Last updated November 2, 2026 · Reviewed by the Gala Health team
Quick comparison
This table is based on the current prescribing information for each product.
| Zepbound® | Mounjaro® | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Tirzepatide |
| Approved uses | Weight reduction and long-term maintenance in adults with obesity or overweight plus a weight-related condition; moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity | Blood sugar control in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes; reducing major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes at high risk |
| Starting dose | 2.5 mg weekly for 4 weeks | 2.5 mg weekly |
| Dose steps | Increase in 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on the current dose | Increase in 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on the current dose, if more blood sugar control is needed |
| Maintenance dose | 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg weekly (10 mg or 15 mg for sleep apnea) | Based on blood sugar control |
| Maximum dose | 15 mg weekly | 15 mg weekly in adults; 10 mg in children |
| Missed dose | Within 4 days (96 hours); after that, skip it | Within 4 days (96 hours); after that, skip it |
Same molecule, different indications
Tirzepatide is a GIP receptor and GLP-1 receptor agonist. Both labels describe the same drug. What differs is the population and goal each was studied and approved for. Mounjaro's labeled uses are type 2 diabetes related and do not include weight management. Zepbound's labeled uses are weight management and obstructive sleep apnea.
The Zepbound label says it should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or with any GLP-1 receptor agonist. That includes Mounjaro, so the two are alternatives for a given patient, not a combination. Which one a patient receives depends on diagnosis and prescriber judgment.
The sleep apnea indication in the Zepbound label rests on two 52-week trials in adults with obesity and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (an apnea-hypopnea index of 15 or more events per hour). In those studies, Zepbound produced a statistically significant reduction in the apnea-hypopnea index compared with placebo, and the maintenance dose for this use is 10 mg or 15 mg weekly.
Dosing and titration
Zepbound starts at 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. The label states that 2.5 mg is for treatment initiation and is not approved as a maintenance dose. After 4 weeks the dose goes to 5 mg, and it can then rise in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose. Weight-management maintenance doses are 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg, and the maximum is 15 mg. If a maintenance dose is not tolerated, the label says to consider a lower one.
Mounjaro also starts at 2.5 mg once weekly, with increases in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose if more blood sugar control is needed. The maximum is 15 mg in adults and 10 mg in children aged 10 and older.
| Dose | Zepbound® | Mounjaro® |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | Weeks 1 to 4 (starting dose) | Starting dose |
| 5 mg | From week 5, a maintenance option | Next step if more control is needed |
| 7.5 mg, 12.5 mg | Intermediate steps on the way up | Intermediate steps on the way up |
| 10 mg, 15 mg | Maintenance options; the only options for sleep apnea | Higher steps, up to the maximum |
See our GLP-1 dosing schedule guide for every label side by side.
Vials and pens
Both labels list the same presentations: prefilled single-dose pens, single-dose vials, multi-dose vials and single-patient-use KwikPens. The multi-dose vials and the KwikPen each contain 4 doses. Single-dose pens and vials come as 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 mg in 0.5 mL.
For vials, each label tells prescribers to instruct patients to use a syringe appropriate for the dose (for example, a 1 mL syringe capable of measuring a 0.5 mL or 0.6 mL dose) and a new syringe and needle for every injection. Both labels say patients should be trained on the specific presentation they receive, and that the KwikPen is not recommended for self-administration by people who are visually impaired. Read our guide on how to inject a GLP-1 medication.
What the Zepbound trial found
Weight-loss evidence belongs to Zepbound. In the Zepbound label's 72-week trial of 2,539 adults with obesity, alongside diet and activity counseling, average weight change was a 15.0% loss with 5 mg, 19.5% with 10 mg and 20.9% with 15 mg, compared with 3.1% for placebo. Individual results vary, and these figures do not describe compounded tirzepatide or any individual's expected result. For comparisons with semaglutide, read semaglutide vs tirzepatide.
Safety
Both labels carry the thyroid C-cell tumor boxed warning seen in rodent studies, and both warn about digestive side effects. See our guide to GLP-1 side effects.
Getting started with Gala
Gala does not offer brand-name Zepbound® or Mounjaro®. Gala offers compounded tirzepatide, along with compounded semaglutide and brand-name Ozempic®. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. The trial results above do not apply to them. Read more about tirzepatide for weight loss and compounded GLP-1 medications.
A licensed provider reviews your online assessment and prescribes only if it is appropriate for you. If prescribed, your medication ships to your home, you can message your care team, and your provider can adjust your dose over time. To begin, start your online GLP-1 assessment or browse the weight loss hub.
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider about what is right for you.
Frequently asked questions
Are Zepbound and Mounjaro the same drug?
Yes, they contain the same active ingredient, tirzepatide, and come from Eli Lilly. They are separate FDA-approved products with different labels. Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for weight management and obstructive sleep apnea.
Is Mounjaro approved for weight loss?
No. Mounjaro's labeled uses are blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes and reducing major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes at high risk. Zepbound is the tirzepatide product approved for chronic weight management.
What are the Zepbound doses?
Zepbound starts at 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks, which is not a maintenance dose. It then increases to 5 mg and can rise in 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on each dose. Weight-management maintenance doses are 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg, and 15 mg is the maximum.
Can I use Zepbound and Mounjaro together?
No. The Zepbound label says it should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or with any GLP-1 receptor agonist. They contain the same drug, so a prescriber chooses one.
Does Gala offer Zepbound or Mounjaro?
No. Gala does not offer brand-name Zepbound or Mounjaro. Gala offers compounded tirzepatide, which is not FDA-approved, after a licensed provider reviews your online assessment and decides it is appropriate for you.
Ready to talk to a provider?
Your answers go to a licensed provider, who decides whether treatment is right for you. Learn more about Weight Loss.
Sources
- Eli Lilly. ZEPBOUND (tirzepatide) prescribing information. FDA-approved label.
- Eli Lilly. MOUNJARO (tirzepatide) prescribing information. FDA-approved label.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk to a licensed provider about your own health.