Short answerMounjaro and Ozempic are different drugs. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) acts on two hormone receptors and produced up to 22.5% average weight loss in trials, compared with about 15% for Ozempic (semaglutide). The compounded version of Ozempic's ingredient costs less, from a checked $49/month versus $89 for compounded tirzepatide, and both need a prescription from a licensed provider.Prices checked on each provider’s website on October 16, 2026.
How is Mounjaro different from Ozempic?
Mounjaro and Ozempic are different drugs. Mounjaro is tirzepatide, which acts on two receptors (GLP-1 and GIP); Ozempic is semaglutide, which acts on one (GLP-1). That makes Mounjaro a dual agonist with a broader metabolic effect.
- Both are FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes.
- Ozempic's weight-loss counterpart is Wegovy.
- Mounjaro's weight-loss counterpart is Zepbound.
Our 2 favorite GLP-1 providers
The two providers our editors recommend first, with the same checked prices and scores used in our full ranking.
Our Most Popular
1
Exceptional
9.8out of 10
Semaglutide from $69/mo, delivered in 1-2 days
Refund if not approvedFree expedited shipping
Treatments offered
Compounded semaglutide injection (GLP-1) · Compounded tirzepatide injection (GLP-1 + GIP) · Online doctor review and prescription · Dose changes through the patient portal
Starting price
$79$69/month
*Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
- Semaglutide $69/mo; tirzepatide $119/mo
- 5-minute questionnaire; doctor review usually within 24 hours
- Free 1-2 day shipping: cold-packed, tracked and insured
- No insurance, no clinic visits, cancel anytime
Pricing starts at
from $69/month
embody prescribes compounded semaglutide at $69/mo and tirzepatide at $119/mo online, ships in 1-2 days, and requires no insurance. Trustpilot: 3.8 from 9,604 reviews.
Read full embody review2
Exceptional
9.7out of 10
Low-cost GLP-1 care: semaglutide from $89/mo
Clear, flat pricingNo insurance needed
Treatments offered
Compounded semaglutide injection (GLP-1) · Compounded tirzepatide injection (GLP-1 + GIP) · Brand-name Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy · Once-weekly injection schedule
Starting price
$199$89/month
*Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
- Semaglutide from $89/mo; tirzepatide from $149/mo
- Brand-name Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy available
- Reviewed by a physician, PA or nurse practitioner
- Free shipping, arriving in about 5-7 days
Pricing starts at
from $89/month
altRx sells compounded semaglutide from $89/month and tirzepatide from $149/month at a flat price per dose, plus brand-name Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy. Self-pay, no insurance needed.
Read full altRx reviewWhat does the extra GIP action in Mounjaro do?
Ozempic (semaglutide) copies the GLP-1 hormone: it slows gastric emptying, lowers appetite and improves insulin sensitivity. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) does all of that and also switches on GIP receptors, which may add further metabolic effects, though the exact role of GIP in weight loss is still being studied.
This two-pathway mechanism is why Mounjaro consistently beats Ozempic in clinical trials. For a molecule-level comparison, see tirzepatide vs semaglutide.
This two-pathway mechanism is why Mounjaro consistently beats Ozempic in clinical trials. For a molecule-level comparison, see tirzepatide vs semaglutide.
Does Mounjaro cause more weight loss than Ozempic?
Yes, on average. In the SURMOUNT trials, people on Mounjaro (tirzepatide) lost up to 22.5% of body weight at the top dose over 72 weeks. In the STEP trials, people on Ozempic/Wegovy (semaglutide) lost about 15% over 68 weeks.
For a 200-pound person at the maximum studied dose, that is about 45 lbs on Mounjaro vs 30 lbs on Ozempic. These are trial averages, and individual results vary widely.
Both clearly beat older weight-loss drugs and lifestyle change alone. See our semaglutide results timeline for week-by-week expectations.
How do Mounjaro and Ozempic doses compare?
Both are once-weekly injections under the skin, usually in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm, and both raise the dose gradually, typically every 4 weeks, to limit side effects.
The injection takes only seconds with either drug, and most patients call it quick and nearly painless. Our first month guide covers the early weeks.
| Drug | Starting dose | Maximum dose |
|---|---|---|
| Ozempic (semaglutide) | 0.25 mg | 2 mg |
| Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | 2.5 mg | 15 mg |
Is GLP-1 Treatment Right for You?
GLP-1 medication is prescription-only: a licensed clinician has to decide it is appropriate, and it is not a fit for everyone. Side effects are possible, and they tend to show up in the first few weeks while your body adapts.
Results are usually best when the medication is paired with simple daily habits, such as balanced meals and regular movement.
For both safety and lasting progress, pick a provider that screens you properly before prescribing and keeps following up once treatment starts.
Are Mounjaro's side effects worse than Ozempic's?
They are similar. Both mainly cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation, which are worst during dose escalation and usually improve.
In trials, Mounjaro showed slightly higher rates of some GI symptoms at its top doses (15 mg), but tolerability was similar at comparable doses.
Rare but serious side effects for both include pancreatitis and gallbladder problems, and both carry a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors (seen in animal studies only). Our side effects guide has management tips.
What do Mounjaro and Ozempic cost in 2026?
Without coverage, brand pens cost four figures a month. At verified published prices, altRx lists Ozempic at $1,149/month, Zepbound at $1,249 and Wegovy at $1,579, while ro lists Zepbound KwikPens from $299 for the first month (then $399-449, plus a separate membership). Most self-pay patients choose compounded versions of the same active ingredients through licensed telehealth providers:
Prices as published in October 2026 and checked on each provider's own site. More detail: semaglutide monthly cost and our cheapest verified GLP-1 comparison.
| Option | Verified monthly price | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Compounded semaglutide (Ozempic's ingredient) | From $49 | welludr $49, embody $69, altRx $89 |
| Compounded tirzepatide (Mounjaro's ingredient) | From $89 | welludr $89, embody $119, DirectMeds $147 |
Lowest-priced GLP-1 plans
The cheapest published plans, sorted from lowest price, with the terms listed under every price.
Will insurance cover Mounjaro or Ozempic for weight loss?
Coverage varies widely. Ozempic is covered more often because it is a diabetes drug with a longer track record, and Mounjaro also has diabetes coverage.
When either is prescribed only for weight loss, without a diabetes diagnosis, insurers frequently exclude it, and Wegovy and Zepbound face even more barriers.
For most people paying out of pocket, compounded versions through telehealth providers are the practical route. Read how to get weight loss medication without insurance.
Can you get Mounjaro or Ozempic through telehealth?
Yes. Licensed telehealth providers prescribe both without an in-person visit. The usual process is an online health evaluation, physician review, a prescription and home delivery within 3-7 days.
Most telehealth providers offer compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide; some carry both and some focus on one. Compare providers by medication, take our matching quiz, or follow our walkthrough on how to get Ozempic online.
Most telehealth providers offer compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide; some carry both and some focus on one. Compare providers by medication, take our matching quiz, or follow our walkthrough on how to get Ozempic online.
Who is Mounjaro the better fit for?
Mounjaro may suit you better if you:
- Have a lot of weight to lose (50+ lbs)
- Want the highest average weight loss in clinical data
- Are interested in the dual-agonist mechanism
- Have type 2 diabetes along with weight goals
- Have plateaued on semaglutide
Who is Ozempic the better fit for?
Ozempic or semaglutide may suit you better if you:
- Prefer a drug with a longer track record and more real-world data
- Want the widest telehealth availability (compounded semaglutide is easier to find than compounded tirzepatide)
- Want the lowest-cost option: compounded semaglutide starts at a verified $49/month vs $89+ for tirzepatide
- Have insurance that covers Ozempic but not Mounjaro
Can you switch from Ozempic to Mounjaro, or back?
Yes, switching between semaglutide and tirzepatide is possible and fairly common. Some patients start on Ozempic/semaglutide and move to Mounjaro/tirzepatide after a plateau or to get stronger results; others go from tirzepatide to semaglutide to save money.
Always switch under medical supervision, since your provider sets the starting dose of the new drug. Most telehealth providers handle the transition as part of ongoing care.
Always switch under medical supervision, since your provider sets the starting dose of the new drug. Most telehealth providers handle the transition as part of ongoing care.
Mounjaro or Ozempic: which should you choose?
Both are proven weight-loss medications. Mounjaro leads on average weight loss (up to 22.5% vs ~15% in trials); Ozempic has the longer track record, wider compounded availability and lower compounded prices (verified from $49/month vs $89 for tirzepatide).
Your goals, budget, insurance and how your body responds should decide it, and many patients do well on either. The key step is starting with a licensed provider who can guide treatment. Take our matching quiz to find one, or compare all providers side by side.
Your goals, budget, insurance and how your body responds should decide it, and many patients do well on either. The key step is starting with a licensed provider who can guide treatment. Take our matching quiz to find one, or compare all providers side by side.