Table of Contents
Various prescription weight loss options are available in South Africa. With Online Doctor SA, you can access prescriptions for clinically proven treatments including Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, Liraglutide and Orlistat.
1. Semaglutide
Brand Name: Wegovy / Ozempic
Price: Around R3100 to R3900 per month depending on the dosage.
How Semaglutide Works for Weight Loss Purposes:
The active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, Semaglutide, mimics a natural hormone called GLP-1. This hormone signals to the brain that the stomach is full and slows down digestion, helping you feel fuller for longer – an effect similar to bariatric surgery. Clinical research confirms its effectiveness for weight loss. It is important to build healthy lifestyle habits (proper diet and exercise regimens) to maintain long-term weight management success.
How Semaglutide is used:
Semaglutide is available as a once-weekly self-administered injection using a pre-filled pen. The pen is designed for easy use and is typically injected into the abdomen or thigh.
Click here for more info and how to use Wegovy.
Click here to get your weight management prescription today.
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2. Tirzepatide
Brand Name: Mounjaro / Zepbound
Price: Around R3600 – R8100 per month depending on the dosage. Doses above 10 mg per week will require the purchase of two vials weekly, as the highest available vial strength in South Africa is 10 mg.
How Tirzepatide Works for Weight Loss:
The active ingredient in Mounjaro, Tirzepatide, mimics two natural hormones: GLP-1 and GIP (dual receptors). Together, they help regulate appetite, slow digestion, improve insulin sensitivity, and promote fat burning. These effects help you feel fuller for longer and reduce cravings – similar to the impact of bariatric surgery. Clinical studies have shown Tirzepatide to be highly effective for weight loss. It is important to build healthy lifestyle habits to maintain long-term weight management success.
How Tirzepatide is used:
Tirzepatide is supplied in a vial (in South Africa) and administered once weekly via a subcutaneous injection. You use a syringe to withdraw the prescribed dose from the vial and inject it yourself, typically into the abdomen or thigh.
Click here for more info and how to use Mounjaro
Click here to get your weight management prescription today.
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3. Liraglutide
Brand Name: Saxenda / Victoza
Price: Around R2800 – R4800 per month depending on the dosage.
How Liraglutide Works for Weight Loss Purposes:
The active ingredient, Liraglutide, mimics the natural hormone GLP-1. It works by regulating appetite, slowing digestion, and helping you feel fuller for longer, which reduces overall food intake – similar to the effects of bariatric surgery. Clinical studies have demonstrated its effectiveness for weight loss. However, long-term weight management success depends on adopting healthy lifestyle habits, including balanced eating and regular physical activity.
How Liraglutide is used:
Liraglutide is administered as a daily self-injection using a pre-filled pen. It is injected subcutaneously, usually into the abdomen or thigh, and the dose may be adjusted based on your treatment plan.
Click here for more info and how to use Liraglutide.
Click here to get your weight management prescription today.
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4. Orlistat
Brand Name: Xenical
Price: Around R800 – R1500 per month depending on the dosage.
How Orlistat Works for Weight Loss:
Orlistat works by blocking the absorption of some of the fat you eat, preventing it from being digested and stored by the body. Instead, the unabsorbed fat is eliminated through the stool. This helps reduce overall calorie intake and supports weight loss when combined with a low-fat, calorie-controlled diet. While effective, lasting results depend on maintaining healthy eating habits and regular exercise.
Contraindications:
Orlistat is not recommended for individuals who:
- Have chronic malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrients).
- Have cholestasis (a liver condition where bile flow is reduced).
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- People using certain medications like Levothyroxine, Warfarin, Cyclosporine
Warnings and Precautions:
Liver injury: Rare cases of severe liver injury have been reported with orlistat use, though this is uncommon. Patients are advised to report any symptoms of liver issues, such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or persistent fatigue.
Kidney stones: In rare cases, orlistat may increase the risk of kidney stones, particularly in people prone to oxalate stones due to changes in how the body handles oxalates from the diet.
Nutritional Considerations: Because orlistat decreases fat absorption, it can also reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). To counter this, it’s recommended to take a multivitamin containing these vitamins at least 2 hours before or after taking orlistat.
Side Effects:
Common side effects of orlistat are mainly gastrointestinal due to the unabsorbed fat in the intestines. These include:
- Oily, loose stools
- Frequent or urgent bowel movements
- Flatulence
- Fatty or oily discharge
- Abdominal discomfort
These side effects may decrease over time, especially if dietary fat intake is reduced. To minimize side effects, it is recommended to eat meals with about 15 grams of fat or less.
How Orlistat is used:
Orlistat is taken orally in capsule form, typically 2-3 times a day with meals containing fat. It works in the digestive system to block the absorption of a portion of dietary fat, helping to support weight loss when combined with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet.
Click here to get your weight management prescription today.
Comparison of Saxenda, Ozempic, Mounjaro and Orlistat
| LIRAGLUTIDE | SEMAGLUTIDE | TIRZEPATIDE | ORLISTAT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand name | Saxenda / Victoza | Wegovy / Ozempic | Mounjaro / Zepbound | Xenical |
| Class of drug | GLP-1 receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist | Dual GIP + GLP-1 receptor agonist | Lipase inhibitor |
| Estimated price / month | R 2 800 – R 4 800 | R 3 100 - R 3 900 | R3600 - R8100 (dose dependent) | R 800 – R 1 500 |
| Ease of use | Daily injection (pre-filled pen) | Weekly injection (pre-filled pen) | Weekly injection (vial only in SA) | Oral capsules 2-3× daily with meals |
| Average weight-loss (1 yr, dose-dependent) |
5 – 10 % body-weight | ≈ 13 % body-weight | 15 – 21 % body-weight | 5 – 7 % body-weight |
| Possible side-effects | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, injection-site discomfort. Rare: pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, thyroid cancer risk. |
Similar to liraglutide; generally less injection-site discomfort. | Comparable to semaglutide; some studies show slightly better GI tolerance. | Oily/loose stools, urgency, flatulence, oily discharge, abdominal discomfort. Possible kidney stones & liver injury. |
(Always read the medication leaflet before use. Weight loss should not be more than 5kg per month to prevent complications associated with rapid weight loss)
Click here to get your weight management prescription today.
