Mounjaro vs Ozempic – 2 Brands Compared for Weight Loss
Ozempic and Mounjaro have been some of the most popular prescribed drugs across the globe for quite a while now. These FDA-approved drugs have profited millions of dollars from the pharmaceutical sector globally. Famous as some of the best remedies for Type 2 diabetes, Ozempic, and Mounjaro are widely used by all parts of the globe.
Even though both are primarily used to treat Type 2 diabetes, the drugs have several other positive and negative implications. The following sections attempt to trace the various aspects of the medicines and check how similar and different they are in their composition, usage, effects, and side effects.
Mounjaro vs. Ozempic
Mounjaro vs. Ozempic: An Overview
Before proceeding to a detailed study of the similarities and differences between Mounjaro and Ozempic, here are some basic details on the drugs. This section helps you understand the drug better before getting into too many details.
Mounjaro
- FDA approved: Yes
- Year of FDA Approval: 2022
- Manufacturer: Eli Lilly
- Active Ingredient: Tirzepatide
- Cost Per Month: About $1069
- General Dosage: One Per Week
Ozempic
- FDA approved: Yes
- Year of FDA Approval: 2017
- Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk
- Active Ingredient: Semaglutide
- Cost Per Month: $935
- General Dosage: One Per Week
Mounjaro vs. Ozempic: At A Glance
As mentioned, Ozempic and Mounjaro are two prescription drugs used by adults to control Type 2 diabetes. The drug manufacturers recommend that users follow proper diet and exercise to gradually get the best results. The active ingredients help control blood glucose levels to an ideal level.
Many people have observed significant weight loss while using these drugs. However, as the FDA hasn’t yet approved these drugs for weight loss, experts advise not to use them without discretion.
Some of the most common side effects of these drugs are gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and nausea. Other than these mild side effects, Ozempic and Mounjaro are generally considered safe for adults. Still, using them and deciding the dosage is advisable per a health practitioner’s suggestions.
Mounjaro and Ozempic are usually administered as injections. These injections are taken once every week in the abdomen. The patients don’t need to avail of a hospital’s service to take these injections regularly. Instead, a caregiver or you can easily take the injections yourself.
The out-of-pocket cost of both drugs can be somewhat overwhelming for regular patients. To purchase these drugs, it is better to avail of medical aid through insurance, copay cards, discount coupons, etc.
Mounjaro vs. Ozempic: Drug Class
Ozempic and Mounjaro are part of the same drug class named incretin mimetics. Even though they are from the same drug class, they possess several differences, even from the composition level.
Ozempic is effective particularly on GLP-1 receptors, while Mounjaro is effective on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors.
Ozempic
Ozempic binds to the GLP-1 receptors. It then stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas whenever needed. It reduces the speed of the food’s travel through the digestive tract. This creates a sense of fullness in people, which essentially helps reduce body weight.
Mounjaro
Mounjaro is a dual-acting drug. It reduces harmful glucose concentration and significantly decreases food intake, which helps users lose body weight.
Mounjaro vs. Ozempic: Administering
Being two separate drugs, the way of consumption of both drugs is essentially different. However, both of them are injections that can be taken in the abdomen part of the body. If there is any inconvenience in taking the injection in the abdomen, patients can use it in the upper arm or thigh. Despite the location, these injections must only be taken under the skin.
Ozempic
The suggested starting dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg a week. Health practitioners advise taking the starting dose in a single injection once a week. However, the starting dose is not adequate for glycemic control. The dose must gradually be increased in fixed intervals to get the best results.
After four weeks of using the starting dose, the dose can be taken to 0.5 mg weekly. The increase in dosage should be conducted strictly under the guidance of a reputed doctor. The maximum weekly limit of Ozempic is 2 mg. So, the users should be careful not to exceed the said limit.
Mounjaro
Mounjaro can be used in a higher dosage than Ozempic from the start itself. The generally recommended starting dose of Mounjaro is 2.5 mg per week. However, this starting dosage is insufficient to control blood glucose levels effectively. So, raising the dosage to 5 mg weekly after four weeks of the starting dose is advisable.
If your health practitioner thinks it is necessary to increase the dosage further, it is recommended. However, the maximum limit to which Mounjaro can be used in a week is 15 mg.
Mounjaro and Ozempic are started with an essential dose to avoid significant side effects. The body might take some time to get used to the presence of both drugs. Thus, the starting dose helps prevent widespread side effects, such as the following.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain, etc.
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Mounjaro vs. Ozempic: Side Effects
As mentioned, Mounjaro and Ozempic can cause some standard side effects. Most of them are gastrointestinal. Side effects are usually observed right after the starting dosage is administered. Once the patient gets used to the drugs, the side effects slowly subside. Thus, it is crucial to only slowly increase the dosage of both Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Ozempic
The widespread side effects caused by Ozempic are as follows.
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Stomach pain
About 33% of Ozempic users experience the standard side effects mentioned above. Several less common side effects can occur alongside Ozempic use. Some of them are as follows.
- Low blood sugar
- Injection spot reaction
- Elevated levels of pancreas enzymes
- Gallstones
- High heart rate
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness
- Allergic reactions
Mounjaro
Some of the most repeated side effects in Mounjaro users are as follows.
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Stomach pain
Up to 44% of Mounjaro users experience the side effects mentioned above. However, the side effects associated with Mounjaro use tend to decrease in intensity as the patients get used to it.
Some less common side effects associated with Mounjaro are as follows.
- Low blood sugar
- Allergic reactions
- Injection spot reactions
- Increase in heart rate
- Gallbladder disease
- High levels of pancreas enzymes
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Although both drugs are highly effective in treating adult diabetes, pharmaceutical experts and health practitioners suggest the use of these drugs with discretion. According to doctors, certain patients with other medical conditions are not supposed to use Mounjaro or Ozempic. The use of these drugs in the wrong people can even lead to conditions like thyroid and cancer.
Some people who are supposed to stay away from Mounjaro and Ozempic are as follows.
- People with a family history of MTC (Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma)
- People with a family history of MEN 2 (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome Type 2)
- People with a family history of thyroid tumors
Mounjaro vs. Ozempic: Price
One of the chief differences between Ozempic and Mounjaro is the cost of each drug. Although both drugs are in a somewhat similar price range, the costs are essentially different.
Without proper insurance support or medical aid, purchasing these drugs regularly can be an expensive affair. Both these drugs cost near the thousand-dollar mark. To be precise, a single unit of Ozempic, worth enough to be used in a month, costs about $935. Likewise, the monthly dose of Mounjaro is worth about $1069.
Online coupons and discount cards are available for people expected to pay out of pocket for these drugs. Both drug manufacturers offer savings coupons so regular customers can purchase more units at relatively lower costs.
Mounjaro vs. Ozempic: Drug Interactions
Mounjaro and Ozempic tend to interact with other medications. When coming in contact with certain medicines, both drugs cause some reactions in the patient. The typical consequence of such drug interactions is low blood sugar levels in the patient. Thus, it is essential to watch what you consume when you are under Mounjaro or Ozempic drug use.
One of the significant concerns about drug interactions is insulin or sulfonylurea. People who have been consuming glucose for quite a while need to consult their doctors regarding using Mounjaro or Ozempic. A decrease in insulin or Mounjaro or Ozempic dose is advisable in such circumstances.
The drug label of Mounjaro mainly advises not to use any oral contraceptive method while using the drug. It is advisable to use a barrier contraceptive or non-oral contraceptive for at least the first four weeks of Mounjaro treatment.
Mounjaro vs. Ozempic: Conclusion
It is not easy to compare and contrast two similar drugs, Mounjaro and Ozempic. They have more in common than they have in differences. The decision on which among them is the best one is purely subjective. A patient’s needs and requirements should determine which of these two drugs is best. Each drug has its own positives and negatives. For example, Ozempic is a widely used weight loss method, whereas Mounjaro can cause severe side effects if not used as per expert instructions.
FAQs
1. Which drug is more effective for weight loss, Mounjaro or Ozempic?
Both Mounjaro and Ozempic are effective for weight loss. However, Ozempic has official FDA approval for its weight loss properties. However, in terms of efficiency, Mounjaro takes the first place. The only issue with Mounjaro is that it can cause severe complications if not used with discretion.
2. What are the general dosages of Mounjaro and Ozempic?
The general dosages of Mounjaro and Ozempic vary according to the patient. However, the standard dosages of Mounjaro are 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg. The standard dosages of Ozempic are 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg.
There are many ways in which you can save money on Ozempic. A regular user of Ozempic can definitely benefit from Ozempic coupons.
