Weight loss medication in Australia: what is approved.
Six active ingredients are TGA-registered for weight management in Australia. They work differently, carry different risks, and none is subsidised for that purpose. This page compares them, explains who they are registered for, summarises Australian guidelines, and describes the lifestyle support every registration assumes. It is information, not advice.
As of 1 October 2026, the medicines registered for weight management in Australia are Wegovy (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Contrave (naltrexone and bupropion), phentermine (Duromine, Metermine and generics) and orlistat (Xenical and generics). Saxenda (liraglutide) was withdrawn in December 2025; generic liraglutide brands remain registered. All except orlistat are prescription-only. None is PBS-subsidised for weight management; a restricted Wegovy listing is recommended but not commenced.
- 1 October 2024: Pharmacy compounding of GLP-1 medicines banned. TGA media release.
- September 2024: Mounjaro registered for chronic weight management; Wegovy had launched in August 2024. TGA record.
- December 2024: Wegovy gained a cardiovascular risk-reduction indication (established CVD, BMI 27 or more). TGA record.
- November 2025: PBAC recommended a restricted Wegovy listing and a “slow and managed roll-out”. PBAC advice.
- December 2025: Saxenda discontinued in Australia. Novo Nordisk letter.
- January 2026: Health Minister committed to the Wegovy listing; price unresolved as of 1 October 2026. ABC News.
TGA-registered medicines for weight management.
Every entry is registered as an adjunct to a reduced-energy diet and increased physical activity. BMI thresholds are registered criteria, not recommendations; a prescriber weighs them against the whole person.
| Medicine | Class and route | Registered for (adults) | Schedule | PBS, 1 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy semaglutide 2.4 mg, Novo Nordisk | GLP-1 receptor agonist; weekly injection | BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with a weight-related comorbidity; also cardiovascular risk reduction with established CVD and BMI ≥27 | S4 prescription | Not listed; restricted listing recommended November 2025 |
| Mounjaro tirzepatide, Eli Lilly | Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist; weekly injection | BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with a weight-related comorbidity | S4 prescription | Not listed; no obesity submission |
| Saxenda liraglutide 3 mg, Novo Nordisk; generics by Cipla and Sun Pharma | GLP-1 receptor agonist; daily injection | BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with a weight-related comorbidity | S4 prescription | Never listed; Saxenda discontinued December 2025, generic supply unconfirmed |
| Contrave naltrexone 8 mg + bupropion 90 mg, iNova | Opioid antagonist plus noradrenaline and dopamine reuptake inhibitor; oral tablets | BMI ≥30, or 27 to under 30 with a weight-related comorbidity | S4 prescription | Not listed |
| Duromine, Metermine, phentermine generics phentermine, iNova and others | Sympathomimetic appetite suppressant; oral capsules | Short-term adjunct at BMI ≥30; may start at BMI 25 to 29.9 with risk factors | S4 prescription | Not listed |
| Xenical, orlistat generics orlistat 120 mg, Pharmaco and others | Gut lipase inhibitor; oral capsules with meals | Obesity, or overweight with risk factors, per the Product Information | S3 pharmacist-only (120 mg) | Not on the general PBS; Repatriation PBS only |
Sources: TGA registration records for Wegovy, Mounjaro, Contrave and phentermine; ARTG entry 61598 (Xenical); PBS item 4570M (orlistat, RPBS).
How each medicine works.
Semaglutide (Wegovy) and liraglutide (Saxenda) mimic GLP-1, a gut hormone released after eating. They slow stomach emptying, increase fullness and reduce appetite signals in the brain. In STEP 1, semaglutide 2.4 mg produced a mean weight change of 14.9 per cent at 68 weeks versus 2.4 per cent with placebo; in SELECT it cut major cardiovascular events by 20 per cent in people with existing heart disease. See the Wegovy diet plan for food context.
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) activates both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors. In SURMOUNT-1, mean weight change at 72 weeks was 16 to 22.5 per cent across doses versus 2.4 per cent with placebo. More in tirzepatide in Australia.
Naltrexone and bupropion (Contrave) combine an opioid-receptor blocker with an antidepressant acting on noradrenaline and dopamine. Together they affect hypothalamic appetite circuits and the reward pathways behind cravings; trial weight loss was more modest than with the newer injectables.
Phentermine (Duromine, Metermine) is an amphetamine-related stimulant that suppresses appetite through noradrenaline release, registered for short-term use within a medically supervised programme.
Orlistat (Xenical) works in the gut, blocking the enzyme that digests dietary fat so roughly a third of fat eaten passes through unabsorbed. It is the only option available without a prescription.
PBS status: none for weight management.
As of 1 October 2026 no medicine is PBS-subsidised for weight management. Semaglutide (as Ozempic) is subsidised only for type 2 diabetes. Orlistat has a Repatriation PBS listing for eligible veterans. Everyone else pays a private price set by the pharmacy, not reported here.
In November 2025 the PBAC recommended Wegovy for adults with established cardiovascular disease and obesity, subject to a price reduction and risk-sharing deal, and advised a “slow and managed roll-out”. The Health Minister endorsed the listing in January 2026, but negotiations with Novo Nordisk were unresolved as of 1 October 2026. Broader access, the committee said, will depend on long-term evidence and cost. Details are in Wegovy and the PBS.
General safety considerations and contraindications.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation are common, especially during dose increases. Less common: pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, dehydration, low blood glucose with insulin or sulfonylureas. TGA-required warnings cover aspiration under anaesthesia and suicidal thoughts. Not used in pregnancy. Weight regain after stopping is well documented.
Nausea, constipation, headache and insomnia are common. Contraindicated with uncontrolled high blood pressure, seizure disorders, eating disorders, opioid use or withdrawal, and MAOI antidepressants. Carries bupropion’s warning about mood changes and suicidal thoughts.
Raises heart rate and blood pressure; can cause insomnia, dry mouth, restlessness and anxiety. Contraindicated with cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, a history of substance misuse and MAOIs. Registered for short-term use only.
Oily stools, urgency and flatulence, worse with high-fat meals. Reduces absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and can interact with ciclosporin, levothyroxine and warfarin. Contraindicated in malabsorption and cholestasis.
A summary, not the full list: each Consumer Medicine Information sets out contraindications, interactions and warnings. Anyone can report suspected side effects to the TGA.
What Australian guidelines say.
The RACGP position statement on obesity prevention and management (January 2025) treats obesity as a chronic, relapsing condition, places general practice at the centre of long-term care, and frames the goal as “gaining health, not just losing weight”. It calls for funding that reflects the complexity of care and fairer access to evidence-based therapies. A 2025 Australian Journal of General Practice review describes pharmacotherapy as one tool in a multicomponent plan, considered when lifestyle measures alone have not met health goals and continued only while working and tolerated.
The National Obesity Strategy 2022–2032, agreed by all Australian governments, is primarily a prevention framework. Its goals are to halt and reverse the rise in adult obesity and reduce childhood overweight and obesity by at least 5 per cent by 2030, while supporting the roughly 14 million Australians already affected. It does not endorse particular medicines.
The PBAC’s December 2025 advice adds the subsidy view: staged access, priority for high-need groups, and caution about long-term outcomes.
Diet, activity and behavioural support.
Every registration here reads “as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity”, and every pivotal trial gave lifestyle counselling to all participants. Guidelines describe the surrounding care as dietary advice, structured activity, behavioural strategies, sleep and mental health support, and review.
Protein and muscle
Rapid weight loss includes lean mass. Adequate protein and resistance activity are the usual counters, tailored to kidney function and other conditions.
Smaller meals
Fewer kilojoules means fibre, fluids and micronutrients must come from less food. The GLP-1 portion guide and GLP-1 meal plan set out general principles.
Behaviour and review
Follow-up tracks response, side effects, blood pressure and mood, and plans for stopping.
Dietitians, exercise physiologists and psychologists can be part of a GP-led plan. Preptide’s role is food; it provides none of this clinical support.
Compounded, imported and online products.
Since 1 October 2024 pharmacists may not compound medicines containing GLP-1 receptor agonist analogues. Injectable “peptides” sold online, labelled semaglutide, tirzepatide or the unapproved retatrutide, have not been assessed for content, sterility or dose. In 2026 the TGA reported hospitalisations and made them a compliance priority; Victoria’s Chief Health Officer reported acute liver injuries linked to a retatrutide-labelled product. Importing or supplying them is unlawful.
Discussing options with a GP.
A useful consultation covers health history, current medicines, pregnancy plans, mental health, previous attempts, and which outcome matters most, whether mobility, blood glucose, sleep apnoea or something else. Reasonable questions: which options are registered for my situation, what the common and serious side effects are, how response will be measured, what happens if it does not work or must be stopped, and what support sits alongside any medicine.
What weight loss medications are approved in Australia?
As of 1 October 2026 the TGA-registered medicines for weight management are Wegovy (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Contrave (naltrexone and bupropion), phentermine (Duromine, Metermine and generics) and orlistat (Xenical and generics). Saxenda (liraglutide) was withdrawn in December 2025.
Is any weight loss medication on the PBS?
No medicine is PBS-subsidised for weight management as of 1 October 2026. The PBAC recommended a restricted Wegovy listing for people with established cardiovascular disease and obesity in November 2025; the listing had not commenced. Orlistat has a Repatriation PBS listing for veterans only.
Who are weight loss medicines registered for?
Most are registered as an adjunct to diet and activity for adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition. Phentermine is registered for short-term use at BMI 30 or more. A doctor assesses individual suitability.
Do weight loss medications have side effects?
All do. GLP-1 medicines commonly cause nausea and other gut symptoms; phentermine can raise heart rate and blood pressure and disturb sleep; Contrave carries seizure and mood warnings; orlistat causes oily stools and can reduce absorption of some vitamins and medicines. Each has contraindications in its Product Information.
Are compounded or imported weight loss injections legal in Australia?
No. Pharmacy compounding of GLP-1 medicines has been banned since 1 October 2024, and unapproved peptide products sold online are unlawful and linked to hospitalisations. Only TGA-registered medicines may be supplied.
Do I still need to change diet and activity if I take medication?
Every registration is as an adjunct to a reduced-energy diet and increased physical activity, and Australian guidance frames medication as one part of long-term chronic disease management alongside dietary, activity, behavioural and psychological support.
Primary sources checked for this page.
- healthdirect: weight loss medicine (reviewed March 2026).
- TGA: Wegovy registration (weight management).
- TGA: Mounjaro registration (weight management).
- TGA: Contrave registration.
- healthdirect: Duromine (phentermine).
- PBAC advice on equitable access to GLP-1 obesity treatments.
- RACGP position statement: obesity prevention and management.
- AJGP 2025: pharmacotherapy for overweight and obesity.
- National Obesity Strategy 2022–2032.
- Wilding et al., STEP 1, NEJM 2021; Lincoff et al., SELECT, NEJM 2023.
Editorial method: Australian regulatory sources (TGA, PBS, healthdirect, Department of Health) were checked first, then professional guidance and peer-reviewed trials. Status statements are dated and may change. A named clinical review is pending; until then this is editorial research, not clinical opinion. See the Preptide editorial policy.
Important: General information only, not medical advice. Brand names are registered trademarks of their respective owners; Preptide is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any medicine manufacturer. Preptide is food, not medication, and does not prescribe, sell, recommend or promote prescription medicines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any medicine. In an emergency call 000. Read our editorial policy and Health Acknowledgement.