In Australia, Ozempic for weight loss typically costs privately around $130 to $200 per month, as it's not on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for obesity, but rather for Type 2 Diabetes. The actual price varies by pharmacy and dose, but expect $130-$200/month, potentially up to $1,800-$2,000 annually, with supply shortages ongoing.
Does Medicare cover Ozempic and GLP-1 drugs for weight loss? Many people have reported losing weight on Ozempic. But while the side effects of Ozempic may include weight loss, it is not covered by Medicare for GLP-1 weight loss treatment.
Ozempic is only licensed as a type 2 diabetes treatment in the UK. Another semaglutide-containing injection called Wegovy is licensed for weight loss. NHS doctors can't prescribe Ozempic for weight loss, but a private doctor may be willing to prescribe Ozempic off-label.
Yes, Ozempic can be prescribed in Australia for weight loss, but it's off-label use, meaning it's not TGA-approved for that purpose; it's registered for Type 2 Diabetes, so doctors use their judgment, often leading to shortages and prioritizing diabetic patients, with the specific weight-loss drug Wegovy being the TGA-approved option.
The answer depends on several factors. If you qualify for insurance coverage, Ozempic can cost as little as $25 for a monthly supply. Without insurance, the cost of Ozempic is just under $1,000 per month.
Key Takeaways
Patients typically lose around 5 pounds per month on Semaglutide (Ozempic®). Weight loss results vary based on dosage, body composition, and lifestyle. Combining the medication with diet and activity boosts success.
For commercially insured patients with coverage for Ozempic®, pay as little as $25. Offer is subject to maximum savings of $100/month and is good up to 48 months. Patients new to the Ozempic® Savings Offer and NovoCare® Pharmacy pay $199 for each month of 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg.
While nothing is guaranteed, it is common to regain some weight after stopping Ozempic. A study found many people regain two-thirds or more of the weight they lost within a year of stopping the medication. Please remember, this isn't a failure of willpower.
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In Australia, key substitutes for Ozempic (semaglutide) for diabetes or weight loss include Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a newer, dual-acting drug, and Wegovy (also semaglutide, but approved for weight loss), while other options like Trulicity (dulaglutide) and Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) are also available; natural supplements like Berberine and lifestyle changes are other avenues, but prescription medications require a doctor's consultation.
It is not known if Ozempic® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people. Do not use Ozempic® if you or any of your family have ever had MTC, or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for the management of obesity for certain patients. Tirzepatide (also called Mounjaro®) is a weight loss medicine that makes you feel fuller for longer and therefore less hungry.
The best places on your body to inject Ozempic® are the front of your thighs, the front of your waist (abdomen) or your upper arms. It is recommended that you rotate your injection site each time you inject. After 4 weeks, your dose should be increased to 0.5 mg once a week, unless otherwise informed by your doctor.
Candidates for Ozempic treatment for weight loss include individuals who have a BMI of 30 or higher and those with a BMI of 27 or higher as well as at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes.
How to get Ozempic cheaper (or even for free)
Some examples of long-term side effects you may experience from Ozempic include pancreatitis, vision problems, kidney injury, and skin changes (e.g., Ozempic face).
Please be aware that the 1.5 mL presentation of Ozempic 0.25 mg/0.5 mg pre-filled pen is being discontinued from 31 December 2025, and it will be Supply Only on the PBS until 1 June 2026. As such, you will only be able to write PBS prescriptions for the 3 mL presentation of Ozempic 0.25 mg/0.5 mg pre-filled pen.
There's no direct interaction between alcohol and Ozempic. But alcohol might sabotage some of Ozempic's potential benefits for your body weight, kidneys, and heart. And the combination may also worsen Ozempic's side effects. An occasional drink or two with Ozempic may not be a big deal.
But about half of people with obesity on this class of medications, called glucagon-like peptide agonists or GLP-1s, stop taking it within a year. Studies suggest that most people discontinue their use due to the high cost and adverse gastrointestinal side-effects.
The digestive effects of sugary drinks can be particularly uncomfortable: Increased nausea and vomiting - Sweet beverages can trigger or worsen the most common side effects of Ozempic. Exacerbated GI upset - Sugary drinks often intensify digestive discomfort already present from the medication.
If you've gone longer than a week or two without the medication, using the drug again can provoke serious gastrointestinal side effects. You may need help from your clinician to get safely back on track.
Before using Ozempic®, tell your health care provider if you have any other medical conditions, including if you: • have or have had problems with your pancreas • have a history of diabetic retinopathy • have severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems with ...
A pill form of Ozempic, called Rybelsus, is also available. But this has to be taken daily on an empty stomach. Malkani said the GLP-1 drugs have another potentially therapeutic effect: In some individuals they seem to cut down craving for alcohol and tobacco.
Foods to avoid while taking Ozempic
Food and drinks with added sugar, such as juice, soda, cakes and cookies. Refined carbs, like white bread, crackers, white flour and white rice.