Eli Lilly Mounjaro: Portfolio and FDA-Approved Uses

Last reviewed: May 12, 2026 Last updated: May 12, 2026

Written by: Jay Hastings , CEO of PlexusDx

Jay Hastings is the CEO of PlexusDx, a precision health company focused on genetic testing, blood biomarker insights, and personalized wellness recommendations. He has more than 20 years of experience across healthcare innovation, genomics, laboratory operations, healthcare investing, and strategic finance. His work has included scaling healthcare startups, leading CLIA lab integrations, and helping expand consumer access to precision health tools.

Medically reviewed by: Jayden Lee, PharmD, EMBA

Jayden Lee, PharmD, EMBA, is the PlexusDx Medical Science Liaison with a PharmD and MBA specializing in pharmacogenomics and clinical product development, with a proven ability to bridge the gap between genomic research and practical patient outcomes. Dr. Lee has more than 10 years of professional experience in clinical pharmacy, academia, and research.

When people search "Eli Lilly Mounjaro," they are usually trying to place one product inside a larger, fast-moving landscape: which brand contains which molecule, what each is approved to do, and how Lilly's lineup stacks against the other major manufacturer. This article maps Eli Lilly's GLP-1 portfolio as of April 2026 and the genetic variables that sit upstream of every GLP-1 pathway compound regardless of manufacturer. For pathway fundamentals, begin at the PlexusDx Education Hub.

Eli Lilly's GLP-1 portfolio

Eli Lilly markets Mounjaro (tirzepatide, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes in 2022), Zepbound (tirzepatide, FDA-approved for chronic weight management in 2023 and for obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity in December 2024), and Trulicity (dulaglutide, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes in 2014 with a 2020 cardiovascular indication added). A detail worth underlining is that Mounjaro and Zepbound share the same active molecule, tirzepatide, under two brands with two different approved indications, which is exactly why the same compound can be discussed as a diabetes product and a weight product at once.

The investigational pipeline

Eli Lilly's pipeline includes orforglipron, an oral non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist in Phase 3, and retatrutide, a GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple agonist in Phase 3. Both are investigational and not FDA-approved, and neither is sold by PlexusDx. Investigational status is an important qualifier: these compounds are still being studied, and nothing about their eventual approval, labeling, or availability should be assumed from pipeline stage alone.

How Eli Lilly's products compare to Novo Nordisk

The two companies dominate the GLP-1 receptor agonist landscape with distinct molecular strategies. Novo Nordisk focuses on GLP-1-selective compounds such as semaglutide and liraglutide. Eli Lilly markets the only FDA-approved GIP/GLP-1 dual agonist, tirzepatide, and also offers a GLP-1-selective option in dulaglutide. That difference, single-incretin versus dual-incretin mechanism, is the core of how the two portfolios are positioned against each other.

What the head-to-head trials tell us

Head-to-head data inform the competitive picture without settling it. SURPASS-2 compared tirzepatide with semaglutide 1 mg in type 2 diabetes, and SUSTAIN 7 compared semaglutide with dulaglutide. These trials shape how clinicians think about the class, but direct weight-management head-to-head data is limited, and individual response varies widely. Effectiveness is trial-specific and population-specific, which is why a provider who can weigh your personal factors matters more than any single comparison headline.

Cost positioning

Manufacturer list prices are broadly similar across branded products, typically $800 to $1,600 per month at U.S. list as of April 2026. Manufacturer savings card programs differ by product, and patient assistance programs exist at both companies for eligible uninsured or underinsured patients. Compounded alternatives through 503A pharmacies are priced separately. The practical implication is that cost differences track more with your plan, indication, and savings-program eligibility than with which manufacturer made the drug.

Shared safety profile

Safety considerations largely cross manufacturer lines. All FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonists and GIP/GLP-1 dual agonists across both companies carry the class boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumor risk observed in rodent studies, and are contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. Common side effects are gastrointestinal. Rare serious events include pancreatitis, gallbladder events, and acute kidney injury in the context of dehydration. Reviewing this profile with a provider is part of any informed decision about the class.

The variable that sits above the brand: genetics

Choosing between manufacturers is a surface decision compared with understanding how your own biology engages the GLP-1 pathway. The Precision Peptide Genetic Test analyzes 14 pathways, 49 peptides, 150+ genetic insights, including variants in FTO and MC4R, and TCF7L2 that shape baseline GLP-1 activity, appetite regulation, and energy-balance biology. This is trait and pathway education, not a prediction: the test never predicts response to any manufacturer's product and is not a pharmacogenomic tool. PlexusDx offers semaglutide and tirzepatide through its Weight Management Protocols, with the genetic context providing the upstream layer that applies across both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk compounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What GLP-1 products does Eli Lilly make?

Eli Lilly markets Mounjaro (tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes), Zepbound (tirzepatide for chronic weight management and obstructive sleep apnea), and Trulicity (dulaglutide for type 2 diabetes with a cardiovascular indication). Investigational products include orforglipron and retatrutide in Phase 3 trials, both not FDA-approved and not sold by PlexusDx.

Are Mounjaro and Zepbound the same drug?

They share the same active molecule, tirzepatide, but are marketed as separate brands with different FDA-approved indications: Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for chronic weight management and obstructive sleep apnea. The same molecule under a different brand is not automatically interchangeable for insurance or coverage purposes.

Which company makes the more effective GLP-1?

Effectiveness is trial-specific and population-specific. SURPASS-2 and SUSTAIN 7 inform the competitive picture, but direct weight-management head-to-head data is limited across most comparisons. Individual response varies widely, so this is best discussed with a healthcare provider who can weigh your personal factors rather than a headline.

How does the Precision Peptide Genetic Test relate to these products?

It does not predict response to any manufacturer's products and is not pharmacogenomic. It analyzes pathway-level variants such as FTO and MC4R, and TCF7L2 that shape baseline GLP-1 and energy-balance biology, the upstream context that applies across both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk GLP-1 compounds.

Understand the biology beneath the brand: explore the PlexusDx Education Hub or take the Precision Peptide Genetic Test.

Medical and Editorial Standards

Medical review process: This article was reviewed for medical accuracy, scientific clarity, evidence alignment, and appropriate discussion of genetics, medications, supplements, biomarkers, and health-related claims.

Sources and evidence: PlexusDx educational content is developed using peer-reviewed research, clinical literature, reputable medical references, and, where applicable, public health or regulatory guidance. References are included at the end of the article when scientific, medical, or health-related claims are discussed.

Commercial transparency: PlexusDx offers genetic testing, blood biomarker testing, personalized supplement recommendations, and related precision wellness services. Product mentions are intended to help readers understand available options and should not be interpreted as medical advice.

Important disclaimer: PlexusDx educational content is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about medications, supplements, genetic testing, lab testing, or health-related care.