What is Wegovy? Wegovy is a brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 analogue. It is a weight loss drug manufactured by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.
Tirzepatide, an Eli Lilly and Co. drug 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.
“[Wegovy] creates upwards of about 20 per cent weight loss, which is a spectacular weight loss, and double at least of what we were expecting from anti-obesity medications just a year or so ago,” Prof Oldfield said. “[These results] are after a number of months, and you build up to the dose.
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.
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's sister drug, Ozempic, relies on the same formula but at a lower dose and was approved for people with Type 2 diabetes in 2017. Both drugs are brand names for semaglutide, a medication that can lower blood sugar and suppress appetite by mimicking a hormone that signals to the brain when a person is full.
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.
Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) may be prescribed if you have type 2 diabetes. FORM physicians may also choose to prescribe Mounjaro if you have a BMI of 30 or higher or 27 or higher with weight-related conditions, and you have not been successful in losing weight or maintaining weight loss with lifestyle changes alone.
Cost: Tirzepatide is a prescription medication that can be very expensive, depending on a person's insurance coverage. On the other hand, Zotrim is a much more affordable option for weight loss, and it is available over-the-counter without a prescription.
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.
Some popular examples of weight loss pills are Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion), Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate ER), and phentermine (Adipex-P). Some clinical studies suggest that Qsymia is the most effective weight loss pill.
About Duromine Australia
Duromine is the Australian Brand for Phentermine which has been recognized as the world's best medication for weight loss. Duromine is available in 3 different strengths that are 15 mg, 30 mg, and 40 mg.
Although effective at reducing body weight there are a few reasons to be cautious before buying Tirzepatide. Firstly, it is expensive, costing $1000's per month if purchased without insurance coverage.
Tirzepatide was approved as Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) by the FDA on May 13, 2022.
Patients who took Eli Lilly's weight loss drug tirzepatide lost up to 34 pounds, or 16% of their body weight, the company said in clinical trial results. Patients in the placebo group who did not receive the injection lost 7 pounds on average.
Given the theoretical risk, tirzepatide should be avoided in those with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Patients with a history of MEN 2 (multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type-2) should also avoid tirzepatide.
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.
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is a medication approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but it has shown incredible results for weight loss, even for people who do not have diabetes.
In addition to treating Type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide has been shown to help with weight loss in people without diabetes. A clinical trial of over 2,500 people with obesity or overweight experienced significant weight loss with weekly tirzepatide.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) can cause stomach problems, including stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It isn't recommended for people with a history of severe stomach issues, such as gastroparesis (slowed emptying of your stomach). Contact your provider if you have concerns.
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.
Semaglutide, which is taken as a weekly injection that is self-administered, helps people with type 2 diabetes to control their blood sugar and in many cases also lose weight.
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.