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.
Getting Ozempic®
Get a prescription from your HCP: The first step is to get a prescription from your HCP. They will provide you with a prescription that you can take to your local pharmacy. Purchase from a local pharmacy: Once you have your prescription, you can purchase Ozempic® from your local pharmacy.
However, Ozempic is not intended for people without diabetes to take, and its side effects can be severe. If you are looking to take a weight loss drug that is approved for people without diabetes, talk with your doctor who can give you options.
Prescription-only medicines such as Ozempic can't be advertised to the public in Australia. The reason these laws are in place is to support consumers making informed health care decisions in consultation with their health practitioner and not based on, for example, social media advertising.
Ozempic has been in short supply since April 2022 because it's being prescribed for the off-label treatment of obesity. Picture: Getty Images / Mario Tama. The TGA is recommending those using Ozempic for other conditions to consult with their doctor to have their treatment reassessed.
The TGA has approved the temporary supply of overseas-registered semaglutide products, which your pharmacist can order from the following companies: Medsurge Healthcare (call 1300 788 261)
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.
The company states that people may be eligible for Ozempic if they have type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. People who use this service will receive a free call from one of K Health's care concierges, who will discuss a person's goal and, if appropriate, arrange an appointment with a healthcare professional.
Providers (doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants) can prescribe either Ozempic ("off label") or Wegovy for weight loss, but insurance companies will usually only cover these medications for their FDA-approved uses (Ozempic for only diabetes and Wegovy for only medical obesity treatment).
Popular Ozempic alternatives for blood sugar control include Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), and Rybelsus (semaglutide). If you're looking for Ozempic alternatives with the goal of losing weight, Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide) might be an option for you.
PhenQ – This all-natural weight loss supplement offers almost the same benefits as Ozempic and other semaglutide drugs. It's also more versatile than Ozempic because aside from suppressing appetite, it also boosts metabolism to help patients burn more calories throughout the day.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A 2022 study found that most individuals gain weight back a year after stopping the medication.
Ozempic was developed to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels but it can also lead to significant weight loss of 15 to 20 per cent of body weight in some people.
Another drug, Wegovy, that has the same active ingredient as Ozempic is approved for weight loss treatment in Australia.
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.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said while stockpiles of the drug are improving, the scale of the demand for it means it will be in short supply until at least December 31. Novo Nordisk, the supplier of Ozempic, is anticipating supply will be steady for the remainder of 2023.