Saxenda (liraglutide) was registered and approved in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on January 8, 2018, following a decision date of January 5, 2018, for use with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, though news reports suggest earlier public awareness around its PBS listing around March 2016.
GPs are reminded the GLP-1 receptor agonist Saxenda will no longer be available in Australia by year end. Saxenda will be unavailable for purchase in Australia after December 2025, and GPs are being advised to discuss alternative treatments with patients.
The global shortage of Saxenda (liraglutide) is due to a surge in demand for GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Ozempic, which are also in short supply. Media coverage of the benefits of these weight loss treatments has further increased interest, leading to supply chain challenges.
Saxenda (liraglutide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both injectable drugs. Saxenda is FDA-approved for chronic weight management, while Ozempic is used for Type 2 diabetes in adults. However, Ozempic may be prescribed for weight loss as an off-label use. Saxenda requires more frequent injections than Ozempic.
However, studies have also shown that Ozempic leads to fewer side effects and adverse events than Saxenda, with people tolerating Ozempic better. So, if you're looking for a GLP-1 receptor agonist to help you lose weight and improve your blood sugar levels, Ozempic might be the better option.
In Australia, the most effective weight loss medications currently include Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic), which are GLP-1 agonists offering significant weight loss (15-25% in trials) by reducing appetite, with Tirzepatide showing slightly superior results. Other options are Liraglutide (Saxenda), offering 5-10% loss, and older drugs like Orlistat (Xenical/Alli) for modest fat absorption blockage, and short-term use Phentermine, but newer injectables are generally preferred for substantial results, always alongside diet and exercise.
Wegovy (Semaglutide): Weekly Weight Loss Injections. Wegovy is a weight loss injection that works in a similar way to Saxenda. However, it contains a different active ingredient (Semaglutide) and only needs to be injected once per week. This may make it more convenient than Saxenda.
Significant demand for weight-management medicines has impacted the availability of Novo Nordisk obesity medications, including Saxenda®. We continue to produce and ship all available Saxenda®, but unfortunately, you may still have difficulty filling Saxenda® prescriptions for the foreseeable future.
Saxenda pens contain the active ingredient liraglutide, a medication that can reduce your appetite and delay the emptying of your stomach. Currently Saxenda is now long term out of stock, however a generic version of liraglutide is now available, Nevolat.
There is no specific guidance set down for the end of your Saxenda course however the most important advice is to continue with the exercise and calorie-controlled diet. Saxenda is a tool to aid weight loss and cannot be continued indefinitely however it can provide you help to retrain your eating habits.
Oprah has praised Semaglutide for its role in reducing her hunger and making it easier to manage her weight. “I've tried every diet under the sun, but nothing clicked until I started using Semaglutide,” Oprah explained in a recent podcast episode.
Amy Schumer stopped taking Ozempic because it made her feel "bedridden," severely nauseous, and unable to play with her young son, attributing her extreme reaction to a genetic marker (GDF15) that causes intense nausea, similar to her difficult pregnancies. She found the side effects—vomiting, lack of energy—made the medication "not livable," despite experiencing significant weight loss.
Serious side effects may happen in people who take Saxenda®, including: Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your health care professional if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer.
Yes, several GLP-1 medications are available in Australia for Type 2 diabetes and/or weight management, including Ozempic (semaglutide), Wegovy (semaglutide for weight loss), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), and Saxenda (liraglutide), though access and subsidy on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) vary, with many patients paying privately. These are prescription injectables for diabetes/weight loss under medical supervision, with Wegovy specifically approved for chronic weight management in eligible adults and adolescents.
Ozempic® (semaglutide) typically leads to more weight loss than liraglutide medications like Saxenda® or Victoza®, making it the stronger option for most people. Many people also prefer Ozempic's once-weekly injection schedule over liraglutide's daily dosing.
Kelly Clarkson uses a prescription weight-loss medication, but specified it's not Ozempic, though she hasn't revealed the exact drug; it helps her body break down sugar, a necessity due to pre-diabetes, alongside healthy habits like a high-protein diet, increased walking, and a better lifestyle after moving to New York. Her doctor encouraged medication due to concerning blood work, leading her to start after a health scare prompted change, though she initially hesitated due to thyroid issues.
Ozempic tends to result in more weight loss than Saxenda, and it's more cost-effective per pound lost. However, it's a once-weekly injection, while Saxenda requires daily dosing, which may affect user preference.
Summary: You can stop taking Saxenda suddenly without dangerous withdrawal symptoms, as it does not cause physical dependence. Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used for weight management that can be discontinued abruptly without medical risk.
Studies have also shown that Wegovy leads to fewer side effects and adverse events than Saxenda, with people tolerating Wegovy better. So, if you're looking for a GLP-1 receptor agonist to help you lose weight and improve your blood sugar levels, Wegovy is likely the better option.
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.
1. Semaglutide (Wegovy®)
The main symptoms associated with Ozempic Face are:
The choice between Duromine and Ozempic depends on various factors: Health Conditions: If you have type 2 diabetes, Ozempic might be beneficial. However, its use for weight loss is off-label in Australia. Lifestyle: Duromine requires daily commitment, while Ozempic's weekly injection might be more convenient for some.