Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic: what's the difference?

With the surge of attention around weight loss medications in the media, it's essential to cut through the noise and understand what sets Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro apart. Let's take a look into the specifics of these treatments.

Wegovy (semaglutide)

Wegovy, which contains the active ingredient, semaglutide, is primarily approved for weight management in adults. It’s a GLP-1 receptor agonist which works by mimicking a hormone that targets areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation, leading to reduced hunger and calorie intake.¹

Ozempic (semaglutide)

While Ozempic also contains semaglutide, it’s approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It enhances insulin secretion and lowers glucagon secretion - this means it effectively lowers blood sugar levels without significantly increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.²

Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Mounjaro, which contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, is the latest medication to be approved for weight loss. It’s approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and now weight loss. It targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors - two appetite-regulating hormones. This dual action supports weight loss.³

Key differences:

Main uses:

• Wegovy and Mounjaro are approved for weight management.

• Ozempic is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

How they work:

• Wegovy and Ozempic both contain semaglutide which mimics the GLP-1 hormone. They have different dosages and recommendations tailored to their respective uses.^1,2

• Mounjaro targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, improving blood sugar control and supporting weight loss.³

Clinical outcomes:

• Semaglutide (Wegovy only): Up to 17% body weight loss over 68 weeks with lifestyle changes*.¹

• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro): Up to 21% body weight loss over 72 weeks with lifestyle changes.

• Ozempic is licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Its use for weight loss is off-label.³

These are medications that are used under the supervision of a prescribing clinician who can determine the most safe and effective treatment for their patients. They do this by asking about a patients lifestyle, any medications they may be taking, and understanding their treatment preferences. Based on these answers, a clinician can recommend the a suitable treatment option.

^{*Results measured in participants who adhered to the dosing schedule and reached the maximum dose of semaglutide.}

The numan take 

Wegovy and Mounjaro are approved for weight loss, while Ozempic is only approved for managing type 2 diabetes. Ultimately, the decision to start any of these treatments starts with a conversation with a clinician. 

References

1. ^{Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, Davies M, Van Gaal LF, Lingvay I, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. The New England journal of medicine. 2021;384(11): 989–1002.}

2. ^{Mailhac A, Pedersen L, Pottegård A, Søndergaard J, Mogensen T, Sørensen HT, et al. Semaglutide (Ozempic®) use in Denmark 2018 through 2023 ‒ user trends and off-label prescribing for weight loss. Clinical epidemiology. 2024;16: 307–318.}

3. ^{Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, Wharton S, Connery L, Alves B, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. The New England journal of medicine. 2022;387(3): 205–216.}