Key takeaways
Liraglutide (Victoza) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are both injectable medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes. They help control blood sugar levels but are not insulin. However, they have some differences. Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, while tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. Liraglutide is injected once daily, whereas tirzepatide is injected once weekly, which might be more convenient for some people. Both medications can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but tirzepatide may also affect your heart rate and cause eye problems related to high blood sugar. Liraglutide is available as a generic, while tirzepatide is only available as a brand-name medication. Both medications carry a risk of thyroid cancer and pancreatitis, so it's important to discuss your medical history with your healthcare provider before starting either one.
