Yes, you can get Ozempic in Australia with a prescription, as the supply shortage has largely resolved, but it's approved and subsidized only for Type 2 diabetes under the PBS, not for weight loss (which is "off-label"). A new 3 mL pen is replacing the older 1.5 mL pen, and you'll need a doctor's prescription, with costs varying between PBS and private, though it's available for eligible patients at a subsidized rate.
The Ozempic shortage has now resolved, and new as well as existing patients can be prescribed and access treatment. The 1.5 mL presentation of Ozempic 0.25 mg/0.5 mg pre-filled pen will be discontinued from 31 December 2025, but it is being replaced by a 3 mL pen presentation.
Prescription options and costs
In Australia, Ozempic is available through a regulated prescription system. For those eligible under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), the cost is $31.60 per prescription.
The cost of a 30-day supply of Ozempic is $997.58 without insurance. However, the amount you pay will depend on your insurance coverage, the pharmacy you use, and any Ozempic coupons you may be eligible for.
Buy Ozempic 1.34mg/mL 3mL Pre Filled Pen 1 - Semaglutide online at Chemist Warehouse.
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.
Research shows that higher doses of Ozempic do lead to more weight loss. One study found that after 30 weeks1: 0.5 mg dose: Average weight loss of 3.7kg. 1 mg dose: Average weight loss of 4.5kg.
Each new Ozempic pen after that should contain four doses. Specifically, this includes the 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg maintenance doses. Each pen should last 4 weeks (about 1 month).
There are many side effects of taking Ozempic as a weight loss medication, including: Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Constipation. Stomach pain.
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.
For Ozempic, clinical guidelines generally recommend its use for individuals with a BMI of 27 or above who also have weight-related health issues such as hypertension or type 2 diabetes. People with a BMI of 30 or greater are typically eligible for treatment, primarily for weight management purposes.
If you stop taking Ozempic, you'll digest food at the same rate as you did before taking the drug. In addition, you'll likely have cravings and increased hunger. There's also a risk of binge eating after quitting Ozempic. All of these can contribute to gaining weight back.
A great first step is to call or visit your local pharmacy to ask if they have Ozempic in stock. Be sure to provide your prescription details, including your dosage, so they can check their inventory.
The easy answer is “yes”, NHS doctors do prescribe Ozempic, however there are quite a few qualifiers which determine whether you'll be able to get an NHS Ozempic prescription.
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.
How much weight can you lose on 0.25 mg of Ozempic? You should expect to lose very little, if any, weight on the 0.25 mg starting dose. This four-week period is for your body to get used to the medication, not for therapeutic weight loss.
Increased Heart Rate and Palpitations – Some patients taking Ozempic experience an increased heart rate while taking the semaglutide. This can cause arrhythmias and heart palpitations, which may be alarming if they happen often.
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.
Summary: Ozempic does not wear off by the end of the week when used as prescribed, as it is specifically designed with a seven-day half-life to maintain therapeutic effects throughout the entire weekly dosing interval.
The main symptoms associated with Ozempic Face are:
How to Get Past the Ozempic Weight Loss Plateau
While taking Ozempic, avoiding certain foods can help you reduce side effects like nausea and constipation and can also ensure you're getting enough vitamins and nutrients on your reduced appetite. Some foods to eat less of include foods high in fat, sugary treats and drinks, alcohol, refined carbs, and spicy foods.
"Ozempic hands" is a slang term for the visible changes in hands due to rapid fat loss from GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, making them look thinner, bonier, and more aged with prominent veins, tendons, and thinner skin, as subcutaneous fat diminishes and skin doesn't fully contract quickly. It's not a formal diagnosis but a common cosmetic effect of significant weight loss, similar to "Ozempic face".