Mounjaro vs. Ozempic – What is the difference?

By now, you have likely heard of Ozempic. It seems that each week brings news that yet another celebrity's stunning weight loss transformation is due to the miracle jab.

But what actually is it, and how does it compare to other weight loss injections on the market like Mounjaro?

Well, we’ve gathered all the most useful information to help you make the right choice in the first step of your weight loss journey.

What is Ozempic?

Developed to treat symptoms of type 2 diabetes, Ozempic (semaglutide) was licensed for medical use in 2017 by Novo Nordisk. It helps your body to produce more insulin when needed, while reducing the speed at which food is digested in your stomach.

One thing noticed was that patients were experiencing weight loss and appetite suppression, and that this could be used as an anti-obesity medication.

Can you buy Ozempic or Mounjaro in the UK?

If you’re wondering how to get Ozempic in the UK, the answer is that you will likely have to have it prescribed. It’s not officially licensed in the UK for weight loss, but it can be given off-label for this purpose.

Instead, you may seek Wegovy, a purpose-built weight loss injection released by Novo Nordisk in 2021.

If you’re thinking “Is Wegovy the same as Ozempic?” you’re partly right, as they both use the same active ingredient, semaglutide. We've covered the similarities and differences between the two here.

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is slightly different from Ozempic or Wegovy. For example, its active ingredient is tirzepatide, and it has different dose strengths. On the whole, however, it’s more similar than you might think.

Licensed in 2023 by Eli Lilly, Mounjaro is another weekly injection that can treat diabetes or weight loss, except this activates two receptors as opposed to Ozempic’s one.

Mounjaro has been licensed to be given on the NHS for weight loss, but there are specific requirements. You are eligible on the NHS if you have a BMI of 40 or higher, and four or more of the following diagnosed health conditions:

Type-2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Obstructive sleep apnoea
Abnormal blood fats (dyslipidemia)

Which is better Ozempic or Mounjaro?

If you’re looking to start weight loss medication, then it’s important to find the one that fits into your life and supports your goals.

You may ask yourself, “Is Mounjaro or Ozempic better for losing weight?” The answer is clearer than you might have first thought.

In the UK, Ozempic is used mainly for treating diabetes. The same company, Novo Nordisk, also produces Wegovy, which is licensed to prescribe for weight loss management in the UK. Wegovy is effective and has demonstrated results of up to 15%- 17% body weight loss in 68 weeks.

While Mounjaro does also treat diabetes, it’s also licensed for weight loss management and can help you lose up to 25% of your body weight in 88 weeks.

Which is better for weight loss? It’s always important to remember that everyone’s journey is different and to choose what feels right to you.

Which is stronger Ozempic or Mounjaro?

When looking at the strength of the pens, we first need to look at how the dosing works.

As Ozempic isn’t used for weight loss in the UK, we’ll compare Wegovy in this instance. It is available in five strengths: 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg, and 2.4mg.

Knowing what strength is right for you is essential, so we’ve covered this for you here.

While Mounjaro dose strengths are higher, this doesn’t mean that they are necessarily stronger; it is just that the concentration of the active ingredient is different. They start at 2.5mg and increase to 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, and 15mg.

Which is safer Mounjaro or Ozempic?

Like all medicines, both weight loss injections do come with side effects, but for the most part they are considered to be relatively safe.

As they both interact with your body in a similar way, their side effects aren’t worlds away from one another. Below are some common side effects that are shared by both injections.

Side Effect	Mounjaro	Ozempic
Nausea	✔	✔
Diarrhoea	✔	✔
Vomiting	✔	✔
Constipation	✔	✔
Heartburn	✔	✔

One of our prescribing pharmacists and weight loss expert, Ayesha Bashir, said:

“Whether you’re on Mounjaro or Ozempic, you may be likely to experience nausea, vomiting and an upset tummy. These tend to happen initially but usually settle with time.

“They’re both relatively safe medicines with good safety profiles. We tend to find that the pros do outweigh the cons. We always advise contacting your prescribing pharmacist if you have side effects that are bothering you or haven’t settled after a few weeks.”

To read more about Ozempic or Mounjaro, or weight loss in general, find other high-quality guides below:

What BMI do you need for weight loss medication? | Guides

Is tirzepatide approved for weight loss in the UK? | Guides

GLP-1 patches vs GLP-1 injections | Guides

Wegovy vs Ozempic - 4 differences and 4 similarities | Guides