*While Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is currently TGA approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults, it has not received TGA approval for the specific treatment of obesity.
Weight Management Program
Join the Medmate Clinician Led Weight Management Program
Weight Management Program
Start Your Healthier Journey
Did you know that one in every three Australians faces the challenge of obesity, which can impact your health and shorten your lifespan?
Your path to a healthier you begins with a simple conversation with a Medmate healthcare professional. During this chat, our expert will review your health history, assess your current well-being, and understand your past efforts to manage your weight. They’ll also listen to your goals and what you hope to achieve.
Our goal is to see you enjoying a happy and active life, free from worries about preventable illnesses. When it comes to choosing the right treatment, your clinician will assist you in making the best choice for your unique plan. For some patients, GLP-1 medications might be a good fit. Let’s embark on this journey together!
How Does It Work
Step 1Get Started For Free
Get started by completing a short registration form. One of our friendly nurses will give you a free call for a quick chat to explain how everything works.
- Step 2
Chat With A Health Pro
A private and hassle-free telehealth chat with our clinicians about options to reach your weight goal.
- Step 3
Get Your Bloods Done
Get some initial blood tests. We know it's not everyone's favorite thing, but it helps us track your health during the program.
- Step 4
Create A Custom Plan
A plan personalized just for you. This might include prescriptions for weight management medications if they're the right fit.
- Step 5
Start The Weight Loss
Once you're in, any prescribed medications will be sent straight to your door. You don't have to worry about getting your meds – we handle all of that for you.
- Step 6
Track Your Journey
Our team will set up monthly check-ins and renew your medications as needed. Keep going with our dedicated support until you reach your weight goal!
Assessment for Weight Management
At Medmate, our clinicians carefully look at your weight management. They think about things like your Body Mass Index (BMI), any health issues you already have, and whether your past efforts to lose weight have worked. To join our program, your BMI needs to be above 30. It all starts with a free first meeting to get things going.
Weight Management Program
Once we’ve had our first meeting and learned more about your needs, you’ll join our complete weight management program with a Medmate clinician. This program covers:
– Figuring out the weight and BMI you want to reach.
– Checking how many calories you eat every day right now.
– Deciding on the right number of calories to match your weight goals.
– Planning weekly exercise goals.
– Prescribing weight loss medications if it’s a good fit for your health.
– Making a schedule for regular check-ins with our Medmate nursing and medical team.
Weight Loss Prescriptions and Medmate
If the doctor decides that medicine should be part of your treatment plan, Medmate will work with partner pharmacies that have the medicine you need. The cost will include the medicine, a safe disposal pack, and delivery to your home. Your doctor will help you choose the right medicine based on your health. For some people, GLP-1 medicines might be a good choice.
Medmate doesn’t give out one-time weight loss prescriptions. Our doctors need to keep an eye on how you’re doing, check for any side effects, and provide prescriptions only to patients who are in our long-term care program.
Join The Fight Against Obesity!
Did you know that 1 in 3 Australians is currently dealing with obesity? Surprisingly, overweight and obesity stand as the second most significant risk factor, right after tobacco use, contributing to health issues and loss of life. It’s responsible for a staggering 8.4% of the overall disease burden in Australia.
Together, we can make a change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is obesity?
Being overweight or obese means you have extra body weight, and this can increase the chances of getting various long-term health issues and a higher risk of dying early.
If your body mass index is greater than 30, you are classified as being in the obese range.
What are GLP-1 medications?
GLP-1 medications, which stands for “Glucagon-Like Peptide-1” medications, are a type of medicine used to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. They do this by acting like the natural hormones in your body that help keep your blood sugar in check.
When you take GLP-1 medications and follow a controlled diet, they can not only control your blood sugar but also lead to significant weight loss. These medicines are usually given as injections and can be taken once a day or once a week (depending on the medication). Your clinician may prescribe these medicines as part of your weight management program.
A TGA approved GLP-1 medication is Saxenda.
Other GLP-1 medications that may be considered for certain patients include Ozempic and Mounjaro.
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro (active ingredient Tirzepatide) is used to manage blood sugar in people with diabetes and has shown strong evidence in global studies for a reduction in body weight by over 20%. A major global study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, treating patients with obesity alone (without diabetes) showed over a 20% weight loss, with the majority of weight reduction occuring in the first 12 months.
Is Mounjaro the same as Saxenda or Ozempic?
While all these medications can assist in diabetes and weight management, they employ different mechanisms of action.
Saxenda, containing liraglutide, functions as a GLP-1 receptor agonist and requires daily injections. Ozempic (semaglutide) is also a GLP-1 hormone and works in a similar way with weekly injections.
Mounjaro, on the other hand, contains tirzepatide and acts as a dual-acting glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It is indicated for diabetes management and is administered as a once-a-week injection. The GLP-1 receptor plays a pivotal role in regulating appetite and calorie intake, with receptors present in various brain regions responsible for appetite regulation.
In simple terms, Mounjaro works on two receptors instead of one, as is the case with Ozempic (semaglutide). This is called a synergistic effect. This seems to be the reason for the increased effectiveness of the medication for blood sugar control and weight loss.
How does Mounjaro compare to Ozempic for weight loss?
The latest clinical trials have shown that Mounjaro was more effective than Ozempic, with patients achieving up to 22% weight loss. The top line is that Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a more effective drug all round, producing more weight loss and a greater reduction in hemoglobin A1C (the key measure of blood sugar control in diabetes).
How much weight will I lose on Mounjaro?
The SURMOUNT trial demonstrated the effectiveness of Mounjaro. This phase 3 controlled study involved 2,539 participants who were randomly assigned to receive either tirzepatide (at 5, 10, or 15 mg) or a placebo. After 72 weeks of treatment, the following outcomes were observed:- Those who received the placebo experienced an average weight loss of 3.1 percent.
– Participants taking 5 mg of tirzepatide achieved an average weight loss of 15 percent.
– The 10 mg tirzepatide group saw an increased weight loss of 19 percent.
– In the 15 mg tirzepatide group, the average weight loss reached 20.9 percent.The majority of weight reduction occured in the first 12 months.
It will also help with insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control reducing the complications of diabetes.
The starting dose is 2.5mg once a week. The clinician will adjust the dose every four weeks to a maximum of 15mg weekly.
When will Mounjaro be available in Australia?
Mounjaro is now accessible in Australia as a prescription medication. To obtain Mounjaro, a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional is required.
When is Mounjaro not suitable?
Certain conditions and medical histories may preclude the use of Mounjaro. It is crucial to be aware of these contraindications:
Personal or family history of thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia.
Hypersensitivity to tirzepatide.
Pregnancy or individuals under 18 years of age.
Pre-existing conditions, including pancreatitis, kidney disease, gallbladder disease, diabetic retinopathy.
BMI below 27
What are the side effects and risks of Mounjaro?
Mounjaro may be associated with some common side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, or reflux. In studies, most nausea, vomiting and diarrhea events occurred while the dose of Mounjaro was being increased. These events decreased over time. Your doctor will help with advice to minimise these symptoms.
Serious side effects are rare but may include pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), kidney or gallbladder problems or an allergic reaction to Mounjaro. In these cases, the prescriber should be notified immediately.
How important is diet for weight loss?
A high protein and nutritious diet is paramount to successful weight management. Your doctor will guide you through calorie tracking and set your daily calorie target. You must achieve a sustainable daily calorie deficit (at least by 500 calories). Medications may assist in acheiving this goal. Referral to a dietitian may also be recommended to formulate a meal plan aligned with your goals. It’s important to retain lean muscle mass and will involve tracking your macro nutrients to ensure you hit your protein targets for each day. We recommend a tracker such as My Fitness Pal to track daily calories and macros.
Calculate your basal metabolic rate and subtract 500 to get your daily target. For example if your basal metabolic rate was 2000 calories, subtract 500 to get a daily target of 1500 calories.
Do I need to exercise to lose weight?
Gradually integrating regular physical activity into your routine can contribute to the attainment and maintenance of a calorie deficit and a healthy weight. The objective is to increase daily movement while adhering to your calorie target, eventually creating a calorie deficit conducive to weight reduction. Increasing lean muscle mass over time means your body burns more energy at rest allowing you to maintain a healthy weight and a leaner and more muscular physique. It’s a learning curve, the first step is to kick start the calorie deficit, measure results regularly and learn about how to incorporate both aerobic and resistance activity into your daily life. This is about lifestyle change. In time, your new habits will involve a healthier diet and regular activity that will keep you lean for the long term.
How do I join the Medmate weight management program?
It all starts with a free first meeting with a clinical nurse to get things going.
This is a no obligation chat to understand things like your Body Mass Index (BMI), any health issues you already have, and whether your past efforts to lose weight have worked.
Our team will talk to you about whether you meet eligibility for the program.