Medical weight loss that works.

What it is

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which is a class of medication that works by mirroring a hormone your body already produces. That hormone slows digestion, regulates blood sugar, and sends appetite control signals to your brain. Simply put, semaglutide helps your body naturally regulate blood sugar levels and maintain feelings of fullness for longer periods, while simultaneously reducing hunger and food cravings. This powerful combination makes it significantly easier to maintain healthy eating habits and achieve sustainable weight loss.

What the evidence shows

In clinical trials, participants using semaglutide alongside dietary changes and physical activity lost an average of 15% of their body weight. Some lost up to 20%. These are among the most significant weight-loss outcomes ever recorded in pharmacological research.

How it's taken

Semaglutide is taken as a once-weekly self-administered subcutaneous injection using a prefilled pen. Your doctor starts you on a low dose, typically 0.25mg, and gradually adjusts based on how your body responds and what your goals are, up to a maximum of 2.5mg.

How it's dispensed

Semaglutide is available as brand-name medications (Ozempic and Wegovy) or as compounded formulations. Brand-name products are manufactured by Novo Nordisk while compounded semaglutide is prepared by registered compounding pharmacies to the highest pharmaceutical standards. Compounded semaglutide offers more flexible dosing and is a cost-effective alternative

Potential side effects

Side effects may include nausea, low energy, vomiting, diarrhoea, bloating, and constipation. These are typically temporary and primarily occur during dose escalation. Your care team will be able to assist in managing these if they are encountered.

What it is

Tirzepatide is a dual-action medication that works as both a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist, making it the first treatment of its kind. Where semaglutide works on one receptor system, Tirzepatide works on two, enhancing your body's ability to regulate appetite, slow digestion, and manage blood sugar through a broader metabolic mechanism.

What the evidence shows

Clinical trials demonstrated average weight loss of 15–20% of body weight, with some participants losing up to 22.5%. The dual mechanism often produces more pronounced metabolic shifts than single-receptor treatments, though individual response varies and your doctor will monitor your progress closely.

How it's taken

Tirzepatide is taken as a once-weekly self-administered subcutaneous injection using a prefilled pen. Dosing typically starts at 2.5mg and is titrated upward under your doctor's supervision based on your tolerance and treatment goals, up to a maximum of 15mg.

How it's dispensed

Tirzepatide is available as the brand-name medication Mounjaro or as compounded formulations. Brand-name products are manufactured by Eli Lilly while compounded tirzepatide is prepared by registered compounding pharmacies to the highest pharmaceutical standards. Compounded tirzepatide offers more flexible dosing and is a cost-effective alternative.

Potential side effects

Potential side effects are similar to Semaglutide, including nausea, digestive changes, and fatigue may occur, particularly during periods of dose escalation. Your care team is available to assist with pharmaceutical support should these become an issue.

What are they

In certain cases, your doctor may prescribe a combination of semaglutide and tirzepatide in a single weekly injection. These are manufactured in South Africa by registered compounding pharmacies. This allows both hormone pathways to be addressed simultaneously, which may be appropriate for patients whose biology responds better to a dual approach.

What you should know

Combination formulations are highly individualised and based on individual response and tolerance. Common formulations include 1mg semaglutide & 5mg tirzepatide, 1mg semaglutide & 10mg tirzepatide and 2mg semaglutide & 15mg tirzepatide. Though both ingredients are well-established medications, as a compounded combination product, this has not undergone the same clinical trials or regulatory approval.

Why it matters

When your appetite decreases and you eat less, the nutritional stakes go up. Every meal carries more importance because your body still needs adequate protein, micronutrients, and essential fatty acids to preserve lean muscle, support your metabolism, and maintain your health while you lose weight. Your dietitian works with your doctor to ensure your supplementation plan is aligned with your treatment.

What your plan may include

While prioritising whole, nutrient-dense foods is essential, targeted supplementation can provide additional support when caloric intake is reduced. Key supplements to consider include:

What it is

Microdosing refers to taking a very small, sub-therapeutic dose of a GLP-1 medication that is lower than the standard recommended dosing. It has emerged as a clinical strategy for patients who have reached their goal weight and want to transition to maintenance without stopping treatment abruptly.

Why it matters

The period after reaching your target weight is where many previous approaches fail. Appetite signals can return, and without ongoing support, the biological drivers of weight regain reassert themselves. Microdosing provides a background level of appetite regulation during this transition — enough to support maintenance without the full therapeutic dose.

How it's dispensed

Compounded medications offer more flexible dosing than standard registered medications. This flexibility means your maintenance plan is calibrated to your biology, not constrained by what's on the shelf. Microdosing is an off-label application and requires a specific clinical assessment to confirm it's appropriate for you.