Victoza vs Mounjaro is a daily diabetes shot vs a weekly dual-hormone diabetes shot. Victoza (liraglutide) is a once-daily GLP-1 injection from Novo Nordisk. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a once-weekly GIP and GLP-1 injection from Eli Lilly. Both are FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Neither is approved for weight loss under these brand names.
There is no head-to-head trial of the two. In their own label studies, Mounjaro's monotherapy A1C and weight changes were larger than Victoza's older monotherapy figures — but the studies used different designs and lengths, so that is not a direct score. Coverage, dosing schedule and your A1C goals usually decide the fit.
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Victoza vs Mounjaro at a glance
| Victoza (liraglutide) | Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | |
|---|---|---|
| How often | Once a day | Once a week |
| How it works | GLP-1 only | GIP and GLP-1 (two hormones) |
| Maker | Novo Nordisk | Eli Lilly |
| Type 2 diabetes, adults | Yes | Yes |
| Type 2 diabetes, kids | Yes, age 10 and older | Yes, age 10 and older (max 10 mg) |
| Label dose (adults) | 0.6 mg start, then 1.2 mg, up to 1.8 mg daily | 2.5 mg start, up to 15 mg weekly |
| Heart-risk reduction | Yes, adults with type 2 diabetes and established heart disease (LEADER) | Yes, adults with type 2 diabetes at high risk for major heart events (SURPASS-CVOT) |
| FDA-approved for weight loss | No (liraglutide for weight is Saxenda) | No (tirzepatide for weight is Zepbound) |
| Most common side effects | Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, indigestion, constipation | Nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, belly pain |
| Serious shared warning | Boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors; do not use with MTC or MEN 2 | Same boxed warning; do not use with MTC or MEN 2 |
| List / WAC (Nov 6, 2026) | $543.51 (2 pens) or $815.27 (3 pens) | $1,112.16 per fill |
| Cash path | Generic liraglutide at Cost Plus Drugs from about $153–$194 shipped (stock varies) | Starting at $499 a month via LillyDirect / TrumpRx path |
Sources for every row are in the sections below. Prices checked November 6, 2026.
If you're sorting out a weekly GLP-1 path — including options other than Mounjaro — The RX Index's Find My GLP-1 Path tool is free, takes about 2 minutes and needs no signup.
What is each one FDA-approved for?
Both treat type 2 diabetes. Both also have heart-risk indications for certain adults with type 2 diabetes. Neither is a weight-loss brand.
| FDA-approved use | Victoza | Mounjaro |
|---|---|---|
| Blood sugar control, adults with type 2 diabetes | Yes | Yes |
| Blood sugar control, kids 10 and older with type 2 diabetes | Yes | Yes (adult max 15 mg; pediatric max 10 mg) |
| Lower risk of major heart events in adults with type 2 diabetes | Yes, if you already have cardiovascular disease | Yes, if you are at high risk for these events |
| Weight loss | No | No |
Liraglutide for weight loss is sold as Saxenda. Tirzepatide for weight loss is sold as Zepbound. See also the GLP-1 FDA indications chart.
Ro does not currently offer Mounjaro. It does offer Zepbound (same molecule for weight) and a free coverage check for select weekly brand-name pens.
Check your GLP-1 coverage with Ro for free (sponsored affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Does Mounjaro or Victoza lower A1C more?
No trial has tested Mounjaro against Victoza directly. Here is what each label's own trials showed — useful context, not a head-to-head score:
| Trial (from the label) | Who was in it | Drug | A1C change vs starting point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoza monotherapy, 52 weeks | Adults with type 2 diabetes | Victoza 1.2 / 1.8 mg daily | −0.8 / −1.1 points (glimepiride −0.5) |
| Victoza add-on to metformin, 26 weeks | Adults with type 2 diabetes | Victoza 1.2 / 1.8 mg daily | −1.0 / −1.0 points (placebo +0.1; difference about 1.1 points) |
| SURPASS-1, 40 weeks | Adults with type 2 diabetes | Mounjaro 5 / 10 / 15 mg weekly | −1.8 / −1.7 / −1.7 points (placebo −0.1; placebo-adjusted about 1.6 to 1.7 points) |
What this means for you:
- Different studies. Durations, comparators and methods are not the same.
- Mounjaro also beat weekly semaglutide 1 mg on A1C and weight in SURPASS-2 — still not a Victoza comparison.
- Dosing schedule differs. Victoza is every day; Mounjaro is once a week after a 2.5 mg start that is not meant as a long-term dose.
Which causes more weight loss?
Neither Victoza nor Mounjaro is FDA-approved for weight loss. Weight change was measured in diabetes trials:
- Victoza monotherapy (52 weeks): About 2.1 kg (about 4.6 lb) on 1.2 mg and 2.5 kg (about 5.5 lb) on 1.8 mg, vs a gain of about 1.1 kg on glimepiride.
- Mounjaro SURPASS-1 (40 weeks): About 6.3 / 7.0 / 7.8 kg (about 14 / 15 / 17 lb) on 5 / 10 / 15 mg, vs about 1.0 kg on placebo. Placebo-adjusted losses were about 5.3 to 6.8 kg (about 12 to 15 lb).
If weight loss is your main goal, ask about the weight-loss brands (Saxenda for liraglutide, Zepbound for tirzepatide) — not off-label use of these diabetes brands.
Heart outcomes
Both have FDA-approved heart uses for adults with type 2 diabetes, from different trials:
| Victoza (LEADER) | Mounjaro (SURPASS-CVOT) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who was studied | Adults with type 2 diabetes and established heart disease | Adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease (vs dulaglutide) |
| Main result | Major heart events 13.0% vs 14.9% placebo; HR 0.87 (0.78, 0.97) | Major heart events 12.1% vs 13.0% dulaglutide (Trulicity); HR 0.92; non-inferior; superiority not established |
Victoza beat placebo on heart events. Mounjaro matched Trulicity (was not worse within the trial's limit) but was not proven better. Your cardiology and diabetes history decide which claim matters.
Victoza vs Mounjaro side effects
They cause similar stomach side effects, at rates from different trials:
| Nausea in each drug's own trials (not head to head) | Placebo | Drug |
|---|---|---|
| Victoza 1.2 mg daily | 5% | 18% |
| Victoza 1.8 mg daily | 5% | 20% |
| Mounjaro 5 mg weekly | 4% | 12% |
| Mounjaro 15 mg weekly | 4% | 18% |
Both labels carry a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents. Do not use either if you or a family member has had medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Both also warn about pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney injury from dehydration, and low blood sugar with insulin or a sulfonylurea. Mounjaro's label adds that it may reduce the effect of oral hormonal contraceptives — use a non-oral or barrier method for 4 weeks after starting and after each dose increase.
Get medical help right away for severe belly pain, signs of an allergic reaction, or a neck lump. More context: GLP-1 side effects comparison chart.
Victoza vs Mounjaro cost
Your cost depends mostly on coverage and whether a generic liraglutide pen is available to you.
| Price (checked Nov 6, 2026) | Victoza / liraglutide | Mounjaro |
|---|---|---|
| Brand list / WAC | $543.51 (2 pens) or $815.27 (3 pens) | $1,112.16 per fill |
| Cash / self-pay | Cost Plus Drugs generic: 2-pen pack $82.80 ($152.80 shipped; out of stock today); 3-pen pack $124.20 ($194.20 shipped; in stock) | Starting at $499/month via LillyDirect; TrumpRx shows $613.16 off list (about $499) |
| Brand supply note | FDA lists brand Victoza as limited availability (shipping delay) as of Sept 22, 2026; generics available | No dulaglutide/tirzepatide shortage claim asserted today |
| Commercial savings | Check your plan; we did not verify a current Victoza $25 card today | Lilly offers a Mounjaro Savings Card for commercially insured patients; government beneficiaries excluded — see savings card guide |
For more, see Victoza cost, Mounjaro cost without insurance, Mounjaro cost with insurance and our shortage tracker.
If Mounjaro's cash price is the sticking point and weight loss is also a goal, Ro lists cash prices for Zepbound and other brand-name GLP-1s that it says match LillyDirect, NovoCare and TrumpRx. Ro does not dispense Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes.
See Ro's Zepbound and GLP-1 cash prices (sponsored affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Which should you ask your doctor about?
| If this sounds like you | What to ask about |
|---|---|
| You want a weekly shot and a dual-hormone option | Mounjaro, if your plan covers it |
| You prefer a long-used daily GLP-1, or a generic path | Victoza / generic liraglutide |
| You also want weight loss as a labeled use | Saxenda (same molecule as Victoza) or Zepbound (same molecule as Mounjaro) — not these diabetes brands |
| Heart disease with type 2 diabetes is front and center | Either label's heart claim may apply; ask which trial population matches you |
| You've had MTC or MEN 2 in the family | Ask whether any GLP-1 is safe for you |
| You're already on Victoza and A1C is still high | Ask about stepping to a weekly option such as Mounjaro or Ozempic — see Victoza vs Ozempic and Trulicity vs Mounjaro |
Our best GLP-1 for diabetes and GLP-1 comparison guides cover more of the field.
Find the GLP-1 path that fits you
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Daily vs weekly: what that difference means day to day
Victoza is a commitment to a shot every day. Mounjaro is one shot a week after you get past the 2.5 mg starter month. That schedule difference is often as important as the A1C tables:
- Travel and routine. Weekly pens are easier for some people to remember; daily pens fit others who already inject insulin or like a fixed bedtime habit.
- Missed doses. Each label has its own rules for what to do if you miss a dose. Follow the label your pharmacist prints — do not invent a catch-up plan from a blog.
- Starter doses. Victoza's 0.6 mg week and Mounjaro's 2.5 mg month are both meant to limit stomach side effects, not to be the long-term dose for most adults.
If daily injections are the reason you want off Victoza, ask about weekly diabetes options (Mounjaro, Ozempic, Trulicity) rather than stretching Victoza doses on your own.
How this pair sits next to other comparisons
- Victoza vs Ozempic: daily liraglutide vs weekly semaglutide for diabetes.
- Victoza vs Saxenda: same liraglutide molecule, diabetes brand vs weight brand (NovoCare states Saxenda last wholesaler shipments late January 2027; checked November 6, 2026).
- Trulicity vs Mounjaro: weekly dulaglutide vs weekly tirzepatide, including SURPASS-CVOT.
- Mounjaro vs Ozempic: the two most-searched weekly diabetes shots.
- Zepbound vs Mounjaro: why the tirzepatide name on the box changes coverage and price.
Generics, shortages and what "limited availability" means
Victoza has FDA-approved generics. On November 6, 2026, FDA's shortage database still listed brand Victoza as limited availability because of a shipping delay, while several generic liraglutide presentations were listed as available. Cost Plus Drugs had the 3-pen generic pack in stock and the 2-pen pack out of stock on our API check.
Mounjaro does not have a generic. Cash access runs through LillyDirect, savings-card rules for commercial plans, or pharmacy quotes.
Brand supply status changes. Re-check FDA's shortage page or our shortage tracker before you assume a pen is easy to find.
Practical next steps
- Decide whether the labeled job is diabetes control, weight loss, or both — then pick the brand that matches that job.
- If cash price for brand Victoza is the blocker, ask the pharmacy about generic liraglutide and confirm cold-chain shipping.
- If you want a weekly dual agonist and your plan may cover it, ask about Mounjaro — and ask Ro only for coverage/Zepbound cash paths, not for Mounjaro dispensing.
- Review stomach-side-effect history. People who already struggled on a GLP-1 may need a slower titration plan from their clinician.
- Confirm MTC/MEN 2 family history before any GLP-1 start.
Who usually stays on Victoza vs who asks about Mounjaro
Victoza still makes sense when a daily routine is fine, a generic liraglutide path keeps cash costs down, or a plan already covers it cleanly for diabetes and heart-risk reduction. Mounjaro enters the conversation when someone wants a weekly dual agonist, needs a larger A1C move based on label trial context, or is already comparing other weekly pens such as Ozempic.
Neither answer replaces your clinician's judgment. Lab trends, hypoglycemia risk, stomach tolerance and prior authorization rules all sit outside these tables.
What we actually verified
- Read the Victoza prescribing information for uses, doses, boxed warning, LEADER, monotherapy and metformin add-on A1C/weight tables, and side-effect rates.
- Read the Mounjaro prescribing information (revised August 2026) for uses, doses, boxed warning, SURPASS-1, SURPASS-CVOT and side-effect rates.
- Opened Novo's Victoza list-price page and Cost Plus Drugs API for generic liraglutide packs.
- Opened Lilly's Mounjaro pricing and LillyDirect pages (headless Chrome) and TrumpRx's Mounjaro page.
- Opened Ro's Mounjaro page (does not offer Mounjaro) and Ro pricing.
- Checked FDA's liraglutide shortage API for Victoza limited-availability status.
- Did kilogram-to-pound and TrumpRx savings math ourselves.
All checks were done on November 6, 2026. What we did not do: verify a current Victoza manufacturer savings-card dollar tier, or get insurer/pharmacy quotes. Confirm costs before you fill.
Frequently asked questions
Is Victoza the same as Mounjaro?
No. Victoza is liraglutide, a daily GLP-1 shot. Mounjaro is tirzepatide, a weekly GIP and GLP-1 shot. Both treat type 2 diabetes, but they are different medicines.
Is Mounjaro stronger than Victoza?
There is no head-to-head trial. In separate label studies, Mounjaro's placebo-adjusted A1C and weight changes were larger than Victoza's older monotherapy figures, over different time frames. Your doctor weighs that against dosing schedule, side effects and coverage.
Can you take Victoza and Mounjaro together?
Do not combine them on your own. Each is a GLP-1–pathway medicine, and Victoza's label already says not to combine it with other liraglutide products. Switching is a prescriber decision.
Is Mounjaro approved for weight loss?
No. Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes (and to lower major heart-event risk in high-risk adults with type 2 diabetes). Tirzepatide for weight loss is sold as Zepbound.
Does Ro prescribe Mounjaro?
Ro's own Mounjaro page says it does not currently offer Mounjaro. It does offer Zepbound and a free coverage check for select brand-name pens.
How much does Victoza cost without insurance?
Brand Victoza lists at $543.51 for a 2-pen pack or $815.27 for a 3-pen pack. Generic liraglutide at Cost Plus Drugs was about $153 shipped for 2 pens (out of stock on our check) or about $194 shipped for 3 pens (in stock) on November 6, 2026.
Still not sure which GLP-1 path fits you? Take The RX Index's free Find My GLP-1 Path quiz — about 2 minutes, no signup.
Sources
- Victoza prescribing information (PDF) (Novo Nordisk; checked November 6, 2026)
- Mounjaro prescribing information (PDF) (Eli Lilly, revised August 2026; checked November 6, 2026)
- Novo Nordisk: Victoza list price (checked November 6, 2026)
- Lilly: Mounjaro cost information (list price) (checked November 6, 2026)
- LillyDirect: Mounjaro self-pay (checked November 6, 2026)
- TrumpRx: Mounjaro (checked November 6, 2026)
- Cost Plus Drugs: liraglutide (Victoza generic) pricing API (checked November 6, 2026)
- FDA drug shortages API: liraglutide (checked November 6, 2026)
- Ro: Mounjaro page (checked November 6, 2026)
- Ro: weight-loss pricing (checked November 6, 2026)
- NovoCare: Saxenda discontinuation notice (checked November 6, 2026)