Mounjaro® is Eli Lilly’s brand-name tirzepatide, FDA-approved in May 2022 for improving blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes — alongside diet and exercise. It is a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist, the first approved medication of its class. Mounjaro® is not FDA-approved for weight loss. Providers sometimes prescribe it off-label for weight management, though Zepbound® is the FDA-approved tirzepatide product specifically indicated for weight loss. Full prescribing info at mounjaro.com.

Same active ingredient (tirzepatide), same manufacturer (Eli Lilly) — different FDA approvals and branding. Mounjaro® is approved for type 2 diabetes. Zepbound® is approved for chronic weight management and, more recently, obstructive sleep apnea. If you have type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro® is the indicated product. If weight loss is your primary goal without diabetes, Zepbound® is the FDA-indicated choice. Your provider will determine which is clinically appropriate.

In the SURPASS clinical trials, Mounjaro® produced average HbA1c reductions of 1.8% to 2.4% across doses, outperforming semaglutide, insulin glargine, and insulin degludec in head-to-head comparisons. Participants also lost 12–25 pounds on average as a secondary outcome, which is why tirzepatide became so prominent in the weight management conversation. Results may vary.

Mounjaro® is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection delivered by a single-dose pre-filled pen. Inject into your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm — same day each week, with or without food. The starting dose is 2.5 mg, titrated upward every 4 weeks to a maintenance dose of 5, 10, or 15 mg based on your blood sugar response and tolerability. Store unused pens in the refrigerator.

Mounjaro® carries a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors — it is contraindicated in anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, decreased appetite, and abdominal pain. Serious but rare risks include pancreatitis, severe GI reactions, kidney injury, gallbladder issues, and hypoglycemia when used with insulin or sulfonylureas. Not for use during pregnancy. See our Important Safety Information page for the full list.

Both contain tirzepatide as the active ingredient. Mounjaro® is Eli Lilly’s FDA-approved brand-name product, manufactured to pharmaceutical-grade standards. Compounded tirzepatide is prepared by U.S. state-licensed compounding pharmacies, is not individually FDA-approved, and is typically much more affordable. Both are legal when prescribed by a licensed provider. Your provider will walk you through the trade-offs so you can decide what’s right for your situation and budget.