Ozempic Canada: A Guide to Weight Loss Medications

6–9 minutes

GLP-1 drugs in Canada, including Ozempic and Wegovy, are gaining major traction but the road to access isn’t always smooth. From strict prescribing rules to pricing questions, here’s what Canadians need to know about these weight loss medications.

What Are GLP-1 Drugs?

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic (semaglutide) and Wegovy are part of a class of medications originally designed for type 2 diabetes. They mimic the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, which regulates blood sugar and appetite. While Ozempic was approved in Canada for diabetes, Wegovy is now officially cleared for obesity treatment.

Both are weekly injectable medications. They work by:

Slowing gastric emptying (so you feel full longer)
Reducing appetite
Helping regulate insulin and blood sugar levels

These drugs have become wildly popular as weight loss tools—but they were never intended to be “quick fixes.” And in Canada, the rules are slightly different.

Are Ozempic and Wegovy Approved in Canada?

Yes, both Ozempic and Wegovy have received approval from Health Canada—but they serve different purposes, and the timelines for approval and distribution are important to understand.

Ozempic was first approved in Canada in 2018. However, its official approval was specifically for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. Despite this, many healthcare providers across Canada have been prescribing Ozempic off-label to patients seeking help with obesity, especially those who meet certain medical criteria like a BMI over 30 or who have weight-related health conditions such as hypertension or prediabetes. Off-label use is legal in Canada, but it’s left entirely to the discretion of the prescribing physician.

Wegovy, on the other hand, is the version of semaglutide that was specifically formulated and dosed for weight management. It was approved by Health Canada in late 2023, after already making headlines for its effectiveness in the United States. Unlike Ozempic, Wegovy is officially indicated for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight individuals who also have at least one weight-related condition. This makes it more straightforward for doctors to prescribe Wegovy specifically for weight loss—without relying on off-label justification.

However, approval doesn’t always mean instant access. As of mid-2025, Wegovy is still rolling out across Canadian provinces. Supply remains somewhat limited, and many patients are reporting long wait times or delays in filling prescriptions. Pharmacies in major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary are more likely to stock Wegovy, while rural areas may experience significant lags.

In short, both medications are legally available in Canada but Ozempic remains more widely prescribed for now, especially because it’s been in circulation longer. Wegovy’s approval marks an important step toward legitimizing medical treatment for obesity, but full nationwide access is still a work in progress.

How Easy Is It to Get a Prescription?

It depends on your doctor and province.

Some Canadian doctors are open to prescribing Ozempic off-label for weight loss, especially if you have a high BMI or other risk factors. However, many are cautious due to concerns about supply shortages for diabetes patients and long-term safety data.

Telehealth services and private weight loss clinics may offer faster access but they often come with high out-of-pocket costs.

Wegovy, now approved specifically for weight management, is expected to become more widely prescribed, but access still varies.

How Much Do These Drugs Cost in Canada?

Canada’s public healthcare system doesn’t automatically cover weight loss medications. While provincial drug plans may eventually subsidize Wegovy, for now:

Ozempic costs around $250 to $300 CAD per month out of pocket

Wegovy may cost $350 to $500 CAD per month, depending on your pharmacy and dose

Private insurance may cover part of the cost, but only if deemed medically necessary

Patients are advised to check with their insurer and request a letter of medical necessity from their doctor.

What’s Driving the Demand in Canada?

The surge in demand for GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy in Canada mirrors a global trend, but there are a few uniquely Canadian factors accelerating the interest.

First, there’s the rising visibility of these drugs in mainstream media and pop culture. From TikTok influencers to international celebrities, the weight loss success stories tied to GLP-1s have made their way into Canadian conversations. Social media plays a huge role many Canadians first hear about Ozempic or Wegovy not from a doctor, but through before-and-after reels and Reddit threads.

Second, there’s growing frustration with traditional weight loss approaches. For many Canadians who have struggled for years with diets and gym memberships that yield only short-term results, GLP-1 medications feel like a breakthrough. They’re backed by clinical trials, prescribed by doctors, and offer what seems like a medically legitimate solution to long-standing issues with obesity and weight management.

Another driver is the shift in how obesity is being recognized not just as a lifestyle issue, but as a chronic disease. Canadian healthcare providers are increasingly viewing weight management as a medical necessity, not a cosmetic one. This has opened the door for more patients to qualify for prescriptions and has helped reduce stigma around seeking treatment.

Finally, the structure of Canada’s healthcare system plays a role. While public coverage for these drugs remains limited, some private insurance plans have begun to include them under specific conditions. That means patients with access to workplace benefits are more likely to pursue treatment—and share their experience, further fueling demand.

In essence, the demand in Canada is about more than just weight loss. It reflects a cultural and clinical shift toward treating obesity seriously, and a growing willingness to explore new tools that offer sustainable, science-backed results.

Are There Risks?

GLP-1 drugs aren’t for everyone. Common side effects include nausea, constipation, and fatigue. Rare but serious risks include:

Pancreatitis
Gallbladder issues
Muscle loss
Rebound weight gain when stopping

Because the long-term effects of semaglutide and tirzepatide are still being studied, Canadian doctors tend to take a conservative approach.

Are There Alternatives in Canada?

Yes, there are alternatives to Ozempic, Wegovy, and other GLP-1 drugs in Canada—but understanding what qualifies as an “alternative” depends on the goal. For those managing type 2 diabetes, there are both pharmaceutical and lifestyle-based options. And for those seeking weight loss, the picture is a little more complex.

Other Prescription Medications

In Canada, several other prescription medications are used for weight management, though none have quite matched the hype or popularity of GLP-1s. One example is Contrave, a combination of bupropion and naltrexone, which works on the brain’s reward system to reduce hunger and cravings. While it’s available and approved in Canada, it doesn’t offer the same metabolic effects as semaglutide-based drugs and is often considered less effective for those with higher BMI or insulin resistance.

Another option, Saxenda (liraglutide), is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist and has been approved for weight loss in Canada since 2015. It’s similar to Wegovy but requires daily injections instead of once weekly. For some patients, Saxenda remains a good entry point, especially if Wegovy isn’t accessible due to cost or supply issues.

Over-the-Counter Supplements

While over-the-counter weight loss pills are widely available in Canada, most lack the scientific rigor and clinical backing of prescription options. Some Canadians turn to fiber supplements, green tea extract, or berberine (sometimes dubbed “nature’s Ozempic”), but these should be seen as supportive tools rather than direct alternatives. They may assist with appetite regulation or blood sugar control but won’t replicate the full metabolic effects of semaglutide.

Lifestyle-Based Alternatives

For many Canadians, the most sustainable alternatives still come down to lifestyle strategies—especially when GLP-1s are not financially or medically accessible. Programs that focus on nutritional consistency, resistance training, and daily movement (like NEAT: non-exercise activity thermogenesis) continue to play a vital role. The addition of professional support from dietitians, fitness coaches, or behavior change therapists can significantly improve long-term outcomes.

While these options may not offer the rapid results associated with GLP-1s, they remain the foundation of healthy weight management. And for those who discontinue GLP-1 drugs or are hesitant to start them, these lifestyle interventions are essential to sustaining progress.

Final Thoughts

GLP-1 drugs in Canada are no longer fringe treatments. They’re part of a growing toolkit for managing obesity and metabolic health. But they’re also part of a complex conversation around access, affordability, and long-term health.

If you’re considering Ozempic, Wegovy, or another GLP-1 drug, talk to a trusted healthcare provider. And remember—medication may help, but the habits still matter.