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Compare Mounjaro vs Saxenda

Side-by-side medication summaries to compare approved uses, side effects, interactions, and more.

Mounjaro

Saxenda

Summary

Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) is an injectable medication used to treat type 2 diabetes by improving blood sugar control and promoting weight loss. It functions by activating two receptors, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which enhance insulin secretion and slow gastric emptying. Mounjaro is administered once weekly, with dose adjustments made based on the patient's response. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. It should be used with caution in individuals with a history of thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2​.

Saxenda® (liraglutide) is an injectable medication used for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. It works by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps regulate appetite and food intake, leading to reduced caloric consumption and weight loss. Administered once daily, Saxenda is used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and constipation, and it should be used with caution in patients with a history of pancreatitis​.

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Prescription

Prescription

Drug Category

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist

Approved Uses*

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is indicated:

  • As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Saxenda (liraglutide) is indicated:

  • As an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in:

    • Adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of:

      • 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese), or

      • 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia)

    • Pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with:

      • Body weight above 60 kg and

      • An initial BMI corresponding to 30 kg/m2 for adults (obese) by international cut-offs

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Dosage*

  • Typically taken as an injection once weekly

  • Comes in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg per 0.5 mL single-dose pens or single-dose vials

  • Typically taken as an injection once daily

  • Comes in single-patient-use pens that deliver 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, or 3 mg per injection

Known Common Side Effects*

The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with Mounjaro are:

  • Nausea

  • Diarrhea

  • Decreased appetite

  • Vomiting

  • Constipation

  • Indigestion

  • Abdominal pain

Most common adverse reactions, reported in greater than or equal to 5% are:

  • Nausea

  • Diarrhea

  • Constipation

  • Vomiting

  • Injection site reactions

  • Headache

  • Low blood sugar

  • Indigestion

  • Fatigue

  • Dizziness

  • Abdominal pain

  • Increased lipase

  • Upper abdominal pain

  • Fever

  • Inflammation of the digestive system

Interactions & Contraindications*

  • Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2

  • Known serious hypersensitivity to tirzepatide or any of the excipients in Mounjaro

  • Drug interactions: Mounjaro delays gastric emptying and has the potential to impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications

  • Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2

  • Hypersensitivity to liraglutide or any excipients in Saxenda

  • Pregnancy

  • Drug interactions: Saxenda delays gastric emptying. May impact absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications

Warnings & Precautions*

  • Pancreatitis

  • Low blood sugar with concomitant use of insulin secretagogues or insulin

  • Hypersensitivity reactions

  • Acute kidney injury

  • Severe gastrointestinal disease

  • Diabetic retinopathy complications in patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy

  • Acute gallbladder disease

  • Pregnancy: Based on animal study, may cause fetal harm

  • Females of reproductive potential: Females using oral contraceptives should consider switching to a non-oral contraceptive method or add a barrier method of contraception for 4 weeks after initiation and for 4 weeks after each dose escalation

  • Thyroid C-cell tumors

  • Acute pancreatitis

  • Acute gallbladder disease

  • Low blood sugar: Can occur in adults when Saxenda is used with an insulin secretagogue (e.g., a sulfonylurea) or insulin

  • Heart rate increase

  • Renal impairment

  • Hypersensitivity reactions

  • Suicidal behavior and ideation

Boxed Warning*

WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS

Tirzepatide causes thyroid C-cell tumors in rats. It is unknown whether Mounjaro causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as the human relevance of tirzepatide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.

Mounjaro is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk of MTC and symptoms of thyroid tumors.

WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS

Liraglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures in both genders of rats and mice. It is unknown whether Saxenda causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans, as the human relevance of liraglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.

Saxenda is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk of MTC and the symptoms of thyroid tumors.

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Reference

*This information is from the label for brand name Mounjaro. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, is also the active ingredient in other brand-name medications, including Zepbound®, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient tirzepatide.

*This information is from the label for brand name Saxenda®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Liraglutide, the active ingredient in Saxenda, is also the active ingredient in other brand name-medications, including Victoza®, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient liraglutide.

The information provided here is NOT MEDICAL ADVICE and is for informational and educational purposes only. The drug comparison tool does not determine eligibility for medications or treatments provided via the Hims/Hers platform. Consultation with a healthcare provider is required to assess suitability for any medical treatment based on individual health and medical history. All product names and associated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.

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