We Finally Got an Ozempic vs. Mounjaro Study

It’s not quite a randomized trial, but the results are good news for the underdog.

It’s July, which means my hospital is filled with new interns, residents and fellows all eager to be embarking on a new stage of their career. It’s an exciting time — a bit of a scary time — but it’s also the time when the medical strategies I’ve been taking for granted get called into question. At this point in the year, I tend to get a lot of “why” questions. Why did you order that test? Why did you suspect that diagnosis? Why did you choose that medication?

Meds are the hardest, I find. Sure, I can explain that I prescribed a GLP-1 receptor agonist because the patient had diabetes and was overweight, and multiple studies show that this class of drug leads to weight loss and reduced mortality risk. But then I get the follow-up. Sure, but why THAT GLP-1 drug? Why do I pick semaglutide (Ozempic) over tirzepatide (Mounjaro)? Here’s where I run out of good answers. Sometimes I’m choosing a drug because that’s what the patient’s insurance has on their formulary. Sometimes it’s because it’s cheaper in general. Sometimes, it’s just force of habit. I know the dose, I have experience with the side effects — it’s comfortable.