Ozempic vs. Mounjaro: Who wins in the battle for weight loss

November 26. 2022

These days seems like everyone is talking about Ozempic and weight loss. Once Ozempic’s impressive weight loss side effect was discovered, and even world-known celebrities started to thrive on that benefit, the weight loss game began to change.  Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy. It looks like diabetes drugs to control blood sugar are taking over the weight loss market. Maybe you heard or read about different celebrities sharing how much body weight they lost resorting to Ozempic, exercise, and a proper diet. This medication provides astonishing results for weight management; it is slowly becoming everyone’s favorite weight loss aid. Recently, a new player entered the game: Mounjaro. Does this drug promise even better results than Ozempic? Mounjaro clinical trials show incredible results regarding weight loss. In this article, our weight loss clinic in Chicago experts tell you everything you should know about Ozempic vs. Mounjaro for weight loss.

Obesity is a serious medical condition; it jeopardizes the health and life quality of thousands of people every day. Around 41% of the U.S. adult population is obese. Being overweight is also a serious problem; we are not talking about beauty standards. Overweight people are prompt to develop diabetes, fatty liver, high blood pressure, and other weight-related diseases. And even though many obese and overweight patients execute an incredible effort to lose body weight through a low-calorie diet and exercise, sometimes that is not enough. Many people are struggling to achieve a healthy weight no matter how hard they try. In that case, the next logical step is resorting to medical weight loss supplements. The latest trendy medications for weight loss are Ozempic vs. Mounjaro.

Ozempic: The overview

Ozempic is an FDA-approved drug developed by Novo Nordisk pharmaceutical company to treat type 2 diabetes. This medication is made from an active compound called semaglutide. This compound emulates a hormone produced by the human body, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Ozempic is supplied in injectable pens; you inject a particular dosage once a week.

While Ozempic was approved in 2017 to help regulate blood sugar levels and avoid health problems in diabetic patients, it gained worldwide popularity for other reasons. Clinical trials showed that Ozempic users were losing excess weight fast. After a specific study was conducted to test its ability to help people to lose weight, there was no doubt Ozempic has all the potential to become an approved weight loss drug. Ozempic is currently on review to become one of the most effective weight loss medications.

Like appetite suppressants – such as phentermine for weight loss – Ozempic makes you feel fuller for longer. The longer you have the sensation of being satisfied, the less food you will consume.

Mounjaro: The overview

Ozempic and Mounjaro share a similar story. Mounjaro is another anti-diabetes drug. It is the brand of the drug tirzepatide, approved in May 2022 to treat type 2 diabetes. This drug acts like two hormones – glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) – which tell the body to release more insulin, helping control blood sugar levels.

Several clinical trials were conducted to test the efficiency of this medication. During those trials, performed on over 2,000 people, Mounjaro proved to be effective at keeping blood sugar levels at bay but also at getting rid of excess weight. After getting promising results, Mounjaro’s manufacturer, Eli Lilly, asked the FDA to review this drug to be included among the weight loss medications.

Weight loss drugs usually take a while to be approved to launch on the market. But this time, the FDA has made an exception. Tirzepatide is cataloged as Fast Track, meaning it will be given priority and can be approved quicker than most weight loss medications are. The expected date is April 2023.

Mounjaro is applied once a week through a subcutaneous injection. The dosage varies depending on your needs and goals. The treatment starts with an initial phase that last one month, with a dose of 2,5mg. After that first month, the dosage increases to 5mg a week. Depending on the patient, the dosage can be increased to a maximum of 15mg a week.

How does Mounjaro work for weight loss?

Again, Mounjaro and Ozempic have very similar ways of helping patients to lose weight. This diabetes drug mimics two agonist receptors – GLP-1 and GIP – which work by increasing insulin release from the pancreas and indicating the liver to lower glucose production after you eat a meal. That makes food travel slower through your digestive tract. That process is known as gastric emptying; when your digestive system empties food at a slower pace, you will feel fuller for longer. That result in fewer cravings and a decrease in your food intake.

Basically, tirzepatide produces an effect on the appetite center of the brain. The drug binds to two hormones that work when you consume food; they let your brain know you got all the nutrients you need, and then you are good to go. In other words, they tell your brain you are full and can stop eating. That extra aid to those naturally occurring hormones makes you feel fuller faster and for longer. That way, your appetite will decrease, and you can lose weight easier. When combined with a proper meal plan and regular physical activity, Mounjaro will help you with weight management. The average weight loss with this new drug is 22% of your body weight, making it one of the most efficient weight loss supplements.

Which is better for weight loss: Ozempic vs. Mounjaro

Nowadays, there are tons of different weight loss medications and supplements. That makes the game to become the preferred medication more challenging. Still, two relatively new drugs are making a lot of noise and quickly racing to the number one position: Ozempic vs. Mounjaro.

If Ozempic and Mounjaro are two diabetes drugs, potentially future-approved weight loss drugs, and they similarly aid weight loss, which one to choose? While both medications are a lot alike, there are a few crucial facts to consider when discussing Ozempic vs. Mounjaro for weight loss. The most important question is how much weight you can lose by taking them.

When Mounjaro and Ozempic weight loss benefits were discovered, both drugs were submitted to studies with over 1,000 patients to have an objective result of that benefit. Ozempic clinical trials showed that this medication could aid people in losing from 10% to 14% of their body weight. While that is already considered a lot, and Ozempic exceeds its competitors by far, Mounjaro took the game to a whole new level. Tirzepatide, the main component of Mounjaro, can help you lose up to 22% of your body fat. The difference is crystal clear; Mounjaro wins this match. That happens for two reasons. The first reason is that tirzepatide works as a dual receptor agonist; it interacts with two hormones – GLP-1 and GIP – while Ozempic only does with GLP-1. This double action increases its effectiveness. The second reason is that Mounjaro can be taken in larger doses compared with Ozempic. Ozempic maximum possible dosage is between 1 to 2mg; Mounjaro’s is 14mg – an indisputable difference. The higher the dose, the better the benefits.

To qualify for using any of these two drugs, you need to have a higher average body weight – suffer from obesity (BMI of 30 or higher), or be overweight (BMI of 27 or higher). If you don’t meet those standards, you can resort to other options, such as Lipo C injections.

When talking about costs, the difference is not so stark. Ozempic price is about $700, and Mounjaro is $900 – for supplies worth a month. Those prices lower when insurance covers the medication; you would only have to pay around $25 for the drugs. Unfortunately, most insurance still doesn’t cover weight loss supplements.

Regarding the side effects, both drugs present the same potential reactions, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain. Among more serious side effects, Ozempic and Mounjaro can cause thyroid tumors, hyperglycemia, severe allergic reactions, blurred vision, kidney problems, and pancreatitis.

Final thoughts

After weighing the main differences and benefits between Ozempic vs. Mounjaro for weight loss, Mounjaro is undoubtedly a winner. Numbers never lie; the weight loss percentage with Mounjaro beats Ozempic’s. And both medications are relatively close regarding the price. However, Ozempic and Mounjaro have been proven incredibly successful in aiding weight loss. You will get good results regarding which one you choose to take.

Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting to use any new medication. Besides, your healthcare provider can advise you about which one suits you better. If you still have questions about Ozempic and mounjaro or you decided to start one of these treatments, schedule your appointment with us. Our team will happily guide you and help you achieve your weight loss goal.

Author

Nurse Walton

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Chanay received her Practical Nurse licensure and went to work in clinical specialties such as Home Health, Assisted Living, Long-Term Care and Dialysis Centers. Through this work, she realized the importance of diet, nutrition and weight loss among her patients. This led her to open A Better Weigh, Inc. Medical Weight Loss Center in 2009.