Weight loss injections: Ozempic vs. Mounjaro

Ozempic is a type-2 diabetic injection that contains the active ingredient semaglutide, although it can also be prescribed off-label as a weight-loss injection. It’s also the same ingredient used in the popular weight loss injection Wegovy.

Mounjaro is a type-2 diabetic injection and a weight-loss injection that contains the active ingredient tirzepatide. Below we look at the main similarities and differences between the 2 weight loss injections Ozempic and Mounjaro to find out which one is better for weight loss.

Ozempic vs. Mounjaro differences

There are several differences between Ozempic and Mounjaro, such as:

Ozempic vs Mounjaro: Which one is better for weight loss?

When comparing Ozempic vs Mounjaro for weight loss, Mounjaro is the best treatment choice. This is because Mounjaro is approved in the UK for weight loss, while Ozempic is only approved in the UK for type-2 diabetes. There have also been shortages of Ozempic in the UK, which led the government to issue a warning for prescribers to stop prescribing Ozempic off-label.

Although off-label prescribing is legal, it’s very hard to get Ozempic in the UK for weight loss, unless you’ve also got type-2 diabetes. Even then, Ozempic isn’t the first-line treatment for regulating blood sugar levels and the dosage schedule isn’t set up for weight loss. Mounjaro is an approved and regulated weight loss injection and the dosage schedule is created for effective weight loss. Plus, each dose has been tested in clinical trials for efficacy and safety for those without type-2 diabetes.

Furthermore, Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, which is a dual agonist. This means it mimics 2 hormones: GLP-1 (like Ozempic) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Mounjaro can reduce your appetite and help you feel full between meals. GIP is believed to further enhance these effects. Ozempic only mimics GLP-1, so may not be as effective for weight loss.

Ozempic vs Mounjaro: Which one is most effective?

Mounjaro has been proven in clinical studies to be more effective for weight loss than Ozempic. As Ozempic isn’t approved for weight loss, the only studies carried out are for those who have type-2 diabetes, so the results may not be accurate for those who don’t. SUSTAIN 3, a clinical trial into the use of Ozempic for treating blood sugar levels, also included information on weight loss. After 56 weeks, people taking 1mg Ozempic injections lost an average of 5.6% of their body weight.

Meanwhile, Mounjaro had much higher weight loss results, even on lower maintenance doses. According to the SURMOUNT-1 clinical trial, which was carried out specifically for Mounjaro as a weight loss injection, it was found to help people lose an average of:

• 13.5% of their body weight while taking 5mg
• 18.9% of their body weight while taking 10mg
• 23.6% of their body weight while taking 15mg (the maximum maintenance dose)

This trial was carried out over 72 weeks, as Mounjaro is meant to be taken as a long-term solution for overweight and obesity.

Ozempic vs. Mounjaro similarities

There are also several similarities between Ozempic and Mounjaro, such as:

• They’re both injectable medications that come in the form of a pre-filled pen, so you don’t have to draw up your dose.
• Both can be used to treat diabetes and are approved for this purpose in the UK.
• Both mimic the GLP-1 hormone.
• Both should be taken alongside a diet and exercise regimen and are most effective when doing so.
• Both require a prescription from a doctor, as you need to meet certain requirements to take them.

Ozempic vs Mounjaro: Which one should I choose?

Mounjaro is a better choice for weight loss because it’s proven to be more effective in clinical trials, with a much higher rate of weight loss even at lower doses. It’s also easier to access because it’s approved and regulated as a weight loss treatment in the UK. You can get Mounjaro online through our weight loss service.

Sources:

• NEJM, Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity
• NCBI, Efficacy and Safety of Once-Weekly Semaglutide Versus Exenatide ER in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes (SUSTAIN 3)

Authored By

Hannah Aitken

Medical Content Writer

Hannah is a medical content writer who utilises her nursing expertise alongside her passion for writing healthcare content.

Published on: 14/05/2024

Reviewed By

Mohamed Imran Lakhi

MPharm - Lead Pharmacist

Imran Lakhi is the superintendent pharmacist and founder at Prescription Doctor. He has been at the core of our team.

Reviewed on: 14/05/2024