Can you switch between Ozempic and Mounjaro?
Yes, you can switch between Ozempic and Mounjaro under the supervision of a healthcare provider. The best way to transition depends on factors such as your current dosage, reason for switching, and how long you have been on the medication. Your healthcare provider will help determine the safest approach based on your individual needs.
What Are Ozempic and Mounjaro?
Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are once-weekly injectable medications approved by the FDA to manage type 2 diabetes alongside diet and exercise. Additionally, Ozempic is approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease and prevent worsening of kidney disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Both medications are also prescribed off-label for weight loss.
- Ozempic: A GLP-1 receptor agonist that lowers blood sugar by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which stimulates insulin production, reduces sugar release into the blood, and slows digestion.
- Mounjaro: A dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist that works similarly to Ozempic but also mimics glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) for additional blood sugar regulation.
Why Switch Between Ozempic and Mounjaro?
A common reason to switch from Ozempic to Mounjaro, or Mounjaro to Ozempic, is side effects. With both medications, you may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, stomach pain, and constipation. If you are having side effects to one of these medications, you may tolerate the other better.
Other reasons to consider switching between them include:
- Development of heart disease (Ozempic is approved to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease)
- Development of chronic kidney disease, or CKD (Ozempic is approved to reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes and CKD
- Desire for more weight loss
- Insurance coverage or cost
- Availability
- Blood sugar goals not being met
- Allergic reaction
How to Switch from Mounjaro to Ozempic
If you are switching from Mounjaro to Ozempic because of side effects (e.g., nausea, diarrhea), your healthcare provider advise waiting until symptoms improve before starting Ozempic. Since Mounjaro remains in the body for about 25 days, it may take time for side effects to resolve. Once you are no longer experiencing side effects, they may start Ozempic at a low dose and slowly raise your dose while monitoring you for side effects.
If you are not having side effects, your healthcare provider might recommend starting Ozempic one week after your last dose of Mounjaro (on the same day of the week). If you were taking the maximum recommended dose of Mounjaro, experts suggest starting at 0.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks and then increasing to 1 mg once weekly if needed. Your healthcare provider will work together with you to find the best starting and maintenance doses depending on your response and side effects.
Timing guide: Mounjaro to Ozempic
| Time passed since last Mounjaro dose | When to start Ozempic |
| 1 day | In 6 days |
| 2 days | In 5 days |
| 3 days | In 4 days |
| 4 days | In 3 days |
| 5 days | In 2 days |
| 6 days | In 1 day |
| 7 days or more | Today |
How to Switch from Ozempic to Mounjaro
Because Ozempic can last for around 5 weeks in your system, your healthcare provider might wait until this time to start Mounjaro if you were having side effects from Ozempic. They will likely recommend starting Mounjaro at a low dose and slowly increasing it as tolerated. If you were not having side effects or they were mild, they might consider starting Mounjaro soon after stopping Ozempic.
One approach when switching from Ozempic to Mounjaro is to start Mounjaro 1 week after your last Ozempic dose, on the same day of the week. Your healthcare provider might consider this if you are not currently experiencing side effects from Ozempic. If you are currently taking the maximum recommended dose of Ozempic, your healthcare provider might still consider starting you on an equivalent or lower dose of Mounjaro and slowly increasing it as tolerated.
Related questions
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Timing Guide: Ozempic to Mounjaro
| Time passed since last Ozempic dose | When to start Mounjaro |
| 1 day | In 6 days |
| 2 days | In 5 days |
| 3 days | In 4 days |
| 4 days | In 3 days |
| 5 days | In 2 days |
| 6 days | In 1 day |
| 7 days or more | Today |
Is There a Conversion Chart for Ozempic and Mounjaro?
There is no official dose equivalence between the two medications, as they have different mechanisms and dosing structures. However, a 2023 Clinical Diabetes publication provided a comparative dosing guide based on blood sugar effects.
Comparative dose chart for Ozempic and Mounjaro
| Ozempic | 0.25 mg | 0.5 mg | 1 mg | 2 mg | - | - | - | - |
| Mounjaro | - | 2.5 mg | - | 5 mg | 7.5 mg | 10 mg | 12.5 mg | 15 mg |
Your healthcare provider will consider what dose you are currently taking and whether or not you are having side effects when deciding which dose to switch you to. The charts below are not conversion charts, but offer a guide on the typical dosing for Mounjaro and Ozempic.
Mounjaro to Ozempic
| Mounjaro | Ozempic | |
| Starting dosage | 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks | 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks |
| Maintenance dosage | 5 mg to 12.5 mg once weekly | 0.5 mg to 1 mg once weekly |
| Maximum dosage | 15 mg once weekly | 2 mg once weekly |
Ozempic to Mounjaro
| Ozempic | Mounjaro | |
| Starting dosage | 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks | 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks |
| Maintenance dosage | 0.5 mg to 1 mg once weekly | 5 mg to 12.5 mg once weekly |
| Maximum dosage | 2 mg once weekly | 15 mg once weekly |
Before switching medications, always consult with your healthcare provider to determine the best transition plan based on your medical history, current dosage, and health goals.
This is not all the information you need to know about Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
Almandoz, J. P., et. al. 2020. Switching Between Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists: Rationale and Practical Guidance. In: Clinical Diabetes. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2337/cd19-0100
Jain, A. B., et. al. 2020. Switching between GLP‐1 receptor agonists in clinical practice: Expert consensus and practical guidance. In: International Journal of Clinical Practice. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.13731
Mounjaro [package insert]. Updated November 2024. Eli Lilly and Company. Accessed 11/25/2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d2d7da5d-ad07-4228-955f-cf7e355c8cc0
Ozempic [package insert]. Updated November 2024. Novo Nordisk. Accessed 11/25/2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=adec4fd2-6858-4c99-91d4-531f5f2a2d79
Whitley, H. P., et. al. 2023. Special Report: Potential Strategies for Addressing GLP-1 and Dual GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonist Shortages. In: Clinical Diabetes. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2337/cd23-0023
Read next
Why am I not losing weight on Mounjaro?
It takes time, about 8 to 12 weeks to see a 6% to 8% weight loss in adults using Mounjaro. Other reasons include the need to follow a reduced calorie diet and exercise program, your dose may need to be increased, or side effects may affect your treatment. Continue reading
How do Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Zepbound compare for weight loss?
Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Zepbound can all lead to long-term weight loss, but only Wegovy and Zepbound are approved by the FDA for this use. In studies, Zepbound has led to a 21% weight loss in adults using the highest dose, while Wegovy has led to about a 15% weight loss. Continue reading
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There’s no evidence that hair loss is a direct side effect of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound. Hair loss is more likely due to the stress of rapid weight loss on your body, which can lead to temporary shedding of hair over several months, a condition known as telogen effluvium. Continue reading
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