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Mounjaro vs Ozempic in the UK: are they the same?

Two different weekly injections from two makers. What each is licensed for in the UK, what the head-to-head diabetes trial found, side effects, list prices and NHS routes. Neither is ranked; a prescriber decides.

GLP Guidebook teamPublished 14 Oct 20266 min read16 sourcesWritten from published sources
What we checked16 sources, each one opened and linked to the sentence it supportsLast checked 14 Oct 2026 · Next review due 14 Apr 2027 · How we write

Written for the UK. Reading from India? India version

The short answer

No. Mounjaro (tirzepatide, Eli Lilly) and Ozempic (semaglutide, Novo Nordisk) are different medicines. Both are weekly injections. In the UK, Mounjaro is licensed for type 2 diabetes and for weight, while Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes only. In SURPASS-2, a head-to-head diabetes trial, weight fell 7.8 to 12.4 kg on Mounjaro and 6.2 kg on Ozempic over 40 weeks.

Key takeaways

  • Mounjaro and Ozempic contain different medicines: Mounjaro’s tirzepatide acts on two gut-hormone receptors (GIP and GLP-1), and Ozempic’s semaglutide acts on GLP-1 alone.2,3
  • The MHRA lists Ozempic as licensed in the UK for type 2 diabetes but not for weight loss, while Mounjaro is licensed for both.4
  • In SURPASS-2, a 40-week head-to-head trial in type 2 diabetes funded by Lilly, weight fell 7.8 to 12.4 kg on Mounjaro and 6.2 kg on Ozempic 1 mg.1,2
  • Stomach side effects were similar in SURPASS-2: 17 to 22 in 100 people felt sick on Mounjaro, against 18 in 100 on Ozempic.1
  • The October 2026 Drug Tariff lists a 4-week Mounjaro pen at £133 to £330 and an Ozempic pen at £73.25 to £146.50, excluding VAT.7
Before you go further
  • GLP‑1 medicines are prescription-only medicines in the UK, never sold over the counter.16
  • Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes only, not for weight loss.4
  • A prescriber decides whether a medicine fits, which one and at what dose. Nothing here is a recommendation.
  • Prices below are official NHS list prices. We don’t quote, rank or link to any seller. The risks are in our side effects guide.
On this page
  1. At a glance
  2. Are Mounjaro and Ozempic the same medicine?
  3. What is each one licensed for in the UK?
  4. What did the head-to-head trial find?
  5. How do the side effects compare?
  6. What does each cost, and what does the NHS cover?
  7. Which one? What does a prescriber weigh?
  8. Questions people ask
  9. How we researched this
  10. Sources

At a glance

FeatureMounjaroOzempic
Medicine and makerTirzepatide, Eli Lilly2Semaglutide, Novo Nordisk3
Licensed for in the UKType 2 diabetes (adults and children 10+), and weight management in adults with a BMI of 30+, or 27+ with a weight-related condition2Type 2 diabetes in adults only. Not licensed for weight loss3,4
How it’s takenInjection under the skin once a week; each KwikPen holds 4 doses2Injection under the skin once a week; each pen delivers 4 doses3
Dose steps2.5 mg for 4 weeks, then 5 mg; up 2.5 mg at a time, at least 4 weeks apart, to at most 15 mg20.25 mg for 4 weeks, then 0.5 mg; up to 1 mg and then 2 mg, at least 4 weeks apart3
Weight change in the head-to-head trial−7.8 kg (5 mg) to −12.4 kg (15 mg) over 40 weeks in SURPASS-2. Felt sick: 17 to 22 in 1001,2−6.2 kg on 1 mg over 40 weeks in SURPASS-2. Felt sick: 18 in 1001,2
Most common side effects (UK label)Very common (more than 1 in 10): feeling sick, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain2Very common: feeling sick, diarrhoea. Common (1 in 10 to 1 in 100): vomiting, constipation, stomach pain3
NHS list price, per 4-week pen£133 (2.5 mg) to £330 (12.5 and 15 mg)7£73.25 (0.25 to 1 mg); £146.50 (2 mg)7
Per month and per year at one doseAbout £144 to £358 a month; £1,729 to £4,290 a yearAbout £79 to £159 a month; £952 to £1,905 a year
NHS coverageEngland: by GPs for weight in priority groups, and for type 2 diabetes. Prescriptions free in Scotland, Wales and NI5,6,10,11,12For type 2 diabetes; free in England with a medical exemption certificate, and free in Scotland, Wales and NI5,8,10,11,12

Side by side, not ranked. Trial figures are SURPASS-2 averages in adults with type 2 diabetes already taking metformin; it was open-label and funded by Lilly.1,2 Prices exclude VAT. Month and year figures are our arithmetic on a 52-week year (13 pens), the same rule as our cost calculator. The NHS pays confidential discounted prices.

Are Mounjaro and Ozempic the same medicine?

No: Mounjaro contains tirzepatide and Ozempic contains semaglutide, two different medicines from two different makers.2,3

The medicine is what works in your body; the brand is the name on the box. Paracetamol is one medicine sold under many brands. Here the brands hold different medicines.

GLP‑1 is a hormone your gut releases after you eat. Semaglutide copies it and acts on GLP‑1 receptors, including in the brain, to affect blood sugar and appetite.3 Tirzepatide acts on GLP‑1 receptors and on a second gut-hormone receptor, GIP.2

  • Tirzepatide (Eli Lilly): Mounjaro, for type 2 diabetes and weight.2,4
  • Semaglutide (Novo Nordisk): Ozempic and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes; Wegovy for weight.4

Our guide to what GLP‑1 medicines do explains the hormones. Ozempic and Wegovy are compared in Ozempic vs Wegovy.

What is each one licensed for in the UK?

Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes only; Mounjaro is licensed for type 2 diabetes and for weight management in adults.2,3,4

A licence lists the uses the MHRA, the UK medicines regulator, has checked. Ozempic’s covers adults with type 2 diabetes not controlled by diet and exercise.3 The MHRA says it has not assessed these medicines outside their licensed uses.4

Mounjaro’s UK licence covers type 2 diabetes from age 10. It also covers weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure.2 For Ozempic and weight, see Can I get Ozempic for weight loss in the UK?

What did the head-to-head trial find?

In SURPASS-2, people with type 2 diabetes lost more weight and had bigger falls in blood sugar on Mounjaro than on Ozempic 1 mg.1,2

How this trial worked:

  • 1,879 adults with type 2 diabetes, all already on metformin, were put into groups at random.1,2
  • One group got Ozempic 1 mg; three got Mounjaro 5, 10 or 15 mg, every week for 40 weeks.1
  • It was open-label: people knew which medicine they had. Lilly, which makes Mounjaro, paid for it.1

HbA1c is a blood test of average blood sugar over about 3 months. It fell by 2.09 to 2.46 percentage points on Mounjaro, against 1.86 on Ozempic.2 Weight fell by 7.8 kg, 10.3 kg and 12.4 kg on Mounjaro 5, 10 and 15 mg, against 6.2 kg on Ozempic.2

Put another way, 36 to 65 in 100 people on Mounjaro lost at least 10% of their weight, against 25 in 100 on Ozempic.2 These are averages. Ozempic was tested at 1 mg, not its 2 mg top dose.1,3

How do the side effects compare?

Stomach side effects were about as common on both in SURPASS-2; serious adverse events were reported in 5 to 7 in 100 on Mounjaro and 3 in 100 on Ozempic.1

Out of every 100 people in each group of SURPASS-2:1

  • Felt sick (nausea): 17 to 22 on Mounjaro, against 18 on Ozempic.
  • Had diarrhoea: 13 to 16 on Mounjaro, against 12 on Ozempic.
  • Vomited: 6 to 10 on Mounjaro, against 8 on Ozempic.
  • Had a serious adverse event (a serious medical problem during the trial, of any cause): 5 to 7 on Mounjaro, against 3 on Ozempic.

Two practical differences come from the MHRA. Mounjaro can make the contraceptive pill less reliable, so it advises adding a barrier method for 4 weeks after starting and after each dose rise.4 Before a planned pregnancy it advises stopping semaglutide at least 2 months ahead, and tirzepatide 1 month.4

RisksThe risks, in brief
  • Stomach effects. Feeling sick and diarrhoea are very common (more than 1 in 10) on both UK labels. In the trials they were mostly mild or moderate.2,3
  • Gallstones are common (1 in 10 to 1 in 100) on both UK labels.2,3
  • Pancreatitis (an inflamed pancreas) is uncommon (1 in 100 to 1 in 1,000) on both. The MHRA’s warning sign is severe, persistent stomach pain that may spread to the back.2,3,13
  • Low blood sugar (hypos) is more likely when either is taken with insulin or a sulfonylurea.2,3
  • Surgery and pregnancy. Tell the team before any anaesthetic. Stop semaglutide at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy, tirzepatide 1 month.4
Full detail in our side effects guide →
Get help now: call 999 or go to A&E for severe stomach pain that won’t go away, with or without vomiting. It can be pancreatitis.13 Not sure? Use NHS 111.14 Northern Ireland has no 111: use your GP’s out-of-hours service.15
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What does each cost, and what does the NHS cover?

On an NHS prescription you pay £9.90 an item in England, or nothing if exempt or in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; list prices differ by brand and dose.9,8,10,11,12

The October 2026 Drug Tariff lists a Mounjaro pen at £133 to £330, depending on strength. It lists Ozempic at £73.25 up to 1 mg and £146.50 at 2 mg.7 Each pen covers 4 weekly doses.2,3

In England, people whose diabetes is treated with medicine can get a medical exemption certificate, so their prescriptions are free.8 For weight, NICE backs Mounjaro from a BMI of 35 with a weight-related condition. England is rolling this out to priority groups first.6 See Mounjaro on the NHS.

For type 2 diabetes, NICE says to offer Ozempic up to 1 mg to adults who develop heart or artery disease after starting treatment.5 For adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity, it says to consider adding “a GLP-1 receptor agonist or tirzepatide”.5 Full list prices are in our cost post.

Which one? What does a prescriber weigh?

Your prescriber weighs what the medicine is for, your blood sugar and weight goals, your other medicines and conditions, and what your NHS area offers.

  • The reason for treatment. For weight alone, Ozempic is outside its UK licence; Mounjaro is licensed.2,4
  • Heart disease. NICE names Ozempic up to 1 mg for people with type 2 diabetes who develop heart or artery disease.5
  • Other medicines. Insulin or a sulfonylurea may need a lower dose, and the pill interaction applies to Mounjaro.2,3,4
  • Past pancreatitis. Neither has been studied in people who have had it.2,3

Write your questions down before the appointment. Our guide to getting a prescription in the UK lists what to bring.

Questions people ask

Is Mounjaro the same as Ozempic?

No. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, made by Eli Lilly. Ozempic contains semaglutide, made by Novo Nordisk. Both are weekly injections.2,3

Can Ozempic be prescribed for weight loss in the UK?

Not as a licensed use. The MHRA lists Ozempic as licensed for diabetes, not weight loss. Wegovy is the semaglutide brand licensed for weight.4

Does Mounjaro lower blood sugar more than Ozempic?

In SURPASS-2, HbA1c fell by 2.09 to 2.46 percentage points on Mounjaro, against 1.86 on Ozempic 1 mg, over 40 weeks. Lilly funded the trial.1,2

Which has more side effects, Mounjaro or Ozempic?

In SURPASS-2, 17 to 22 in 100 felt sick on Mounjaro, against 18 in 100 on Ozempic. Serious adverse events were reported in 5 to 7 in 100, against 3 in 100.1

Can I switch from Ozempic to Mounjaro?

The MHRA says to consult a healthcare professional before switching from one GLP-1 medicine to another.4

How we researched this

On 14 October 2026 we read the UK labels (SmPCs) for Mounjaro and Ozempic, the SURPASS-2 paper, MHRA guidance, NICE NG28 and TA1026, and the October 2026 Drug Tariff.

Trial figures name the trial, dose and length. Figures for people without diabetes come from separate trials and are not compared here. We don’t rank the medicines.

Before you move on

  • Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes only.
  • Compare the head-to-head trial, not separate trials.
  • Check the pill interaction if you use one.
  • Note the pregnancy gap: 2 months for semaglutide, 1 month for tirzepatide.
  • Bring your full medicine list, including insulin or a sulfonylurea.
Doctor questionsType 2 diabetesSide effects and risks

More from the UK blog

UKUnited KingdomOzempic for type 2 diabetes on the NHS: where does it fit now?UKUnited KingdomWegovy vs Mounjaro in the UK: how do they compare?UKUnited KingdomWhat are the side effects of Mounjaro, and how do you report them?
About GLP Guidebook

The monthly UK update

An independent guide to GLP‑1 medicines. We don’t sell medicines, take drug-company money, earn commissions or link to any provider. Once a month: NHS changes, approvals, list prices and safety alerts. How we write

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Sources

  1. Frías JP et al. Tirzepatide versus semaglutide once weekly in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-2). N Engl J Med 2021;385:503–515. Open-label, 40 weeks, 1,879 people. Funded by Eli Lilly. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2107519. PMID 34170647. PubMed
  2. Eli Lilly. Mounjaro KwikPen: UK summary of product characteristics (SmPC), electronic Medicines Compendium. Date of revision 29 August 2026. Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.8 (Table 1), 5.1 (mechanism; SURPASS-2, Table 3; SURMOUNT-1) and 6.5. UK label. medicines.org.uk (emc)
  3. Novo Nordisk. Ozempic solution for injection in pre-filled pen: UK summary of product characteristics (SmPC), electronic Medicines Compendium. Date of revision 07/2026. Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.8 (Table 1), 5.1 and 6.5. UK label. medicines.org.uk (emc)
  4. MHRA. GLP-1 medicines for weight loss and diabetes: what you need to know. Guidance, updated 5 February 2026. gov.uk
  5. NICE. Type 2 diabetes in adults: management (NG28), chapter “Further medication”, recommendations 1.27.1 and 1.29.2 and the note on which GLP-1 medicines are included. Last updated 18 February 2026. nice.org.uk
  6. NICE. Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity, technology appraisal TA1026, recommendations 1.1 and 1.2. nice.org.uk
  7. NHS Business Services Authority. Drug Tariff, Part VIIIA, October 2026 (basic prices excluding VAT): tirzepatide pens £133.00 (2.5 mg), £180.00 (5 mg), £255.00 (7.5 and 10 mg), £330.00 (12.5 and 15 mg); semaglutide 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg pens £73.25; 2 mg pen £146.50. nhsbsa.nhs.uk
  8. NHS Business Services Authority. Medical exemption certificates: cover “diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone”. nhsbsa.nhs.uk
  9. NHS Business Services Authority. NHS prescription prepayment certificate (PPC): “The prescription charge in England is £9.90.” nhsbsa.nhs.uk
  10. Citizens Advice Scotland. Help with health costs: “Prescriptions in Scotland are free.” citizensadvice.org.uk
  11. Welsh Government. Free prescriptions: “If you are registered with a GP in Wales you are entitled to free prescriptions from a pharmacist in Wales.” gov.wales
  12. nidirect (Northern Ireland). Help with health costs: “All prescriptions dispensed in Northern Ireland are free of charge for everyone.” nidirect.gov.uk
  13. MHRA. MHRA updates guidance for GLP-1 prescribers and patients (acute pancreatitis). Press release, 29 January 2026. gov.uk
  14. NHS. When to call 999, and NHS 111 if you’re not sure. nhs.uk
  15. nidirect (Northern Ireland). GP out of hours service. nidirect.gov.uk
  16. MHRA. First GLP-1 tablet for weight loss approved in the UK. Press release, 11 June 2026 (“As with all GLP-1 receptor agonists, this is a prescription-only medication”). gov.uk

Last checked 14 Oct 2026 · Next review due 14 Apr 2027 · Report an error

How this page was made. Written by the GLP Guidebook team from the sources above. It’s general information, not medical advice. Talk to your GP, pharmacist or prescriber before starting, stopping or changing any medicine. We don’t sell, prescribe or recommend any brand or provider. How we write