Side by side · Updated April 2026

Zepbound vs. Mounjaro

Both are GLP-1 receptor agonists. Beyond that they differ in molecule, FDA indication, dose ceiling, and — most importantly to most people reading this — what the scale actually does over the long run.

Tirzepatide vs TirzepatideChronic weight management;… vs. Type 2 diabetes…

Tirzepatide

Zepbound

GIP + GLP-1 (dual agonist)

Made by: Eli Lilly
FDA approval: November 2023 (obesity); December 2024 (obstructive sleep apnea in obesity)
Indication: Chronic weight management; OSA in adults with obesity (added Dec 2024)
Dose ceiling: 15 mg weekly
Typical loss: ~20.9% mean body weight at 72 weeks in SURMOUNT-1 (15 mg arm) vs. 3.1% placebo; ~26.6% in SURMOUNT-3 (with intensive lifestyle); ~23% in SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head vs. semaglutide (vs. ~15%)
Cash list: $1,060 list; $499–$649 via LillyDirect self-pay vials (2024+)

Tirzepatide

Mounjaro

GIP + GLP-1 (dual agonist)

Made by: Eli Lilly
FDA approval: May 2022
Indication: Type 2 diabetes (with HFpEF and OSA indications added 2024)
Dose ceiling: 15 mg weekly
Typical loss: ~9–13% body weight at 1 year in T2D patients (SURPASS), ~22% off-label in non-diabetics at 15 mg
Cash list: $1,070–$1,180 list

The honest answer

Which one actually wins

Identical molecule (tirzepatide). Different FDA indications — Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes, Zepbound for obesity (and OSA in obesity, added Dec 2024). The choice between them is which one your insurance covers for your diagnosis. LillyDirect launched cash-pay vials of Zepbound in 2024 at $399–$549, which changed the cash-pay calculus.

Side by side

Zepbound vs Mounjaro, ten metrics

MetricZepboundMounjaro

Molecule

ZepboundTirzepatide

MounjaroTirzepatide

Receptor(s)

ZepboundGIP + GLP-1 (dual agonist)

MounjaroGIP + GLP-1 (dual agonist)

Manufacturer

ZepboundEli Lilly

MounjaroEli Lilly

FDA approval

ZepboundNovember 2023 (obesity); December 2024 (obstructive sleep apnea in obesity)

MounjaroMay 2022

Indication

ZepboundChronic weight management; OSA in adults with obesity (added Dec 2024)

MounjaroType 2 diabetes (with HFpEF and OSA indications added 2024)

Delivery

ZepboundSubcutaneous injection, once weekly

MounjaroSubcutaneous injection, once weekly

Dose ceiling

Zepbound15 mg weekly

Mounjaro15 mg weekly

Titration

Zepbound4 weeks per step

Mounjaro4 weeks per step

Typical loss

Zepbound~20.9% mean body weight at 72 weeks in SURMOUNT-1 (15 mg arm) vs. 3.1% placebo; ~26.6% in SURMOUNT-3 (with intensive lifestyle); ~23% in SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head vs. semaglutide (vs. ~15%)

Mounjaro~9–13% body weight at 1 year in T2D patients (SURPASS), ~22% off-label in non-diabetics at 15 mg

Cash list

Zepbound$1,060 list; $499–$649 via LillyDirect self-pay vials (2024+)

Mounjaro$1,070–$1,180 list

On patent until

Zepbound2036 (US)

Mounjaro2036 (US composition of matter; formulation patents to ~2039)

Where to get it