Weight loss drugs: What Canadians should know before starting treatment

Living in Canada and looking into weight loss medications like Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro, Ozempic, Xenical or Contrave, this article is for you. 

We’re diving into the ins and outs of weight loss drugs, how they work, whether they’re effective and how you can get your hands on them in Canada.

What are weight loss drugs?

Weight loss drugs are prescription medications designed to help you lose weight. The category is a broad one and includes:

• Injectable GLP-1 agonists, including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound and Saxenda
• Appetite suppressants such as Adipex-P and Duromine
• Fat absorption inhibitors like Xenical
• Combination medications such as Contrave, which combine different drugs to target appetite and cravings
• Other medications like Imcivree

Note that the emphasis here is on prescription. These drugs are only available with a prescription from your doctor or another healthcare provider, and can’t be bought over the counter. They often also come with a list of eligibility criteria governing who can access them – but more on that further down.

How do weight loss drugs work?

Different weight loss drugs have different active ingredients and work in different ways. For instance, some are designed to suppress your appetite and make you feel fuller faster. Others can reduce fat absorption from the food you eat. 

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common weight loss drugs and how they work.

Common ingredients and mechanisms

GLP-1 receptor agonists

• Semaglutide: This is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy. It works by mimicking the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone, which is produced naturally by your gut to tell your brain that you’re full. When you take semaglutide, it stimulates similar feelings of fullness, causing you to consume fewer calories and helping you lose weight. Wegovy is the name given to the medication when it’s used for weight loss
• Tirzepatide: Similar to semaglutide, tirzepatide is able to mimic the GLP-1 hormone and signal to your brain that you’re full. However, the ingredient is actually a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist, meaning it can also regulate insulin and glucose metabolism. It’s found in weight loss injectables like Mounjaro and Zepbound
• Liraglutide: Found in the weight loss injectable Saxenda, liraglutide is another GLP-1 agonist

Appetite suppressants

• Phentermine: – Sold as either Adipex-P or Lomaira, this ingredient acts on your central nervous system to suppress your appetite and increase energy levels. It’s designed to be used short term
• Diethylpropion: – Similar to phentermine, diethylpropion helps reduce hunger signals and calorie intake. It’s sold under the brand name Tenuate

Fat absorption inhibitors

• Orlistat: Orlistat blocks some of the fat in the food you eat from being absorbed by your intestines, reducing your overall calorie intake. It’s marketed as Xenical

Combination medications

• Bupropion/naltrexone: This medication – sold as Contrave – combines an antidepressant and an addiction treatment medication to influence appetite regulation and cravings in the brain
• Phentermine/topiramate: Marketed as Qsymia, this combination medication has an appetite suppressant and an anticonvulsant, targeting both hunger and satiety to encourage weight loss

Melanocortin-4 receptor agonists

• Setmelanotide: This ingredient activates the MC4R pathway in the brain, which plays an important role in appetite regulation and energy balance. It’s more commonly known as Imcivree

Types of weight loss drugs available in Canada

Many types of weight loss drugs are available in Canada, from GLP-1 agonists to appetite suppressants. You can also purchase a wide range of alternatives – commonly referred to as weight loss supplements – that claim to help you lose weight. 

Prescription drugs in Canada

Currently, Health Canada has only approved these prescription medications for sale for long-term obesity treatment [1]:

• Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic (off-label) and Rybelsus)
• Tirzepatide (Zepbound and Mounjaro)
• Liraglutide (Saxenda)
• Bupropion/naltrexone (Contrave)
• Orlistat (Xenical)
• Setmelanotide (Imcivree)

Other drugs (such as phentermine) may be approved by the FDA in the US, but they can’t legally be bought, sold, advertised or dispensed in Canada.

Medications like Wegovy and Zepbound are both available through the Juniper. We make accessing them simple and secure – you can get your prescription through telehealth, then have your medication delivered discreetly to your door. 

You’ll also get access to ongoing support from your very own care team who will first help you establish your weight loss goals before providing a personalized plan to ensure you meet them.

Using Juniper’s app, you can also manage your medication, reach out to your care team anytime throughout your journey, and measure your progress towards your goals – helping you stay motivated and on track.

Ready to see if Juniper is right for you? You can check your eligibility here. 

Over-the-counter and herbal alternatives

Aside from prescription weight loss drugs, there’s a whole category of natural products known as weight loss supplements. These include everything from powders and drinks to dietary supplements and capsules. Examples are green tea extract, garcinia cambogia, glucomannan and caffeine-based fat burners. These can be bought over the counter without a prescription, and are widely available in pharmacies, health food stores and many supermarkets.

It’s essential to note that weight loss supplements are not recommended by health professionals. Not only are they often ineffective at helping you lose weight, but they also come with a lot of potential risks. Health experts have warned that taking these supplements can (and does) lead to serious complications. 

Who are weight loss drugs for?

Prescription weight loss drugs typically come with a set of eligibility criteria about who can access them. Generally speaking, you’ll need to meet the following requirements to get a prescription:

• You have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more
• You have a BMI of 27 or more, along with a weight-related health condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol

These medications are most effective for weight loss and chronic weight management when used alongside diet modifications and exercise. 

Cost of weight loss drugs in Canada

The cost of weight loss drugs really comes down to the drug you choose, where you live, where you’re buying it from and whether you have insurance to help cover it. Other factors that can influence the cost include the availability of the drug (shortages can drive up the price) and dosage strength (higher doses sometimes cost more).

Are weight loss drugs covered in Canada?

Once again, this really depends on the drug you’re buying and the reason you’re using it. The medication may or may not be covered by either private health insurance or your province or territory’s public drug plan.

Private health insurance coverage for weight loss drugs

Many weight loss drugs are covered by private health insurance. You generally need to show why you’re taking it and provide documentation from your prescribing doctor to support your claim.

You may also be able to get coverage via your group health plan, if your employer has one in place. It’s up to individual insurers to include prescription weight loss medications on their plan, so check your policy’s specifics to make sure.

If you’re able to claim weight management medications on private health insurance, you may be able to recoup anywhere from 50 to 100% of the cost. Your policy’s fine print is the best place to verify your coverage.

Provincial coverage for weight loss and obesity treatment

Currently, no provinces or territories in Canada cover medications that treat obesity or target weight loss.

There are only two exceptions:

• Ozempic is approved for patients with type 2 diabetes in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
• Imcivree has recently been listed for some patients with weight management related to Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and under the Federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program

Alternative coverage for prescription weight management medications

Another option to help reduce the price of weight loss drugs is the InnoviCares card. This free savings card is available to anyone living in Canada and covers some of the cost when you purchase a brand-name medication. Wegovy and Ozempic are both supported by the card.

Alternatives to help you lose weight

Weight loss drugs aren’t for everyone, and indeed may not be accessible in Canada if you don’t meet the eligibility criteria. Many people successfully lose weight by implementing sustainable lifestyle changes, such as:

Healthy eating habits

• Focus on whole, minimally processed foods, like vegetables, fruits, lean protein, whole grains and healthy fats
• Emphasize protein-rich meals to increase satiety and support muscle building
• Implement a reduced-calorie diet and watch your portions by using smaller plates or measuring serving sizes
• Limit refined sugars and soda, fried foods, high-sodium foods and ultra-processed foods – these can contribute to weight gain and other serious health problems
• Practise mindful eating by eating slowly, avoiding distractions (like the TV) and tuning in to your fullness signals

Physical activity

• Establish an exercise regimen that includes both aerobic exercise and strength training
• Aim for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming or cycling
• Complete 2-3 strength training sessions weekly, which could involve free weights, body weight exercises like squats and lunges, or resistance machines
• Increase movement throughout your day – walk more, take the stairs and have standing breaks at work

Other lifestyle changes

• Improve your sleep by going to bed at the same time each night, sleeping in a dark and cool environment, avoiding screens for an hour before bedtime and limiting your caffeine intake
• Manage stress by trying relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, journaling and spending time with family and friends
• Limit alcohol intake to a few days per week

Image credit: Pexels