glp1versus

Mounjaro vs Victoza

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

Eli LillyNovo Nordisk

Mounjaro weight loss

22.5%

Victoza weight loss

3.2%

Mounjaro dosing

Once weekly

Victoza dosing

Once daily

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

Quick Summary

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Victoza (liraglutide) are both incretin-based therapies. In clinical trials, Mounjaro showed greater weight loss (22.5% vs 3.2%).

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

Mounjaro vs Victoza: Full Comparison

FeatureMounjaro(tirzepatide)Victoza(liraglutide)
Active Ingredienttirzepatideliraglutide
Drug ClassDual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonistGLP-1 receptor agonist
ManufacturerEli LillyNovo Nordisk
FDA Approved2022-05-132010-01-25
Approved Indications
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus (adjunct to diet and exercise)
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus (adjunct to diet and exercise)
  • Reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease
  • Type 2 diabetes in patients aged 10+ years
Routesubcutaneous injectionsubcutaneous injection
FrequencyOnce weeklyOnce daily
Starting Dose2.5 mg weekly0.6 mg daily
Maintenance Dose5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg weekly1.2 mg or 1.8 mg daily
Max Dose15 mg weekly1.8 mg daily
Weight Loss (%)22.5%3.2%
A1C Reduction2.4%1.1%
Key TrialSURMOUNT-1 (72 weeks)LEADER (188 weeks)
List Price$1,023-$1,176/month$950-$1,100/month
With Insurance$25-$150/month (varies by plan)$25-$150/month (varies by plan)
Savings Card$25/month (Lilly savings card, commercially insured)$25/month (Novo Nordisk savings card, commercially insured)

Side Effects: Mounjaro vs Victoza

Side EffectMounjaroVictoza
Nausea12-18%28%
Diarrhea12-17%17%
Decreased appetite5-11%9%
Vomiting5-9%11%
Constipation6-7%6%
Dyspepsia5-8%7%
Abdominal pain5-6%Not reported
Injection site reaction3-5%Not reported
Pancreatitis (rare)<0.5%<1%
HeadacheNot reported9%

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

Related Comparisons

Mounjaro vs OzempicVictoza vs OzempicMounjaro vs WegovyVictoza vs WegovyMounjaro vs ZepboundVictoza vs ZepboundMounjaro vs RybelsusVictoza vs Rybelsus

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & References

FDA & Regulatory

  1. Mounjaro FDA Drugs@FDA approval record — FDA
  2. Victoza FDA Drugs@FDA approval record — FDA

Clinical Trial Records

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

Peer-Reviewed Literature

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. Marso SP et al. Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes (LEADER). N Engl J Med 2016;375:311-322 — New England Journal of Medicine

Manufacturer Information

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

Professional Guidelines

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

Reference Entries

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