Wegovy in Australia
Wegovy Key Facts
Yes, approved for weight management
TGA approved August 2024 for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) with comorbidities, and adolescents 12+ with obesity. Also approved for cardiovascular risk reduction.
Well-studied; same molecule as Ozempic
Same active ingredient as Ozempic at higher doses. Extensive clinical trial data from the STEP programme (15,000+ participants). SELECT trial showed 20% reduction in major cardiovascular events.
5 years globally, launched AU Aug 2024
FDA approved June 2021. MHRA approved 2022. TGA approved and launched in Australia August 2024. Higher 7.2mg dose approved in UK (Jan 2026) and US (Mar 2026). Oral pill launched in US January 2026.
$350-460/month (private only, for now)
Private prescription only. Maintenance dose (2.4mg) costs ~$400-460/month. PBS listing recommended by PBAC (Jan 2026) for BMI ≥35 + cardiovascular disease. If listed, cost drops to $25/script ($7.70 concession). Price negotiations with Novo Nordisk underway.
Private prescription from a GP or specialist
Available via private prescription from any registered doctor. No PBS subsidy yet (pending). No specialist referral required, but clinical assessment of BMI, comorbidities, and lifestyle history is standard.
Wegovy Australian Regulatory Status
Wegovy Mechanism of Action
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.
Wegovy Dosing Schedule
| 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 |
Wegovy Side Effects
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)
Wegovy Clinical Evidence
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)
Compare Wegovy with Other Medications
Wegovy vs Ozempic
GLP-1 receptor agonist
~15% avg. weight loss
Wegovy vs Mounjaro
Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
~21% avg. weight loss
Contrave vs Wegovy
Opioid antagonist + NDRI combination
~5-8% avg. weight loss
Orlistat vs Wegovy
Lipase inhibitor
~3-5% avg. weight loss
Saxenda vs Wegovy
GLP-1 receptor agonist
~8% avg. weight loss
This website is for informational and research purposes only. 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.