Ozempic and Mounjaro for Weight Loss

By Amelia Kranz – Accredited Practising Dietitian

Weight loss medications, specifically Ozempic and Mounjaro, have been all the buzz in the weight loss space over the past few years. In Australia, Wegovy (semaglutide) is the newest weight loss drug approved by TGA. Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) have been prescribed off-label for weight loss. Becoming known as ‘obesity wonder drugs’, many people are opting for these types of medications as less invasive and cost-effective alternative to endoscopic procedures or bariatric surgeries. But how do they really stack up in the long-term?  

How do they work? 

Ozempic/ Wegovy and Mounjaro are both examples of glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist (GLP-1) drugs, which means they mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone. GLP-1 is produced by the body after a meal to tell you that you’re full and to prompt the release of insulin, which helps to lower blood sugar levels. The medications are long-acting and are administered once-weekly via injection.  

Ozempic/ Wegovy and Mounjaro have proven so popular that we’ve experienced worldwide shortages, partially due to their promotion on various social media platforms and by celebrities. Since Ozempic and Mounjaro are currently only approved by the TGA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, there may be significant financial and access barriers to any patients wanting to use these for weight loss.  

What does the research say? 

For type 2 diabetics, research has shown improvements in blood glucose control, and 5% or more weight loss over 3 years of treatment with 0.5mg or 1mg semaglutide. Another study showed that semaglutide taken at a high dose (2.4mg) combined with lifestyle interventions (in people without type 2 diabetes) resulted in an average of almost 15% total body weight loss during 68 weeks of treatment ​(Wilding, 2021)​. However there is limited data on the longer-term effectiveness of these medications for weight loss.  

Cost considerations  

At the full weight lose dose, Ozempic may cost around $400/ month and Mounjaro up to $800-$900/ month, although many people do not require the full dose to achieve adequate results. Data appears to show that the weight loss benefit stops once you stop taking the medication. We also know that the body compensates for weight loss by lowering energy expenditure (metabolism) over time, so it can be reasonably expected that prolonged treatment with these drugs is required to be most effective.  

So what’s the bottom line?  

GLP-1 agonist medications may be a suitable option for many patients and could produce comparable results, at least in the short term, to some weight loss procedures e.g. gastric balloon. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to weight loss, and medications as well as procedural options work best when combined with diet and lifestyle changes. If used over prolonged periods, medications represent a significant financial investment, however may be viewed as more cost-effective on a month-to-month basis.

For individualised assessment and advice, head on over to book an appointment with one of our specialists https://bmiclinic.com.au/appointments/.