Pathway · 3 listed providers
Wegovy vs Mounjaro — Australian guide + provider directory
The two leading GLP-1 weight-loss medications available in Australia: Wegovy (semaglutide, by Novo Nordisk) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide, by Eli Lilly). Both are once-weekly injections. Both are TGA-approved for obesity (BMI 30+, or BMI 27+ with weight-related health conditions). Both cost $400–$600/month privately. Average weight loss differs significantly: Wegovy 15% body weight over 68 weeks in trials; Mounjaro 21% over 72 weeks — currently a TGA-approved weight-management medicine available.
★Key takeaways
- ✓3 verified Australian providers offering wegovy vs mounjaro — ranked by ANZMOSS membership + years in practice.
- ✓You meet eligibility (BMI 30+ or BMI 27+ with comorbidities), want strong weight loss without surgery, can sustain $5–7k/year medication cost long-term, and tolerate weekly injections. TGA Product Information for each medicine lists the current approved indications; your prescriber will choose based on your clinical picture (better efficacy, milder side effects). Wegovy remains a strong alternative if Mounjaro is unavailable or if cost-share insurance favours it.
- ✓$400–$600/month for either Wegovy or Mounjaro privately, depending on dose. **Important:** pricing is per pen, not per mg — higher doses don't cost more.
- ✓Source: AHPRA Specialist Register + ANZMOSS member directory + TGA-approved prescriber networks.
In depth
Everything you need to know about wegovy vs mounjaro
**Mechanism.** Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist — it mimics the gut hormone GLP-1 which slows gastric emptying + increases satiety + improves insulin sensitivity. Mounjaro is a **dual** GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist — it does everything Wegovy does plus activates the GIP receptor, which adds further appetite suppression + insulin sensitivity. The dual mechanism is the basis for Mounjaro's superior weight-loss outcomes.
**Trial efficacy comparisons.** Wegovy STEP-1 trial: 14.9% body weight loss at 68 weeks (vs 2.4% placebo). Mounjaro SURMOUNT-1: 20.9% body weight loss at 72 weeks at the highest dose (15mg), 15.0% at the lowest effective dose (5mg). In head-to-head trial SURMOUNT-5 (semaglutide vs tirzepatide at maximum doses), tirzepatide produced significantly more weight loss (20.2% vs 13.7% at 72 weeks). Real-world outcomes are slightly less dramatic but consistently favour Mounjaro.
**Side effect profile.** Both medications cause GI side effects (nausea, fatigue, occasional vomiting) during dose titration. Mounjaro side effects tend to be milder + clear faster in patient surveys. Common: nausea (40% Wegovy / 35% Mounjaro), diarrhoea (20% / 20%), constipation (25% / 25%), fatigue (15% / 11%). Rare but serious: pancreatitis (under 1%), gallbladder disease, thyroid C-cell tumours in animal studies (TGA precaution but no human signal). Stop and contact prescriber if persistent severe abdominal pain.
**Cost + access.** Both currently $400–$600/month privately. PBS subsidy is restricted to Type 2 diabetes patients only (not obesity). Patient access programs available from both manufacturers. Telehealth services (Juniper, Pilot, Mosh, Eucalyptus, Hers) bundle medication + coaching for $300–$500/month — generally the cheapest route for both. Supply: periodic shortages affect both medications globally. Larger compound pharmacies + telehealth providers tend to manage supply better than small independents.
**Long-term.** Both medications work as long as you take them. Stopping causes appetite return + significant weight regain within 12 months for most patients — typically 50–60% of lost weight returns. This makes GLP-1 medications a long-term treatment commitment, not a 12-month course. Annual cost commitment: $5,000–$7,000 over multiple years. Compare against bariatric surgery break-even at 3-4 years.
Key facts
- Both once-weekly subcutaneous injections
- Wegovy: GLP-1 agonist · 15% body weight loss over 68 weeks
- Mounjaro: dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist · 21% over 72 weeks
- Mounjaro side effects milder + clear faster in real-world surveys
- Both: TGA-approved for BMI 30+ or BMI 27+ with comorbidities
- Both: $400–$600/month privately; $300–$500/month via telehealth
- PBS subsidy: Type 2 diabetes only (not obesity)
- Stopping causes ~50–60% weight regain within 12 months
Consider this pathway if
You meet eligibility (BMI 30+ or BMI 27+ with comorbidities), want strong weight loss without surgery, can sustain $5–7k/year medication cost long-term, and tolerate weekly injections. TGA Product Information for each medicine lists the current approved indications; your prescriber will choose based on your clinical picture (better efficacy, milder side effects). Wegovy remains a strong alternative if Mounjaro is unavailable or if cost-share insurance favours it.
Cost
$400–$600/month for either Wegovy or Mounjaro privately, depending on dose. **Important:** pricing is per pen, not per mg — higher doses don't cost more. Annual cost $5,000–$7,000. PBS subsidy currently restricted to Type 2 diabetes only. Telehealth (Juniper / Pilot / Mosh / Eucalyptus / Hers) typically $300–$500/month bundled with coaching + dietitian support — cheapest route. Compounded semaglutide is technically available from some Australian compound pharmacies but is NOT TGA-approved and carries quality + safety risks — avoid unless directed by a specialist endocrinologist with informed consent.
Directory · ANZMOSS + years
3 verified Australian providers offering wegovy vs mounjaro
ANZMOSS members + FRACS-trained surgeons first, then sorted by years in practice. Every entry AHPRA-listed.
Sydney · Surry Hills
Juniper
Dr Matthew VickersMBBS, BMedSci, FRACGP (Specialist GP)
Sydney-headquartered Eucalyptus Health brand serving women nationally - now Australia's largest GLP-1 telehealth weight-…
Brisbane · Fortitude Valley
Pilot
Dr Matthew VickersMBBS, BMedSci, FRACGP (Specialist GP)
Sydney-founded Eucalyptus Health men's brand serving Australia nationally - the largest male-focused GLP-1 weight-loss t…
Adelaide · Adelaide CBD
Mosh
Mosh Medical TeamAHPRA-registered GPs
Independent Australian-founded telehealth provider serving patients nationally - combines GLP-1 medication, meal-replace…
Common questions
Wegovy vs Mounjaro — common questions
Should I start with Mounjaro or Wegovy?
Most new patients in 2026 start with Mounjaro — better efficacy in head-to-head trials + milder side effects in real-world surveys. Wegovy remains a strong alternative if Mounjaro supply is constrained in your area or if Wegovy is cheaper through your specific telehealth provider. Discuss with prescriber. Some patients switch between the two over years based on supply.
How do I switch from Wegovy to Mounjaro (or vice versa)?
Wash out 1–2 weeks (no medication) then start the new medication at lowest dose + titrate up. Don't self-switch — coordinate with prescriber. Side effects during titration are normal even if you tolerated the previous medication well. The dose-equivalence is roughly: Wegovy 2.4mg ≈ Mounjaro 10mg for weight loss effect.
Why are these medications so expensive?
Brand-name pricing while still under patent. The PBS does NOT subsidise either Wegovy or Mounjaro for obesity (only Type 2 diabetes). Eli Lilly + Novo Nordisk are both pursuing PBS listing for obesity but timelines are uncertain. In the meantime, telehealth providers often offer the best price via bundling.
What happens when I stop?
Within 12 weeks of stopping, appetite returns to pre-treatment levels. Most patients regain 50–60% of lost weight within 12 months unless they've fundamentally restructured eating + exercise during the medication period. Sustained weight maintenance after stopping is achievable but requires the same discipline as any weight loss — most patients choose to continue medication long-term.
Are there cheaper alternatives?
Saxenda (liraglutide) — older GLP-1, daily injection, less effective than Wegovy. $300–$400/month. Older oral medications (phentermine, topiramate, naltrexone-bupropion) — modest effectiveness, mostly used as adjuncts. Bariatric surgery — break-even cost vs GLP-1 at 3-4 years, with permanent metabolic change. Compounded semaglutide — cheaper but NOT TGA-approved, quality + safety risks. See <a href="/guides/bariatric-surgery-health-fund-coverage/" class="text-[var(--vbrand)] underline">our cost comparison</a>.