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Weight lossTwo labels compared

Mounjaro vs Ozempic

Mounjaro and Ozempic are two different molecules approved for the same condition. They are frequently discussed as weight loss medications, and neither label approves them for that. This page sets the two labels side by side and states what each one actually covers.

Mounjaro

Ingredient
Tirzepatide
Approved for
Type 2 diabetesnot weight loss
Supply
Prescription
Boxed warning
WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS
Pharmacy cost
$538.64 per milliliter, brandwhat pharmacies pay to buy it, not the price at the counter
Eli Lilly and Company. Label version 38, effective 22 April 2026.

Ozempic injection

Ingredient
Semaglutide
Approved for
Type 2 diabetes, with cardiovascular and kidney indicationsnot weight loss
Supply
Prescription
Boxed warning
WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS
Pharmacy cost
$331.98 per milliliter, brandwhat pharmacies pay to buy it, not the price at the counter
A-S Medication Solutions. Label version 1, effective 30 July 2026.
01From the FDA label

Side by side, straight from the labels

Generated from the two source labels, not typed out by hand, so it cannot drift from what the regulator approved. Rows where both labels say exactly the same thing are marked.

Active ingredientMounjaroTirzepatideGIP and GLP-1 receptor agonistOzempic injectionSemaglutideGLP-1 receptor agonist
Approved forMounjaroType 2 diabetesOzempic injectionType 2 diabetes, with cardiovascular and kidney indications
Supplysame in bothMounjaroPrescriptionOzempic injectionPrescription
What pharmacies payAcquisition cost, not retailMounjaro$538.64 per milliliter, brandOzempic injection$331.98 per milliliter, brand
Boxed warningsame in bothMounjaroWARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORSOzempic injectionWARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS
What the FDA approved it forMounjaro
  • MOUNJARO ® is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Ozempic injection
  • as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  • to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease.
  • to reduce the risk of sustained eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease.
Forms and strengthsMounjaro
  • Injection: Clear, colorless to slightly yellow solution in pre-filled single-dose pens, single-dose vials, multi-dose vials, or single-patient-use KwikPens, each available in the following strengths.
  • The multi-dose vials and single-patient-use KwikPen each contain 4 doses:
  • Injection: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg per 0.5 mL in single-dose pen or single-dose vial
  • Injection: 10 mg/2.4 mL (4.17 mg/mL) for four 2.5 mg/0.6 mL doses, 20 mg/2.4 mL (8.33 mg/mL) for four 5 mg/0.6 mL doses, 30 mg/2.4 mL (12.5 mg/mL) for four 7.5 mg/0.6 mL doses, 40 mg/2.4 mL (16.7 mg/mL) for four 10 mg/0.6 mL doses, 50 mg/2.4 mL (20.8 mg/mL) for four 12.5 mg/0.6 mL doses, or 60 mg/2.4 mL (25 mg/mL) for four 15 mg/0.6 mL doses in a multi-dose vial or single-patient-use KwikPen ®
Ozempic injection
  • Injection: 2 mg/3 mL (0.68 mg/mL) for 4 doses of 0.25 mg and 2 doses of 0.5 mg or 4 doses of 0.5 mg, 4 mg/3 mL (1.34 mg/mL) for 4 doses of 1 mg, and 8 mg/3 mL (2.68 mg/mL) for 4 doses of 2 mg in single-patient-use pens
  • Injection: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg or 1 mg per 0.5 mL in a single-dose prefilled syringe
How the label says it is takenMounjaro
  • The recommended starting dosage is 2.5 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly.
  • After 4 weeks, increase to 5 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly.
  • If additional glycemic control is needed, increase the dosage in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose.
  • Maximum dosage: Adults: 15 mg subcutaneously once weekly. Pediatric patients 10 years of age and older: 10 mg subcutaneously once weekly. Administer once weekly at any time of day, with or without meals.
  • Inject subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or another person should inject in the back of the upper arm. Rotate injection sites with each dose.
  • Refer to the Full Prescribing Information for additional important administration instructions about MOUNJARO presentations.
Ozempic injection
  • Administer once weekly at any time of day, with or without meals.
  • Start at 0.25 mg once weekly. After 4 weeks, increase the dosage to 0.5 mg once weekly.
  • If additional glycemic control is needed, increase the dosage to 1 mg once weekly after at least 4 weeks on the 0.5 mg dose.
  • To reduce the risk of sustained eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular death, increase the dosage to 1 mg once weekly after at least 4 weeks on the 0.5 mg dosage.
  • If a dose is missed, administer within 5 days of missed dose.
  • Inject subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Important Administration Instructions
Most common adverse reactionsMounjaro
  • most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with MOUNJARO are nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, dyspepsia, and abdominal pain.
Ozempic injection
  • most common adverse reactions reported in ≥5% of patients treated with OZEMPIC are: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and constipation.
Warnings and precautionsMounjaro
  • Acute Pancreatitis: Has been observed in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, or MOUNJARO. Discontinue if pancreatitis is suspected.
  • Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use of Insulin Secretagogues or Insulin: Concomitant use with an insulin secretagogue or insulin may increase the risk of hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia. Reducing dose of insulin secretagogue or insulin may be necessary.
  • Hypersensitivity Reactions: Serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis and angioedema) have been reported. Discontinue MOUNJARO if suspected and promptly seek medical advice.
  • Acute Kidney Injury Due to Volume Depletion: Monitor renal function in patients reporting adverse reactions that could lead to volume depletion.
  • Severe Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions: Use has been associated with gastrointestinal adverse reactions, sometimes severe. MOUNJARO is not recommended in patients with severe gastroparesis.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy Complications in Patients with a History of Diabetic Retinopathy: Has not been studied in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy requiring acute therapy, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, or diabetic macular edema. Monitor patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy for progression.
  • Acute Gallbladder Disease: Has occurred in clinical trials. If cholelithiasis is suspected, gallbladder studies and clinical follow-up are indicated.
  • Pulmonary Aspiration During General Anesthesia or Deep Sedation: Has been reported in patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists undergoing elective surgeries or procedures. Instruct patients to inform healthcare providers of any planned surgeries or procedures.
Ozempic injection
  • Acute Pancreatitis: Has been observed in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, including OZEMPIC. Discontinue if pancreatitis is suspected.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy Complications: Has been reported in a clinical trial. Patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy should be monitored.
  • Never share an OZEMPIC pen between patients, even if the needle is changed.
  • Hypoglycemia: Concomitant use with an insulin secretagogue or insulin may increase the risk of hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia. Reducing dose of insulin secretagogue or insulin may be necessary.
  • Acute Kidney Injury Due to Volume Depletion: Monitor renal function in patients reporting adverse reactions that could lead to volume depletion.
  • Severe Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions: Use has been associated with gastrointestinal adverse reactions, sometimes severe. OZEMPIC is not recommended in patients with severe gastroparesis.
  • Hypersensitivity Reactions: Serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis and angioedema) have been reported. Discontinue OZEMPIC if suspected and promptly seek medical advice.
  • Acute Gallbladder Disease: If cholelithiasis or cholecystitis are suspected, gallbladder studies are indicated.
ContraindicationsMounjaro
  • MOUNJARO is contraindicated in patients with: A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
  • Known serious hypersensitivity to tirzepatide or any of the excipients in MOUNJARO.
  • Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, have been reported with MOUNJARO.
Ozempic injection
  • Personal or family history of MTC or in patients with MEN 2.
  • Serious hypersensitivity reaction to semaglutide or any of the excipients in OZEMPIC.
Drug interactionsMounjaro
  • MOUNJARO delays gastric emptying and has the potential to impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications.
Ozempic injection
  • Oral Medications: OZEMPIC delays gastric emptying.
  • May impact absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications.
  • Use with caution.
Label versionMounjaro22 April 2026Ozempic injection30 July 2026
02Written by us

Both are approved for type 2 diabetes, and neither for weight loss

The Mounjaro label indicates it as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes, and that is its only indication. The Ozempic label carries three: the same glycemic control indication in adults, reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults who have type 2 diabetes together with established cardiovascular disease, and reducing the risk of sustained decline in kidney function, end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular death in adults who have type 2 diabetes together with chronic kidney disease.

Weight loss appears as an approved use in neither document. Both active ingredients do hold weight management approvals in the United States, but under different brand names and separate labels: tirzepatide as Zepbound, semaglutide as Wegovy. That is why comparing Mounjaro with Ozempic is not the same question as comparing Zepbound with Wegovy.

03Written by us

The active ingredients are different

Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which its label describes as a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. Ozempic contains semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. Acting on an additional receptor is a difference in how the molecule is described, not a statement about results, and neither label compares itself to the other.

04Written by us

The ages covered are not the same

The Mounjaro indication covers adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older. The Ozempic indication covers adults. This is one of the few differences between the two labels that is stated plainly rather than left to be inferred.

05Written by us

The warnings are the same class warnings

Both labels carry a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodents, and both are contraindicated in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. Both also list serious hypersensitivity reactions as a contraindication.

Below the box the two lists run almost in parallel: acute pancreatitis, hypoglycemia when combined with insulin or an insulin secretagogue, acute kidney injury from volume depletion, severe gastrointestinal reactions, diabetic retinopathy complications, gallbladder disease and serious hypersensitivity appear in both. Two entries do not match. The Mounjaro label warns about pulmonary aspiration during general anesthesia or deep sedation, reported in patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists; the Ozempic label carries an instruction of a different kind, that a pen must never be shared between patients even if the needle is changed.

06Written by us

What this page does not tell you

It does not say which one a person should take, and it does not rank them. The two were approved on separate trial programs that were not designed to compare them against each other, so the numbers in one label cannot be read against the numbers in the other. Prescribing outside an approved use is a decision for a licensed clinician and is outside what this page describes.

07Written by us

Common questions

Is Mounjaro or Ozempic approved for weight loss?
Neither. Weight loss does not appear as an approved use in either label. The same two active ingredients are approved for chronic weight management under different names, tirzepatide as Zepbound and semaglutide as Wegovy, each with its own separate label.
Are Mounjaro and Ozempic the same kind of medicine?
Both act at the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor. The Mounjaro label describes tirzepatide as acting at the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor as well. They are different molecules with different approvals, not two names for one product.
Which one works better?
The labels do not answer that. Each was approved on its own trials, and those trials were not designed to compare the two products, so this page does not present one as better than the other.
08

Sources

Every fact above comes from one of these documents. The date is the effective date of the label version this page was built from.

Each stripe is one section of the label, each division in a stripe one entry in that section. The red bar marks a boxed warning.

09

Other comparisons in this category

Page last updated 23 August 2026

Compiled by the HealthyStudy editorial team from FDA source documents. No medical reviewer is credited on this page, because none reviewed it.