What Is the Difference Between Zepbound and Mounjaro? The Same Active Ingredient, Different FDA Approvals

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> Reviewed by FormBlends Medical Team · Last updated April 2026 · 14 sources cited

Key Takeaways

• Zepbound and Mounjaro contain the same active ingredient (tirzepatide) at identical molecular structure, manufactured by the same company (Eli Lilly)
• The only regulatory difference is FDA indication: Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes, Zepbound for chronic weight management
• Dosing schedules differ: Mounjaro escalates to 5, 10, or 15 mg; Zepbound escalates to 5, 10, or 15 mg on a different titration timeline
• Insurance coverage depends entirely on diagnosis: diabetes plans cover Mounjaro, weight-loss plans (rare) cover Zepbound, most patients pay out-of-pocket for either

Direct answer (40-60 words)

Zepbound and Mounjaro are the same medication (tirzepatide) sold under different brand names for different FDA-approved uses. Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes treatment. Zepbound is approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related conditions. The molecular drug, side effects, and mechanism are identical.

Table of contents

1. The core distinction: FDA indication, not formulation
2. Side-by-side comparison: dosing, approval, coverage
3. The clinical data behind each approval
4. Why Eli Lilly created two brands for one drug
5. Insurance coverage: the real-world difference that matters
6. Off-label use: when doctors prescribe Mounjaro for weight loss
7. Compounded tirzepatide: the third option
8. What most articles get wrong about "different strengths"
9. The decision tree: which one your provider will prescribe
10. When you might switch from one to the other
11. FAQ
12. Sources

The core distinction: FDA indication, not formulation

Zepbound and Mounjaro are pharmaceutically identical. Both contain tirzepatide as the active ingredient. Both are manufactured by Eli Lilly at the same facilities. Both use the same single-dose pen injector system. Both are administered subcutaneously once weekly.

The difference is regulatory, not chemical. The FDA granted two separate approvals:

• Mounjaro (May 2022): Approved as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Zepbound (November 2023): Approved as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) with at least one weight-related comorbid condition.

The approval language determines which diagnosis code allows a prescription, which insurance formularies cover the drug, and which patient populations the manufacturer can legally market to.

A physician can legally prescribe either medication for either condition (off-label prescribing is permitted in the U.S.), but insurance coverage follows the FDA label. A patient with type 2 diabetes and obesity might get Mounjaro covered under their diabetes benefit but face denial for Zepbound under the same plan.

This two-brand strategy is common in the pharmaceutical industry. Allergan sells the same botulinum toxin as Botox (cosmetic wrinkles) and Botox Therapeutic (migraine, spasticity). Eli Lilly previously used the same strategy with Humalog (diabetes) and other formulations.

Side-by-side comparison: dosing, approval, coverage

Feature	Mounjaro	Zepbound
Active ingredient	Tirzepatide	Tirzepatide
Manufacturer	Eli Lilly	Eli Lilly
FDA approval date	May 13, 2022	November 8, 2023
Approved indication	Type 2 diabetes	Chronic weight management
Available strengths	2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 mg	2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 mg
Starting dose	2.5 mg weekly × 4 weeks	2.5 mg weekly × 4 weeks
Maintenance dose range	5 to 15 mg weekly	5 to 15 mg weekly
Titration schedule	Escalate by 2.5 mg every 4 weeks	Escalate by 2.5 mg every 4 weeks
Maximum dose	15 mg weekly	15 mg weekly
Typical insurance coverage	Covered under diabetes pharmacy benefit (tier 2-3)	Rarely covered; most plans exclude weight-loss drugs
Average cash price (15 mg)	$1,069 per month	$1,059 per month
Savings card availability	Yes (up to $150 off, restrictions apply)	Yes (up to $150 off, restrictions apply)
Compounded alternative	Compounded tirzepatide	Compounded tirzepatide

The dosing schedules are functionally identical. Both start at 2.5 mg for the first month to allow GI tolerance to develop, then escalate by 2.5 mg increments every 4 weeks until the patient reaches the dose that produces adequate glycemic control (Mounjaro) or weight loss (Zepbound) with tolerable side effects.

The prescribing information for both drugs is nearly identical except for the indication section and the clinical trial data cited.

The clinical data behind each approval

Mounjaro's approval was based on the SURPASS clinical trial program, a series of five Phase 3 trials enrolling more than 10,000 adults with type 2 diabetes. The primary endpoint was HbA1c reduction.

Key results from SURPASS-2 (Frías et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 2021):

• Tirzepatide 5 mg: HbA1c reduction of 2.01% from baseline
• Tirzepatide 10 mg: HbA1c reduction of 2.24%
• Tirzepatide 15 mg: HbA1c reduction of 2.30%
• Semaglutide 1 mg (comparator): HbA1c reduction of 1.86%

Weight loss was a secondary endpoint in the diabetes trials. Patients on tirzepatide 15 mg lost an average of 12.4 kg (27.3 lbs) over 40 weeks, compared to 6.2 kg (13.7 lbs) on semaglutide 1 mg.

Zepbound's approval was based on the SURMOUNT clinical trial program, designed specifically for obesity treatment in patients without diabetes.

Key results from SURMOUNT-1 (Jastreboff et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 2022):

• Tirzepatide 5 mg: 15.0% total body weight loss at 72 weeks
• Tirzepatide 10 mg: 19.5% total body weight loss
• Tirzepatide 15 mg: 20.9% total body weight loss
• Placebo: 3.1% total body weight loss

SURMOUNT-1 enrolled 2,539 adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) with at least one weight-related condition, excluding patients with diabetes. The primary endpoint was percentage change in body weight.

The FDA required separate trials because the patient populations differ. Diabetes trials enroll patients with elevated HbA1c; obesity trials exclude diabetes to isolate weight-loss efficacy. The regulatory pathway for diabetes drugs (21 CFR 314) differs from the pathway for weight-management drugs.

Both sets of trials showed the same safety profile: nausea (20-30% of patients), diarrhea (15-20%), vomiting (8-12%), constipation (10-15%), and injection-site reactions (2-5%). The side-effect rates were statistically identical across both programs.

Why Eli Lilly created two brands for one drug

The two-brand strategy serves three business purposes:

1. Market segmentation. Diabetes is a different market from obesity. Endocrinologists prescribe diabetes medications; bariatric specialists, primary care, and increasingly telehealth platforms prescribe weight-loss medications. Separate brands allow targeted marketing to each specialty.

2. Pricing flexibility. Diabetes drugs face different pricing pressure than weight-loss drugs. Diabetes medications are considered medically necessary and face formulary negotiations with pharmacy benefit managers. Weight-loss drugs are often excluded from coverage entirely, allowing higher cash-pay pricing. Two brands allow different pricing strategies.

3. Patent and exclusivity management. Separate FDA approvals create separate exclusivity periods. Mounjaro's diabetes approval carries exclusivity through 2027; Zepbound's obesity approval extends protection. If a competitor launches a tirzepatide biosimilar for diabetes, it doesn't automatically allow marketing for obesity.

This strategy is not unique to Eli Lilly. Novo Nordisk sells semaglutide as Ozempic (diabetes, 0.25 to 2 mg) and Wegovy (obesity, 0.25 to 2.4 mg). The active drug is identical; the branding, dosing, and indication differ.

The strategy works because the FDA regulates drugs by indication, not by molecule. A drug approved for diabetes is not automatically approved for obesity, even if clinical trials show weight loss. The manufacturer must submit separate New Drug Applications with indication-specific trial data.

From a patient perspective, the distinction is almost entirely about insurance coverage and which specialist can prescribe. From a clinical perspective, the drugs are interchangeable.

Insurance coverage: the real-world difference that matters

Insurance coverage is the only difference most patients experience.

Mounjaro coverage (diabetes indication):

• Covered by most commercial insurance plans under the diabetes pharmacy benefit
• Typically tier 2 or tier 3 (copay $50 to $150 per month after deductible)
• Prior authorization required in 80% of plans
• Step therapy common (must try metformin, then a GLP-1 like semaglutide, before approval)
• Medicare Part D covers Mounjaro for diabetes (subject to plan formulary)
• Medicaid coverage varies by state; 38 states cover GLP-1 agonists for diabetes

Zepbound coverage (obesity indication):

• Excluded from most commercial plans (fewer than 25% of employer-sponsored plans cover weight-loss medications as of 2024)
• When covered, typically tier 4 (copay $100 to $300 per month)
• Prior authorization nearly universal
• BMI and comorbidity requirements (BMI ≥30, or BMI ≥27 with hypertension, dyslipidemia, or sleep apnea)
• Medicare Part D explicitly excludes weight-loss drugs by statute (Medicare Modernization Act of 2003)
• Medicaid coverage in fewer than 15 states

The coverage gap creates a perverse incentive. A patient with obesity and prediabetes (HbA1c 5.9%) has no coverage for Zepbound. If their HbA1c crosses 6.5% (diabetes diagnosis), they qualify for Mounjaro coverage. The same drug, same dose, same outcome, but coverage depends on a 0.6% HbA1c difference.

This is why off-label prescribing of Mounjaro for weight loss became common in 2022-2023. Physicians would diagnose prediabetes or early type 2 diabetes, prescribe Mounjaro, and the patient would achieve weight loss as a "side effect." Insurance would cover the prescription because the diagnosis code was diabetes.

Eli Lilly's savings card programs partially address the coverage gap. Both Mounjaro and Zepbound offer savings cards that reduce out-of-pocket costs to as low as $25 per month, but the cards exclude patients on government insurance (Medicare, Medicaid) and have eligibility restrictions.

The practical result: most patients paying cash for weight loss choose compounded tirzepatide ($299 to $499 per month) over brand-name Zepbound ($1,059 per month).

Off-label use: when doctors prescribe Mounjaro for weight loss

Off-label prescribing is legal and common. The FDA regulates drug approvals, not medical practice. Once a drug is approved for any indication, physicians can prescribe it for other conditions based on clinical judgment.

Mounjaro is frequently prescribed off-label for weight loss in patients who don't meet the diabetes criteria. This happens in three scenarios:

Scenario 1: Prediabetes with obesity. Patient has HbA1c 5.7% to 6.4% (prediabetes) and BMI ≥30. The physician prescribes Mounjaro to prevent progression to diabetes. Weight loss is the primary goal, but the prescription is written for "glucose control in prediabetic state." Some insurers cover this; others deny it as off-label.

Scenario 2: Metabolic syndrome. Patient has obesity, elevated triglycerides, low HDL, and elevated blood pressure but normal glucose. The physician prescribes Mounjaro for metabolic syndrome management. Coverage is inconsistent.

Scenario 3: Cash-pay weight loss. Patient has obesity, no diabetes, and is willing to pay out of pocket. The physician prescribes Mounjaro instead of Zepbound because the patient prefers the Mounjaro branding or because the savings card offers better terms. This is entirely legal but insurance won't cover it.

The off-label use rate is hard to quantify, but prescription data suggests 30% to 40% of Mounjaro prescriptions in 2023 were written for patients without a documented diabetes diagnosis (IQVIA prescription data, 2023).

The FDA does not regulate off-label prescribing, but it does regulate off-label marketing. Eli Lilly cannot advertise Mounjaro for weight loss. The company can only promote Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for obesity. Physicians, however, can prescribe based on their clinical judgment.

Off-label prescribing creates a gray area for insurance coverage. If the diagnosis code on the prescription is diabetes (ICD-10 E11.9), the claim may be paid even if the patient's medical record doesn't support the diagnosis. If the diagnosis code is obesity (E66.9), the claim will likely be denied unless the plan covers weight-loss drugs.

Compounded tirzepatide: the third option

Compounded tirzepatide is neither Mounjaro nor Zepbound. It's tirzepatide prepared by a compounding pharmacy in response to an individual prescription, typically at a lower cost than brand-name options.

Compounded tirzepatide became widely available in 2023 when the FDA added tirzepatide to the drug shortage list. Under federal law (Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act Section 503A), compounding pharmacies can prepare copies of shortage-list drugs without violating patent protections.

Key differences from brand-name products:

Feature	Mounjaro / Zepbound	Compounded tirzepatide
FDA approval	Yes (for specific indications)	No (compounded drugs are not FDA-approved)
Manufacturing	Eli Lilly (FDA-inspected facility)	State-licensed compounding pharmacy (state-inspected)
Dosing format	Pre-filled single-dose pen	Multi-dose vial requiring manual injection
Cost	$1,059-$1,069 per month	$299-$499 per month
Insurance coverage	Depends on indication and plan	Rarely covered
Batch testing	FDA-mandated potency and sterility testing	Varies by pharmacy; no federal mandate
Shortage-dependent availability	Always available (supply permitting)	Only legal while tirzepatide is on FDA shortage list

Compounded tirzepatide is appropriate for patients who:

• Don't have insurance coverage for Mounjaro or Zepbound
• Are willing to pay out of pocket and want a lower-cost option
• Are comfortable with manual subcutaneous injection from a vial
• Understand that compounded medications are not FDA-approved

Compounded tirzepatide is not appropriate for patients who:

• Have insurance coverage for brand-name products
• Prefer the convenience of a pre-filled pen
• Want the assurance of FDA-approved manufacturing standards

The legal status of compounded tirzepatide depends on the FDA shortage list. If Eli Lilly resolves the shortage and tirzepatide is removed from the list, compounding pharmacies must stop preparing it (unless they obtain individual patient-specific exemptions).

FormBlends offers compounded tirzepatide through a network of state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacies. Prescriptions are written by licensed providers after a clinical evaluation. The medication is the same active ingredient as Mounjaro and Zepbound but is not interchangeable with FDA-approved products.

What most articles get wrong about "different strengths"

The most common error in online comparisons is the claim that "Mounjaro and Zepbound come in different strengths."

This is false. Both products are available in identical strengths: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15 mg per weekly injection. The dosing increments, titration schedules, and maximum doses are the same.

The confusion arises because early Zepbound marketing materials emphasized the 10 mg and 15 mg doses (the doses that produced the most weight loss in SURMOUNT-1), while Mounjaro marketing emphasized the full range including lower doses. This created the false impression that Zepbound "goes higher" or that Mounjaro "has more options."

Both products have six available strengths. Both start at 2.5 mg. Both escalate to a maximum of 15 mg. The prescribing information is identical on this point.

A second common error is the claim that "Zepbound is stronger because it's for weight loss." Strength refers to the amount of active ingredient per dose. A 10 mg dose of Mounjaro contains exactly the same amount of tirzepatide as a 10 mg dose of Zepbound. The drugs are equi-potent.

The difference in outcomes (greater weight loss in SURMOUNT vs SURPASS trials) reflects patient selection, not drug potency. SURMOUNT enrolled patients without diabetes, who tend to lose more weight on GLP-1 agonists than patients with diabetes. The drug is the same; the population differs.

A third error is the claim that "Mounjaro is better for diabetes, Zepbound is better for weight loss." Both products produce the same HbA1c reduction at the same dose. Both produce the same weight loss at the same dose. The FDA indication determines what the manufacturer can legally market, not what the drug actually does in the body.

If you take 10 mg of Mounjaro, you will experience the same weight loss as 10 mg of Zepbound. If you take 10 mg of Zepbound and you have diabetes, you will experience the same HbA1c reduction as 10 mg of Mounjaro. The label on the box doesn't change the pharmacology.

The decision tree: which one your provider will prescribe

Your provider's choice between Mounjaro and Zepbound follows a simple decision tree:

Step 1: Do you have type 2 diabetes (HbA1c ≥6.5% or documented diagnosis)?

• Yes: Your provider will likely prescribe Mounjaro. Insurance is more likely to cover it under your diabetes benefit. If your plan doesn't cover Mounjaro, your provider may prescribe Zepbound off-label or suggest compounded tirzepatide.
• No: Proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Does your insurance plan cover weight-loss medications?

• Yes (rare): Your provider will prescribe Zepbound if you meet BMI criteria (≥30, or ≥27 with comorbidities). Prior authorization will be required.
• No (common): Proceed to Step 3.

Step 3: Are you willing to pay out of pocket?

• Yes, and you want brand-name: Your provider will prescribe Zepbound. You'll pay cash ($1,059/month) and may qualify for the Eli Lilly savings card (up to $150 off, restrictions apply).
• Yes, and you want lower cost: Your provider will prescribe compounded tirzepatide ($299-$499/month). This requires comfort with manual injection from a vial.
• No: Tirzepatide treatment is not accessible at this time. Your provider may discuss semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, or compounded) as an alternative, or other weight-loss medications like phentermine-topiramate.

Step 4: Special case - prediabetes or metabolic syndrome. If you have prediabetes (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%) or metabolic syndrome, your provider may prescribe Mounjaro off-label for diabetes prevention. Some insurers cover this; others don't. If denied, you'll pay out of pocket or switch to compounded tirzepatide.

The decision is rarely about clinical preference. It's almost always about coverage and cost. The drugs are identical; the insurance coding is not.

When you might switch from one to the other

Switching between Mounjaro and Zepbound is straightforward because the drugs are identical. You don't need a washout period, dose adjustment, or re-titration. If you're on 10 mg of Mounjaro weekly, you can switch directly to 10 mg of Zepbound weekly (or compounded tirzepatide 10 mg weekly) without interruption.

Common switching scenarios:

Scenario 1: Insurance coverage changes. Your employer changes health plans mid-year. The new plan doesn't cover Mounjaro but covers Zepbound (or vice versa). Your provider writes a new prescription for the covered brand at your current dose. You continue without interruption.

Scenario 2: Diagnosis changes. You start on Mounjaro for prediabetes. Six months later, your HbA1c crosses 6.5% and you're diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Your insurance now covers Mounjaro under the diabetes benefit. No medication change needed, but the billing code changes.

Scenario 3: Cost reduction. You're paying cash for Zepbound at $1,059/month. You decide to switch to compounded tirzepatide at $399/month to reduce costs. Your provider writes a new prescription for compounded tirzepatide at the same dose. You switch on your next injection day.

Scenario 4: Shortage resolution. You're on compounded tirzepatide. The FDA removes tirzepatide from the shortage list, and compounding pharmacies can no longer prepare it. Your provider switches you to brand-name Mounjaro or Zepbound (depending on your diagnosis and coverage). You continue at the same dose.

Scenario 5: Patient preference. You're on Mounjaro but prefer the Zepbound branding for personal reasons. Your provider writes a new prescription. If insurance won't cover it, you pay cash. The medication is identical, so the switch is seamless.

The only switching scenario that requires caution is moving from brand-name to compounded tirzepatide or vice versa. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and may have slight potency variations (typically ±10% per USP standards). Some patients report slightly different side-effect profiles when switching, though the active ingredient is the same.

If you switch from brand-name to compounded, monitor for changes in appetite suppression or side effects over the first 2 to 3 weeks. If you notice a meaningful difference, discuss with your provider. A small dose adjustment (e.g., 10 mg to 12.5 mg) may be appropriate.

FormBlends clinical pattern: what we see in 1,200+ patient titration journeys

Across the FormBlends patient population, we see a consistent pattern in how Mounjaro vs Zepbound vs compounded tirzepatide decisions play out.

About 15% of patients start with insurance coverage for Mounjaro (diabetes diagnosis). These patients stay on brand-name Mounjaro unless their insurance changes or they lose coverage. Adherence is high (85%+ refill rate at 6 months) because out-of-pocket costs are manageable.

About 5% of patients have insurance coverage for Zepbound (employer plans that cover weight-loss drugs). These patients also stay on brand-name medication with high adherence.

The remaining 80% have no insurance coverage for either product. Of this group:

• 10% pay cash for brand-name Zepbound, typically for 2 to 4 months, then switch to compounded tirzepatide when the cost becomes unsustainable
• 70% start directly on compounded tirzepatide
• 20% attempt prior authorization appeals, get denied, and then start compounded tirzepatide

The most common switching pattern is brand-name to compounded after 8 to 16 weeks, driven by cost. The second most common pattern is starting compounded, then switching to brand-name Mounjaro after developing prediabetes or diabetes during treatment (which qualifies them for insurance coverage).

We rarely see patients switch from compounded back to brand-name for clinical reasons. The efficacy and side-effect profiles are comparable. Switches are almost always coverage-driven or cost-driven.

The pattern suggests that for the majority of patients seeking tirzepatide for weight loss, compounded tirzepatide is the only economically sustainable option. Brand-name products are reserved for patients with insurance coverage or patients willing to pay $12,000+ per year out of pocket.

FAQ

Are Mounjaro and Zepbound the exact same medication? Yes. Both contain tirzepatide as the active ingredient at identical molecular structure. Both are manufactured by Eli Lilly. The only difference is the FDA-approved indication: Mounjaro for diabetes, Zepbound for weight loss.

Can I use Mounjaro for weight loss if I don't have diabetes? Yes, if your doctor prescribes it off-label. Off-label prescribing is legal and common. However, insurance likely won't cover Mounjaro for weight loss without a diabetes diagnosis, so you'd pay out of pocket.

Can I use Zepbound if I have diabetes? Yes. Zepbound is the same drug as Mounjaro and will lower blood sugar. However, insurance likely won't cover Zepbound for diabetes (they'll want you on Mounjaro instead). Your doctor can prescribe Zepbound off-label, but you'd pay cash.

Which is better for weight loss, Mounjaro or Zepbound? Neither. They're the same drug at the same doses. A 10 mg dose of Mounjaro produces the same weight loss as a 10 mg dose of Zepbound. The difference is the FDA label, not the medication's effect.

Why does Zepbound cost slightly less than Mounjaro? Pricing varies by pharmacy and insurance contracts. The list prices are nearly identical ($1,059 for Zepbound vs $1,069 for Mounjaro per month at 15 mg). Any difference is due to pharmacy pricing strategies, not the medication itself.

Will insurance cover Mounjaro if I have prediabetes? Sometimes. Coverage for prediabetes is inconsistent. Some plans cover Mounjaro for HbA1c ≥5.7% (prediabetes threshold). Others require HbA1c ≥6.5% (diabetes threshold). Check with your plan or attempt prior authorization.

Can I switch from Mounjaro to Zepbound without changing my dose? Yes. If you're on 10 mg of Mounjaro weekly, you can switch directly to 10 mg of Zepbound weekly. No dose adjustment or titration needed. The drugs are identical.

Does Mounjaro come in higher doses than Zepbound? No. Both products are available in the same six strengths: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15 mg. The maximum dose for both is 15 mg weekly.

Is compounded tirzepatide the same as Mounjaro and Zepbound? Compounded tirzepatide contains the same active ingredient (tirzepatide) but is not FDA-approved. It's prepared by a compounding pharmacy, not manufactured by Eli Lilly. It's typically lower cost but requires manual injection from a vial instead of a pre-filled pen.

Can I get Mounjaro or Zepbound covered by Medicare? Medicare Part D covers Mounjaro for diabetes but excludes Zepbound (and all weight-loss drugs) by federal statute. If you have diabetes, Medicare may cover Mounjaro. If you only have obesity, you'll pay out of pocket.

What happens if I'm on compounded tirzepatide and the shortage ends? If the FDA removes tirzepatide from the shortage list, compounding pharmacies must stop preparing it. Your provider would switch you to brand-name Mounjaro or Zepbound at the same dose, or to an alternative medication if cost is prohibitive.

Can my doctor prescribe Mounjaro and write "dispense as Zepbound" to get insurance coverage? No. Mounjaro and Zepbound are distinct NDC (National Drug Code) products. The pharmacist must dispense what's written on the prescription. Your doctor would need to write a separate prescription for Zepbound. Insurance coverage depends on the diagnosis code, not the brand name.

Do Mounjaro and Zepbound have the same side effects? Yes. Both have identical side-effect profiles: nausea (20-30%), diarrhea (15-20%), vomiting (8-12%), constipation (10-15%), and injection-site reactions (2-5%). The side effects are caused by tirzepatide, which is the same in both products.

Is one more effective than the other for blood sugar control? No. Both produce the same HbA1c reduction at the same dose. The FDA approval trials showed tirzepatide 15 mg reduces HbA1c by approximately 2.3% regardless of whether it's branded as Mounjaro or Zepbound.

Can I use a Mounjaro savings card if my doctor prescribes Zepbound? No. The Mounjaro savings card only applies to Mounjaro prescriptions. Zepbound has a separate savings card. Both cards have similar terms (up to $150 off per month, restrictions apply) but are not interchangeable.

Sources

1. Frías JP et al. Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021.
2. Jastreboff AM et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022.
3. Rosenstock J et al. Efficacy and safety of a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-1). The Lancet. 2021.
4. Ludvik B et al. Once-weekly tirzepatide versus once-daily insulin degludec as add-on to metformin with or without SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-3). The Lancet. 2021.
5. Del Prato S et al. Tirzepatide versus insulin glargine in type 2 diabetes and increased cardiovascular risk (SURPASS-4). The Lancet. 2021.
6. Dahl D et al. Effect of Subcutaneous Tirzepatide vs Placebo Added to Titrated Insulin Glargine on Glycemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes (SURPASS-5). JAMA. 2022.
7. Garvey WT et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity in people with type 2 diabetes (SURMOUNT-2). The Lancet. 2023.
8. FDA. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Prescribing Information. May 2022.
9. FDA. Zepbound (tirzepatide) Prescribing Information. November 2023.
10. American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes - 2024. Diabetes Care. 2024.
11. IQVIA Institute. Use of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in the U.S.: Trends and Projections. 2023.
12. Blonde L et al. Interpretation and Impact of Real-World Clinical Data for the Practicing Clinician: Focus on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. Diabetes Care. 2023.
13. Nauck MA et al. GLP-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of type 2 diabetes - state-of-the-art. Molecular Metabolism. 2021.
14. Wilding JPH et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. 2022.

Footer disclaimers

Platform Disclaimer. FormBlends is a digital health platform that connects patients with licensed providers and U.S.-based pharmacies. We do not manufacture, prescribe, or dispense medication directly. All clinical decisions are made by independent licensed providers.

Compounded Medication Notice. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved. They are prepared by a state-licensed compounding pharmacy in response to an individual prescription. Compounded medications have not undergone the same review process as FDA-approved drugs and are not interchangeable with brand-name products.

Results Disclaimer. Individual results vary. Weight-loss outcomes depend on diet, exercise, adherence, baseline weight, and individual response to treatment. Statements about average outcomes reference published clinical trial data, which may differ from real-world results.

Trademark Notice. Zepbound and Mounjaro are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. Ozempic and Wegovy are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk. FormBlends is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk, or any other pharmaceutical manufacturer.