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Key takeaways
Mounjaro and Ozempic are both FDA-approved Type 2 diabetes medications. They are also prescribed off-label for weight management or BMI reduction.
Mounjaro may be more effective than Ozempic for blood sugar management.
Mounjaro may also cause a higher percentage of weight loss than Ozempic.
Switching from Ozempic to Mounjaro requires a healthcare provider to determine the lowest effective equivalent dose.
When considering any prescription drug change, consult your healthcare provider about the benefits versus risks.
Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are two brand-name medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help treat Type 2 diabetes. Because they suppress appetite, these drugs are sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss. Specifically, the brand names Ozempic and Mounjaro are not FDA approved for this use, but medications with the same active ingredients have been FDA approved as weight loss injections under the brand names Wegovy and Zepbound.
Though these medications share intended uses and administration through once-weekly injections, they differ in mechanism of action and dosage. Mounjaro has the potential to be more effective for blood sugar management and weight loss, according to Raj Singh MD, a primary care physician at Healor and medical director at Rarev Medical Spa in Las Vegas. Given that, some may wonder whether switching from Ozempic to Mounjaro is possible. The answer is yes. If your prescriber agrees that stopping Ozempic to start Mounjaro would be beneficial, the healthcare provider will determine the next steps, including the best dosage.
What are the benefits of switching from Ozempic to Mounjaro?
Switching from Ozempic to Mounjaro is only recommended for some. If someone is experiencing good results from Ozempic, switching to Mounjaro might not boost results.
However, sometimes switching to a new diabetes medication has clear benefits. In that case, a healthcare provider should determine the best new medicines and treatment plan.
Effectiveness
Mounjaro is a dual-action GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist that targets glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) receptors. Ozempic, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, only targets GLP-1 receptors. Mounjaro’s dual action may increase its effectiveness.
Research suggests that Mounjaro may be more effective than Ozempic. A 40-week study found that tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, reduced blood sugar levels which was found through measurement of glycated hemoglobin, also known as A1C, by up to 2.30%; while semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, only caused a 1.86% A1C reduction.
Mounjaro might also lead to greater weight loss, according to Charu Sawhney, DO, internal medicine physician at Harbor Health in Austin, Texas. “Ozempic can aid in reducing weight up to 10% of an individual’s total body weight. However, Mounjaro can aid in reducing weight up to 20%,” she says. “If blood sugars are not well managed on Ozempic or if weight loss has plateaued and an individual would benefit from reducing their weight and body fat percentage further, Mounjaro is an excellent medication to consider.”
Dosage and frequency
Ozempic dose ranges from 0.25 mg – 2 mg injected once weekly, whereas Mounjaro dose ranges from 2.5 mg-15 mg injected once weekly.
Individuals switching from Ozempic to Mounjaro are unlikely to experience any benefits related to dosage since both drugs require weekly injections.
Common side effects
“Regardless of which medication you are taking, the side effects are the same,” says Kim Matta, PA-C, a physician assistant at LifeSculpt by ChristiMD in Houston, Texas. Both medications are known to cause common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Like all medications, Ozempic and Mounjaro also present a risk of allergic reactions.
Dr. Sawhney says Mounjaro is more likely than Ozempic to cause side effects, but anecdotally, Matta says many of her patients have reported fewer side effects from tirzepatide. Clinical trial data on Ozempic shows gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain occurred in 32.7% receiving Ozempic 0.5 mg and 36.4% receiving Ozempic 1 mg. In contrast, clinical trials of Mounjaro showed gastrointestinal side effects occurred in 37.1% receiving Mounjaro 5 mg, 39.6% receiving Mounjaro 10 mg, and 43.6% receiving Mounjaro 15 mg. With both Ozempic and Mounjaro, the increase in gastrointestinal side effects occurred with dose increases and often decreased over time.
Cost
The list prices of Ozempic vs. Mounjaro are similar. However, insurance coverage and copays vary by plan. Some people might save money by switching medications if their insurance plan covers one but not the other. (These drugs are typically only covered for Type 2 diabetes, not weight loss).
“These medications are very expensive, and we have to go by what the insurance covers,” says Dr. Singh.
| Ozempic vs. Mounjaro comparison chart | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ozempic | Mounjaro | |
| Dose/Frequency | Starting dose: 0.25 mg injected under the skin once weekly
Maintenance dose: 0.5 mg-1 mg injected once weekly Maximum dose: 2 mg injected once weekly |
Starting dose: 2.5 mg injected under the skin once weekly
Maintenance dose: 2.5 mg-15 mg injected once weekly Maximum dose: 15 mg injected once weekly |
| Blood sugar reduction results | 1.83% | < 2.30% |
| Body weight reduction results | 10% | 20% |
| Side effect frequency | Ozempic 0.5 mg:
Nausea: 16% Stomach pain: 7% Constipation: 5% Diarrhea: 9% |
Mounjaro 5 mg:
Nausea: 12% Stomach pain: 6% Constipation: 6% Diarrhea: 12% |
| Cost | $1,326 per 1, 3 mL of 2 mg/3 mL pen | $1,460 per 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg/0.5 mL pen |
How to switch from Ozempic to Mounjaro
First things first: Discuss this with your healthcare provider. Dr. Singh emphasizes that if someone is already getting good results from Ozempic, he does not recommend switching. If deemed beneficial, the switch from Ozempic to Mounjaro “can happen quickly and safely,” says Dr. Sawhney.
There is no need to taper off Ozempic. Instead, prescribers use an individual’s current Ozempic dose to determine the recommended dose of Mounjaro. According to Dr. Singh, when comparing doses, Ozempic’s starting dose of 0.25 mg is considered equivalent to Mounjaro’s starting dose of 2.5 mg.
When switching medications, Dr. Sawhney recommends starting Mounjaro at the lowest dose, then increasing it every two to four weeks until the dose matches the equivalent of the patient’s previous Ozempic dose.
“Ultimately, the goal is to find a dose that works well for each individual versus continuing to increase the dose to the maximum level,” she says. “Work closely with a clinician to find the right dosage based on personal blood sugar goals, weight loss goals, tolerability, and the presence of severe side effects.”
Side effects from stopping Ozempic and starting Mounjaro
There are no side effects specifically related to discontinuing Ozempic or starting Mounjaro, and these medications have the same potential side effects. However, adding a second active ingredient in Mounjaro might increase the incidence or severity of side effects. Dr. Singh says that because Mounjaro is more potent, some patients also experience low blood sugar on Mounjaro. Warning signs of low blood sugar include confusion, dizziness, rapid heart rate, and shakiness.
The bottom line is to consult a healthcare professional immediately if you experience worsening gastrointestinal side effects or develop signs of low blood sugar after switching from Ozempic to Mounjaro.
How to minimize Mounjaro side effects
The best way to prevent Mounjaro’s side effects is to use the lowest effective dose. People on higher doses are at a higher risk of potential side effects.
If a patient develops new side effects after switching from Ozempic to Mounjaro, Dr. Singh recommends skipping a dose and then resuming at the same or lower dose the following week.
Anyone currently experiencing Mounjaro side effects should prioritize proper hydration. “It is very important to maintain regular bowel movements, as constipation can turn into a small bowel obstruction, which is an emergency,” says Matta. “I always recommend drinking plenty of water and taking Miralax daily to help prevent severe constipation.”
Can you take Mounjaro and Ozempic together?
“Absolutely not,” says Matta. Taking Mounjaro and Ozempic together is akin to double-dosing (or overdoing) on one of these medications. Experts emphasize that taking these drugs simultaneously is not safe.
The bottom line
Both Ozempic and Mounjaro are effective antidiabetic medications, though Mounjaro might be more effective due to its dual-action mechanism. Switching from Ozempic is possible, but it’s not always beneficial. If someone meets their healthcare goals on Ozempic, there is no reason to switch medications. If a person struggles to manage blood sugar levels on Ozempic, even with the help of diet and exercise, switching to Mounjaro might help.
Talk to your prescriber whenever considering changing medications. A healthcare provider with a complete picture of your medical history, health conditions, and other medications can offer individualized medical advice.
Sources
- Tirzepatide versus semaglutide once weekly in patients with Type 2 diabetes, The New England Journal of Medicine (2021)
- Mounjaro, tirzepatide injection, solution, DailyMed (2024)
- Ozempic – semaglutide injection, solution, DailyMed (2023)
- Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity, The New England Journal of Medicine (2022)
- Weight loss outcomes associated with semaglutide treatment for patients with overweight or obesity, JAMA Network (2022)
