Costs of Weight Loss Medications
Most Weight Loss/Anti-Obesity Medications are not PBS listed and carry a significant cost. Please see below for a guide on the costs of both oral and injectable weight loss medications.
Oral Tablets:
Duromine (Phentermine)
- $90–$170 per month
- $1,080–$2,040 per year
Contrave (Naltrexone/Bupropion)
- $249 per month
- $2,988 per year
Topamax (Topiramate)
- $10–$23 per month
- $60–$141 per year
Injectable Medications:
Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)
- $285–$719 per month
- $3,420–$8,628 per year
Wegovy (Semaglutide)
- $260–$645 per month
- $3,120–$7,740 per year
Ozempic (Semaglutide)
- $130–$200 per month
- $1,560–$2,400 per year
Saxenda (Liraglutide)
- $400 per month
- $4,800 per year
Trulicity (Dulaglutide)
- $150 per month
- $1,800 per year
Weight Loss Medications Dosage and Cost in Australia
Oral Medication | Dose | Trial Duration | %TWL | PBS Subsidy | Estimated Cost (Private) | Annual Cost (Private) | Trial |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Duromine | 15mg - 30mg | 12 weeks | 5% - 10% | No | $90 - $170 | $1,080 - $2,040 | Kang et al 2010 |
Contrave | 8mg/90mg | 56 weeks | 5.4% | No | $249 | $2,988 | Greenway et al 2010 |
Topamax | No | $15 - $31 | $180 - $372 | ||||
Mounjaro | 5mg, 10mg, 15mg | 72 weeks | 15%, 19.5%, 20.9% | No | $285 - $719/month | $3,420 - $8,628 | Surmount |
Wegovy | 2.4mg | 68 weeks | 14.9% - 18.5% | No | $345 - $645/month | $4,140 - $7,740 | Step 1,3,4,8 |
Ozempic | 1.0mg | 40 weeks | 6.5% | No, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus only | $130 - $200/month | $1,560 - $2,400 | Sustain 7 |
Saxenda | 3.0mg | 68 weeks | 6.6% | No | $400 | $4,800 | Step 8, Scale |
Trulicity | 1.5mg | 40 weeks | 3% | No, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Only | $150 | $1,800 | Sustain 7 |