The Ozempic shortage in Australia has largely resolved as of mid-2025, with the TGA and Diabetes Australia reporting normal supply allowing for new prescriptions, though intermittent limited stock was predicted to continue until late 2025. While the 1.5 mL pen is being phased out by December 2025 for a new 3 mL version, supply is generally stable, but checking with your pharmacist for current availability is always best as demand remains high.
Ozempic 1.34mg/mL 3mL Pre Filled Pen 1 - Semaglutide
Find your local Chemist Warehouse storeto talk to our pharmacists for further assistance. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
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.
In Australia, Ozempic is only approved and subsidised for patients with diabetes, but doctors can use their own discretion to prescribe it for patients wanting to lose weight -- at full price.
Ozempic supply will continue to be limited until the end of 2025, according to the latest advice from Novo Nordisk, Ozempic's supplier.
✨ Stopping Ozempic suddenly is possible, but most patients experience a fast return of hunger, cravings, and weight regain. ✨ Always discontinue under medical supervision, especially if you're using Ozempic for diabetes or metabolic conditions.
Update: 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.
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.
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.
Ozempic alternatives for type 2 diabetes. As of 2025, six other GLP-1 medications are approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: Rybelsus (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), Victoza (liraglutide), Bydureon BCise (exenatide) and Byetta (exenatide).
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.
The BMI requirements for using Ozempic for weight loss follow general medical guidelines for anti-obesity medications. Ozempic is typically considered for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, which falls into the clinical obesity category.
Mounjaro and Ozempic both target appetite regulation and can lead to significant weight loss. The main difference is that Mounjaro, which works on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, may offer enhanced results compared to Ozempic, which only targets the GLP-1 receptor.
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.
A month's supply of Ozempic with a private prescription generally costs between $130—$200 in Australia.
Will Ozempic or Wegovy reduce belly fat? The answer appears to be yes. That Novo Nordisk-funded study of almost 2,000 overweight or obese adults without diabetes also found their visceral fat — the type that accumulates in the belly — was reduced from baseline with semaglutide, along with their total fat mass.
"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".
Yes, most people regain a significant amount of weight after stopping Ozempic (semaglutide) because appetite and cravings return, often regaining two-thirds of lost weight within a year, but this can be mitigated by gradual tapering, sustained exercise, and a healthy diet to manage the underlying chronic nature of obesity, says this source, this source, this source, and this source.
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).
When you stop taking Ozempic, you may notice some immediate effects, like an increase in appetite or blood sugar levels. Most people will gain back most of the weight that they lost while taking Ozempic. But some research shows that you may still get heart-health benefits even after stopping Ozempic.
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.
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.
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.