Exploring the differences between Mounjaro vs Ozempic

In the last couple of years, names like Ozempic and, more recently, Mounjaro have become a topic of conversation in many social circles, medical settings, and in the media.

While you have probably heard of some of these types of drugs — and might even be interested in them yourself — you might not know much about how they actually work.

Understanding medication before you start taking anything is important, but it can be quite complex and confusing — so that's where we come in.

In this article, we will discuss Ozempic and Mounjaro, how they work, what they are approved for, and any potential side effects you might need to know about.

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, is an injectable medicine that was designed for adults with type 2 diabetes [1]. It is typically prescribed alongside a healthy diet and exercise to help manage or lower blood sugar levels.

It is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It has a recommended starting dose of 2.5mg, which can later be increased to 5mg, and the maximum recommended dose is 15mg.

The medication is administered through a once-a-week injection, and can only be purchased by patients after a doctor prescribes it.

Mounjaro can also be used for weight loss, and can be prescribed in the UK as a weight loss medication.

How does Mounjaro work?

Mounjaro works slightly differently from GLP-1 medications, like Wegovy, as it activates both GLP-1 and another hormone called GIP, which helps to promote fat loss, block fat gain and regulate blood sugar.

By combining the effects of GIP and GLP-1 together, Mounjaro is more effective at promoting weight loss through decreased appetite, as well as directly impacting the pathways that lead to fat loss.

To simplify this a bit, this medication helps to reduce your appetite (making you feel fuller far more quickly), assists with turning down cravings, helps improve blood glucose levels and stimulates the breakdown of fat.

Another difference between tirzepatide and a GLP-1 medication like semaglutide is the dosages. Mounjaro is a much higher dose of medication, starting at 2.5mg and going up to 15mg. Wegovy dosages start at 0.25mg and go up to 2.4mg [2].

What is Mounjaro approved for?

Mounjaro has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, and the United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for type 2 diabetes.

In the UK, Mounjaro is approved for weight management in adults who have a BMI of 30kg/m² or more [5].

It is also approved for overweight patients (with a BMI of 27-30kg/m²) who have weight-related health problems such as pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart problems.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic and Mounjaro have some similarities, but they are different medications. Ozempic, which contains the active ingredient semaglutide, is a medication that was designed and is licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Ozempic comes in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg weekly doses [6] and needs to be prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Similar to Mounjaro, doctors prescribe Ozempic to help lower blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is also prescribed to reduce the chances of major cardiovascular events (such as heart attack or stroke) for adults who have type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

How does Ozempic work?

To understand how Ozempic works, let's look at its key ingredient, semaglutide. Semaglutide mimics a hormone and stimulates insulin production when your blood sugar levels increase [7].

It also helps prevent your liver from making and releasing too much sugar [6].

As these hormone levels rise, another effect is that it sends molecules to your brain telling you you're full and slows down digestion — and these side effects mean that semaglutide often leads to weight loss.

What is Ozempic approved for?

In the UK, Ozempic is approved by the MHRA for adults with 'insufficiently controlled' type 2 diabetes.

The ingredient semaglutide is approved as a weight loss medication under the name Wegovy, which can only be accessed through specialist clinics.

What are the side effects of Mounjaro vs Ozempic?

Like any medication, both Ozempic and Mounjaro can have side effects.

Common side effects of Mounjaro include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Indigestion
• Abdominal pain

On Mounjaro's packaging, there are warnings about other potential side effects, namely thyroid tumours and thyroid cancer [1]. However, these warnings are based on studies of animals and it is unclear whether this risk is also present in humans [10].

Still, anybody with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 or a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma is advised not to take Mounjaro. Other side effects can include inflammation of the pancreas, low blood sugar levels, and kidney problems or kidney failure — although these are a lot less common.

Some users could also experience symptoms of allergic reactions including rash or itching, feeling dizzy, elevated heartbeat, problems breathing or swallowing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

The most common side effects of Ozempic are [8]:

• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

Like Mounjaro, Ozempic can also cause more serious issues (although rarer) including thyroid tumours or cancer, changes in vision, pancreatitis, low blood sugar levels, kidney issues, gallbladder problems and severe allergic reactions.

Can you take Mounjaro and Ozempic together?

It is not recommended to take more than one GLP-1 medication at a time.

These drugs can also interact with other medications you might be taking, so it is always best to speak with your doctor and make sure they are aware of all of your medications and any other health conditions before you begin taking a new drug.

Can you switch from Ozempic to Mounjaro?

As long as you are doing so under the guidance of a doctor, it is generally safe to switch from one medication to another, as long as you can tolerate the new one.

If you are switching, it is best to stop taking one type of medication, and then start the new type one week later to make sure you are not going over the maximum weekly dose of the active ingredient or GLP-1 agonist [9].

If you have had an adverse reaction previously, you may want to wait longer before starting the new medication.

How do I know which weight loss medication is right for me?

Figuring out which medication is right for you, or going to a doctor and asking for a GLP-1 medication might be a little overwhelming.

This is where a programme like Juniper's Weight Reset is especially helpful. The programme begins with a quiz to assess your health and needs, and prescribers will then assess your eligibility to make sure you are a suitable candidate for the medication.

We offer Mounjaro and Wegovy as medication options. The Weight Reset Programme will also help you learn sustainable nutritional, exercise and lifestyle choices to form habits that actually stick.

You can track your progress, interact with our community, and have unlimited consultations with our health experts to help you along your journey to lose weight.

Weight loss and prioritising your health can be difficult, and the prospect of making long-term changes might be daunting but remember: you don't have to do it alone.

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