In 2023, the FDA will likely approve Eli Lilly's diabetes drug tirzepatide for weight loss — but there's little indication insurers will widely cover the medication.
Mounjaro is Eli Lilly's (LLY.N) obesity drug. The company said in April that it expects the drug to be approved as an obesity treatment by the FDA as early as late 2023. It leads to 22.5% weight loss, according to a Lilly trial published last year.
Wegovy can lead to weight loss because it is designed to suppress appetite so you eat less.
There are about a dozen drugs for obesity that are prescribed in 2023 - here we have reviewed the strongest weight loss prescription pills and listed them in order of strength. The most potent prescription medications for weight loss are Phentermine, Qsymia, Rybelsus, and Contrave.
Its generic name is semaglutide. This is the same as Wegovy, which has been licensed as a weight loss drug in the UK and will soon be available on the NHS. Wegovy has a slightly higher dosage and is designed for weight loss, while Ozempic's primary purpose was as a diabetes treatment (more on that later).
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.
Mounjaro Australian Price
In Australia, the retail price for a 4-week supply of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) typically ranges from $870 to $980 AUD, depending on the dose strength prescribed (5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg). However, out-of-pocket costs for patients may be lower through several options: 1.
In the first month, patients typically lose anywhere from 4 to 11 pounds on average while using Saxenda as directed. Most of the initial lost weight occurs in the first 3 to 6 months, after which the rate of loss slows down. But body weight reduction can still continue for those adhering to the program.
Tirzepatide may be more effective at boosting weight loss, but it depends on you. Share your thoughts and concerns with your health care provider and any side effects you experience on either medication.
Do Appetite Suppressants Work? Yes, but probably not as much as you might hope. A review of studies on five major FDA-approved prescription medications for obesity, including orlistat, shows that any of them work better than a placebo for helping people lose at least 5% of their body weight over the course of a year.
Currently, semaglutide is only approved for weight loss under the brand name Wegovy. The typical dose for weight loss is 2.4 milligrams, administered weekly as subcutaneous (under the skin) self-injections.
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.
To buy Mounjaro you will need to consult a registered Australian doctor online or in person. If you are suitable for the treatment the doctor should be able to provide a prescription. The prescription can then be filled by an Australian registered pharmacy.
Some of the most effective prescription injectable weight loss medications available include: Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy - these are diabetes drugs originally and now used to treat obesity. Although these injectable drugs can help users lose weight there are some dangers and caveats!
The drugs include Ozempic's sister medication, Wegovy, a weight loss drug with identical ingredients, which the FDA approved in 2021, and Mounjaro, approved as a diabetes treatment in 2022. (Ozempic was approved for diabetes in 2017.) Several other drugs are in development.
Ozempic® is a more effective drug than Saxenda®. As demonstrated above, semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic®) leads to more clinically significant weight loss and blood sugar reductions than liraglutide (the active ingredient in Saxenda®).
How much is saxenda in Australia in Australia can vary depending on several factors, such as the place of purchase, the form of the medication, and if it is covered by private health insurance. As a general estimate, the cost of a single pen of Saxenda (3 ml) can range from AUD 250 to AUD 400.
To date, 3 good studies on anti-obesity medications (Belviq, Saxenda and Wegovy) have demonstrated rapid regain once the medication has stopped. In one of these studies, it was after weight loss had been maintained for 3 years – when the drug was discontinued, the weight returned rapidly towards baseline.
Mounjaro® is more effective than Saxenda® at supporting weight loss and blood sugar reductions.
Saxenda (Liraglutide) is a diabetic drug that was found to have weight loss properties. It comes in a “pen” and is administered as a daily injection. Your surgeon will teach you how, so you can give yourself the injections at home. The injection goes just underneath the skin and is relatively painless.
Mounjaro acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, while Ozempic acts only on GLP-1 receptors; however, both drugs are effective treatments for type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro (tirzepatide), from Eli Lilly, is a dual-acting GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist.
Tirzepatide: The 'King Kong of Weight Loss Drugs'
The drug, sold under the brand name Mounjaro by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, was originally meant to treat diabetes.
PhenQ is an over-the-counter weight loss supplement that is a cheaper and safer alternative to the prescription drug Saxenda. PhenQ contains natural ingredients like capsicum, piperine, caffeine, and niacinamide, that work together to boost metabolism, suppress appetite, block fat production, and improve mood.
The list price for Saxenda is $1,349.02 for a 30-day supply. Ultimately, the cost you'll pay for Saxenda will depend on your insurance coverage, the pharmacy you use, and whether you qualify for any savings or patient assistance programs. Novo Nordisk, the makers of Saxenda, offers an online cost estimator.