Ozempic® vs Mounjaro®: What Is the Difference?

SUMMARY

Ozempic® and Mounjaro® are different prescription medications that are often compared because they share some similarities but work through different pathways.

Ozempic® contains semaglutide, while Mounjaro® contains tirzepatide. Semaglutide acts on the GLP-1 receptor and tirzepatide acts on both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors.

Both are administered once weekly by subcutaneous injection, but they differ in their active ingredients, mechanisms of action, formulations and prescribing considerations.

Understanding these differences can help you have a more informed conversation with your practitioner or pharmacist.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• What Ozempic® and Mounjaro® are
• How semaglutide and tirzepatide differ
• What GLP-1 and GIP have to do with these medications
• How Ozempic® and Mounjaro® are administered
• How their dosing schedules differ
• Whether they can be used together
• What research has found when comparing the two
• How cost and availability may differ in Canada
• What to discuss with your practitioner before changing medications

If you've searched for Ozempic® vs Mounjaro®, you've probably noticed that the two medications are frequently discussed together.

That's understandable: both are once-weekly injectable prescription medications, and both act on hormones involved in the body's regulation of glucose and other processes.

But they're not the same medication.

The biggest difference comes down to their active ingredients and the receptors they act on.

Ozempic® vs Mounjaro® at a glance

What is Ozempic®?

Ozempic® is a prescription medication containing semaglutide, a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists.

GLP-1 is a hormone naturally produced by the body that is involved in processes such as insulin and glucagon regulation and digestion.

In Canada, Ozempic® is supplied as a multidose prefilled injection pen for subcutaneous administration. (Health Products Canada)

The specific product, strength and administration instructions are determined as part of the prescribing process.

What is Mounjaro®?

Mounjaro® is a prescription medication containing tirzepatide.

Tirzepatide is different from semaglutide because it acts on two types of receptors: GIP and GLP-1.

GIP stands for glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, another hormone involved in the body's response to food.

In Canada, Mounjaro® is supplied as a solution for subcutaneous injection, including single-dose and multidose pen presentations. (Health Products Canada)

What is the difference between semaglutide and tirzepatide?

The main difference is the number of hormone receptors they act on.

• Semaglutide acts on GLP-1 receptors.
• Tirzepatide acts on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors.

GLP-1 and GIP are hormones involved in the body's response to food and play roles in processes such as glucose regulation and insulin signalling.

Because tirzepatide acts on two receptor pathways while semaglutide acts on one, tirzepatide is described as a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, while semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. (New England Journal of Medicine)

How are Ozempic® and Mounjaro® administered?

Both medications are administered once weekly by subcutaneous injection.

However, the devices and available presentations differ.

Ozempic® is available in multidose prefilled pens, while Mounjaro® is available in different presentations, including prefilled pens. 

The specific administration instructions depend on the product prescribed.

Your practitioner or pharmacist can show you how to use your prescribed device and explain the instructions that apply to you.

How do the dosing schedules compare?

Although both medications are administered once weekly, their dosing schedules are not interchangeable.

The starting dose, dose adjustments and available strengths are different for semaglutide and tirzepatide.

For that reason, you shouldn't use the dosing instructions for one medication to determine how to use the other.

If your practitioner prescribes one of these medications, follow the specific instructions provided for that prescription.

Have Ozempic® and Mounjaro® been compared in clinical research?

Yes.

One important head-to-head study was SURPASS-2, which compared once-weekly tirzepatide with once-weekly semaglutide in adults whose treatment plan included metformin.

The study compared different doses of tirzepatide with 1 mg of semaglutide over 40 weeks and measured changes in A1C and body weight. The study found greater average reductions in both measures with the tirzepatide groups than with the semaglutide group studied. (New England Journal of Medicine)

However, there are important limitations to keep in mind.

The trial did not compare every available dose of the two medications, and the results from a clinical trial population don't necessarily predict how an individual will respond.

More recent research has also compared tirzepatide and semaglutide in other populations and at different doses. For example, the 2025 SURMOUNT-5 trial compared maximum tolerated doses of tirzepatide and semaglutide in adults with obesity who did not have type 2 diabetes. (New England Journal of Medicine)

What does this mean?

It means there is clinical research directly comparing the two medications, but “Which one is better?” is not a question that can be answered for every individual from one study.

The medications differ in their active ingredients, mechanisms, doses and prescribing considerations.

A practitioner needs to consider the individual rather than simply choosing the medication with the largest result in a particular trial.

Can Ozempic® and Mounjaro® be taken together?

These medications should not be combined unless specifically directed by a practitioner.

Both act on the GLP-1 pathway, and tirzepatide also acts on the GIP pathway.

If you're already taking one of these medications and are considering changing to the other, speak with your practitioner about how the change should be managed.

Your pharmacist can also review your medication regimen and answer questions about your prescription.

What about side effects?

Both medications can cause adverse reactions, and their safety information is not identical.

Because this is a named-drug comparison, the safest approach is to refer readers to the Canadian product monographs for the complete safety information rather than creating a consumer-facing list of every adverse reaction.

If you're starting either medication, your practitioner and pharmacist can explain the relevant precautions and what to do if you experience a concerning reaction.

How does the cost of Ozempic® compare with Mounjaro®?

There isn't one universal price for either medication in Canada. What you pay can depend on the pharmacy, quantity dispensed, applicable fees and insurance coverage.

At Pocketpills, the current listed price is $139 for Ozempic® and {ADD COST} for Mounjaro®.

Prices may change and may vary based on your prescription, coverage and applicable fees. Check the current price before filling your prescription.

Is there a generic version of Ozempic® or Mounjaro® in Canada?

The Canadian semaglutide market has changed in 2026, with generic semaglutide products now listed as marketed products in Health Canada's Drug Product Database. (Health Products Canada)

That doesn't mean these products should simply be referred to as “generic Ozempic®.” Ozempic® is a specific brand-name product, while generic semaglutide products are separately authorized products.

Health Canada has not yet approved a generic version of tirzepatide.

Which one is right for you?

There isn't one answer that applies to everyone.

A practitioner may consider factors such as:

• Your health history
• Other medications you're taking
• Your prescription history
• How the medication is administered
• Relevant health considerations
• Insurance coverage and cost
• Your individual treatment needs

The fact that one medication produced a larger average change in a particular clinical trial doesn't automatically mean it is the appropriate choice for every person.

If you're considering starting, stopping or switching between prescription medications, discuss your options with a licensed Canadian practitioner.

Getting prescription care with Pocketpills

Once you have a prescription, Pocketpills can help simplify the pharmacy side of managing your medication.

You can transfer an existing prescription to Pocketpills for pharmacy fulfillment and delivery.

Where available, Pocketpills also offers online assessments with licensed Canadian practitioners for people seeking prescription care.

Your Pocketpills pharmacist can also answer questions about your prescription and how to take your medication as directed.

Learn more about Pocketpills →

When should you speak with a practitioner?

Speak with a licensed Canadian practitioner if you're considering starting, stopping or changing a prescription medication.

A practitioner can review your individual circumstances and determine what treatment approach may be appropriate.

If you're already taking a prescription medication, your pharmacist can also help you understand your prescription and answer questions about administration.‍

‍Frequently Asked Questions

Are Ozempic® and Mounjaro® the same medication?

No. Ozempic® contains semaglutide, while Mounjaro® contains tirzepatide. They act on different receptor pathways.

What is the main difference between Ozempic® and Mounjaro®?

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic®, acts on GLP-1 receptors. Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro®, acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors.

Are Ozempic® and Mounjaro® taken the same way?

Both are administered once weekly by subcutaneous injection, but their products, devices, strengths and administration instructions differ.

Can Ozempic® and Mounjaro® be taken together?

They should not be combined unless specifically directed by a practitioner. If you're considering switching between them, speak with your practitioner first.

Which is better, Ozempic® or Mounjaro®?

Clinical studies have found differences between the medications, but there isn't a universal answer about which is appropriate for every individual. A practitioner can assess your circumstances and discuss available treatment options.

Can you switch from Ozempic® to Mounjaro®?

A practitioner can determine whether switching medications is appropriate and provide instructions for managing the change.

How much does Ozempic® cost in Canada?

The price can vary depending on the pharmacy, quantity, applicable fees and insurance coverage.

Is there a generic version of Ozempic® in Canada?

Generic semaglutide products are now marketed in Canada. These are separate products from brand-name Ozempic®. Availability and pricing can vary.

Is there a generic version of Mounjaro® in Canada?

Health Canada has not yet approved a generic version of tirzepatide.

How do I know which medication is appropriate for me?

A licensed Canadian practitioner can review your health history, current medications and individual circumstances before determining what treatment approach may be appropriate.