Mounjaro vs Tresiba

Mounjaro and Tresiba are brand names for prescription drugs used in combination with diet and other lifestyle changes to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Here we will explain how they work, their similarities and differences, their side effects, and more. This should provide you with the basics to better understand your options.

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved medication manufactured by Eli Lilly and Co. Mounjaro mimics 2 types of incretin hormones produced by the human body. It is classed as a GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist. GIP decreases food intake and increases energy expenditure which causes weight loss. When taken with a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it may result in greater positive effects on blood glucose and body weight.

Mounjaro is used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes or pancreatitis, or to treat children under 18 years of age.

FDA approval for Mounjaro was based on the SURPASS-2 study, which compared Mounjaro with Ozempic, insulin glargine (long-acting insulin), semaglutide 1 mg, and insulin degludec. Participants who took Mounjaro experienced an average reduction in hemoglobin A1c, and HbA1c (an indicator of blood sugar level). Participants who took a placebo saw an average increase in A1C levels.

Novo Nordisk manufactures a higher-dose weight loss medication version of Ozempic called Wegovy for patients with obesity. It is expected that Lilly may do the same with Mounjaro.

Mounjaro dosage

Mounjaro is available in injection form, in the following doses: 2.5 mg/0.5 mL, 5 mg/0.5 mL, 7.5 mg/0.5 mL, 10 mg/0.5 mL, 12.5 mg/0.5 mL, or 15 mg/0.5 mL single-dose pens.

Mounjaro is injected subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm once weekly, with or without food. If you miss a dose of Mounjaro, take the missed dose as soon as possible within 96 hours after the missed dose. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day.

Use Mounjaro alongside dietary changes and exercise to improve glycemic control. Also, read the full prescribing information and always speak with a healthcare professional about any changes to your dose so they can monitor and evaluate your condition.

What is Tresiba?

Tresiba is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved medication manufactured by Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Tresiba contains insulin degludec, a once-daily, long-acting insulin indicated to improve glycemic control in patients 1 year of age and older with diabetes mellitus. It helps lower high blood sugar by maintaining balanced blood glucose levels. Tresiba may be prescribed to patients with Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes, but it is not recommended for patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Tresiba dosage

Tresiba is available as a 3 mL single-use FlexTouch prefilled pen, 10 mL multiple dose vials, and 3 mL single-use FlexTouch prefilled pens.

Inject Tresiba subcutaneously under your skin in your upper arm, abdomen, or thigh. Rotate injection sites to reduce the risk of lipodystrophy. Administer subcutaneously once daily at any time of day. Your insulin dose may need to change because of a change in the level of physical activity or exercise, increased stress, change in diet, weight gain or loss, or illness. If you miss a dose, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Then continue your regular dosing schedule, allowing at least 8 hours to pass between doses. Do not use two doses at one time.

Refrigerate unopened Tresiba and use until the expiration date, or store at room temperature and use within 8 weeks. Refrigerate or store opened Tresiba at room temperature and use within 8 weeks.

Please read the full prescribing information and always speak with a healthcare professional for medical advice or about any changes to your dose so they can monitor and evaluate your condition.

Common side effects of Mounjaro and Tresiba

The most common side effects of Mounjaro in clinical trials include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Gastrointestinal – diarrhea, decreased appetite, constipation, indigestion, abdominal pain

More serious side effects of Mounjaro include:

• Possible thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer – do not use Mounjaro if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
• Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis) – symptoms include severe pain in your stomach area that will not go away, with or without vomiting
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) – Your risk for low blood sugar may be increased if you use Mounjaro with another diabetes treatment such as a sulfonylurea or insulin
• Serious allergic reactions
• Kidney problems
• Severe stomach problems
• Changes in vision
• Gallbladder problems

The most common side effects of Tresiba in clinical trials include:

• Hypoglycemia
• Allergic reactions
• Injection site reactions
• Lipodystrophy
• Pruritus, rash, edema, and weight gain

More serious side effects of Tresiba include

• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels)
• Signs of low potassium such as muscle cramps, weakness, irregular heartbeat
• Hypoglycemia that may be life-threatening
• Severe life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions
• Hypokalemia (low potassium)
• Fluid retention and heart failure with concomitant use of thiazolidinediones

These aren’t all the side effects Mounjaro or Tresiba can cause. You can find more details in the patient leaflet that comes with your medication. Talk to your physician or pharmacist if you have any concerns about side effects.

Mounjaro and Tresiba drug interactions

Mounjaro can interact with other medications. These include:

• Insulin secretagogue – sulfonylurea or Insulin
• Oral medications
• Orally administered hormonal contraceptives

Tresiba can interact with other medications. These include:

• Drugs that affect glucose metabolism
• Anti-adrenergic drugs such as  beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine
• Other diabetes medications

Mounjaro and Tresiba can interact with other medications. This can change how Mounjaro and Tresiba and other medications work and can make side effects more likely. Tell your prescribing physician about all your drugs, including vitamins and dietary supplements.

Mounjaro and Tresiba contraindications

You should not use Mounjaro if you:

• Are allergic to the active ingredient tirzepatide
• Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Mounjaro

Talk to your doctor before using Mounjaro if you:

• Are taking any of the medications that could interact with Mounjaro
• Have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys
• Have severe problems with your stomach
• Have a history of diabetic retinopathy
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant – If you take oral birth control pills by mouth, you may be recommended another type of birth control for 4 weeks after you start Mounjaro and for 4 weeks after each increase in your dose
• Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if Mounjaro passes into your breast milk

You should not use Tresiba if you:

• Are allergic to the active ingredient insulin degludec
• Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Tresiba Flextouch
• Are having an episode of hypoglycemia
• Drink alcohol or use prescription or over-the-counter medicines that contain alcohol
• Are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant

Talk to your doctor before using Tresiba if you:

• Are taking any of the medications that could interact with Tresiba Flextouch
• Are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
• Are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed

Other drugs for diabetes

• Adlyxin (lixisenatide)
• Novolin N (isophane insulin)
• Novolin R (regular insulin)
• Lantus (insulin glargine)
• Metformin
• Ozempic (semaglutide)
• Rybelsus (semaglutide
• Saxenda (liraglutide)
• Trulicity (dulaglutide)
• Victoza (liraglutide)
• Xultophy (insulin degludec and liraglutide)

If you have any concerns about Mounjaro or Tresiba side effects, talk to your physician, or pharmacist for medical advice. Also inform your healthcare provider about any medical conditions, supplements, and over-the-counter meds you are taking. You are also encouraged to report side effects to the FDA: visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.