Mounjaro vs Ozempic: the differences explained
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist made by Eli Lilly, and Ozempic contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist made by Novo Nordisk. Both are weekly injections licensed in the UK for type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro also holds a weight management licence; Ozempic does not.
Side by side at a glance
| Fact | Mounjaro | Ozempic |
|---|---|---|
| Active substance | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| How the SmPC describes it | Long acting GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Maker | Eli Lilly | Novo Nordisk |
| How it is taken | An injection under the skin once a week, at any time of day, with or without meals, in the abdomen or thigh, or the back of the upper arm when another person gives it. | An injection under the skin once a week, at any time of day, with or without meals, in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. |
| Pen or tablet | KwikPen pre-filled pen holding 4 doses | Pre-filled pen delivering 4 doses. One version of the 1 mg pen delivers 8. |
| UK strengths | 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg and 15 mg | 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 2 mg |
| What the UK licence covers | Insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes in adults, adolescents and children aged 10 and over. Weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or more, or 27 to under 30 kg/m² with at least one weight-related comorbid condition. | Adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and exercise. The MHRA lists it as not licensed for weight loss or weight management. |
| NICE and the NHS | NICE TA1026: weight management in primary care or specialist services, introduced in phases. NICE TA924: type 2 diabetes. | Type 2 diabetes care under NICE guideline NG28, which names Ozempic, up to 1 mg once a week, for adults with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. |
| In the pack | Packs of 1 or 3 KwikPens (not all pack sizes may be marketed). Needles are not included in the pack. | 1 pen and 4 NovoFine Plus needles. Some strengths also come as 3 pens and 12 needles, and the 8 dose 1 mg pen comes with 8 needles. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. |
Two substances, two makers
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, made by Eli Lilly, which its SmPC describes as "a long acting GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist". Ozempic contains semaglutide, made by Novo Nordisk, which its SmPC describes as a GLP-1 analogue that "acts as a GLP-1 receptor agonist". The MHRA guide to GLP-1 medicines notes that tirzepatide is a dual receptor agonist for GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).
Each is injected under the skin once a week, at any time of day, with or without meals.
What each UK licence covers
Both licences cover insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes as an adjunct to diet and exercise, on its own when metformin is considered inappropriate because of intolerance or contraindications, or added to other diabetes medicines. The Ozempic licence is for adults. The Mounjaro licence covers adults, adolescents and children aged 10 and over.
Mounjaro also has a weight management indication, for adults with an initial BMI of 30 kg/m² or more, or of 27 to under 30 kg/m² with at least one weight-related comorbid condition. Ozempic has no weight management indication, and the MHRA guide lists it as not licensed for weight loss or weight management. Semaglutide for weight management is sold as Wegovy.
Pens, strengths and needles
Mounjaro comes in the KwikPen, a pre-filled pen holding 4 doses, in six strengths from 2.5 mg to 15 mg. Ozempic comes in a pre-filled pen in four strengths, 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 2 mg; most pens deliver 4 doses, and one version of the 1 mg pen delivers 8. The two milligram ranges belong to different substances, and the prescriber decides the strength.
Ozempic packs include NovoFine Plus needles, 4 with a single pen. The Mounjaro SmPC states: "Needles are not included in the pack."
NICE and the NHS
For type 2 diabetes, NICE technology appraisal TA924 recommends tirzepatide in adults when triple therapy with metformin and two other oral antidiabetic drugs is ineffective, not tolerated or contraindicated, together with conditions on BMI that the appraisal sets out. NICE's guideline on type 2 diabetes in adults (NG28), updated in February 2026, names subcutaneous semaglutide (Ozempic), up to 1 mg once a week, among the medicines to offer adults with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
For weight management, TA1026 recommends tirzepatide for adults with an initial BMI of at least 35 kg/m² and at least one weight-related comorbidity, and it is being introduced in phases.
Where to see prices
Prices sit on the Dose Club price tables, never on comparison pages. Pick a medicine's table or a single dose.
Questions and answers
Is Mounjaro the same as Ozempic?
No. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, made by Eli Lilly, and Ozempic contains semaglutide, made by Novo Nordisk. The Mounjaro SmPC describes tirzepatide as a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, and the Ozempic SmPC describes semaglutide as a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Are Mounjaro and Ozempic both licensed for type 2 diabetes?
Yes. Both UK licences cover insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes alongside diet and exercise. Ozempic's covers adults; Mounjaro's covers adults, adolescents and children aged 10 and over. Mounjaro is also licensed for weight management in adults, and Ozempic is not.
Do Mounjaro and Ozempic pens come with needles?
Ozempic packs include NovoFine Plus needles. The Mounjaro SmPC states: "Needles are not included in the pack." The dispensing pharmacy can confirm what an order includes.
Does The Dose Club list prices for both?
The Dose Club has a Mounjaro price table showing the complete monthly cost at GPhC registered UK pharmacies for every dose. It lists no prices for Ozempic.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages on .
- Mounjaro KwikPen, summary of product characteristics (emc)
- Ozempic 0.25 mg pre-filled pen, summary of product characteristics (emc)
- Ozempic 2 mg pre-filled pen, summary of product characteristics (emc)
- MHRA, GLP-1 medicines for weight loss and diabetes: what you need to know
- NICE, Tirzepatide for treating type 2 diabetes (TA924)
- NICE, Type 2 diabetes in adults: management (NG28)
- NICE, Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity (TA1026)
- NHS, Tirzepatide