Mounjaro vs. Victoza

See how Mounjaro and Victoza compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Mounjaro is a once-weekly dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist, while Victoza is a once-daily GLP-1 agonist, both approved for type 2 diabetes in adults and kids 10 and up.

  • Victoza carries an added FDA approval to lower cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which Mounjaro does not currently have.

  • Both carry a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors and share nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and vomiting as their most common side effects.

Mounjaro vs. Victoza Drug Summary

Mounjaro

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist approved to control blood sugar in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It is injected under the skin once a week, with the dose raised gradually over several months. It is also used off-label for weight loss in people without diabetes.

Victoza

Victoza (liraglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist approved to control blood sugar in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It is injected under the skin once a day, with the dose increased over the first few weeks. It also carries an approval to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Mounjaro vs. Victoza Side Effects

Mounjaro

Most common
Nausea (12-18%)
Diarrhea (12-17%)
Decreased appetite (8-11%)
Vomiting (5-9%)

Victoza

Most common
Nausea (5% or more)
Diarrhea (up to 11.7%)
Decreased appetite (5% or more)
Vomiting (5% or more)

Mounjaro vs. Victoza Dosage

Mounjaro

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 2.5 mg once weekly Weeks 1-4
Maximum dose 15 mg once weekly Week 21 onward
Dose changes 5 increases Every 4 weeks

Victoza

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 0.6 mg once daily Week 1
Maximum dose 1.8 mg once daily Week 3 onward
Dose changes 2 increases Every week

Mounjaro vs. Victoza Indications

Mounjaro

Mounjaro is FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It is not approved for type 1 diabetes. Many people also use it off-label for weight loss, though that use is not on the FDA label.

  • Blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes

  • Blood sugar control in pediatric patients 10 years and older

  • Off-label use for weight loss in people without diabetes

  • Not approved for type 1 diabetes

Victoza

Victoza is FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It is not approved for type 1 diabetes. It also carries an approval to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and existing heart disease.

  • Blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes

  • Blood sugar control in pediatric patients 10 years and older

  • Reducing cardiovascular risk in adults with heart disease

  • Not approved for type 1 diabetes

Mounjaro vs. Victoza Pros and Cons

Mounjaro

Mounjaro's dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism has been linked to greater average reductions in blood sugar and weight compared to single-mechanism GLP-1 drugs. Its once-weekly schedule reduces injection frequency, though it is a newer drug with a shorter real-world track record.

Pros

  • Once-weekly injection instead of daily

  • Dual GIP/GLP-1 action may produce greater blood sugar and weight reduction

  • Same active ingredient available as Zepbound for weight management

Cons

  • No FDA approval for cardiovascular risk reduction

  • Less long-term real-world safety data since it launched in 2022

  • More titration steps before reaching a stable dose

Victoza

Victoza has over a decade of clinical use and an added approval for reducing cardiovascular events, which some patients with heart disease may value. Its daily injection schedule is less convenient than a once-weekly option, and its single-mechanism action may produce less weight loss on average.

Pros

  • Over a decade of real-world use and safety data

  • FDA-approved to reduce major cardiovascular events

  • Faster titration schedule reaching full dose in 3 weeks

Cons

  • Requires a daily injection instead of weekly

  • Single GLP-1 mechanism may mean less average weight loss

  • No off-label weight-loss brand equivalent like Zepbound

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