Due to the shortage of Ozempic, Australian GPs have been advised against prescribing it to treat obesity. However, semaglutide in the form of Wegovy is designed specifically for weight loss.
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.
Ozempic is the name of the drug as prescribed for people with diabetes. The FDA approved Ozempic for people with diabetes in 2017 and approved Wegovy for people who have obesity or are overweight and have additional health problems in 2021.
In Australia, Ozempic, 1 milligram, is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Wegovy, 2.4 milligrams, is approved to treat obesity in adults. But the problem is that only Ozempic is available in Australia.
A worldwide shortage of semaglutide began to affect Australia in early 2022 when Novo Nordisk couldn't supply enough Ozempic to meet an unexpected increase in demand due to both high use in type 2 diabetes and off-label prescribing for weight loss.
Semaglutide unavailable in Australia until April 2023.
There is "limited availability" of the 2 milligram solution, and the 0.25 milligram / 0.5 milligram, 2 milligram / 1.5 milliliters injection product will be discontinued, according to the FDA. In 2022, increased demand pushed Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Ozempic and weight loss drug Wegovy (semaglutide) into shortage.
Is Ozempic available for those without diabetes? Ozempic is only approved by the FDA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. People who don't have diabetes may be able to take Ozempic “off-label” with a prescription from their doctor. “Off-label” means for use other than what is approved by the FDA.
From 1 July the medicine Ozempic® (semaglutide) will be listed on the PBS as a new treatment option for type 2 diabetes. Ozempic® is a new once-weekly blood sugar (glucose) lowering treatment for the treatment of patients with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes.
Wegovy is an injectable weight loss medication that is being prescribed by Australian health professionals and doctors.
Medicare doesn't cover Ozempic (or Wegovy) for weight loss
Over 40% of U.S. adults age 60 and older are considered obese, according to 2017-2020 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite the prevalence of obesity among older adults, Medicare won't cover weight loss drugs, including Wegovy.
If you don't have diabetes, taking Ozempic for weight loss is considered an off-label use. Wegovy, a higher-dose version of Ozempic, is approved to help people manage their weight. This includes adults and adolescents ages 12 and older who meet certain body mass index (BMI) criteria.
Saxenda is an approved weight loss medication, and is readily available in Australia. Cost is approximately $387 a month. The knock on effect from the Ozempic shortage, is that Trulicity which is manufactured by Ely-Lilly is now in short supply.
If you qualify for insurance coverage, Ozempic can cost as little as $25 for a monthly supply. However, without insurance, Ozempic costs around $892.06 per month, on average (NovoCare-a, 2022).
So, on average, with the recommended starting Ozempic dose of 0.25 mg, a 500 to 1000 calorie reduced diet, and exercise 3 times a week, you can expect to lose 3-5 pounds in the first month of treatment, which works out to about 3% of body weight for most overweight or obese individuals.
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.
How Long Can You Stay on Ozempic (semaglutide)? 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® is more effective for weight loss and blood sugar improvements than Saxenda®. Studies have also shown that Ozempic® leads to fewer side effects and adverse events than Saxenda® with people tolerating Ozempic® better.
Once you begin using Ozempic, some people can find it takes several weeks to see any weight loss, yet others may see some weight loss within a week or 2. While it can be difficult, try to remain patient — change looks different for everyone.
Metformin
Metformin is a widely used first-line medication for treating type 2 diabetes and can also be considered a lower-cost alternative to semaglutide (Ozempic).
Semaglutide, which is taken as a weekly injection that is self-administered, helps people with type 2 diabetes to control their blood sugar and in many cases also lose weight.
For most people, stopping Ozempic cold turkey is not recommended. When to stop Ozempic is an individual decision you should come to with the help of your healthcare provider. If your health provider agrees it's time to stop taking Ozempic, they will provide you with instructions for tapering off your dose.