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Mounjaro vs Ozempic

Mounjaro and Ozempic are different drugs used to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. A 40-week trial compared three tirzepatide doses with semaglutide 1 mg.

Source for this answer

Source: Read from both FDA labels and the published SURPASS-2 trial report

Source: Read from both FDA labels and the published SURPASS-2 trial report

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Montecillo, MD · non-practicing medical reviewerReviewed 2026-08-12every number here is sourced

Mounjaro and Ozempic, line by line

Compare 9 details from the two labels. Side-effect figures from separate trials do not establish which medicine is safer.

Mounjaro and Ozempic compared line by line, from both FDA labels
QuestionMounjaroOzempic
What is in itTirzepatide, which acts on two gut hormone receptors, GIP and GLP-1Semaglutide, which acts on one, GLP-1
Main approved useSame on both labelsBlood sugar control in type 2 diabetesBlood sugar control in type 2 diabetes
Other approved usesLower heart-event risk in adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high riskLower heart-event risk in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease; reduce kidney and heart risks in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease
Youngest patient coveredAge 10, added in December 2025Adults only
Starting dose2.5 mg once a week0.25 mg once a week
Highest dose15 mg a week for adults, 10 mg from age 102 mg a week
How a missed week is handledTake within 4 days of the missed dose; otherwise skip itTake within 5 days of the missed dose; otherwise skip it
What the label reports for nausea12 to 18 in 100 across 5, 10 and 15 mg, against 4 on placebo15.8 in 100 at 0.5 mg and 20.3 at 1 mg, against 6.1 on placebo
Injection devicesSingle-dose pen or vial, or a four-dose vial or KwikPenMulti-dose pens holding four weekly doses, or single-dose syringes

Product comparison at a glance

Mounjaro
Tirzepatide
Ozempic
Semaglutide
Label differences
8 of 9 comparison rows differ
Direct trial
SURPASS-2

Has anyone tested Mounjaro against Ozempic directly?

One trial has, SURPASS-2. It ran 40 weeks in 1,879 adults with type 2 diabetes.

Adults with type 2 diabetes received one of three tirzepatide doses or semaglutide 1 mg · registry record NCT03987919

  • Average HbA1c fell 2.01, 2.24 and 2.30 percentage points on tirzepatide 5, 10 and 15 mg, against 1.86 on semaglutide 1 mg.
  • All three tirzepatide doses produced a larger average reduction on that measure.
  • Weight fell further on tirzepatide, by 1.9 kg, 3.6 kg and 5.5 kg more than semaglutide at the three doses.
  • Nausea ran 17 to 22 in 100 on tirzepatide and 18 on semaglutide. Diarrhea ran 13 to 16 against 12. Vomiting ran 6 to 10 against 8.
  • Serious events of any kind were reported in 5 to 7 in 100 on tirzepatide and 3 on semaglutide. A report does not establish that the drug caused the event.

What the trial cannot tell you

  • The trial used semaglutide 1 mg. Ozempic now goes up to 2 mg, but no similar trial has tested that higher dose against Mounjaro.
  • The trial was registered under the two molecule names, not the two brand names. It says nothing about the other uses on the Ozempic label.
  • Everyone knew which drug they received. That can affect side effects that people report themselves.
  • Eli Lilly, which sells Mounjaro, funded it.
4Comparison detailsWhat the differences mean and where to find more detail

What SURPASS-2 measured

SURPASS-2 measured blood sugar for 40 weeks. It also tracked weight, but not heart events, kidney decline or longer-term results.

Both labels now include a heart-risk use for certain adults with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic also has a kidney-risk use. SURPASS-2 does not compare those benefits.

Approved uses and age limits

Mounjaro’s August 2026 label added heart-risk reduction for adults with type 2 diabetes at high risk. Ozempic’s heart-risk use requires established heart disease. Its kidney-risk use requires chronic kidney disease.

Mounjaro’s label includes children aged 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic’s injection label covers adults.

What about “Ozempic vs Mounjaro”?

Reversing the names does not change the product details or trial results.

Read each result with its own dose, study group and limits, whichever name comes first.

The full label for each

Choose a product below to see its full dose schedule, side effects and storage rules.

Mounjaro

The Mounjaro dose schedule in fullMounjaro side effects, dose by doseStoring Mounjaro safely

Ozempic

The Ozempic dose schedule in fullOzempic side effects, dose by doseStoring Ozempic safely

Questions readers ask

Does Mounjaro work better than Ozempic?

In SURPASS-2, tirzepatide lowered the blood sugar measure HbA1c more over 40 weeks. It fell by 2.01, 2.24 and 2.30 percentage points at 5, 10 and 15 mg, versus 1.86 points with semaglutide 1 mg.

Weight also fell more with tirzepatide. The differences were 1.9, 3.6 and 5.5 kg at those doses. This trial did not test Ozempic’s 2 mg dose.

What are the long-term side effects of Mounjaro?

The 40-week SURPASS-2 trial cannot answer every question about years of use. It reported side effects as well as changes in blood sugar and weight.

Both labels now include heart-risk reduction for certain adults with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic also has a kidney-risk use. SURPASS-2 did not compare those longer-term benefits.

Is Ozempic or Mounjaro easier to tolerate?

SURPASS-2 assigned people to separate treatment groups. Each person received either tirzepatide or semaglutide, not both drugs.

Nausea affected 17–22% on tirzepatide versus 18% on semaglutide; diarrhea affected 13–16% versus 12%. Serious events of any kind were reported in 5–7% versus 3%. These are trial reports, not proof that the drug caused each event.

What is the poor man's alternative to Ozempic?

A lower out-of-pocket price depends on the product, insurance and savings-offer rules. There is no single cheapest option for everyone.

Use the cost guides to check dated prices and offer terms. A low advertised price may exclude visits, lab work or other fees, so compare the full cost.

13primary sources, each with the day we read it — open the documents used on this page

Mounjaro and Ozempic are registered trademarks of their makers. Neither maker wrote, reviewed or endorsed this guide. It draws on public FDA labels and cited studies. A clinician can advise on your care. For prices and insurance, see our cost and coverage guide.