Medication comparison
Mounjaro vs Saxenda
Mounjaro and Saxenda are both prescription medications (GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist vs GLP-1 receptor agonist (daily injection)) used for Type 2 diabetes and Chronic weight management (adults + adolescents 12+). The table below compares FDA-approved indications, dosing, weight-loss outcomes, side effects, contraindications, and current pricing — all sourced from the manufacturer prescribing information.
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This is general drug information, not medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or switching medication.
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Drug A
Mounjaro
tirzepatide
GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist
Eli Lilly
See full overviewDrug B
Saxenda
liraglutide
GLP-1 receptor agonist (daily injection)
Novo Nordisk
See full overviewOverview
| Property | Mounjaro | Saxenda |
|---|---|---|
| Generic name | tirzepatide | liraglutide |
| Drug class | GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist (daily injection) |
| Manufacturer | Eli Lilly | Novo Nordisk |
| Brand names | Mounjaro | Saxenda |
Approved uses
| Property | Mounjaro | Saxenda |
|---|---|---|
| Approved indications | Type 2 diabetes | Chronic weight management (adults + adolescents 12+) |
Dosing
| Property | Mounjaro | Saxenda |
|---|---|---|
| Typical dosing | Titrate to 15 mg (weekly SC injection) | — |
Side effects & warnings
| Property | Mounjaro | Saxenda |
|---|---|---|
| Top side effects | Nausea (29.6%), Diarrhea (23%), Vomiting (12.6%) | — |
| Contraindications | — | — |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
Special populations
| Property | Mounjaro | Saxenda |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy | C — Discontinue at least 1 month before a planned pregnancy. | — |
Storage
| Property | Mounjaro | Saxenda |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Refrigerate before first use. After first use, room temperature up to 21 days. | — |
Cost
| Property | Mounjaro | Saxenda |
|---|---|---|
| Avg monthly cost | $1023.04 | $1349.00 |
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 Saxenda?
Mounjaro is tirzepatide (GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist) and Saxenda is liraglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist (daily injection)). They have different active ingredients and slightly different side-effect profiles.
Is Mounjaro or Saxenda more effective for weight loss?
See each drug's clinical-trials section for the registrational outcome data (SURMOUNT for tirzepatide; STEP for semaglutide; SCALE for liraglutide). Average weight loss varies by trial duration, dose ceiling, and adherence.
Can I switch between Mounjaro and Saxenda?
Switching between GLP-1 medications requires re-titration when crossing active ingredients (semaglutide ↔ tirzepatide). Always coordinate with your prescriber before switching.
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Overview
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