HealthyStudy

Mounjaro vs Zepbound

Zepbound: approved for weight lossMounjaro: approved for another condition

Mounjaro and Zepbound are both tirzepatide, made by the same company. As with semaglutide, the two brand names exist because there are two separate FDA approvals covering different conditions. This page compares the labels.

Side by side, straight from the labels

This table is generated from the two source labels, not typed out by hand, so it cannot drift from what the regulator approved.

From the FDA labels

Label sectionZepboundTIRZEPATIDEMounjaroTIRZEPATIDE
Active ingredientTirzepatideGIP and GLP-1 receptor agonistTirzepatideGIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist
SupplyPrescriptionPrescription
Boxed warningWARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS In rats, tirzepatide causes dose-dependent and treatment-duration-dependent thyroid C-celWARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS In both male and female rats, tirzepatide causes dose-dependent and treatment-duration-de
What the FDA approved it for
  • ZEPBOUND ® is indicated in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity: to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults with obesity or adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition. to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity.
  • ZEPBOUND is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity: to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults with obesity or adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition.
  • to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity.
  • Limitations of Use: Coadministration with other tirzepatide-containing products or with any GLP-1 receptor agonist is not recommended.
  • MOUNJARO ® is 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.
  • 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.
Forms and strengths
  • 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: Single-dose Pen or Vial 2.5 mg/0.5 mL 5 mg/0.5 mL 7.5 mg/0.5 mL 10 mg/0.5 mL 12.5 mg/0.5 mL 15 mg/0.5 mL Multi-dose Vial (4...
  • 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: Single-dose Pen or Vial 2.5 mg/0.5 mL 5 mg/0.5 mL 7.5 mg/0.5 mL 10 mg/0.5 mL 12.5 mg/0.5 mL 15 mg/0.5 mL Multi-dose Vial (4...
How the label says it is taken
  • Recommended Dose Escalation Schedule The recommended starting dosage is 2.5 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly for 4 weeks. Increase the dosage in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks until recommended maintenance dosage is achieved.
  • Consider treatment response and tolerability when selecting the maintenance dosage.
  • Recommended Maintenance and Maximum Dosage Weight Reduction and Long-Term Maintenance: 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly.
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea: 10 mg or 15 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly.
  • Maximum Recommended Dosage: 15 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly.
  • Administration Instructions Refer to the Full Prescribing Information for additional important administration instructions about ZEPBOUND presentations.
  • 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.
Most common adverse reactions
  • most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with ZEPBOUND are: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, injection site reactions, fatigue, hypersensitivity reactions, eructation, hair loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease. (6.
  • most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with MOUNJARO are nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, dyspepsia, and abdominal pain. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Eli Lilly and Company at 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.
Warnings and precautions
  • Severe Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions: Use has been associated with gastrointestinal adverse reactions, sometimes severe. ZEPBOUND is not recommended in patients with severe gastroparesis.
  • Acute Kidney Injury Due to Volume Depletion: Monitor renal function in patients reporting adverse reactions that could lead to volume depletion.
  • Acute Gallbladder Disease: Has been reported in clinical trials. If cholecystitis is suspected, gallbladder studies and clinical follow-up are indicated.
  • Acute Pancreatitis: Has been observed in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, or ZEPBOUND. Discontinue if pancreatitis is suspected.
  • Hypersensitivity Reactions: Serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema) have been reported postmarketing with tirzepatide. If suspected, advise patients to promptly seek medical attention and discontinue ZEPBOUND.
  • Hypoglycemia: Concomitant use with insulin or an insulin secretagogue may increase the risk of hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia. Reducing dose of insulin or insulin secretagogue may be necessary. Inform all patients of the risk of hypoglycemia and educate them on the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
Contraindications
  • ZEPBOUND is contraindicated in patients with: A personal or family history of MTC or in patients with MEN 2.
  • Known serious hypersensitivity to tirzepatide or any of the excipients in ZEPBOUND.
  • Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, have been reported with tirzepatide.
  • Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 Known serious hypersensitivity to tirzepatide or any of the excipients in ZEPBOUND
  • 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.
  • Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.
Drug interactions
  • ZEPBOUND delays gastric emptying and has the potential to impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications.
  • MOUNJARO delays gastric emptying and has the potential to impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications.
Label version22 April 202622 April 2026

Zepbound covers weight, Mounjaro covers diabetes

Written by us

The Zepbound label covers reduction of excess body weight and long-term maintenance of that reduction, and separately the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea in adults with obesity. The Mounjaro label covers glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

The obstructive sleep apnoea indication is unusual: it is the only approval in this whole category that is not about weight or diabetes directly, and it belongs to Zepbound alone.

Tirzepatide acts on two receptors, not one

Written by us

Both labels describe tirzepatide as an agonist at both the GIP receptor and the GLP-1 receptor. Every other GLP-1 medication in this category acts on the GLP-1 receptor only. That difference is in the labels of both brands equally, since the molecule is identical.

Presentations differ more than the medicine does

Written by us

The two labels list different sets of pens, vials and strengths. The dose escalation schedules also differ, because they were established in different trial programmes for different conditions. The table above reproduces both.

Common questions

Is Zepbound just Mounjaro with a different name?
The active ingredient is the same. The approvals, the labels, the approved doses and the presentations are not. Each is its own FDA approval.
Which one is approved for sleep apnoea?
Zepbound. Its label lists moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea in adults with obesity. The Mounjaro label does not.

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.

Page last updated: 29 July 2026

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