Talking to your GP about weight loss can feel like a maze of options, costs, and fine print. In New Zealand, the range of prescription medications is growing, but so is the confusion around what’s funded, what works, and what you’ll pay out of pocket — this guide breaks down every approved weight loss drug available in Aotearoa with real-cost comparisons and funding rules so you know exactly where you stand.

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Weight loss medications approved in NZ: Over 5 prescription options · Cost of Wegovy per month: approx. NZ$300–$400 · Cost of Duromine per month: approx. NZ$30–$60 · Funded weight loss medication: Limited to specific criteria under Pharmac

Quick snapshot

1Prescription Medications
2Cost Range (per month)
  • Contrave: NZ$80–$120
  • Duromine: NZ$30–$60
  • Xenical: NZ$60–$100
  • Wegovy: NZ$300–$400
  • Mounjaro: NZ$500+
3Funding Status
  • Contrave: funded for some patients (Pharmac)
  • Duromine: not funded (Pharmac)
  • Xenical: not funded (Pharmac)
  • Wegovy: not funded (Pharmac)
  • Mounjaro: not funded (Pharmac)
4How to Obtain
  • GP consultation required (Pocket Lab)
  • Online prescription via Pocket Lab or rfynd
  • Pharmacy pick-up (Chemist Warehouse, Life Pharmacy) (Pocket Lab)
  • Some require specialist referral (Pocket Lab)

Five medications dominate the weight loss conversation in New Zealand. Here’s a quick overview of what each one does.

Medication Active Ingredient How It Works Monthly Cost (approx.) Funded?
Contrave Naltrexone + Bupropion Combination appetite suppressant NZ$80–$120 Yes, for limited criteria
Duromine Phentermine Stimulant, short-term use (up to 12 weeks) NZ$30–$60 No
Xenical Orlistat Blocks fat absorption NZ$60–$100 No
Wegovy Semaglutide GLP-1 agonist, weekly injection NZ$300–$400 No
Mounjaro Tirzepatide Dual GLP-1/GIP agonist, weekly injection NZ$500+ No

Five drugs, one clear pattern: the newer GLP-1 options cost significantly more but show the highest weight loss results.

What Can Doctors Prescribe for Weight Loss in New Zealand?

Your GP can prescribe from a list of approved medications, but not all are equally accessible. The choice depends on your health history, BMI, and whether you have weight-related conditions.

Prescription medications overview

  • Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion) – a pill taken twice daily
  • Duromine (phentermine) – a stimulant for short-term use, typically 3 months
  • Xenical (orlistat) – a fat blocker taken with meals
  • Wegovy (semaglutide) – weekly injection approved specifically for weight management
  • Mounjaro (tirzepatide) – weekly injection, available since 2024

According to Healthify (NZ government health service), weight loss medicines typically cost between NZ$100 and NZ$500 per month. The cheapest option is Duromine at around NZ$30–$60 a month, while the newest injectable, Mounjaro, can exceed NZ$500.

Bottom line: New Zealanders have five main prescription options. If you’re looking for the lowest cost, Duromine wins. If you want the highest average weight loss, Mounjaro leads — but you’ll pay for it.

Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion)

  • Combines naltrexone (an opioid blocker) with bupropion (an antidepressant) to reduce appetite
  • Approved for weight loss in NZ
  • Often leads to 5–9% weight loss over a year (Healthify)
  • Retail price at maximum dosage: NZ$250 per month (MacMurray Pharmacy)

Duromine (phentermine)

  • Central nervous system stimulant, originally developed as an appetite suppressant
  • Prescribed for short-term use (usually up to 12 weeks)
  • Lowest cost option at NZ$30–$60 per month
  • Not funded by Pharmac

Xenical (orlistat)

  • Works by blocking about 30% of dietary fat absorption
  • Average weight loss of 3–5% when combined with a reduced-calorie diet (Healthify)
  • Costs NZ$60–$100 per month
  • Not funded

Wegovy (semaglutide)

  • GLP-1 agonist, injected once weekly
  • Specifically approved for weight management in NZ (MacMurray Pharmacy)
  • Leads to about 10–15% body weight loss over a year (Healthify)
  • Cost NZ$300–$400 per month; price not yet confirmed at retail launch

Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

  • Dual GLP-1/GIP agonist, weekly injection
  • Available in NZ since 2024
  • Studies show many people lose around 15% or more body weight (Healthify)
  • Most expensive option at approx. NZ$500 per month
The trade-off

Newer drugs like Mounjaro deliver the highest weight loss but also the highest price tag. For someone on a tight budget, Duromine or Contrave offer a more affordable starting point — though with lower average results.

The implication: your health profile and budget will determine which drug fits best.

How Much Do Weight Loss Medications Cost in New Zealand?

Cost is the biggest barrier for many. None of the newer GLP-1 drugs are subsidised, so you pay the full price. Here’s what each medication will set you back per month.

Medication Monthly Cost (approx.) Source
Contrave NZ$250 at maximum dose MacMurray Pharmacy
Duromine NZ$30–$60 Multiple pharmacies
Xenical NZ$60–$100 Healthify
Wegovy NZ$300–$400 Pricing yet to be finalised
Mounjaro NZ$500+ Healthify
Saxenda (liraglutide) NZ$550 at max dose MacMurray Pharmacy

Six price points, one pattern: GLP-1 injections cost 5–10 times more than older pills. The cheapest funded option is Contrave, provided you meet Pharmac’s strict criteria.

How to get funded medication

  • You must have a BMI over 35 (or over 30 with a weight-related condition) and be referred by a specialist
  • Contrave is currently the only funded weight loss drug
  • Funding is reviewed periodically by Pharmac
Bottom line: For most New Zealanders, weight loss meds are an out-of-pocket expense. If you qualify for Contrave funding, you could save hundreds a month — but the criteria are narrow.

What this means: funding is limited, so most people pay full price.

What Are the Alternatives to Ozempic in New Zealand?

Ozempic is well-known overseas, but Healthify notes it is not marketed in New Zealand. So what can you use instead?

Other GLP-1 agonists (Wegovy, Mounjaro)

  • Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient (semaglutide), but Wegovy is specifically approved for weight management (MacMurray Pharmacy)
  • Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist and shows higher weight loss

Non-GLP-1 prescription options

  • Contrave and Duromine work through different mechanisms — appetite suppression and stimulation
  • Xenical blocks fat absorption

Natural and lifestyle alternatives

  • Dietary changes, exercise, and behavioural therapy remain the foundation
  • No over-the-counter supplement has proven as effective as prescription medication

The catch: if you’re after the same mechanism as Ozempic, Wegovy is your direct NZ equivalent. But it’s not funded and costs around NZ$300–$400 a month.

What to watch

Supply shortages have affected GLP-1 medications worldwide. New Zealanders may face intermittent availability — always check with your pharmacy before relying on a repeat prescription.

The pattern: alternatives exist, but cost and access vary widely.

Can I Get Weight Loss Medication Over the Counter or Online in New Zealand?

Over-the-counter weight loss pills in NZ

  • Only very limited products are available without a prescription (e.g., low-dose orlistat (Alli) but it’s less effective)
  • Most effective medications require a doctor’s prescription

Online prescription services

  • Services like Pocket Lab and rfynd offer online consultations for weight loss medications
  • A GP or specialist reviews your health history and issues a prescription if appropriate
  • rfynd lists a Wegovy evaluation visit at NZ$575 and a specialist consultation at NZ$250

Chemist Warehouse availability

  • Chemist Warehouse stocks many prescription weight loss drugs, but you still need a script
  • Prices may be slightly lower than smaller pharmacies due to bulk purchasing

The implication: online is the most convenient route if you cannot see a GP in person. Just be prepared for consultation fees on top of medication costs.

Is Weight Loss Medication Funded in New Zealand?

Pharmac funding criteria

  • Pharmac funds Contrave for patients meeting specific BMI and comorbidity requirements
  • You generally need a BMI over 35 (or over 30 with a weight-related illness) and a specialist referral

Current funded options

  • Only Contrave is funded (as of 2025)
  • Wegovy, Mounjaro, Duromine, and Xenical are not funded

How to apply for funded medication

  • Your GP can refer you to a specialist who can apply for Pharmac approval
  • Approval is not guaranteed and can take several weeks

Why this matters: for most people, the cost of weight loss medication will come entirely from your pocket. The exception is a small group who meet Pharmac’s strict access criteria for Contrave.

The upshot

If you have a high BMI and a weight-related condition, pursuing funding for Contrave could save you over a thousand dollars a year. For everyone else, the monthly bill ranges from NZ$30 to NZ$500+.

The catch: the funding criteria are narrow, so most people will pay full price.

Confirmed facts

  • Contrave, Duromine, Xenical, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are available by prescription in New Zealand.
  • Pharmac funds Contrave for patients meeting specific BMI and obesity-related conditions.
  • Ozempic (diabetes drug) is used off-label for weight loss but is not funded for that purpose.
  • Online prescription services exist (e.g., Pocket Lab, rfynd).

What’s unclear

  • Exact pricing may vary by pharmacy and individual circumstances.
  • Funding criteria may change; always check with Pharmac or GP.
  • Long-term efficacy of newer drugs (Mounjaro) in the NZ population is still being studied.
  • Availability of certain medications can be subject to supply shortages.

Expert perspectives

Weight-loss medicines are not funded or subsidised in New Zealand, so patients generally pay the full cost themselves.

— Healthify (government health information service)

Wegovy is specifically approved for weight management in New Zealand, while Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes.

— MacMurray Pharmacy

Participants receiving Wegovy once weekly with lifestyle advice lost an average of 14.9% of body weight over 68 weeks.

— rfynd (telehealth provider)

Mounjaro has shown even higher results in studies, with many people losing around 15% or more.

— Healthify

For New Zealanders exploring prescription weight loss, the choice comes down to budget, eligibility, and how much weight you want to lose. If cost is your main concern, Duromine or Contrave (if funded) are the cheapest entry points. If you’re chasing the highest average loss and have room in your budget, Mounjaro currently leads the field. But remember: no pill replaces the foundation of diet and lifestyle change — the best medication still works best alongside a solid plan. For anyone weighing their options, the clear next step is a conversation with your GP or an online clinic to see what fits your health profile and wallet.

Additional sources

mydr.com.au, forhers.com, youtube.com, rfynd.co.nz, healthsystemtracker.org

For perspective on how injectable treatments compare globally, it helps to look at weight loss injection options overseas to understand different regulatory and cost structures.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to see results from weight loss medication?

Most people notice some changes within 4–8 weeks, but full results typically take 3–6 months. GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro often show significant weight loss at 6–12 months.

Can I take weight loss medication if I have diabetes?

Yes, but some medications (like Ozempic) are actually diabetes drugs first. Always discuss with your GP, as some weight loss meds can lower blood sugar and require dose adjustments for other diabetes medications.

Are weight loss medications safe for long-term use?

Contrave and Wegovy are approved for long-term use, while Duromine is only for short-term (up to 12 weeks). Xenical can be used long-term but side effects (oily stools) make it less popular. Mounjaro’s long-term data is still emerging.

What should I discuss with my GP before starting weight loss medication?

Your full medical history, current medications, BMI, any obesity-related conditions, and your weight loss goals. Also ask about potential side effects, cost, and whether you may qualify for funding.

Do weight loss medications interact with other drugs?

Yes. Contrave interacts with antidepressants and opioids (it contains naltrexone). Duromine can interact with MAOIs and stimulants. Always provide your complete medication list to your doctor.

What are the common side effects of weight loss medications?

Nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting are common with GLP-1 drugs. Duromine can cause insomnia, dry mouth, and increased heart rate. Xenical often leads to oily stools and flatulence.

Can I use weight loss medication while breastfeeding?

Most weight loss medications are not recommended during breastfeeding. Duromine and Contrave are contraindicated, and GLP-1 drugs lack safety data. Breastfeeding mothers should focus on diet and exercise.

Is it possible to lose weight without medication?

Yes. Diet, exercise, and behavioural changes produce significant weight loss for many people. However, for those with a BMI over 30 or with weight-related health conditions, medication can provide an additional boost when lifestyle alone isn’t enough.