Five agents are currently approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for obesity management: orlistat, phentermine, naltrexone–bupropion, and the glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonists liraglutide and semaglutide. Their mechanisms of action, dosing, effects, and costs are summarised in Box 2.
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).
Novo Nordisk's semaglutide was found to reduce body weight, on average, by around 15%, or about 34 pounds, after 68 weeks. And Lilly's other weight loss drug, tirzepatide, was shown to reduce body weight, on average, by 22.5% on average, or about 52 pounds, after 72 weeks.
The main difference between these two drugs is the price. Duromine is cheaper than Contrave, especially if you don't have insurance. But it is your doctor who can decide which one is better for you, depending on your medical history, medicines you use, and health conditions.
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, headache, dizziness, trouble sleeping, increased sweating, flushing, and dry mouth or strange taste in the mouth may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Contrave has an average rating of 6.6 out of 10 from a total of 1968 ratings on Drugs.com. 55% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 26% reported a negative effect. Ozempic has an average rating of 6.0 out of 10 from a total of 1019 ratings on Drugs.com.
Tirzepatide is the first drug that uses the action of two hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, for greater effects. It also targets the chemical signals sent from the gut to the brain, curbing cravings and thoughts of food.
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.
Semaglutide injections for weight loss
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.
These medications, including Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide) and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro (tirzepatide), are not covered by Medicare when used for weight loss. The 2003 law that established the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits prohibits Part D plans from covering drugs used for weight loss.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) can help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce weight in people with type 2 diabetes. Doctors may also prescribe it off-label for obesity.
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.
Phentermine is only approved for short-term use of 12 weeks or less due to potential side effects with longer-term use. Phentermine is considered one of the strongest prescription weight loss medications. It is a Schedule IV controlled substance due to its potential for abuse and addiction.
Wegovy (or semaglutide) is a weight-loss drug
Wegovy is an injectable medication given weekly for people with an elevated BMI. In most cases, patients begin on a lower dose and then gradually, over multiple months, work their way up to the correct dosage.
Mounjaro - also known by its generic name tirzepatide - is the newer kid on the block. Like Ozempic and Wegovy, it suppresses the appetite and lengthens the amount of time food stays in the stomach, leading to weight loss - at least for as long as you carry on taking it.
The diabetes drug Ozempic, and its sister drug for weight loss, Wegovy, utilize the same medication, semaglutide. These and other drugs in this family, which includes medications like tirzepatide and liraglutide, work by mimicking a hormone that's naturally made by the body, GLP-1.
Key points: Ozempic® is more effective than Saxenda® at supporting weight loss and blood sugar reductions. Ozempic® seems to lead to fewer side effects and is better tolerated than Saxenda®. However, individuals will vary in their response to medications, so choose the right one for you.
Ozempic can result in greater weight loss than metformin
On average, people taking the highest Ozempic dose during clinical trials lost about 15 lbs over 40 weeks (about 9 months). Experts consider metformin to be a “weight-neutral” medication that has the potential to cause modest weight loss.
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.
It's one of the prescription drugs on which Medicare, the federal health care program for people age 65 and older and for younger people with certain disabilities, spends the most money each year. But Medicare doesn't cover Ozempic for weight loss — only for diabetes.
Ozempic is also used off-label for weight loss. In particular, it can help reduce the amount of belly fat. This is because Ozempic works by making you feel fuller for longer, which can help you resist overeating by controlling cravings and hunger.
In general, more weight loss and better blood glucose control are seen with higher Ozempic doses. During a 40-week study, people receiving the 1 mg Ozempic dose lost an average of 13 lbs. And people receiving the 2 mg Ozempic dose lost an average of 15 lbs.
Not only did the cardiovascular benefit seem to vanish, but there was a difference in deaths from other causes: 26 deaths on Contrave versus 17 on placebo. The difference was not statistically significant.
Contrave should be taken with food. Continue using Contrave as long as your doctor recommends it. Some people do not respond to Contrave. Treatment should not be continued for more than 16 weeks if you have not lost more than 5% of your initial body weight.