This website is run by GLP-1 Weight Loss to help South Africans understand doctor-led weight-loss treatment. Everything published here is general information. It is written to help you ask better questions and know what to expect, not to replace a proper consultation with a registered healthcare professional.
Please read this page before you act on anything you find on the site.
Information only, not medical advice
The content on this website is for general education. It is not medical advice and should not be treated as a diagnosis, a treatment plan, or a recommendation for you personally. Weight, health history, other medicines, and personal risk factors differ from one person to the next. A registered doctor is the person who decides whether any treatment suits an individual, after a proper assessment.
No doctor-patient relationship
Reading this site, browsing our pages, or filling in a form does not create a doctor-patient relationship. That relationship begins only when an HPCSA-registered doctor assesses you directly and agrees to take you on as a patient. Until then, nothing here should be understood as personal clinical guidance.
These medicines need a doctor's oversight
GLP-1 medication is a Schedule 4 class of treatment in South Africa that needs a doctor's oversight. It cannot be bought over the counter or started on your own. It may be started only after a consultation with a registered doctor, and it must be dispensed by a licensed pharmacy. We only support treatment that uses SAHPRA-registered medicines. Be cautious of any source offering this class of treatment without a doctor's oversight or a medical assessment.
Results vary and nothing is guaranteed
Clinical trials of this class of treatment have reported average weight loss of roughly 8% to over 20% of body weight, depending on the specific medicine and dose. Those are averages from studies. Your own result may be higher or lower, and no outcome can be promised. Treatment works alongside changes to eating, activity, and other habits, and it is not right for everyone.
Do not change treatment based on this site
Do not start, stop, or change any medicine, dose, or treatment plan because of something you read here. If you are already under a doctor's care, follow their instructions. If you have questions about your treatment, raise them with your doctor or your pharmacist, who know your full history.
Eligibility notes
As a general guide, this class of treatment is usually considered for adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea, or fatty liver. It is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2. These are general points, not a decision about you. Only a registered doctor can confirm whether you qualify.
In an emergency
This website is not for emergencies and is not monitored for urgent medical problems. If you feel very unwell, have a severe reaction, or think your life may be at risk, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department straight away. Speak to a doctor without delay.
Medical aid and costs
Cover for this class of treatment differs between medical aids and plans, and some do not fund it at all. Any prices or Rand figures mentioned on the site are for general guidance and can change. Check your own cover with your medical aid and confirm current costs before you commit.