Mounjaro vs Zepbound: Which GLP-1 Medication Makes More Sense For Weight Loss in 2025?

Mounjaro vs Zepbound: Which GLP-1 Medication Makes More Sense for Weight Loss in 2025?

Why these two drugs matter

Both Mounjaro and Zepbound contain the same active ingredient—tirzepatide—but they're approved for different reasons. As of 2025, patients and providers are weighing which option makes more sense for weight loss, especially when cost and insurance coverage vary so much.

 

FDA approvals: the key difference
 

• Mounjaro: Approved for type 2 diabetes management. It improves blood sugar and, in trials, also showed strong weight-loss effects. However, it is not officially approved for weight loss.
   

• Zepbound: Approved in late 2023 for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight plus a related condition. In 2024, it also received an FDA nod to treat obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.
   

If your primary goal is weight loss, Zepbound is the labeled option, while Mounjaro is sometimes prescribed “off-label.”
 

Effectiveness: how much weight can you lose?
 

In the SURMOUNT-1 clinical trial, tirzepatide led to average weight loss of around 20% of body weight at 72 weeks at higher doses. That result applies to both Mounjaro and Zepbound, since they share the same active ingredient and dosing ranges.
 

The difference comes down to what your doctor prescribes it for and how your insurance views each drug.
 

Cost without insurance in 2025
 

• Mounjaro: Around $1,000–$1,100 per month list price. Cash-pay options through some telehealth providers may lower costs, but savings programs are usually targeted at diabetes patients.
   

• Zepbound: Similar list price, but Eli Lilly introduced a self-pay vial program in 2024 with pricing as low as $499 per month depending on dose. Some telehealth bundles (including visits) range $600–$800.
   

Insurance coverage in 2025
 

• Mounjaro: Typically covered only for patients with type 2 diabetes. If you’re seeking it for weight loss alone, coverage is unlikely.
   

• Zepbound: Coverage varies, but more insurers are starting to include anti-obesity medications as of 2025. Coverage is still spotty, but it’s more plausible than with Mounjaro.
   

Side effects and safety

Both drugs share the same safety profile:
 

• Nausea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal discomfort are the most common.
   

• Boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents; contraindicated for patients with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN2.
   

• Rare risks: pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, dehydration-related kidney injury.
   

Accessibility and supply
 

Supply constraints have eased compared to 2023, but availability can still vary by dose. Zepbound’s newer vial format has helped improve access and give patients more options.
 

ScriptScores: Mounjaro vs. Zepbound (2025)
 

Mounjaro (for weight loss use)
 

• Cost: 5/10
   

• Effectiveness: 9/10
   

• Accessibility: 6/10 (coverage limited for off-label use)
   

• Tolerability: 6/10
  Overall ScriptScore: 6.5/10
   

Zepbound
 

• Cost: 7/10 (with self-pay program)
   

• Effectiveness: 9/10
   

• Accessibility: 7/10 (approved for weight loss, more insurers starting to cover)
   

• Tolerability: 6/10
  Overall ScriptScore: 7.25/10
   

ScriptScores are editorial and based on current 2025 data. They’re not medical advice but a quick way to compare your options.
 

The bottom line
 

Mounjaro and Zepbound are nearly identical in terms of biology and effectiveness, but Zepbound has the FDA’s weight-loss approval and more pathways to coverage in 2025. Mounjaro is best suited if you have type 2 diabetes and want added weight-loss benefits.