Weight Loss Medications - The Basics

Melbourne’s only Board Certified Obesity Medicine specialist explains what these medications are all about.

You might feel like everywhere you turn people are talking about Ozempic®. Medications like Ozempic® and Mounjaro® can result in weight loss and are even known as ‘weight loss medications’ or ‘anti-obesity medications’. Here we will give a brief overview of these medications.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is the medicine and therapeutic regulatory agency of the Australian Government. The TGA approves medications for use to combat obesity and, at present, has approved Duromine®, Contrave®, Saxenda®, Xenical® and Wegovy®. Wegovy® which has the same active ingredient as Ozempic® is TGA-approved for weight loss in Australia but not yet available.

Medications like Ozempic® and Mounjaro® are TGA-approved for the treatment of diabetes as they were originally developed for this. As these medications can result in weight loss, they are sometimes prescribed ‘off-label’ for the specific indication of weight management. 'Off-label' prescribing means a drug is prescribed for an indication, a route of administration, or a patient group that is not included in the approved product information document for that drug.

Ozempic® and Mounjaro® are injectable medications that can result in weight loss. The long term success and safety of these medications are still being researched and are unknown. However, short term studies (1 and 2 years) have shown meaningful weight loss. Results are not as good as for bariatric surgery but better than for the other TGA-approved medications currently available.

All weight loss medications need to be prescribed by a registered medical practitioner. In general, they are indicated when an individual has a BMI of 30 or higher or a BMI of 27 and above in the presence of an obesity-associated medical condition when intensive lifestyle intervention has not produced sufficient weight loss. Sufficient weight loss is often defined as 5% or more of an individual’s total body weight, in this context. 

Duromine® is not intended to be used on a long term basis but other medications are. Use of weight loss medications needs to be supervised by an experienced prescriber and medications result in best weight loss when used in conjunction with diet and lifestyle change. 

Each medication has a unique side effect profile and set of risks. It’s best to talk to our expert team to discuss if you are suitable for weight loss medications.

360 SURGERY's  medical weight-loss program stands out as a personalised evidence-based approach to weight management under the guidance of healthcare professionals. Our expert team have specialised qualifications in obesity care and focus on a multidisciplinary approach, close follow up and a customisable plan that suits you.