After Mounjaro, Ozempic has been green-lighted for treating type 2 diabetes in Indian adults. Apart from benefits for people with type 2 diabetes, the drugs are also found to be effective in weight loss in obese individuals. Ozempic’s launch date is yet to be announced, but it will happen soon. With multiple weight loss drugs available in the market, which one should people choose? While Ozempic enjoys more popularity worldwide, studies have found Mounjaro more effective for weight loss.
How do Ozempic and Mounjaro work?
The weekly jabs suppress your appetite and make you feel full, which helps curb unwanted hunger pangs. It helps the body to produce more insulin when needed and also reduces the amount of glucose, or sugar, produced by the liver, and slows down how quickly food is digested.
The timeline of GLP-1 medications in India
On September 26, Danish pharma multinational Novo Nordisk got the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)’s approval to sell Ozempic (Semaglutide) in India. Earlier this year in June, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) received approval from the Indian drug regulator.
Novo Nordisk earlier launched Wegovy for the treatment of chronic weight management in adults who are obese or overweight with at least one weight-related health condition in June 2025 for chronic weight management. The once-weekly injection has semaglutide as its main ingredient.
Liraglutide, marketed as Victoza, has been available since January 2024 in India.
How similar and different are Ozempic and Mounjaro
Both are weekly medications that can be injected subcutaneously to control blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes and also aid weight loss in obese people, according to US FDA. Both GLP-1 medications can reduce risk of heart attack and stroke.
Mounjaro is the first drug of its kind that works on two hormone pathways at once – GIP and GLP-1 – to help regulate blood sugar and appetite. In comparison, Ozempic targets only the GLP-1 pathway.
Ozempic vs Mounjaro: Which is better?
According to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, Mounjaro is more effective than Ozempic for blood sugar control and weight loss. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine Medican Journal found that people taking tirzepatide (Mounjaro) injections lost more weight and were more likely to reach specific weight loss targets compared to those taking semaglutide (Ozempic), according to a new study.
Which is better for Indians?
“Mounjaro is slightly better than Ozempic when weight loss potential is considered as it has dual mode of action, both as GLP1RA and as GIP,” Dr Anurag Aggarwal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad told Financial Express.com.
Dr. Praveen Ramachandra, an Endocrinologist, says Indian patients who are dealing with diabetes from a very young may find Mounjaro more effective to manage their blood sugars due to stronger metabolic effect of the medication.
“In India the choice between the Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is entirely guided by a balance of efficacy, safety, and affordability. Both are injectable on weekly basis for the type 2 diabetes with proven weigh loss benefits but Mounjaro a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist has shown the superior outcomes on global basis achieving greater reduction in HbA1c and weight loss as compared to Ozempic. For Indian patients who get affected by the diabetes at a very young age and lower BMI, this stronger metabolic effect can be very valuable in tackling the obesity and insulin resistance,” Dr. Praveen Ramachandra, Consultant – Endocrinology & Human Metabolism, SPARSH Hospital, Yelahanka, Bangalore told Financial Express.com.
Who should take Ozempic?
While Mounjaro is found to be more effective in diabetes and weight management semaglutide or Ozempic seems to fare better as far as heart health is concerned, particularly in patients with Type 2 diabetes
A study published in New England Journal of Medicine, semaglutide was shown to reduce cardiovascular issues and deaths in obese patients even without diabetes. According to SELECT trial, semaglutide reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events by 20% versus placebo.
Side effects
Ozempic and Mounjaro may have a proven efficacy in balancing blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes patient and weight loss in obese people, but many users complain of adverse effects. Ranging from mild to severe, the side effects of the GLP-1 medication, must be considered before using them.
“Both drugs carry some common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and delayed gastric emptying which may be more pronounced in Indian population due to high-spice, high-fibre diets,” says Dr Ramachandra.
“Bloating is one of the most common side effect of the medication. In some cases, it can lead to pancreatitis, gallbladder stone, kidney failure and even thyroid tumors. That’s why strict medical supervision is a must,” says Dr Aggarwal.
Mounjaro cost in India
Mounjaro typically costs around Rs 14,000 to Rs 17,500 per month in India for the standard 2.5 mg and 5 mg vials, with each weekly injection costing approximately Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,375.
It is important to note that Ozempic and Mounjaro should be started strictly on advice of your health professional as they may cause unwanted side effects in some people.
Disclaimer: Always consult a doctor before starting any diet or fitness routine. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.