If you have been interested in weight loss over the past few years, chances are you have heard about prescription injections that have been proven effective in helping overweight and obese individuals lose weight. These medications were originally manufactured to help adults with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels and are intended to be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

One of the benefits that came to light as individuals began to use these medications to treat their diabetes was that they also helped promote weight loss.

Today we are going to look at two of these medications and compare Ozempic vs Mounjaro. We will look at some of their similarities and differences, and we will also compare Ozempic vs Mounjaro for weight loss potential.

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Mounjaro vs Ozempic: How Do They Compare?

What Kind Of Prescription Medication Is Used?

Ozempic™ is classified as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist medication. The way it works is by mimicking the effects of the GLP-1 hormone, which is a naturally occurring intestinal hormone that plays a role in digestion and blood glucose control.

Mounjaro™ is a medication that, similar to Ozempic, also replicates the naturally occurring GLP-1 in the human body. In addition to mimicking GLP-1, it also copies another gut hormone known as glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Mounjaro belongs to a class of medications called dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists and is the first of its kind.

Both Ozempic and Mounjaro trigger the secretion of insulin from the pancreas following the consumption of food. Additionally, they work by inhibiting the liver from producing glucose and slowing down the rate at which the stomach empties, helping individuals feel satisfied longer. Mounjaro does a better job of helping to control blood glucose levels due to the combined actions of GIP and GLP-1, and Ozempic has been shown to provide significant benefits for individuals who have Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Mounjaro is currently being studied, however, its cardiovascular benefits have not yet been determined.

How Do They Work For Weight Loss?

Both Mounjaro and Ozempic have the potential to foster significant weight loss, although they have not yet received specific approval from the FDA for this purpose. If your main objective is weight loss, it's worth noting that the brand of Semaglutide called Wegovy has been approved specifically for that purpose. However, it is not approved for managing blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Approximately 2,000 individuals took part in a 40-week study comparing Mounjaro vs Ozempic and how effective each was in lowering A1C levels and how it affected the participants' weight.

Both medications proved similar in their effect on patients' A1C levels. Mounjaro lowered the participants' A1C a little over 2%, while the average for Ozempic patients was 1.9%.

When comparing Ozempic vs Mounjaro for weight loss Mounjaro was the clear leader over Ozempic during this study, with participants losing between 17 and 25 pounds while those using Ozempic averaged around 13 pounds.

What Are The Side Effects?

The most common side effects of both Mounjaro and Ozempic, as well as other GLP-1 medications, are gastrointestinal (digestive tract) side effects. The most frequent occurrence of these side effects occurs when doses are initially started. To minimize the common side effects of nausea and vomiting, it is advisable to follow your doctor's recommendation of gradually increasing the dose over the specified time frame. See the table below for a comparison of common side effects of Ozempic vs Mounjaro.

<table class="iksweb"><caption>Mounjaro vs Ozempic Common Side Effects</caption><tbody><tr><th>Side Effect</th><th>Mounjaro</th><th>Ozempic</th></tr><tr><td>Nausea</td><td>12-18%</td><td>16-20%</td></tr><tr><td>Vomiting</td><td>5-9%</td><td>5-9%</td></tr><tr><td>Diarrhea</td><td>12-17%</td><td>9%</td></tr><tr><td>Constipation</td><td>6-7%</td><td>3-5%</td></tr><tr><td>Heartburn</td><td>5-8%</td><td>3-4%</td></tr><tr><td>Abdominal Discomfort</td><td>5-6%</td><td>6-7%</td></tr><tr><td>Overall Stomach Side Effects</td><td>37-44%</td><td>33-36%</td></tr></tbody></table>

Mounjaro vs Ozempic Administration

Both Ozempic and Mounjaro are administered through subcutaneous injections, which means they are injected under the skin. You have the option to choose from three different areas for injecting your dose: the stomach, upper arm, or thigh. Both medications are administered using injection pens, but there are some distinctions between the two.

The Ozempic injection pens are designed to contain multiple doses. Before administering each weekly dose, it is necessary to attach a new needle. You will also need to adjust your specific dose on a dial located on the injector pen. To maintain the quality of unopened Ozempic pens, it is recommended to store them in the refrigerator. The pen currently being used can be stored either at room temperature or in the fridge for a maximum of 56 days.

Mounjaro is available in single-use injection pens. After injecting your dose, it is important to dispose of the pen properly. It is recommended to store unopened Mounjaro pens in the refrigerator until their expiration date. Individuals with conditions such as arthritis may find the Mounjaro injections easier to administer because the dose is pre-measured and ready to go.

Mounjaro vs Ozempic Dosing

The recommended starting dose of Mounjaro is 2.5 mg, which should be administered once a week. After 4 weeks, the dose can be increased to 5 mg, also administered once a week. Every four weeks, the dose increases until the maximum weekly dose of 15mg is reached.

The recommended starting dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg, which should be administered subcutaneously once a week. The dose is increased to 0.5 mg once weekly after 4 weeks and increases incrementally each month until the maximum recommended dose of 2 mg per week is achieved.
The gradual dosing schedule is used to help minimize the occurrence of common stomach side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

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Mounjaro vs Ozempic Cost

The prescription drugs Mounjaro and Ozempic can vary in cost depending on several factors, including the pharmacy and location, your insurance and copays, deductibles, patient financial assistance, or any discount coupons you may have. It is important to understand that these medications are not routinely covered under medical insurance if prescribed only for weight management purposes.

Each Mounjaro single-dose pen delivers a predetermined amount of medication, and a box of four injections costs roughly $1086, but prices can vary. A box of four injector pens typically lasts for a month, and the per-box price for all Mounjaro pen strengths is about the same.

The cost of Ozempic per month may vary as your dose increases. The Ozempic injector pen is prefilled with the medication, and the patient chooses the correct dose using a dial feature. A 3 ml Ozempic pen, which has a total capacity of 4 mg and delivers 1 mg per injection, is approximately $995. Using a 1 mg dose, this pen will last for one month, as you will be taking one 1 mg dose per week for a total of 4 weeks. Each injection requires a new needle, but NovoFine Plus needles are included with every carton.

The mentioned prices are estimates, can vary by location and pharmacy, and can vary with the use of online coupons or manufacturer savings cards if you qualify.

How Do I Determine The Best Medication For Me?

The best way to determine which medication would be a good fit for your unique circumstances is to work with a doctor who is trained in obesity medicine, such as Dr. Steven Batash. Dr. Batash and the team at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center will discuss your medical and weight loss history with you during a consultation and answer any questions you may have. A weight loss program will be custom-designed to work best for you and may include prescription weight loss medication. In addition, you will not be on your own and will receive ongoing support to help you reach your weight loss goals.

At Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Centers, we offer non-surgical weight loss procedures that can help your efforts count for more and alleviate some of the harder parts of a weight loss journey. These tools reduce the size of your stomach, help with portion control, and help you feel full longer.his significantly alleviates the annoying hunger pangs that most individuals experience when trying to lose weight and helps keep you on track. Our OnTrack lifestyle coaching program can help provide dietary and nutrition education, guidance for physical activity, and moral or emotional support as needed. Contact us today to take that first big step toward a slimmer and healthier you!

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