On 7 June, 2023, the Department of Health announced a two-year pilot to tackle obesity, which will explore how Wegovy can be prescribed outside of specialist weight management services, which are largely hospital based.
In 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration approved semaglutide, under the trade name Wegovy, for treating obesity.
Tirzepatide, a drug from Eli Lilly and Co. approved to treat type 2 diabetes under the brand name Mounjaro, helped people with the disease who were overweight or had obesity lose up to 16% of their body weight, or more than 34 pounds, over nearly 17 months, the company said on Thursday, April 27, 2023.
Ozempic has a new rival: Mounjaro, also a diabetes drug, has led to average weight losses of 15 to 24 kg. A powerful new diabetes drug is poised to become a hit on the global weight loss market.
Wegovy is a higher-dose semaglutide injection approved for chronic weight management. The weight loss injection contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, but in greater strengths of 2.4 mg, 1.7 mg and 1 mg for weight loss versus 0.5 mg and 1 mg for diabetes.
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.
Wegovy is an injectable weight loss medication that is being prescribed by Australian health professionals and doctors. Such is the popularity that the main component - Semaglutide - ran out of stock in pharmacies in Australia and worldwide in early 2023.
On the PBS, Ozempic costs Australians about $42 a month (four weekly injections). On a private prescription, the cost is about $132 a month.
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.
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) can cause side effects that some people are unable to tolerate. Following dosing guidelines can help manage these side effects. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most common semaglutide side effects.
A spokeswoman for manufacturer, Eli Lilly Australia (Lilly) said the company was pleased to confirm that tirzepatide has now been registered in Australia by TGA.
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.
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.
There has been a global shortage of Ozempic since early 2022 because of an unexpected increase in consumer demand because of off-label use of the drug for weight loss.
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.
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.
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.
Following the DA communication, health professionals have now been asked to prescribe and dispense Ozempic for only those adults living with type 2 diabetes.
Saxenda is an approved weight loss medication, and is readily available in Australia.
Ozempic For Weight Loss (Semaglutide) - MyDr.com.au.
SAXENDA is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adult patients with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of:,- greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (obese) or,- greater than or equal to 27 kg/m2 to <30 kg/m2 (overweight) in the presence of at least one ...
Some people start seeing results from Saxenda in the first two to four weeks. You may lose about 2%—4% of your body weight. However, during clinical trials, people taking Saxenda saw a significant weight loss of at least 5% after eight weeks of treatment.