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Tirzepatide Vs. Mounjaro: Drug Comparison

Compare common side effects, interactions, warnings, and more.

Medical Review byMike Bohl, MD, MBA, MPH, MS, ALMNov 4, 2024

Medication Name

Tirzepatide

*image for illustrative purpose only

Mounjaro

*image for illustrative purpose only

Tirzepatide

*image for illustrative purpose only

Mounjaro

*image for illustrative purpose only

Summary

Prescription only

Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in the brand-name medication Mounjaro®. The information below is about brand name Mounjaro. According to the FDA, “Generic medicines use the same active ingredients as brand-name medicines and work the same way, so they have the same risks and benefits as the brand-name medicines.”

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​.

Prescription only

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​.

Drug Category

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

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and 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

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is indicated:

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

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 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

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

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

  • Nausea

  • Diarrhea

  • Decreased appetite

  • Vomiting

  • Constipation

  • Indigestion

  • Abdominal pain

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 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

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

  • 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

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

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.

References

*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, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, 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 Mounjaro. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient tirzepatide.