Medications for Weight Loss Marketed in Canada - July 2025 update

Oct 12, 2026

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A Canada-focused reference table summarizing marketed weight-loss medications with key details for chronic weight management. For each therapy, it lists dosage forms and strengths, approximate annual cost and PharmaCare benefit status, and summarizes Health Canada guidance including indications by eligible age and BMI criteria, contraindications, and critical dosing parameters. It also covers administration instructions, titration schedules, and comparative dose-response notes, along with source footnotes to support pricing and coverage context.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages1

AccessFree to download

Medication overview

GLP-1 and related agonists

Opioid antagonist/antidepressant combinations

Gastrointestinal lipase inhibitors

Notes and sources

Medications for Weight Loss Marketed in Canada (July 2025 update) | Generic/brand, strengths, dosage forms,1 cost,2 coverage3 | Health Canada chronic weight management indications*, contraindications, dosage considerations
indication, initial dosing, titration, dose response, maximum dose, administration1 | | | --- | --- | --- | | GLUCAGON-DEPENDENT INSULINOTROPIC POLYPEPTIDE (GIP) & GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE-1 RECEPTOR AGONIST (GLP1) | | | | tirzepatide
ZEPBOUND
2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 mg/dose multidose prefilled pens
PharmaCare: non benefit
Annual cost: $10,600 | Indications | ▪ ages ≥ 18 years: BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 or ≥ 27 kg/m2 and ≥ 1 weight-related comorbidity | | | Contraindications | ▪ personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, pregnancy, breastfeeding | | | Initial dosing | ▪ 2.5 mg subcutaneously once weekly for 4 weeks | | | Dose response | ▪ 10 mg vs. 5 mg: 5% additional weight loss; 15 mg vs. 10 mg: 1% additional weight loss | | | Dose titration | ▪ every 4 weeks in 2.5 mg increments up to 5, 10 or 15 mg/week | | | Administration | ▪ subcutaneous injection into abdomen, thigh or upper arm (rotate sites with each dose) | | GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE RECEPTOR AGONISTS (GLP1a) | | | | semaglutide
WEGOVY
0. 25, 0.5, 1, 1.7, 2.4 mg/dose multidose prefilled pens
PharmaCare: non benefit
Annual cost: $5600 | Indications | ▪ ages ≥ 18 years: BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 or ≥ 27 kg/m2 and ≥ 1 weight-related comorbidity
▪ ages 12 – 17 years: body weight > 60 kg and BMI ≥ 95th percentile for age and sex and inadequate response to reduced calorie diet and physical activity alone | | | Contraindications | ▪ personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, pregnancy, breastfeeding | | | Initial dosing | ▪ 0.25 mg subcutaneously once weekly for 4 weeks | | | Dose response | ▪ 2.4 mg vs. 1 mg: 3% additional weight loss; 2.4 mg vs. 1.7 mg: 4% additional weight loss | | | Dose titration | ▪ every 4 weeks to doses of 0 .5, 1, 1.7 mg until maintenance dose of 2.4 mg/week reached | | | Administration | ▪ subcutaneous injection into abdomen, thigh or upper arm (rotate sites with each dose) | | liraglutide
SAXENDA
0.6, 1. 2, 1.8, 2.4, 3 mg/dose multidose prefilled pens
PharmaCare: non benefit
Approx. annual cost: $5600 | Indications | ▪ ages ≥ 18 years: BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 or ≥ 27 kg/m2 with ≥ 1 weight-related comorbidity and failed previous weight management intervention
▪ ages 12 – 17 years: body weight > 60 kg and BMI corresponding to ≥ 30 kg/m2 for adults and inadequate response to reduced calorie diet and physical activity alone | | | Contraindications | ▪ personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, pregnancy, breastfeeding | | | Initial dosing | ▪ 0.6 mg subcutaneously once daily for 1 week | | | Dose response | ▪ 3 mg vs. 1.8 mg: 1% additional weight loss | | | Dose titration | ▪ every week to doses of 1. 2, 1.8, 2.4 mg until maintenance dose of 3 mg/day reached | | | Administration | ▪ subcutaneous injection into abdomen, thigh or upper arm (rotate sites with each dose) | | OPIOID ANTAGONIST/ANTIDEPRESSANT COMBINATIONS | | | | naltrexone/bupropion
CONTRAVE
8/90 mg extended-release tablets
PharmaCare: non benefit
Approx. annual cost: $3700 | Indications | ▪ ages ≥ 18 years: BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 or ≥ 27 kg/m2 with ≥ 1 weight-related comorbidity | | | Contraindications | ▪ opioid use (agonist or partial agonist, including tramadol), opioid withdrawal, uncontrolled hypertension, seizure disorder, bulimia, anorexia nervosa, concomitant MAOIs, thioridazine, or other bupropion containing products (Wellbutrin®, Zyban®), severe hepatic impairment, end-stage renal failure, pregnancy, abrupt discontinuation of alcohol, benzodiazepines or other sedatives and antiepileptic drugs | | | Initial dosing | ▪ 8/90 mg tablet orally once

FAQs

Which age and BMI criteria are used for weight-loss indication eligibility in Canada?

For tirzepatide and most GLP-1 therapies, indications list adults aged ≥18 with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 or ≥27 kg/m2 plus a weight-related comorbidity. Semaglutide and liraglutide additionally include specific adolescent criteria for ages 12–17 based on body weight, BMI percentile, and inadequate response to diet and activity alone.

What are the main contraindications shared across several listed medications?

Common contraindications include personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer and Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, plus pregnancy and breastfeeding. For naltrexone/bupropion, additional contraindications include opioid use or withdrawal, uncontrolled hypertension, seizure disorder, eating disorders, certain drug interactions (e.g., MAOIs), severe hepatic impairment, and end-stage renal failure.

How do dosing and titration schedules typically work for these medications?

The table provides drug-specific initiation doses followed by titration at defined intervals (e.g., weekly or every 4 weeks) until a maintenance dose is reached. It also specifies administration routes (such as subcutaneous injection for tirzepatide/GLP-1 agents) and practical guidance such as rotating injection sites and timing (e.g., orlistat with meals containing fat).

Oct 12, 2026

Upload by Jacob