Mounjaro and Ozempic, which one suit for weight loss?

If you have type 2 diabetes and are looking for a medication that can help you lower your blood sugar levels and lose weight, you may have heard of mounjaro and ozempic. These are two injectable drugs that belong to a class of medications called incretin mimetics. They work by mimicking the effects of natural hormones that regulate glucose and appetite in your body.

But how do they compare in terms of effectiveness, safety, and cost? And are they suitable for everyone who wants to shed some pounds? In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of mounjaro and ozempic for weight loss, and give you some tips on how to make the most of them.

Mounjaro vs Ozempic: What’s the difference?

Mounjaro and ozempic are both brand names of different versions of a drug called semaglutide. Semaglutide is a synthetic version of a hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which is produced by your intestines when you eat. GLP-1 stimulates the release of insulin from your pancreas, which lowers your blood sugar levels. It also reduces the production of glucagon, a hormone that raises your blood sugar levels. Additionally, GLP-1 suppresses your appetite and slows down the emptying of your stomach, which makes you feel full longer.

The main difference between mounjaro and ozempic is that mounjaro also activates another hormone called GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), which has similar effects as GLP-1. Mounjaro is therefore called a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, while ozempic is a single GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Which one is better for weight loss?

According to clinical trials, both mounjaro and ozempic can help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight by reducing their calorie intake and increasing their energy expenditure. However, mounjaro seems to be more effective than ozempic in terms of weight loss.

A recent study compared the effects of mounjaro and ozempic on 1,879 adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity over 40 weeks. The participants received either mounjaro or ozempic injections once a week, along with lifestyle counseling. The results showed that mounjaro led to an average weight loss of 21% (about 46 pounds), while ozempic led to an average weight loss of 6% (about 13 pounds). Mounjaro also lowered the participants’ blood sugar levels more than ozempic did1.

Another study compared the effects of mounjaro and ozempic on 1,068 adults with type 2 diabetes and overweight over 52 weeks. The participants received either mounjaro or ozempic injections once a week, along with lifestyle counseling. The results showed that mounjaro led to an average weight loss of 15% (about 33 pounds), while ozempic led to an average weight loss of 7% (about 15 pounds). Mounjaro also lowered the participants’ blood sugar levels more than ozempic did2.

These studies suggest that mounjaro may be a better option than ozempic for people with type 2 diabetes who want to lose a significant amount of weight. However, these studies did not compare mounjaro with the highest dose of ozempic (2 mg), which has been shown to cause an average weight loss of 15% (about 33 pounds) in people with obesity3. Therefore, more research is needed to determine whether mounjaro is superior to the highest dose of ozempic for weight loss.

Mounjaro vs Ozempic: What are the side effects?

Both mounjaro and ozempic can cause some side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, dizziness, injection site reactions, low blood sugar levels, and increased heart rate. These side effects are usually mild to moderate and tend to improve over time as your body gets used to the medication.

However, mounjaro may cause more side effects than ozempic, especially gastrointestinal ones. In fact, more people stopped taking mounjaro due to side effects than those who stopped taking ozempic in the clinical trials12. Therefore, if you have a sensitive stomach or a history of gastrointestinal disorders, you may want to avoid mounjaro or start with a low dose and gradually increase it as tolerated.

Both mounjaro and ozempic may also increase the risk of developing pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, thyroid tumors, and kidney failure. Therefore, you should consult your doctor before taking these medications and monitor your symptoms closely. If you experience severe abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, swelling of the neck, trouble breathing, or signs of kidney problems, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Mounjaro vs Ozempic: How much do they cost?

Both mounjaro and ozempic are expensive medications that are not covered by most insurance plans in the U.S. The average retail price of mounjaro is about $1,200 per month, while the average retail price of ozempic is about $800 per month4. However, you may be able to get some discounts or financial assistance from the manufacturers or other sources if you qualify.

Mounjaro vs Ozempic: How to use them effectively?

If you decide to use mounjaro or ozempic for weight loss, you should follow these tips to get the best results:

• Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to inject the medication, how much to inject, and when to inject it. Do not change the dose or frequency without your doctor’s approval.
• Store the medication in the refrigerator and protect it from light and heat. Do not freeze it or use it if it has expired or looks cloudy or discolored.
• Inject the medication in different areas of your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm each time. Rotate the injection sites to avoid irritation or infection.
• Eat a balanced diet that is low in calories, fat, and sugar and high in fiber, protein, and vegetables. Avoid skipping meals or binge eating.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and prevent constipation. Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks.
• Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Include both aerobic and strength training activities to burn calories and build muscle.
• Monitor your weight, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels regularly. Report any changes or concerns to your doctor.
• Seek support from your family, friends, or a professional counselor if you have any emotional or psychological issues related to your weight or health.

Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Are there any alternatives?

If you are not satisfied with mounjaro or ozempic for weight loss, or if you cannot afford them or tolerate them well, you may want to consider some alternatives. These include:

• Other medications for type 2 diabetes that can also help with weight loss, such as metformin, liraglutide (Victoza), exenatide (Byetta), dulaglutide (Trulicity), empagliflozin (Jardiance), canagliflozin (Invokana), and ertugliflozin (Steglatro). However, these medications may also have side effects and interactions with other drugs. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of each option.
• Other medications for weight loss that are approved by the FDA for people with obesity or overweight with certain health conditions, such as phentermine (Adipex-P), phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave), lorcaserin (Belviq), and orlistat (Xenical). However, these medications may also have side effects and interactions with other drugs. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of each option.
• Non-invasive procedures for body contouring that can help reduce fat in specific areas of your body without surgery, such as cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting), radiofrequency (Vanquish), ultrasound (UltraShape), and red light therapy. Red light therapy is a type of low-level laser therapy that uses wavelengths of red light to penetrate your skin and target the fat cells underneath. It may help shrink the fat cells and improve blood circulation and lymphatic drainage in the treated area5. Red light therapy may also help reduce cellulite, which is a common cosmetic concern for many people who want to lose weight6. Red light therapy is generally safe and painless, but it may cause some temporary redness or swelling in the treated area. You may need several sessions to see noticeable results. You can also use a red light therapy belt at home for convenience and affordability.
• Surgical procedures for weight loss can help reduce the size of your stomach or bypass part of your digestive system, such as gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, gastric banding, and duodenal switch. These procedures can help you lose a significant amount of weight by limiting your food intake and absorption. However, they also carry serious risks of complications, such as bleeding, infection, leakage, malnutrition, dumping syndrome, gallstones, ulcers, hernias, and bowel obstruction. You will also need lifelong follow-up care and lifestyle changes to maintain your weight loss and prevent complications

So, which one should you choose: mounjaro or ozempic for weight loss? The answer depends on your personal preferences, goals, health conditions, and budget. You should discuss with your doctor the pros and cons of each option and decide what works best for you.

Remember that mounjaro and ozempic are not magic pills that can make you lose weight without any effort. You still need to follow a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise. You also need to monitor your health and adjust your medication as needed.

If you are looking for a non-invasive way to enhance your weight loss results and improve your body shape, you may want to consider red light therapy. Red light therapy is a safe and effective treatment that can help you reduce fat and cellulite in specific areas of your body. You can get red light therapy at a professional clinic or use a red light therapy belt at home. Red light therapy can complement your weight loss regimen and help you achieve your desired look.

We hope this article has given you some useful information and insights on mounjaro vs ozempic weight loss. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. We would love to hear from you and learn from your experience. Thank you for reading and have a great day! 😊