Mounjaro vs Zepbound: Price & Results Breakdown (2026)
Trying to choose between Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) and Zepbound (Tirzepatide)? Below we put the trial weight loss numbers, monthly cost, dosing, and tolerability head to head — and spell out the type of patient each one tends to fit best.
Mounjaro and Zepbound both contain Tirzepatide but are approved for different uses. Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, while Zepbound is FDA-approved for chronic weight management. Zepbound typically produces 20-22% of body weight weight loss vs 15-22% of body weight for Mounjaro. Pricing differs too: $1,023/mo for Mounjaro vs $1,060/mo for Zepbound.
The Numbers at a Glance
| Feature | Mounjaro | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Active Ingredient | Tirzepatide | Tirzepatide |
| Mechanism | Dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist | Dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist |
| FDA Approved For | Type 2 diabetes | Chronic weight management |
| Doses | 2.5mg to 15mg (weekly injection) | 2.5mg to 15mg (weekly injection) |
| Administration | Weekly subcutaneous injection | Weekly subcutaneous injection |
| Avg. Weight Loss | 15-22% of body weight | 20-22% of body weight |
| Monthly Price | $1,023 | $1,060 |
| Oral Available | No | No |
| Year Approved | 2022 | 2023 |
- Mounjaro
- Tirzepatide
- Zepbound
- Tirzepatide
- Mounjaro
- Dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist
- Zepbound
- Dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist
- Mounjaro
- Type 2 diabetes
- Zepbound
- Chronic weight management
- Mounjaro
- 2.5mg to 15mg (weekly injection)
- Zepbound
- 2.5mg to 15mg (weekly injection)
- Mounjaro
- Weekly subcutaneous injection
- Zepbound
- Weekly subcutaneous injection
- Mounjaro
- 15-22% of body weight
- Zepbound
- 20-22% of body weight
- Mounjaro
- $1,023
- Zepbound
- $1,060
- Mounjaro
- No
- Zepbound
- No
- Mounjaro
- 2022
- Zepbound
- 2023
Figures shown are typical cash-pay prices before insurance. What you pay can differ by pharmacy, region, and your specific plan. Last updated March 2026.
Which Drops More Weight?
Based on clinical data, Zepbound produces more weight loss on average (20-22% of body weight) compared to Mounjaro (15-22% of body weight). With the same active ingredient in both, that gap comes down almost entirely to the dose each is taken at.
The earliest medication to combine GLP-1 and GIP receptor activity. Indicated for type 2 diabetes and taken off-label for weight loss, it tends to produce larger reductions than semaglutide on its own.
Holds FDA approval for ongoing weight management and runs on the same compound as Mounjaro, tirzepatide. Among GLP-1 medications cleared today, it records the strongest average weight reduction.
Which Is Easier on Your Wallet?
At list price, Mounjaro is the more affordable option at $1,023/month compared to $1,060/month for Zepbound. That said, what leaves your pocket swings hugely with your coverage. Mounjaro with insurance: $25-$200/month with Lilly savings card. Zepbound with insurance: Varies by plan.
Eligible patients may qualify for the Eli Lilly savings card
Eligible patients can access the LillyDirect program
How the Side Effects Stack Up
Since Mounjaro and Zepbound are both built on the same active ingredient (Tirzepatide), they behave almost identically when it comes to tolerability. The complaints you will hear about most are digestive:
- Nausea (most common, especially during dose escalation)
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Headache and fatigue (less common)
Symptom intensity usually tracks with dose, so whichever drug you run at the higher strength is the one more likely to trigger stronger stomach upset. For most people these effects ease off once they get past the first month or two of titration.
So Which One Is Right for You?
There is no single winner — the right pick comes down to your diagnosis, what your plan covers, how much weight you want to lose, and how you feel about injections versus pills. Use the quick checklist below as a starting point:
- -You have type 2 diabetes (on-label use, better insurance coverage)
- -Cost is a concern ($1,023/month at list price)
- -You want the dual GLP-1/GIP mechanism for potentially greater efficacy
- -You prefer the convenience of once-weekly dosing
- -Your primary goal is weight loss (FDA-approved indication)
- -You want the dual GLP-1/GIP mechanism for potentially greater efficacy
- -You prefer the convenience of once-weekly dosing
See Who Prescribes These at the Lowest Price
Browse vetted telehealth programs that can prescribe Mounjaro, Zepbound, and other FDA-approved GLP-1 medications — ranked by what you will actually pay.
Common Questions, Answered
Can I switch from Mounjaro to Zepbound?
Yes — moving between Mounjaro and Zepbound is usually simple because both are built on Tirzepatide. In most cases a prescriber lines your current strength up with the equivalent step on the new product's schedule, and there is no washout gap required.
Which is better for weight loss: Mounjaro or Zepbound?
Clinical data suggests Zepbound produces more weight loss on average (20-22% of body weight) compared to Mounjaro (15-22% of body weight). However, individual results vary significantly based on dosing, diet, exercise, and metabolic factors.
Is Mounjaro cheaper than Zepbound?
At list price, Mounjaro ($1,023/month) is less expensive than Zepbound ($1,060/month). With insurance, costs vary significantly. Mounjaro: $25-$200/month with Lilly savings card. Zepbound: Varies by plan.
Do Mounjaro and Zepbound have the same side effects?
Largely yes — with Tirzepatide as the shared active ingredient, the two have near-identical tolerability. Expect mostly digestive effects: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. They scale with dose and tend to settle down after the opening weeks.
Can I take Mounjaro and Zepbound together?
No — never run Mounjaro and Zepbound at the same time. They share the same active ingredient (Tirzepatide), so taking both stacks the dose and risks a dangerous overdose. A prescriber will only ever put you on one of them, not both.
Does insurance cover Mounjaro and Zepbound?
Coverage varies by plan. Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes — insurance coverage is typically better for on-label use. Zepbound is FDA-approved for chronic weight management. Check with your specific insurance plan and ask your doctor about prior authorization requirements.