Key takeaways
- Zepbound and Mounjaro are brand-name injections with the same active ingredient: tirzepatide.
- Neither Zepbound nor Mounjaro is available as a generic drug. However, various forms of compounded tirzepatide are available.
- The price you pay for Zepbound vs. Mounjaro may vary depending on your dosage, insurance coverage, and the condition you’re using the medication to treat.
This article explains the main ways Zepbound and Mounjaro are alike and different. Your doctor can discuss the benefits and risks of these and other treatment options based on your individual diagnosis and medical history.
A generic drug contains an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication.
- Zepbound:
- Available as a generic: no
- Active ingredient: tirzepatide
- Mounjaro:
- Available as a generic: no
- Active ingredient: tirzepatide
Zepbound and Mounjaro are prescribed for treating different conditions.
The following table includes details on the conditions each drug treats.
| Use | Zepbound | Mounjaro |
|---|---|---|
| weight loss and weight management, together with exercise and a reduced calorie diet, in adults with obesity, or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition (such as high blood pressure) | ✓ | |
| moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults | ✓ | |
| lowering blood sugar, along with diet and exercise, in adults with type 2 diabetes | ✓ |
To learn more about using Zepbound or Mounjaro to treat your condition, talk with your doctor.
Zepbound and Mounjaro are approved for treating different conditions. To learn more about the dosages for all conditions these drugs treat, see the Zepbound dosage article and Mounjaro dosage article.
Both Zepbound and Mounjaro come as a liquid inside a single-dose pen or single-dose vial to be given as a subcutaneous injection. Zepbound and Mounjaro can be injected subcutaneously into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm (triceps).
When you’re first prescribed Zepbound or Mounjaro, your doctor or pharmacist will train you (or your caregiver) on how to give yourself Zepbound or Mounjaro injections at home. If you have questions about how to inject Zepbound or Mounjaro, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also view step-by-step instructions for injecting Zepbound or injecting Mounjaro.
Medical Perspective“When giving yourself a subcutaneous injection, rotate the injection site each time by using different areas such as the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Let the medication reach room temperature before injecting to help reduce discomfort.”
Learn what to know about different types of injections.
Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
Some people taking Zepbound or Mounjaro may experience mild or serious side effects.
For more information about possible side effects, see the Zepbound side effects article and Mounjaro side effects article.
Mild side effects
Zepbound and Mounjaro may cause mild side effects. The following table lists examples of mild side effects that have been reported with these drugs.
| Zepbound | Mounjaro | |
|---|---|---|
| nausea and vomiting | ✓ | ✓ |
| diarrhea | ✓ | ✓ |
| constipation | ✓ | ✓ |
| injection site reactions, such as bruising or itching | ✓ | ✓ |
| abdominal pain | ✓ | ✓ |
| indigestion | ✓ | ✓ |
| fatigue | ✓ | |
| bloating | ✓ | ✓ |
| gas | ✓ | ✓ |
| burping | ✓ | ✓ |
This table may not include all mild side effects of these drugs. For more information on mild side effects, see the Zepbound prescribing information and Mounjaro prescribing information.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects may also occur in people using Zepbound or Mounjaro. The following table includes serious side effects reported with these drugs.
| Zepbound | Mounjaro | |
|---|---|---|
| severe digestive side effects, such as severe nausea | ✓ | ✓ |
| acute kidney injury | ✓ | ✓ |
| gallbladder-related side effects, including cholelithiasis | ✓ | ✓ |
| acute pancreatitis | ✓ | ✓ |
| low blood sugar | ✓ | ✓ |
| boxed warning: risk of thyroid cancer | ✓ | ✓ |
To learn about your specific risk of serious side effects from Zepbound or Mounjaro, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Zepbound and Mounjaro.
In one clinical trial, adults with type 2 diabetes received treatment with either Mounjaro or semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic).
After 40 weeks, those who used Mounjaro had a slightly larger reduction in their hemoglobin A1c and blood sugar levels compared to adults who used semaglutide. Adults treated with Mounjaro also lost slightly more weight after 40 weeks compared to adults treated with semaglutide.
It’s important to note that these results are from just one study. Further studies comparing Mounjaro and semaglutide are needed before we can determine whether either treatment is “better.”
Ultimately, whether Mounjaro or semaglutide is better for you will depend on factors such as your individual health needs and health history.
Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about whether Mounjaro or semaglutide are an appropriate treatment for you.
Zepbound is approved for weight loss and weight management, used together with a reduced calorie diet and increased exercise, in:
- adults with obesity, or
- adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition (such as high blood pressure)
Mounjaro is not approved for weight loss. However, weight loss is a common effect of the drug due to the way it works.
» Read more: Mounjaro for Weight Loss
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering these drugs.
For more details about the cost of these drugs, see the Zepbound cost article and Mounjaro cost article.
Keep in mind that what you’ll pay for either drug will depend on your treatment plan, health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.
Zepbound and Mounjaro are both brand-name drugs. Neither Zepbound nor Mounjaro are available in generic forms.
Zepbound and Mounjaro may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The prescribing information for these drugs refers to these factors as warnings.
The drugs share some of the same warnings, but they also have different ones. Some of these warnings are mentioned here. Before you start using Zepbound or Mounjaro, be sure to talk with your doctor to check whether these warnings apply to you.
Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer
Both Mounjaro and Zepbound have a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer.
In studies, rats treated with tirzepatide (the active ingredient in both Mounjaro and Zepbound) had an increased risk for thyroid cancer. It’s not known if tirzepatide also increases the risk for thyroid cancer when the drug is used in people. Animal studies don’t always predict how a drug will affect humans, including potential side effects.
Due to this risk, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Mounjaro or Zepbound if you or a close blood relative have or have had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Your doctor is also unlikely to prescribe Mounjaro or Zepbound if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
During treatment with Mounjaro or Zepbound, notify your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of thyroid cancer. These symptoms can include a mass in your neck, trouble swallowing, and a hoarse voice.
Other warnings
In addition to boxed warnings, Zepbound and Mounjaro have other warnings.
Before using Zepbound or Mounjaro, talk with your doctor if any of the following conditions or health factors apply to you.
- Warnings for both Zepbound and Mounjaro:
- if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients
- if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- if you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed
- if you have a condition that affects your digestive tract, such as gastroparesis
- if you have a kidney condition, such as chronic kidney disease
- if you have a gallbladder condition, such as cholecystitis
- if you have or have had pancreatitis
- if you have diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy)
Zepbound and Mounjaro are not interchangeable. Although they contain the same active ingredient, these medications are approved for different uses:
- Zepbound is used for:
- weight loss and weight management, together with exercise and a reduced calorie diet, in adults with obesity, or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition (such as high blood pressure)
- treating moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults
- Mounjaro is prescribed for lowering blood sugar, along with diet and exercise, in adults with type 2 diabetes
Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.