Is mounjaro better than ozempic?

Is Mounjaro Better Than Ozempic?

Deciding on a new medication, especially for weight management or diabetes, can feel overwhelming. You're likely weighing many factors - effectiveness, side effects, cost, and how it might fit into your life. It's natural to have questions and concerns as you consider options like Mounjaro and Ozempic. Both medications have shown promise, but determining which one might be "better" depends on your individual health needs, goals, and circumstances. Let's explore the comparison between Mounjaro and Ozempic to help inform your decision, keeping in mind that consulting with your healthcare provider is crucial for personalised medical advice.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both injectable medications used for type 2 diabetes management and weight loss. While they work in similar ways, there are some differences to consider:

Feature	Mounjaro (tirzepatide)	Ozempic (semaglutide)
Active Ingredient	Tirzepatide	Semaglutide
Mechanism of Action	Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist	GLP-1 receptor agonist
Primary Uses	Type 2 diabetes, weight loss	Type 2 diabetes, weight loss
Dosing Frequency	Once weekly	Once weekly
Administration	Subcutaneous injection	Subcutaneous injection
Average Weight Loss*	15-20% of body weight	10-15% of body weight
HbA1c Reduction*	1.6-2.1%	1.4-1.8%
Common Side Effects	Nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation	Nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation
FDA Approval Year	2022	2017 (for diabetes), 2021 (for weight loss)
Cost

Recent clinical trials and real-world studies have sparked considerable interest in comparing the efficacy of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) for managing type 2 diabetes and facilitating weight loss. Both medications belong to the class of incretin mimetics, but they differ in their mechanisms of action and, potentially, in their effectiveness[1][3].

Mounjaro, developed by Eli Lilly, is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, while Ozempic, produced by Novo Nordisk, acts solely on GLP-1 receptors[3]. This distinction in pharmacological action may contribute to the observed differences in their clinical outcomes.

The Phase 3 SURPASS-2 study, which directly compared Mounjaro and Ozempic, demonstrated superior glycaemic control and weight loss outcomes for Mounjaro. Over a 40-week period, Mounjaro reduced HbA1c levels by 2% to 2.3%, compared to a 1.9% reduction with Ozempic. Furthermore, Mounjaro facilitated an average weight loss of 7.7 kg to 11.4 kg, surpassing Ozempic's average of 5.9 kg[3]

A real-world study published in JAMA Internal Medicine corroborated these findings, showing that patients treated with Mounjaro experienced significantly greater weight loss compared to those on Ozempic. Notably, this difference became more pronounced with prolonged treatment[5].

Time Point	Mounjaro (tirzepatide)	Ozempic (semaglutide)
3 months	5.9% body weight loss	3.6% body weight loss
6 months	10.1% body weight loss	5.8% body weight loss
12 months	15.3% body weight loss	8.3% body weight loss

It is crucial to note, however, that Ozempic has been approved for cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, an indication that Mounjaro has not yet secured[1]. This additional benefit may be a determining factor for some patients and clinicians.

Both medications share similar side effect profiles, primarily gastrointestinal in nature, with no significant differences reported in adverse events despite the variations in weight loss outcomes[5]. However, the tolerability of these side effects can vary among individuals.

While the emerging evidence suggests that Mounjaro may be more effective than Ozempic in managing blood glucose levels and promoting weight loss, several factors should be considered when determining the most appropriate treatment:

1. Individual patient characteristics and medical history
2. Specific treatment goals (glycaemic control, weight loss, cardiovascular risk reduction)
3. Tolerability of side effects
4. Insurance coverage or medication availability
5. Long-term safety data, which is more established for Ozempic

In conclusion, while current evidence indicates that Mounjaro may offer superior efficacy in glycaemic control and weight loss compared to Ozempic, the choice between these medications should be tailored to each patient's unique circumstances and treatment objectives. As both drugs continue to be studied and used in clinical practice, our understanding of their comparative benefits and risks will likely evolve.

Additional notes:

1. In the SURPASS-2 study (40 weeks), Mounjaro led to weight loss of 7.7 kg (17 lb) to 11.4 kg (25 lb) on average, compared to 5.9 kg (13 lb) for Ozempic.
2. These results are based on the average weight loss across different doses of Mounjaro (5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg) compared to Ozempic 1 mg.
3. The real-world study published in JAMA Internal Medicine showed that the difference in weight loss between Mounjaro and Ozempic became more pronounced with prolonged treatment.
4. It's important to note that these medications were primarily studied for type 2 diabetes management, and weight loss was a secondary outcome.
5. Individual results may vary, and these medications should be used under medical supervision along with lifestyle changes for optimal results.

Academic References:

1. Frías, J. P., Davies, M. J., Rosenstock, J., Pérez Manghi, F. C., Fernández Landó, L., Bergman, B. K., ... & SURPASS-2 Investigators. (2021). Tirzepatide versus semaglutide once weekly in patients with type 2 diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine, 385(6), 503-515.
2. Wharton, S., Calanna, S., Davies, M., Dicker, D., Goldman, B., Lingvay, I., ... & Rubino, D. M. (2022). Gastrointestinal tolerability of tirzepatide compared with semaglutide in people with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-2): a randomised, open-label, active-controlled, phase 3 trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 10(3), 184-192.
3. Marso, S. P., Bain, S. C., Consoli, A., Eliaschewitz, F. G., Jódar, E., Leiter, L. A., ... & SUSTAIN-6 Investigators. (2016). Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine, 375(19), 1834-1844.
4. Nauck, M. A., & Quast, D. R. (2021). Tirzepatide: a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 23(9), 1967-1977.

Others:

1. Drugwatch. (n.d.). Mounjaro vs. Ozempic: Effectiveness, Side Effects & Cost Comparison.
2. The Independent Pharmacy. (n.d.). Ozempic vs Mounjaro - How Do They Compare For Weight Loss?
3. Drugs.com. (n.d.). Mounjaro vs Ozempic: How do they compare?
4. Healthline. (n.d.). Ozempic vs. Mounjaro: Is One of Them Right for You?
5. Scripps Health. (n.d.). Ozempic vs. Mounjaro: How Do They Compare?

Citations:

[1] https://www.drugwatch.com/drugs/ozempic/mounjaro/

[2] https://www.theindependentpharmacy.co.uk/weight-loss/guides/ozempic-vs-mounjaro-which-is-best-for-your-weight-loss

[3] https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/mounjaro-ozempic-compare-3571637/

[4] https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/ozempic-vs-mounjaro

[5] https://www.scripps.org/news_items/7859-ozempic-vs-mounjaro-how-do-they-compare