The short answer
Zepbound and Mounjaro both contain tirzepatide, a once-weekly GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, but they are different FDA-approved products. Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes in adults and children 10 and older, and to reduce major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk. Zepbound is approved for chronic weight management and for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. Both carry a thyroid C-cell tumor boxed warning.
Boxed warning and key precautions
Tirzepatide caused thyroid C-cell tumors in rats; human relevance is unknown. It is contraindicated with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2.
Labels warn about pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, low blood sugar with insulin or sulfonylureas, kidney injury from dehydration, and severe gastrointestinal disease. Tirzepatide can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives; the label advises a non-oral or added method for four weeks after starting and after each dose increase. Compounded tirzepatide is not FDA approved.
Current label check
The medication-specific claims on this page were checked against these current product labels on 2026-10-03.
| Product label | Label date | Boxed warning on that label |
|---|---|---|
| Zepbound (tirzepatide) | 2026-08-28 | Thyroid C-cell tumors |
| Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | 2026-08-27 | Thyroid C-cell tumors |
Established evidence
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Mounjaro | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Approved use | Type 2 diabetes glycemic control (adults and children 10 and older); cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with type 2 diabetes at high risk | Chronic weight management in adults; moderate-to-severe OSA in adults with obesity |
| Form | Weekly prefilled pen | Weekly prefilled pen or single-dose vial |
| Approved for weight loss? | No | Yes |
| Key trials | SURPASS program | SURMOUNT program; SURMOUNT-OSA |
Established evidence
How tirzepatide differs from semaglutide
Tirzepatide activates two incretin receptors, GIP and GLP-1; semaglutide activates only GLP-1. In the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial in adults with obesity, tirzepatide produced greater average weight loss than semaglutide 2.4 mg at 72 weeks. Averages do not predict individual response, and tolerability, coverage, and history still guide the choice.
Established evidence
Zepbound and obstructive sleep apnea
In December 2024, the FDA approved Zepbound as the first medication for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, used with diet and exercise. It does not replace CPAP evaluation and is not approved for sleep apnea in people without obesity.
Established evidence
Common side effects
- Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation
- Abdominal pain and indigestion
- Injection-site reactions
- Fatigue and hair loss reported with weight loss
Questions to ask a healthcare professional
- Do I meet criteria for Zepbound, Mounjaro, or neither?
- How does tirzepatide interact with my contraception or other medicines?
- What will my insurance cover by indication?
Questions, answered
What people ask about Zepbound; Mounjaro
Are Zepbound and Mounjaro the same drug?+
They contain the same active ingredient, tirzepatide, but are separate FDA-approved products with different indications.
Is Mounjaro approved for weight loss?+
No. Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes and related cardiovascular risk reduction. Zepbound is the tirzepatide product approved for weight management.
Is tirzepatide a menopause treatment?+
No. It treats obesity, type 2 diabetes, and obesity-related sleep apnea, not menopause symptoms.
Does Kindr Health offer Zepbound or Mounjaro?+
This page is educational and does not state or imply availability through Kindr Health.
Kindr Health does not claim to offer Zepbound; Mounjaro on this page. Availability and prescribing are not implied.
A broader care pathway
Explore metabolic health care
Learn how Kindr Health care pathways work. Any treatment decision is made by a licensed professional; a prescription is never guaranteed.
SOURCES & REFERENCES
Every clinical claim on this page is sourced.
- Zepbound prescribing information (current label) (2026) — DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?labeltype=all&query=Zepbound
- Mounjaro prescribing information (current label) (2026) — DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?labeltype=all&query=Mounjaro
- FDA approves first medication for obstructive sleep apnea (2024) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration. www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-medication-obstructive-sleep-apnea
- Tirzepatide as compared with semaglutide for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-5) (2025) — New England Journal of Medicine. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40353578
This resource is educational and does not replace individualized medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change a prescription without guidance from a licensed healthcare professional.