The "new" injections for diabetes are primarily GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), which significantly improve blood sugar control, aid weight loss, and reduce cardiovascular risk, often once weekly, with newer developments focusing on dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists and potential future therapies like PATAS targeting insulin resistance.
Mounjaro® (tirzepatide)
Mounjaro treats type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar. It also helps with weight loss by reducing appetite and slowing digestion. You take it as an injection every seven days. Common side effects are nausea and diarrhea.
Most people taking Ozempic see big changes within the first 2 to 6 months depending on the dosage adjustments. Patients can expect 2 to 6 lb per month weight loss and a total of 10 to 15% or body weight loss for the period of 6 to 12 months.
Common insulins include Lantus, NovoLog, and Humalog. Non-insulin injections include GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic, Trulicity, and Mounjaro, and amylin analogs like Symlin. Depending on your treatment plan, you might be prescribed any of these injections alone or in combination with other injections or oral medications.
Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Sep 8, 2025. Metformin is widely considered the safest first-line medication for type 2 diabetes. With decades of clinical use and extensive safety data, it remains the preferred initial treatment according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Metformin is usually a first-line medication because the pill is easy to take and it's affordable. Ozempic is a stronger drug. It causes more weight loss and can protect against heart and kidney disease complications. But it's also more expensive and can cause more side effects.
There are many side effects of taking Ozempic as a weight loss medication, including: Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Constipation. Stomach pain.
Yes, most people regain a significant amount of weight after stopping Ozempic (semaglutide) because appetite and cravings return, often regaining two-thirds of lost weight within a year, but this can be mitigated by gradual tapering, sustained exercise, and a healthy diet to manage the underlying chronic nature of obesity, says this source, this source, this source, and this source.
Prices without insurance will vary depending on the pharmacy and any discounts or patient assistance programs you use. Ozempic list price is $997.58 per pen. This is the original price set by the manufacturer before discounts or rebates are used, and most people do not pay the list price.
Patients who shouldn't use Tirzepatide include those who have a family history of specific cancers, including medullary thyroid cancer, or who have a rare disorder called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndrome. Anyone who is allergic to Tirzepatide, or other ingredients found in Mounjaro is not a good candidate.
But it can also happen at night. When there's too much sugar in your blood, which happens if you have diabetes, your kidneys have to work harder to get rid of it. This forces them to make more urine. The process doesn't stop just because you're snoozing.
Like other diabetes medications, Mounjaro is intended for long-term use. So it's likely you'll use this medication for several years. And it's possible that you may need to take it for life. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic health condition, and there is currently no cure.
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) is not recommended if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you have certain health conditions. If you're using tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) and taking the contraceptive pill, you should use an additional method of contraception, such as a condom.
From September 2025, Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, will increase the UK private prescription list price by up to 170%. The monthly cost for higher doses will rise from around £122 to approximately £330, while lower and mid-range doses will increase from £92 to £180.
Mounjaro is more costly but more effective than Ozempic in controlling blood sugar levels and weight loss but may have additional side effects. People are filing lawsuits related to both Mounjaro and Ozempic due to adverse side effects such as gastroparesis, ileus, and vision loss.
But about half of people with obesity on this class of medications, called glucagon-like peptide agonists or GLP-1s, stop taking it within a year. Studies suggest that most people discontinue their use due to the high cost and adverse gastrointestinal side-effects.
How long will it take to shed 30 lbs on Ozempic? On average, losing 30 pounds occurs within 5-6 months of sustained treatment.
"Ozempic face" as a side effect of GLP-1 drugs
Ozempic® may cause serious side effects, including:
The digestive effects of sugary drinks can be particularly uncomfortable: Increased nausea and vomiting - Sweet beverages can trigger or worsen the most common side effects of Ozempic. Exacerbated GI upset - Sugary drinks often intensify digestive discomfort already present from the medication.
Will Ozempic or Wegovy reduce belly fat? The answer appears to be yes. That Novo Nordisk-funded study of almost 2,000 overweight or obese adults without diabetes also found their visceral fat — the type that accumulates in the belly — was reduced from baseline with semaglutide, along with their total fat mass.
Some possible interactions of Ozempic include other diabetes treatments, like insulin and oral medications, antimalarials, anticoagulants, digoxin, phenytoin, certain antibiotics, and blood pressure medications.
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a higher-dose version of Ozempic that's approved for weight loss in adults and adolescents ages 12 and older. If you've been prescribed Ozempic off-label for weight loss, switching to Wegovy may be a logical choice. And if you also have heart disease, Wegovy has proven cardiovascular benefits.
Under certain conditions, too much metformin can cause lactic acidosis. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are severe and quick to appear, and usually occur when other health problems not related to the medicine are present and are very severe, such as a heart attack or kidney failure.