Compare Contrave vs. Wegovy
Contrave is a daily oral tablet at $150-200/month that targets brain reward pathways for ~5-8% weight loss. Wegovy is a weekly semaglutide injection at $350-460/month that produces ~15-17% weight loss with proven cardiovascular benefit. Contrave is the more affordable option for those who prefer tablets over injections.
Compare Contrave vs Wegovy at a Glance
Compare Contrave vs Wegovy Cost in Australia
Private prescription cost per month in AUD.
Compare Contrave vs Wegovy Weight Loss Efficacy
Contrave Clinical Trials
COR-I
6.1% weight loss vs 1.3% placebo
COR-II
6.4% weight loss maintained
COR-BMOD
9.3% with intensive behaviour modification
Wegovy Clinical Trials
STEP 1
14.9% weight loss vs 2.4% placebo
STEP UP (7.2mg)
21% weight loss
SELECT
20% reduction in CV events
OASIS-4 (pill)
16.6% weight loss (oral form)
Clinical trial data at highest approved doses. Individual results vary.
Compare Contrave vs Wegovy Side Effects
Contrave
Very common
- Nausea (32%)
- Constipation (18%)
- Headache (14%)
Common
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhoea
Serious (rare)
- Seizures (contraindicated in seizure disorders)
- Increased blood pressure
- Hepatotoxicity
- Suicidal thoughts (bupropion, young adults)
- Cannot be used with opioids
Wegovy
Very common
- Nausea (up to 44%)
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
Common
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Dyspepsia
- Injection site reactions
Serious (rare)
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder disease
- Acute kidney injury
- Suicidal ideation (under investigation)
- Potential fracture risk (Dec 2025 warning)
Compare How Contrave and Wegovy Work
Contrave
Opioid antagonist + NDRI combination
Targets two brain pathways. Naltrexone (opioid antagonist) blocks reward/craving pathways in the mesolimbic dopamine circuit. Bupropion (NDRI) acts on the hypothalamic appetite centre to reduce hunger. The combination addresses both biological hunger drive and reward-based food cravings.
Wegovy
GLP-1 receptor agonist
Same mechanism as Ozempic but at higher dose (2.4mg vs 1mg) optimised for weight management. Mimics GLP-1 hormone, reducing appetite, slowing gastric emptying, and improving satiety. The oral pill (US only) uses SNAC technology to protect the molecule in the stomach.
Compare Contrave vs Wegovy Dosing Schedule
Contrave
Daily oral tablets
| Dose | Period | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tab morning | Week 1 | Starting dose |
| 1 AM + 1 PM | Week 2 | Escalation |
| 2 AM + 1 PM | Week 3 | Escalation |
| 2 AM + 2 PM | Week 4+ | Maintenance (4 tablets/day) |
Wegovy
Weekly injection (oral pill in US only)
| Dose | Period | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25mg | Weeks 1-4 | Starting dose |
| 0.5mg | Weeks 5-8 | Escalation |
| 1mg | Weeks 9-12 | Escalation |
| 1.7mg | Weeks 13-16 | Escalation |
| 2.4mg | Week 17+ | Maintenance dose |
Compare Contrave vs Wegovy Australian Regulatory Status
Contrave
- TGA Status
- Registered on ARTG for chronic weight management
- PBS Listed
- No PBS listing
- Supply Status
- No supply issues
- Key Advantage
- Only combination oral weight loss drug in AU; no injections needed
- UK Name
- Marketed as Mysimba in the UK
Wegovy
- TGA Status
- Registered on ARTG for chronic weight management and CV risk reduction
- PBS Listed
- PBAC recommended Jan 2026; price negotiation underway
- PBS Criteria
- BMI ≥35 (≥32.5 for Asian, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander) + established CVD
- Supply Status
- More stable supply than Ozempic as of early 2026
- Oral Pill
- Not available in Australia. Launched in US Jan 2026.
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We are not medical professionals and nothing on this page constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified doctor or specialist before making any decisions about medication.
The weight loss medication landscape in Australia is changing rapidly. Information on this page may become outdated without notice. Data sourced from the TGA, FDA, MHRA, NICE, PBAC, Australian Prescriber, Obesity Evidence Hub, and clinical trial publications. Last reviewed March 2026.