Mounjaro for Depression Patients: Evidence, Eligibility
Mounjaro is not FDA approved for depression. It is approved for type 2 diabetes and heart risk. Some doctors prescribe it when one of those uses also applies. In SURMOUNT-1, people on Zepbound lost 20.9% of body weight on average, vs 3.1% on placebo.
- Active ingredient
- tirzepatide
- How it is taken
- weekly injection
- Approved for
- Type 2 diabetes and heart risk
- Best result (SURMOUNT-1)
- 20.9% weight loss
Mounjaro in brief
Its half-life is about 5 days: after 5 d, half is gone, and after five half-lives (25 d), about 3% remains.
In SURPASS-1, over 40 weeks, people with type 2 diabetes lost 7.8 kg, compared with 1 kg on placebo.
Each month, price points in US dollars come from the maker's price page, including the list price and self-pay offers.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), healthsystemtracker.org, pricinginfo.lilly.com.
Who qualifies?
| Who sets the rule | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
| FDA label | For people with type 2 diabetes who are 10 and older, this medicine lowers blood sugar. It is used with diet and exercise. |
| FDA label | For adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk, this medicine lowers the risk of death related to the heart, heart attack, or stroke. |
| Typical commercial plan (Aetna policy) | BMI 30 or higher |
| Typical commercial plan (Aetna policy) | BMI 27 or higher with a weight-related condition |
| Typical commercial plan (Aetna policy) | you must first complete 6 months of a diet and activity program |
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), aetna.com.
Depression trial findings
In no case did these trials enroll people with depression only. The adults studied were those who had obesity or were overweight without diabetes, and those who had obesity without type 2 diabetes.
| Trial | Medicine | Who took part | Length | People | Main result | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SURMOUNT-1 |  Zepbound | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes | 72 weeks | 2,539 | 20.9% weight loss | 3.1% on placebo |
| SURMOUNT-5 | Zepbound | Adults with obesity, without type 2 diabetes | 72 weeks | 751 | 20.2% weight loss | Not listed |
See SURMOUNT-5 (PubMed) and SURMOUNT-1 (FDA label (DailyMed)) for study details.
What is different for depression?
| What changes | What the label says |
|---|---|
| Severe Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions | Side effects in the stomach and gut that are common may be severe. Not recommended for people with severe gastroparesis. |
Taken from the FDA labels: FDA label (DailyMed).
Taken from the label warnings: FDA label (DailyMed).
Coverage for depression
Medicare Part D does not pay for a GLP-1 used only for weight loss.
When Medicaid covers weight-loss GLP-1s, prior authorization is standard.
Sources: humana.com, KFF.
- Mounjaro Coupon and Savings Card
- Mounjaro Price
- Cheapest Way to Get Mounjaro
- Mounjaro Cost Without Insurance
- Mounjaro Cost With Insurance
- Mounjaro Insurance Coverage
- Does Medicare Cover Mounjaro? Part D Rules, the Bridge, Copays
- Does BCBS Cover Mounjaro? Diabetes-Only Rules by Plan, Appeals
- Mounjaro Patient Assistance
Alternatives for depression
| Medicine | For people with depression | How it is taken | Trial result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mounjaro | Not a listed use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Ozempic | Not a listed use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Wegovy | Not a listed use | weekly injection or daily tablet | 14.9% weight loss |
 Rybelsus | Not a listed use | daily tablet | Not listed |
| Zepbound | Not a listed use | weekly injection | 20.9% weight loss |
 Foundayo | Not a listed use | daily tablet | 11.1% weight loss |
 Trulicity | Not a listed use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Saxenda | Not a listed use | daily injection | 7.4% weight loss |
 Victoza | Not a listed use | daily injection | Not listed |
| Byetta | Not a listed use | twice-daily injection | Not listed |
Details are in FDA label information on DailyMed.
Questions to ask your prescriber
- Could it interact with the antidepressant I take?
- Who should I call if my mood changes?
On DailyMed, see the full Mounjaro prescribing information.