Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are all injectable medications used to treat type 2 diabetes. They belong to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. While they share some similarities, there are key differences between them:
- Mechanism of action - They all work by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1 that helps regulate blood sugar levels. GLP-1 slows digestion, suppresses appetite, and stimulates the release of insulin when blood sugar levels are high.
- Active ingredient
- Ozempic contains semaglutide
- Wegovy contains semaglutide
- Mounjaro contains tirzepatide
- Approved uses
- Ozempic is approved for treating type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management
- Wegovy is approved specifically for chronic weight management
- Mounjaro is approved for treating type 2 diabetes
- Dosing
- Ozempic - up to 1 mg once weekly
- Wegovy - up to 2.4 mg once weekly
- Mounjaro - up to 15 mg once weekly
Mounjaro is a new medication compared to Ozempic and Wegovy. Some key advantages of Mounjaro include:
- Higher dose - Mounjaro can be dosed up to 15 mg per week, allowing for more flexibility in dosing
- Stronger weight loss effects - In clinical trials, Mounjaro led to nearly 15% body weight reduction on average compared to about 7-9% for Ozempic/Wegovy
- Better blood sugar control - Mounjaro lowers A1c (a measure of blood sugar) by up to 2% compared to 1-1.5% for Ozempic/Wegovy
- Twice-weekly option - Mounjaro was recently approved to be dosed twice weekly, which may help manage side effects
Some key
side effects shared by all three GLP-1 drugs include:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea - These gastrointestinal effects are most common when starting treatment but usually improve over days to weeks
- Hypoglycemia when combined with insulin or sulfonylurea - Blood sugar may drop too low for some patients using those other diabetes medications
- Pancreatitis and gallbladder problems - Though rare, these serious side effects require prompt medical attention if symptoms arise
There are few head-to-head studies comparing Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. Choice between them depends on insurance coverage/cost, doctor familiarity with the drugs, and individual patient factors like degree of blood sugar control needed or amount of weight loss desired.
Patients struggling with obesity and diabetes may find help through integrated medical and lifestyle programs like those offered at Balance Hormone Clinic. Their physicians create customized plans to address hormone imbalances and metabolic dysfunction through the latest medical therapies, nutrition planning, fitness and stress reduction techniques.
In summary, while Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro share a common mechanism of action, there are key differences in their ingredients, dosing, approved uses and clinical effects that determine which medication may be the optimal choice for a given patient with obesity or type 2 diabetes. As newer drugs like Mounjaro emerge, more comparative data on safety and efficacy will further guide treatment selection.