Wegovy
Wegovy is semaglutide at a 2.4 mg weekly dose, approved in Canada for chronic weight management. It's meant for adults living with obesity, or overweight with a weight related health condition. Because it carries a dedicated weight management approval, private plan coverage is often simpler than for Ozempic. Read more in our guide to Wegovy and semaglutide in Canada.
Ozempic
Ozempic is the same active ingredient as Wegovy, approved in Canada for type 2 diabetes at a lower maximum dose. It's widely prescribed off label for weight loss and has the longest real world track record of the weekly injections. Wondering about timing? See how long Ozempic takes to work.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
Mounjaro is tirzepatide, a weekly injection that works on two receptors, GLP-1 and GIP, instead of one. In Canada, Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes, and Health Canada has also authorized tirzepatide for chronic weight management under the brand name Zepbound. In a head to head trial, people on tirzepatide lost more weight on average than people on semaglutide. Our Mounjaro in Canada guide goes deeper.
Saxenda
Saxenda is liraglutide, a daily injection approved for chronic weight management. It's the longest established option in Canada. The daily dosing is less convenient than a weekly pen, but some people do well on it. Our weight loss peptides guide compares it with semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Oral options: Contrave and orlistat
If you'd rather not inject, there are tablets and capsules. Contrave combines naltrexone and bupropion to help with appetite and cravings. Orlistat (Xenical) reduces how much fat your body absorbs from food. Both work differently from the injections and usually lead to more modest weight loss, but they can be the right fit for some people.
Who qualifies for weight loss medication?
Most of these medicines are prescribed for adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight related condition like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea. Some people shouldn't take GLP-1 medicines, including anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2, and anyone who is pregnant or planning a pregnancy. You can check your BMI with the calculator on our weight loss page.
What does weight loss medication cost in Canada?
It depends on the medicine, the dose and your coverage. Alberta's public drug plans generally don't cover these medicines for weight loss alone, while many private plans do, sometimes with prior authorization. For current numbers, see our Ozempic and Wegovy cost guide, and bring your benefits card so we can check your coverage.
Canada's semaglutide patent lapsed in January 2026, which opens the door to lower cost generic versions. Our generic semaglutide update explains what that means for you.
Be careful buying online
Only fill a prescription at a licensed Canadian pharmacy. Health Canada has warned Canadians about fake and unauthorized semaglutide products sold online and through social media. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
How to start in Edmonton
Walk in to Acme Drug Mart in Meadowlark for an eligibility check. You don't need a doctor's referral. Our prescribing pharmacist reviews your history, talks through the options and writes the prescription when it's right for you. The consultation is covered by Alberta Health Care, we follow up as your dose changes, and we deliver your refills free anywhere in Edmonton. Learn more about our Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro program.
