Can’t Fill Your Mounjaro Prescription? Consider These 8 Mounjaro Alternatives

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There are a lot of issues that can happen at the pharmacy that can stop you from filling your prescription. Drug shortages and unexpected prescription costs are two that can be particularly frustrating. If you've been prescribed Mounjaro (tirzepatide), you may have run into one or both of these scenarios.

Mounjaro is an injectable medication that's FDA approved to lower blood glucose (sugar) levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. But it's also sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss because it can cause significant reductions in body weight.

If you're unable to get your prescription filled, it can leave you scrambling to find an alternative. With Mounjaro, this can be a bit tricky, since it's the only medication in its class when it comes to diabetes. But that doesn't mean you're completely out of options.

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Mounjaro alternatives for Type 2 diabetes

Mounjaro is a once-weekly injectable diabetes medication. It works by mimicking two gut hormones: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).

Mounjaro can help lower your hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C or A1C), or your average blood glucose over the past 3 months. It can be used by itself or in combination with other diabetes medications, such as metformin. And it carries a low risk for low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).

Below, we'll review five Mounjaro alternatives for Type 2 diabetes that have similar qualities.

1. Ozempic

Ozempic (semaglutide) is also a once-weekly injectable diabetes medication. It belongs to a group of medications called GLP-1 agonists. It also provides significant weight loss for many people who receive it.

One of the main differences between Mounjaro and Ozempic is how they work. While Mounjaro acts like GLP-1 and GIP, Ozempic only mimics GLP-1. For some people, this could mean less A1C reduction.

But Ozempic has some added, proven benefits compared to Mounjaro. Ozempic is also approved to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes in certain people. While Mounjaro is being studied for these heart-related benefits, they haven't been confirmed yet. So depending on your potential cardiovascular risk factors, Ozempic could be a better choice for you.

How to save: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $25 for Ozempic using a copay savings card. If you're uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Ozempic's patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.

Ozempic or Mounjaro? Test your knowledge!

2. Rybelsus

Rybelsus (semaglutide) is an oral tablet that contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic. But instead of a once-weekly dose, you need to take Rybelsus once a day. However, it can be an attractive alternative to Mounjaro if you don't like giving yourself injections.

Rybelsus is also a GLP-1 agonist. It's effective for lowering A1C, and it seems to provide weight loss benefits, too. Similar to Mounjaro, Rybelsus isn't FDA approved to lower the risk of heart attack or stroke. But studies suggest that it's safe to take if you have heart disease.

How to save: If you're eligible, you could pay as little as $10 for your Rybelsus prescription with a copay savings card from the manufacturer. A patient assistance program is also available.

3. Trulicity

Trulicity (dulaglutide) is also a once-weekly injectable GLP-1 agonist. It works similarly to Ozempic and Rybelsus to help lower A1C. And some people using it may experience weight loss.

Similar to Ozempic, Trulicity has proven cardiovascular benefits. Trulicity is also FDA approved for Type 2 diabetes both adults and children as young as 10 years old. Mounjaro is being studied for children with Type 2 diabetes. But results of that study won't be available until early 2025.

Trulicity pens look similar to Mounjaro pens. In fact, you prepare and inject your dose in the same way. Switching to Trulicity may be easier to adjust to than with other Mounjaro alternatives, since you'll already be familiar with the injection process.

How to save: With a manufacturer copay savings card, you could pay as little as $25 for your Trulicity prescription.

4. Victoza

Victoza (liraglutide) is another injectable GLP-1 agonist. But instead of injecting it once a week, you have to inject it once a day. This is because the medication doesn't last in the body as long as Mounjaro or the injectable alternatives listed above.

Unlike Mounjaro, Victoza has proven heart protection benefits. It's also approved for use in people ages 10 years and older. And Victoza may lead to weight loss for some people, although weight loss would likely be less than with Mounjaro.

How to save: If you're uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to get Victoza free of charge through the manufacturer's patient assistance program.

5. Byetta, Bydureon BCise

Byetta (exenatide) was the first GLP-1 agonist to receive FDA approval. It needs to be injected twice a day, no more than an hour before meals. While this can seem less convenient, it may be helpful if your blood glucose tends to spike after eating.

Bydureon BCise (exenatide) is a longer-lasting version of Byetta. It only needs to be injected once a week, similar to many other Mounjaro alternatives. Bydureon BCise is also FDA approved for adults and children ages 10 years and older. Byetta is only approved for adults.

Neither Byetta nor Bydureon BCise have the same cardiovascular benefits as many other Mounjaro alternatives. But they can both lead to weight loss for many people.

How to save: If you have commercial insurance, you may be able to get Byetta for as low as $25 and Bydureon BCise for as low as $0. A patient assistance program is available for Bydureon BCise.

Mounjaro alternatives for weight loss

Mounjaro isn't approved for weight loss. But healthcare professionals may prescribe it off-label for this reason. There are three Mounjaro alternatives currently available for weight loss.

1. Zepbound

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is the most similar Mounjaro alternative. That's because it contains the same active ingredient: tirzepatide. It's also injected once a week and is made by the same manufacturer as Mounjaro.

Zepbound pens look almost the same as Mounjaro pens. Zepbound is FDA approved for chronic weight management in adults who meet certain body mass index (BMI) criteria.

Mounjaro was often prescribed off-label for weight loss in anticipation of Zepbound's approval. Now that Zepbound has been approved, this off-label prescribing may decline.

How to save: If you have commercial insurance, you may be able to get Zepbound for as low as $25 for up to a 3-month supply with a copay savings card from the manufacturer.

2. Wegovy

Wegovy (semaglutide) contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic - but at a slightly higher dose. Similar to Mounjaro, Wegovy is injected once a week. Wegovy is approved for both adults and adolescents as young as 12 years old who meet certain BMI requirements.

Both Mounjaro and Wegovy can help people lose a significant amount of body weight. However, preprint studies suggest that Mounjaro likely causes more weight loss on average. But on the other hand, Wegovy has proven cardiovascular benefits. As mentioned earlier, Mounjaro is still being studied for heart-related outcomes.

How to save: If you're eligible, you could pay as little as $0 for your Wegovy prescription with a manufacturer copay savings card.

3. Saxenda

Saxenda (liraglutide) is a higher-dose version of Victoza. Saxenda is injected once a day - much more frequently than Mounjaro. But Saxenda is approved for weight loss for people ages 12 years and older who meet certain BMI requirements.

You may experience less weight loss with Saxenda than with Mounjaro. Keep in mind that they haven't been directly compared in clinical trials for chronic weight management. But we know Wegovy typically leads to more weight loss than Saxenda. And as mentioned above, people receiving Mounjaro seem to lose more weight than people receiving Wegovy.

How to save: GoodRx can help you save up to 20% off the average retail cost of Saxenda with a free coupon.

How do you switch from Mounjaro to an alternative?

There are no standard instructions for switching to a Mounjaro alternative. You should work with your prescriber to determine the best way for you to switch between products. You may have to start with a lower dose of the medication you're switching to and slowly raise it. This would be a similar process to when you first start receiving Mounjaro.

If you're switching from Mounjaro to Zepbound, you may be able to maintain your current dosage. Because they contain the same active ingredient, your body should react to both medications similarly. Zepbound pens are available in the same doses as Mounjaro pens.

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