delivered. The Ozempic dose range is 0.25 - 2.0 mg while the Mounjaro dose range is 2.5 - 15.0 mg.
Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing between Mounjaro and Ozempic can be based on your preferences. For example, if you prefer smaller doses, then Ozempic might be a better choice. However, Mounjaro has been noted to be mildly more effective in total weight loss. If your primary concern is price, Ozempic is lower in cost than Mounjaro. If your primary concern is side effects, Mounjaro and Ozempic have a very similar side effect profile primarily consisting of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
Consideration of rare side effects is important as you consider your own medical history. For Mounjaro, these rare side effects include pancreatitis and possible kidney or bladder complications. Rare side effects associated with Ozempic also include kidney problems and pancreatitis but can also exacerbate diabetic retinopathy and may cause hypoglycemia. If you have a history of any or a combination of these health problems, it would be beneficial to discuss which would be best for you with a healthcare professional.
Who is a good candidate for Ozempic or Mounjaro for weight loss?
Both medications are FDA approved for Type 2 diabetes and, given their profound impact on weight loss, often prescribed off-label for obesity. Patients who have a BMI over 27 with any weight related disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, PCOS, cardiac conditions, may be eligible for obesity medications. Patients with a BMI over 30 are also eligible, with or without weight related conditions.
Who should not take Ozempic or Mounjaro?
In order to be an eligible candidate for either of these medicines, consulting a healthcare professional is highly recommended. These drugs can affect our health, and patients with chronic diseases or other health risks may be more prone to their side effects. Neither Mounjaro or Ozempic have been approved by the FDA for use in people with type 1 diabetes.
Patients with a history of pancreatitis should also use caution when taking GLP-1 agonist type medications like Ozempic (Semaglutide) or Mounjaro (Tirzepatide). If you or a family member has a history of MTC (Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma) or MEN2 disorder, you should not Ozempic or Mounjaro.
After proper consultation and sharing your health history with your healthcare professional, you can learn whether you are or are not an ideal candidate for these drugs.
Which should be taken if you're breastfeeding?
Ozempic cannot be taken during pregnancy nor should it be taken if you are currently breastfeeding. The FDA notes that Mounjaro should only be taken during pregnancy only if the benefit of taking the medication is greater than the risk it confers to the fetus. If you are unsure what this means or how it may apply to you, please consult with your physician prior to starting Mounjaro. Currently there is not enough information to determine whether Mounjaro can be taken while breastfeeding.
Find the Right Weight Loss Solution with Mochi Health
Overall, both Mounjaro and Ozempic can be effective in helping with weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes. However, the specific amount of weight loss may vary depending on a person's individual circumstances and how well they are able to stick to their treatment plan. It is important to discuss your treatment options with a healthcare provider to determine the best medication for your needs.
Picking the right medication for you is a very personal decision. You may want to consider your current health concerns, health goals, cost, and insurance coverage when deliberating between the options for weight loss. To determine which medication is best suited for your weight loss journey, please reach out to healthcare professionals for more information. If you’re still unsure of which medication is right for you or would like to jumpstart this process, you can reach out to Mochi Health for personalized support guidance in choosing the right weight loss solution.
To get started today, take this eligibility test to see if you’re eligible to join the Mochi Health program!
References:
- https://www.ozempic.com/how-to-take/side-effects.html
- https://www.mounjaro.com/how-to-use-mounjaro
- https://www.wegovy.com/taking-wegovy/side-effects.html#:~:text=or%20worry%20you-,The%20most%20common%20side%20effects%20of%20Wegovy%C2%AE%20may%20include,runny%20nose%20or%20sore%20throat.
- https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/ozempic-side-effects#serious-side-effects
- https://www.goodrx.com/tirzepatide/common-side-effects#pancreatitis
- https://www.wegovy.com/taking-wegovy/side-effects.html#:~:text=or%20worry%20you-,The%20most%20common%20side%20effects%20of%20Wegovy%C2%AE%20may%20include,runny%20nose%20or%20sore%20throat.
- https://www.goodrx.com/ozempic/ozempic-for-weight-loss#
- https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/lillys-mounjaro-leads-16-weight-loss-obese-diabetics-trial-2023-04-27
- https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-drug-treatment-chronic-weight-management-first-2014
- https://www.goodrx.com/mounjaro
- https://www.goodrx.com/ozempic
- https://www.mounjaro.com/savings-resources#savings
- https://www.novocare.com/diabetes/products/ozempic.html
- https://www.mounjaro.com/savings-resources
- https://www.novocare.com/diabetes/products/ozempic/savings-offer.html
