Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonist medications such as Wegovy have been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. However, some doctors in Australia have been prescribing these medications off-label for weight loss, despite the fact that they have not been approved for this use.
Ozempic is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss but is mostly used to treat people with diabetes, she says. Health insurance companies can have other guidelines for covering Ozempic and Wegovy. Speak with your doctor and health insurance provider to see if you qualify for these drugs.
Ozempic (semaglutide) stock supply has improved but limits apply. The supply of Ozempic (semaglutide) in Australia continues to improve. However, use will need to remain limited to the TGA-registered indication of type 2 diabetes until the end of December 2023.
This medicine was verified as being available on the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) on July 1, 2023. To learn more about this subsidy, visit the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) website.
How to Get Ozempic in Australia. Ozempic is a highly sought after drug for managing diabetes and weight management, but it is important to know that it is prescription only. In Australia, this means you will need to speak with your doctor and have a prescription written up before you can start taking Ozempic.
On the PBS, Ozempic costs Australians about $42 a month (four weekly injections). On a private prescription, the cost is about $132 a month. According to the medical news website WebMD, Ozempic can cost uninsured Americans more than a $US1000 a month and many flock to Canada to save $US700 a month.
Ozempic is indicated for treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, in conjunction with diet and exercise, when it is not sufficiently controlled with other medicines. In an update to previous advice, Ozempic can now also be prescribed for patients who meet these criteria and have not received it previously.
The FDA has not approved Ozempic for weight loss, so there are no eligibility criteria. Healthcare professionals who prescribe Ozempic for off-label use are likely only to prescribe it if a person has overweight or obesity.
Can Ozempic be used for weight loss in someone who doesn't have diabetes? Possibly, if a doctor recommends it. Currently, Ozempic is only approved for use in people with type 2 diabetes. However, doctors may prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight loss.
If you have private or commercial insurance, such as insurance you receive through an employer, you may be eligible to pay as little as $25 for a 1-, 2-, or 3-month prescription (maximum savings of $150 per 1-month prescription, $300 per 2-month prescription, or $450 per 3-month prescription).
Ozempic isn't approved for weight loss. But because of how it works, some people taking Ozempic lose weight as a side effect. If you don't have diabetes, taking Ozempic for weight loss is considered an off-label use.
On average, a user can lose about 3 to 5% of their body weight after using Ozempic for a month regularly. This equates to about 4 to 6 pounds on average. Using a higher potency of the drug may result in more weight loss, but it isn't recommended that you start taking it right away.
A person can stay on Ozempic® so long as they are tolerating the medication and it is deemed appropriate by their treating provider. There is no specific time frame when someone should stop taking Ozempic as it is a medication that is intended for chronic (long-term) use.
Ozempic leads to an average weight loss of 3-7% of total body weight when used for over a year along with lifestyle changes. Some people may lose more weight, some less. The injectable drug should be stopped if you do not achieve at least 5% weight loss after 12-16 weeks on the maximum dose (1 mg weekly).
Discuss your goals: Talk to your doctor about your diabetes management goals and how Ozempic may help you achieve them. Whether it's better blood sugar control or weight loss, make sure your doctor understands what you're aiming for.
Medicare covers Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes
Medicare prescription drug plans might cover Ozempic, but only to treat diabetes. In 2021, Medicare spent over $2.6 billion to cover Ozempic prescriptions. Because it's an outpatient prescription drug, Ozempic falls under Medicare Part D.
Ozempic® injection 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg is an injectable prescription medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar.
Weight loss medicines that are available in Australia include orlistat, phentermine and liraglutide. These medicines have been shown to help achieve and maintain weight loss when used in combination with lifestyle change.
You have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more (clinically obese); or. You have a body mass index of 27 or more (significantly overweight) and you also have a medical condition that is often caused, or made worse, by excess body weight.
You may need a higher dosage of Ozempic
The same holds true for Ozempic's weight loss results. People taking higher doses of Ozempic tend to lose more weight. In the landmark study we cited above, people lost 7% of their body weight, on average, within a year and a half of taking 1mg of semaglutide.
Ozempic is also used off-label for weight loss. In particular, it can help reduce the amount of belly fat. This is because Ozempic works by making you feel fuller for longer, which can help you resist overeating by controlling cravings and hunger.
The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, which works by inducing satiety. This feeling of being satisfied or “full”, suppresses appetite. This is why it works for weight loss. Semaglutide also helps the pancreas produce insulin, which is how it helps manage type 2 diabetes.