From the Guidelines
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is more effective than Ozempic (semaglutide) in terms of weight loss, with a mean difference of 5.1% in favor of tirzepatide 1.
Key Differences
- Administration: Both Mounjaro and Ozempic are administered via subcutaneous injection, but the dosing frequency and amount may vary.
- Efficacy: Mounjaro has been shown to provide greater weight loss compared to Ozempic, with a mean weight loss of 20.9% for the 15mg dose of tirzepatide compared to 14.9% for the 2.4mg dose of semaglutide 1.
- Mechanism of Action: Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, whereas semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist only.
Clinical Implications
- Mounjaro may be a better option for patients who require greater weight loss, as it has been shown to provide more significant reductions in body weight compared to Ozempic 1.
- The cardioprotective effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Mounjaro and Ozempic, are mediated by several mechanisms, including improved myocardial substrate utilization and anti-inflammatory effects 1.
- The choice between Mounjaro and Ozempic should be based on individual patient needs and medical history, as well as the potential benefits and risks associated with each medication.
From the FDA Drug Label
In adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, treatment with MOUNJARO produced a statistically significant reduction from baseline in HbA1c compared to placebo The effectiveness of MOUNJARO was not impacted by age, gender, race, ethnicity, region, or by baseline BMI, HbA1c, diabetes duration, or renal function. Add-on to metformin SURPASS-2 (NCT03987919) was a 40-week open-label trial (double-blind with respect to MOUNJARO dose assignment) that randomized 1879 adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with inadequate glycemic control on stable doses of metformin alone to the addition of MOUNJARO 5 mg, MOUNJARO 10 mg, or MOUNJARO 15 mg once weekly or subcutaneous semaglutide 1 mg once weekly.
The comparison between Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) is based on the SURPASS-2 trial, where both drugs were compared as an add-on to metformin in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- Key points:
- Mounjaro and semaglutide were compared in a 40-week open-label trial.
- Both drugs were administered once weekly.
- The trial evaluated the efficacy of Mounjaro (5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg) and semaglutide (1 mg) in reducing HbA1c levels. However, the label does not provide a direct comparison of the efficacy and safety of Mounjaro and Ozempic. 2
From the Research
Comparison of Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) and Ozempic (Semaglutide)
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist, while Ozempic (semaglutide) is a selective GLP-1 receptor agonist 3, 4, 5.
- Clinical trials have shown that tirzepatide is more effective in reducing HbA1c and body weight compared to semaglutide 3, 4, 5.
- The SURPASS clinical trials demonstrated that tirzepatide reduced HbA1c by 1.24 to 2.58% and body weight by 5.4-11.7 kg, while semaglutide reduced HbA1c by 1.0% and body weight by a lesser extent 3, 5.
- Both drugs have similar safety profiles, with common adverse events including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation 3, 4, 5.
- Tirzepatide has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and insulin secretory responses to a greater extent than semaglutide 3.
- Semaglutide, on the other hand, has been shown to have a better glucose-lowering activity and greater weight loss compared to other GLP-1 receptor agonists 6.
Efficacy and Safety
- Tirzepatide has been associated with a low risk of clinically significant or severe hypoglycaemia and no increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events 4, 5.
- Semaglutide has also been shown to have a low risk of hypoglycaemia and a similar safety profile to other GLP-1 receptor agonists 6.
- Both drugs have been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and have been shown to be effective in improving glycemic control and reducing body weight 3, 4, 6, 5, 7.
Mechanism of Action
- Tirzepatide works by activating both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors, which are key mediators of insulin secretion and food intake 3, 7.
- Semaglutide, on the other hand, works by activating only the GLP-1 receptor 6.
- The dual mechanism of action of tirzepatide may contribute to its greater efficacy in reducing HbA1c and body weight compared to semaglutide 3, 5.