Medication comparison
Mounjaro and Zepbound are both GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist medications used for Type 2 diabetes and Chronic weight management. 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.
Top 3 providers prescribing Mounjaro or Zepbound
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#1From $99.00/mo
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From $249.00/mo
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From $59.00/mo
~4 hr· self-reportedVisit Sesame CareAffiliate links — we earn commission on conversions; editorial ranking is independent.
| Property | Mounjaro | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Generic name | tirzepatide | tirzepatide |
| Drug class | GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist | GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist |
| Manufacturer | Eli Lilly | Eli Lilly |
| Brand names | Mounjaro | Zepbound |
| Property | Mounjaro | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Approved indications | Type 2 diabetes | Chronic weight management, Obstructive sleep apnea (adults with obesity) |
| Property | Mounjaro | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Typical dosing | Titrate to 15 mg (weekly SC injection) | Titrate to 15 mg (weekly SC injection) |
| Property | Mounjaro | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Top side effects | Nausea (29.6%), Diarrhea (23%), Vomiting (12.6%) | Nausea (29.6%), Diarrhea (23%), Vomiting (12.6%) |
| Contraindications | — | — |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Property | Mounjaro | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy | C — Discontinue at least 1 month before a planned pregnancy. | C — Discontinue at least 1 month before a planned pregnancy. |
| Property | Mounjaro | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Refrigerate before first use. After first use, room temperature up to 21 days. | Refrigerate before first use. After first use, room temperature up to 21 days. |
| Property | Mounjaro | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Avg monthly cost | $1023.04 | $1059.87 |
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).
Zepbound: 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).
Mounjaro is tirzepatide (GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist) and Zepbound is tirzepatide (GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist). Both contain the same active ingredient, dosed differently for different FDA-approved indications.
Mounjaro and Zepbound share the same active ingredient (tirzepatide). Average weight loss outcomes track the FDA-approved dose for each brand: STEP 1 reported 14.9% mean weight loss on the higher chronic-weight-management dose vs roughly half that on the lower diabetes-dose. The differentiator is dosing and indication, not molecule potency.
Yes — see our directional switching guide at /switching/mounjaro-to-zepbound for FDA-label dose conversion and what to expect during the transition.
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