glp1versus

Bydureon BCise vs Mounjaro

exenatide extended-release (GLP-1 receptor agonist) vs tirzepatide (Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist) — a complete side-by-side comparison.

AstraZenecaEli Lilly

Bydureon BCise weight loss

2.3%

Mounjaro weight loss

22.5%

Bydureon BCise dosing

Once weekly

Mounjaro dosing

Once weekly

Reviewed by Dr. Elena Vance, DOLast reviewed 13 sources cited

Quick Summary

Bydureon BCise (exenatide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are both incretin-based therapies. In clinical trials, Mounjaro showed greater weight loss (22.5% vs 2.3%).

See the comparison table below for detailed side-by-side data.

Bydureon BCise vs Mounjaro: Full Comparison

FeatureBydureon BCise(exenatide extended-release)Mounjaro(tirzepatide)
Active Ingredientexenatidetirzepatide
Drug ClassGLP-1 receptor agonistDual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist
ManufacturerAstraZenecaEli Lilly
FDA Approved2012-01-272022-05-13
Approved Indications
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus (adjunct to diet and exercise)
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus (adjunct to diet and exercise)
Routesubcutaneous injectionsubcutaneous injection
FrequencyOnce weeklyOnce weekly
Starting Dose2 mg weekly2.5 mg weekly
Maintenance Dose2 mg weekly5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg weekly
Max Dose2 mg weekly15 mg weekly
Weight Loss (%)2.3%22.5%
A1C Reduction1.3%2.4%
Key TrialDURATION-1 (30 weeks)SURMOUNT-1 (72 weeks)
List Price$800-$950/month$1,023-$1,176/month
With Insurance$25-$100/month (varies by plan)$25-$150/month (varies by plan)
Savings CardLimited savings programs available$25/month (Lilly savings card, commercially insured)

Side Effects: Bydureon BCise vs Mounjaro

Side EffectBydureon BCiseMounjaro
Nausea11%12-18%
Diarrhea9%12-17%
Injection site nodule10-17%Not reported
Headache8%Not reported
Vomiting4%5-9%
Constipation6%6-7%
Pancreatitis (rare)<1%<0.5%
Decreased appetiteNot reported5-11%
DyspepsiaNot reported5-8%
Abdominal painNot reported5-6%
Injection site reactionNot reported3-5%

Severity scale: 1 (mild) to 5 (serious). Based on FDA prescribing information and clinical trial data.

Related Comparisons

Bydureon BCise vs OzempicMounjaro vs OzempicBydureon BCise vs WegovyMounjaro vs WegovyBydureon BCise vs ZepboundMounjaro vs ZepboundBydureon BCise vs RybelsusMounjaro vs Rybelsus

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & References

FDA & Regulatory

  1. Bydureon BCise FDA Drugs@FDA approval record — FDA
  2. Mounjaro FDA Drugs@FDA approval record — FDA

Clinical Trial Records

  1. DURATION-1 clinical trial record — ClinicalTrials.gov
  2. SURMOUNT-1 clinical trial record — ClinicalTrials.gov

Peer-Reviewed Literature

  1. Drucker DJ et al. Exenatide once weekly versus twice daily for treatment of type 2 diabetes (DURATION-1). Lancet 2008;372:1240-1250 — The Lancet
  2. Jastreboff AM et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-1). N Engl J Med 2022;387:205-216 — New England Journal of Medicine
  3. Rosenstock J et al. Efficacy and safety of a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide in people with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-1). Lancet 2021;398:143-155 — The Lancet

Manufacturer Information

  1. Bydureon BCise patient website (AstraZeneca) — AstraZeneca
  2. Mounjaro patient and healthcare provider website — Eli Lilly
  3. Lilly press release: Zepbound superior weight loss over Wegovy in SURMOUNT-5 (May 11, 2025) — Eli Lilly Investor Relations

Professional Guidelines

  1. ADA Standards of Care in Diabetes (pharmacologic therapy section) — American Diabetes Association

Reference Entries

  1. Exenatide entry on Wikipedia — Wikipedia
  2. Tirzepatide entry on Wikipedia — Wikipedia

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions. See our full medical disclaimer.