Medication comparison
Mounjaro vs Rybelsus
Mounjaro and Rybelsus are both prescription medications (GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist vs GLP-1 receptor agonist (oral tablet)) used for Type 2 diabetes. The table below compares FDA-approved indications, dosing, weight-loss outcomes, side effects, contraindications, and current pricing — all sourced from the manufacturer prescribing information.
Affiliate disclosure: we earn commission on signups. Editorial ranking stays independent.
This is general drug information, not medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or switching medication.
Top 3 providers prescribing Mounjaro or Rybelsus
See full ranking →- Best for brand-name
Ro
#1From $99.00/mo
Visit Ro Sesame Care
From $59.00/mo
~4 hr· self-reportedVisit Sesame Care- Best for coaching
Sequence (Weight Watchers Clinic)
From $99.00/mo
Visit Sequence (Weight Watchers Clinic)
Affiliate links — we earn commission on conversions; editorial ranking is independent.
Drug A
Mounjaro
tirzepatide
GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist
Eli Lilly
See full overviewDrug B
Rybelsus
semaglutide (oral)
GLP-1 receptor agonist (oral tablet)
Novo Nordisk
See full overviewOverview
| Property | Mounjaro | Rybelsus |
|---|---|---|
| Generic name | tirzepatide | semaglutide (oral) |
| Drug class | GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist (oral tablet) |
| Manufacturer | Eli Lilly | Novo Nordisk |
| Brand names | Mounjaro | Rybelsus |
Approved uses
| Property | Mounjaro | Rybelsus |
|---|---|---|
| Approved indications | Type 2 diabetes | Type 2 diabetes |
Dosing
| Property | Mounjaro | Rybelsus |
|---|---|---|
| Typical dosing | Titrate to 15 mg (weekly SC injection) | — |
Side effects & warnings
| Property | Mounjaro | Rybelsus |
|---|---|---|
| Top side effects | Nausea (29.6%), Diarrhea (23%), Vomiting (12.6%) | — |
| Contraindications | — | — |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
Special populations
| Property | Mounjaro | Rybelsus |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy | C — Discontinue at least 1 month before a planned pregnancy. | — |
Storage
| Property | Mounjaro | Rybelsus |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Refrigerate before first use. After first use, room temperature up to 21 days. | — |
Cost
| Property | Mounjaro | Rybelsus |
|---|---|---|
| Avg monthly cost | $1023.04 | $1029.00 |
FDA boxed warning
Mounjaro: Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. Contraindicated in patients with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Frequently asked
What is the difference between Mounjaro and Rybelsus?
Mounjaro is tirzepatide (GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist) and Rybelsus is semaglutide (oral) (GLP-1 receptor agonist (oral tablet)). They have different active ingredients and slightly different side-effect profiles.
Is Mounjaro or Rybelsus more effective for weight loss?
Head-to-head trial data favors tirzepatide-based medications (Mounjaro, Zepbound) over semaglutide-based medications (Ozempic, Wegovy) in average percent weight loss. SURMOUNT-1 reported ~20.9% mean weight loss on tirzepatide 15 mg; STEP 1 reported ~14.9% on semaglutide 2.4 mg over comparable timelines.
Can I switch between Mounjaro and Rybelsus?
Switching between GLP-1 medications requires re-titration when crossing active ingredients (semaglutide ↔ tirzepatide). Always coordinate with your prescriber before switching.
Other GLP-1 head-to-head comparisons
Compare Mounjaro or Rybelsus against another GLP-1
More medication context
Tools and guides that pair with this comparison.
Overview
Mounjaro full overview
tirzepatide mechanism, dosing, side effects, and pricing.
ReadOverview
Rybelsus full overview
semaglutide (oral) mechanism, dosing, side effects, and pricing.
ReadLive data
GLP-1 shortage tracker
Real-time FDA shortage status by drug and dose.
ReadFree tool
Are you a candidate?
FDA-criteria decision tree, flags contraindications.
ReadFree tool
Prior auth letter generator
Payer-ready PA letter your prescriber can sign.
ReadLive data
12-month price trends
How telehealth provider pricing has moved over the past year.
Read
Affiliate disclosure: we earn commissions when readers sign up through our links. Editorial ranking is independent.