Mounjaro
tirzepatide · Eli Lilly
Zepbound
tirzepatide · Eli Lilly
Side by side
| Mounjaro | Zepbound | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | tirzepatide | tirzepatide |
| Maker | Eli Lilly | Eli Lilly |
| Class | GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist | GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Approved for | Type 2 diabetes | Weight management |
| How you take it | once weekly injection | once weekly injection |
| Starting dose | 2.5 mg | 2.5 mg |
| Highest dose | 15 mg | 15 mg |
| Main trial result | A1C fell 2.0 to 2.3 points and weight fell about 17 to 25 lb across doses; semaglutide 1 mg lowered A1C 1.9 points and weight about 13 lb | 20.9% avg loss (SURMOUNT-1, 15 mg, 72 wk) |
| Nausea (label) | 12% to 18% vs 4% placebo | 25% to 29% vs 9% placebo |
| Missed-dose window | 4 days (96 hours) | 4 days (96 hours) |
| Out of the fridge | Up to 21 days at or below 86°F (30°C) | Up to 21 days at or below 86°F (30°C) |
| List price | $1,080/mo | $1,086/mo |
| Lowest self-pay | not offered | $299/mo |
Prices compiled mid-2026 from manufacturer announcements; re-checked monthly.
Key differences
- Same medicine underneath. Both contain tirzepatide. The differences are the approved use, the doses and how insurers treat them.
- Different approvals. Zepbound is approved for weight management; Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes. That shapes insurance coverage.
Trial weight loss
Which one fits you
That's a decision for you and your prescriber. The factors that usually decide it:
- Your diagnosis, which decides the approved option and often the coverage
- Whether your plan covers one and not the other
- A shot or a pill, weekly or daily
- How you tolerate side effects
- Cost if you pay yourself: see the cost index
How to use it
- Enter your numbers. Switch between US and metric units at any time.
- Results update as you type, and the formula is shown so you can check it.
- Copy the link, save the plan on this device, or print it for your next appointment.
These are estimates, not a diagnosis. A clinician can account for your health history and medicines.
Common questions
Is Mounjaro the same as Zepbound?
They contain the same medicine, tirzepatide, but are approved for different uses at different doses.
Which works better for weight loss, Mounjaro or Zepbound?
Their main trials were separate, so a direct ranking isn't possible from that data. Your prescriber can weigh your history.
Can I switch from Mounjaro to Zepbound?
Only with your prescriber. Switching usually means a new starting dose, not a direct swap.
Which is cheaper, Mounjaro or Zepbound?
List prices are $1,080/mo and $1,086/mo a month; lowest self-pay options we track are not offered and $299/mo. Coverage usually matters more.
Sources
Clinician review pending. Drafted from primary sources and waiting for sign-off by a licensed clinician (MD, DO or PharmD) before launch. Every number is checked against its source. Drug facts are re-checked quarterly, prices monthly and whenever a label changes. How we review · Report an error