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
Victoza
Mounjaro vs. Victoza Dosage
Mounjaro
Victoza
| 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 |
| 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
| 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
| 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
Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore
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