Wegovy Canada: Where To Get Wegovy In Canadian Pharmacies, Prescription, Cost Price With Insurance

Wegovy has become a popular off-label prescription for weight loss in Canada, but high costs and potential safety issues have Canadians seeking alternatives.

Though not officially approved for obesity treatment, Wegovy is increasingly prescribed for weight management despite running over $1000 monthly. Additionally, side effects like pancreatitis give pause for reconsideration.

Instead, Canadians are turning to affordable, safer and natural options like PhenQ . This over-the-counter pill contains science-backed ingredients shown to suppress appetite, burn fat, and boost metabolism. Avoiding harsh prescription drugs, PhenQ offers a more permanent path to weight loss through appetite control and accelerated fat burning.

Cheaper and Safer Alternatives

Here the recommended alternatives to injectable medication like Semaglutide.

#1 - PhenQ

PhenQ

CLICK to view PHENQ website and see pricing and availability

PhenQ is an over-the-counter diet pill that contains a proprietary blend of natural ingredients such as capsicum, caffeine, nopal cactus fiber, chromium picolinate and L-carnitine. It is marketed as an appetite suppressant and metabolism booster for weight loss.

PhenQ offers a more permanent weight loss outcome than Wegovy - a little known fact about the injectable medications like Wegovy and Ozempic is that the weight lost returns once you stop, so you are basically tied to it (and its expense) for life. With PhenQ the weight loss is permanent.

The ingredients in PhenQ target weight loss in several ways:

Capsicum and caffeine thermogenically heat up the body and increase fat burning.

Nopal fiber swells in the stomach to enhance feelings of fullness and suppress appetite.

Chromium helps balance blood sugar levels and reduce carb and sugar cravings.

L-carnitine enables the body to burn stored fat for energy.

Together, these mechanisms make PhenQ effective at suppressing appetite, accelerating fat burn, and improving mood and energy levels with its caffeine content. This makes it easier to reduce calorie intake and lose weight.

CLICK to view PHENQ website and see pricing and availability

As an over-the-counter supplement, PhenQ provides a safe and accessible option for weight loss without prescriptions. It avoids the high cost, inconvenience and side effects of some prescription weight loss drugs.

With its combination of science-backed natural ingredients that attack weight loss from different angles, PhenQ is highly recommended by customers and health websites as an effective diet pill for appetite control, fat burning and boosting metabolism.

#2 - Zotrim

Zotrim

CLICK to view ZOTRIM website and see pricing and availability

Zotrim is a natural herbal supplement for weight loss containing yerba mate, guarana, damiana leaf and other natural ingredients.

It works by reducing appetite and food intake through plant-based compounds. This enhances satiety, allowing people to eat less and lose weight safely.

At around $50 per month, Zotrim provides a more affordable option compared to Wegovy which can cost over $1000 monthly.

Zotrim has minimal side effects given its natural formula, while Wegovy has risks of more serious reactions like pancreatitis. For those seeking moderate, gradual weight loss without the hassle of injections or prescriptions, Zotrim offers a convenient and budget-friendly alternative to potent obesity medications like Wegovy.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is an injectable weight loss medication officially known as semaglutide. It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists that are used to treat type 2 diabetes.

How Was Wegovy Developed?

Semaglutide was first developed by the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk as a treatment for diabetes. It mimics the effects of a hormone called GLP-1 that helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Chemically, semaglutide is an engineered peptide molecule with a similar structure to native GLP-1. It was synthetically modified to be long-acting so one injection provides exposure for an entire week.

Initially, a lower dose of semaglutide called Ozempic was approved for diabetes. But during clinical trials, it was noticed that semaglutide also caused weight loss as a side effect.

This led Novo Nordisk to develop Wegovy, which contains a higher dose of semaglutide specifically optimized for weight management in obese patients.

How Does Wegovy Work for Reducing Body Weight?

Wegovy helps with weight loss and reducing excess weight through two main mechanisms:

1. Increasing insulin production which allows better utilization of blood glucose for energy. This lowers blood sugar.

2. Activating receptors in the brain that suppress appetite and promote feelings of fullness after eating. This reduces overall calorie intake.

The combination of improved blood sugar control and appetite reduction is what produces significant weight loss for most patients using Wegovy.

Latest: Ozempic weight loss review and results with before and after pictures

How Does Wegovy for Weight Loss Work - Deeper Dive

Here is a more detailed explanation of how Wegovy works for weight loss:

Mechanism of Action

Wegovy contains the active drug semaglutide, which is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It mimics the effects of the hormone GLP-1 to target key pathways involved in appetite, food intake, and body weight regulation.

There are two main mechanisms by which Wegovy promotes weight loss:

Appetite Suppression

Semaglutide activates GLP-1 receptors in the hypothalamus region of the brain. This increases production of key neurotransmitters that induce feelings of satiety and fullness.

People taking Wegovy report less hunger and reduced cravings. It recalibrates appetite control signals in the brain, allowing people to feel satisfied with smaller portions. Eating less calories is the primary driver of weight loss.

Improved Metabolism

Semaglutide also enhances insulin secretion from the pancreas when blood sugar rises after meals. This allows the body to more efficiently utilize glucose for energy production in cells.

With improved insulin sensitivity, the body relies more on glucose for fuel and less on fat stores. This shifts metabolism to burn dietary calories rather than storing excess energy as fat.

Wegovy also slightly increases resting energy expenditure. The combined effects result in greater calorie expenditure and fat burning.

Additionally, Wegovy slows stomach emptying which stabilizes blood sugar fluctuations. This can curb sugar cravings that drive overeating and weight gain.

By powerfully curbing appetite and optimizing metabolism, most patients experience significant weight reduction while taking Wegovy. The integrated mechanisms make it quite effective compared to other anti-obesity medications.

Featured: Is there really an Ozempic shortage - find out the truth

How Much Weight Can I Lose With Wegovy Injections

In clinical trials, adult patients taking the maximum dose of Wegovy lost an average of 17% of initial body weight over 68 weeks of treatment. However, weight loss results can vary significantly based on factors like dosage, diet, and starting body mass index (BMI).

For those with an initial BMI between 30 to 40 kg/m2 (classified as obese) and following a reduced calorie diet, Wegovy may help lose 14% to 22% of body weight on average. With a BMI above 40 (extreme obesity), weight loss drug Wegovy may result in up to 32% loss of initial body mass.

This equates to potentially losing anywhere from 27 to 125 pounds for an individual starting at 300 pounds. However, Wegovy on its own does not guarantee substantial weight loss for all users.

Maximizing weight loss benefits requires following the Revolution Medical Clinic's recommended lifestyle interventions, including a healthy reduced calorie diet and exercise regimen tailored to your needs. Wegovy works best when combined with sustainable lifestyle changes.

While dramatic weight loss can positively impact health conditions like high blood pressure, blood sugar levels to treat diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea, it is crucial to have realistic expectations about results. Gradual loss of just 3% to 5% of excess body weight can have health benefits.

It is also important to note that Wegovy is not approved by Health Canada or Canadian Medical Association specifically for chronic weight management. It is prescribed off-label for obesity by physicians considering the potential benefits versus side effects for each patient. Close medical supervision is recommended.

By following the prescribed treatment plan from your doctor along with diet and physical activity changes, Wegovy offers an opportunity to lose weight and improve obesity-related health issues. But a variety of factors determine individual results. Maintaining lost weight remains the biggest challenge after stopping treatment.

Is Wegovy Approved in Canada for Weight Loss

Here are the key details on Wegovy's regulatory status for weight loss in Canada:

Wegovy (semaglutide) is not officially approved by Health Canada for chronic weight management or obesity treatment.

Health Canada has only approved semaglutide (under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus) for treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Wegovy contains a higher dose of semaglutide than Ozempic and is specifically intended for weight loss, but does not have this indication in Canada.

The manufacturer Novo Nordisk has not yet sought approval for Wegovy from Health Canada for obesity/weight loss purposes.

As a result, it is not licensed for this use in Canada and Novo cannot officially market or promote Wegovy for weight loss in the country.

However, many Canadian doctors are still prescribing Wegovy "off-label" for weight management, since it contains the same active drug as Ozempic.

The off-label status means the physician determines it may help a patient, but the weight loss application is not formally approved by Health Canada.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of each province provide guidelines on off-label prescribing that physicians must follow, including fully informing patients.

Some insurance plans may not cover Wegovy for obesity since it lacks regulatory approval for this purpose in Canada. Out-of-pocket costs are as high as $1250/month.

In summary, while Wegovy is not indicated for obesity treatment, Canadian doctors can legally prescribe it off-label for weight loss at their discretion on a case-by-case basis for patients. But costs may not be covered. Formal approval for this usage could come later if Novo Nordisk seeks it from Health Canada.

News: Mounjaro weight loss review - is it better than Ozempic and Wegovy

How to Get Wegovy in Canada (Prescription Medications like Semaglutide)

Here are the typical steps to get a prescription for Wegovy in Canada and who is eligible:

Wegovy is a prescription medication, so the first step is to have an appointment with a doctor who treats obesity, such as your family physician or an obesity specialist.

During the visit, the doctor will assess if you are living with obesity, defined as having an initial body mass index (BMI) over 30 and usually a high waist circumference. They will also evaluate for a weight related condition or weight related comorbidity like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases.

If you have a BMI over 30 with an obesity-associated comorbidity, you may be considered a candidate for Wegovy. However, the doctor will also assess for any contraindications, including past serious allergic reactions to other GLP-1 receptor agonist prescription medications used to treat obesity.

If deemed appropriate, the physician can provide a prescription for Wegovy, which helps regulate food intake as a weight loss treatment. The prescription is submitted to a pharmacy, where the GLP-1 agonist injectable prescription medication can be filled.

It is crucial to follow the prescribed treatment plan, get proper injection training, and make positive lifestyle changes like improved physical activity and dietary habits. This provides the best opportunity for significant and sustainable weight reduction.

While the medical community in Canada widely accepts the use of Wegovy off-label for weight management in appropriate patients, insurance coverage is not guaranteed due to the lack of official approval for obesity treatment. Out-of-pocket costs may be prohibitive.

Where to Buy Wegovy in Canada

Here is a comprehensive list of authorized Canadian pharmacies that you can obtain Wegovy (semaglutide) 2.4 mg -0.75 ml 4 single-dose prefilled pens.

British Columbia

Shoppers Drug Mart - Wegovy 2,4 mg is available at locations across BC including Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Abbotsford, Nanaimo, Kamloops, Prince George, and other major cities.

London Drugs - Wegovy injections are carried at stores throughout BC such as in Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey, Richmond, Kelowna, Nanaimo, and other metro areas.

Costco - Found at Costco warehouses with a pharmacy department in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Okanagan Valley, and other BC regions.

Alberta

Shoppers Drug Mart - Numerous locations in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, and other Alberta cities.

London Drugs - Several stores in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and other urban centers.

Costco - Check Costco warehouse pharmacies in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Fort McMurray, Lethbridge, and other areas.

Saskatchewan

Shoppers Drug Mart - Various stores in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, and elsewhere in the province are likely to sell Wegovy (semaglutide) injections 4 single dose prefilled pens.

Costco - Found at Costco pharmacies in Saskatoon, Regina, and potentially other Saskatchewan locations.

Manitoba

Shoppers Drug Mart - Available in many Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach, Portage la Prairie, Thompson and other Manitoba pharmacies.

Costco - Check Costco stores with a pharmacy in Winnipeg, Brandon, and other parts of the province.

Ontario

Shoppers Drug Mart - Numerous stores across the GTA, Ottawa, London, Kitchener, Windsor, Kingston, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, etc.

Rexall - Various pharmacies in Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, London, Hamilton, Windsor, etc.

Costco - GTA, Ottawa, London, Kitchener, Windsor, Kingston, etc.

Quebec

Pharmaprix - Found at many Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Saguenay, Trois-Rivières and other Quebec locations.

Uniprix - Some stores in Montreal, Quebec City and other urban centers may stock Wegovy.

Costco Quebec - Check Costco warehouse pharmacies around Montreal, Quebec City, etc.

Atlantic Canada

Lawtons Drugs - Pharmacies across the Maritimes may be able to order Wegovy in, including in Halifax, Moncton, Fredericton, St. John's, etc.

Shoppers Drug Mart - Select stores in larger cities may have availability.

Costco - Possible source if Costco locations in the region have a pharmacy department.

Many smaller independent and chain pharmacies can also order Wegovy in for a customer by request. But confirm availability as high demand means periodic shortages at some pharmacies.

Wegovy Cost in Canada

Here are the typical costs for Wegovy in Canada both with and without insurance coverage:

Wegovy Cost Without Insurance in Canada:

The cash price for Wegovy bought directly from a pharmacy is quite expensive, ranging from $1100 to $1250 for a one month supply.

The manufacturer Novo Nordisk offers a savings card for uninsured patients that provides up to $200 off per month.

Some Canadian pharmacies offer additional discounts on cash purchases bringing the monthly cost down to $900 - $1000 for Wegovy.

With Public Insurance:

Wegovy is generally not covered by provincial health plans as it lacks regulatory approval for weight loss in Canada. Only a minority of plans may cover it.

With Private Insurance:

Many private/employer insurance plans also do not cover Wegovy for obesity treatment since it is off-label usage.

Some plans do cover Wegovy, either as a diabetes medication or more broadly for BMI reduction. Copays are typically $300-$500 per month.

Prior authorization is often required and coverage may be limited to 6-12 months based on showing efficacy.

Other Ways to Save in Buying Wegovy in Canada:

The manufacturer's savings card can be combined with private insurance to reduce copays by up to $200 monthly.

Paying cash at Canadian pharmacies offering additional discounts can be cheaper than copays in some cases.

In Summary, Wegovy costs around $1100-$1250 monthly without insurance in Canada. With coverage or other discounts, costs may range from $300 to $1000 per month. But many Canadians must pay full price out of pocket due to lack of regulatory approval for weight loss.

Disclaimer: The above is a sponsored post, the views expressed are those of the sponsor/author and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook Editorial.