Key Takeaways

• Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 RAs, can help to control blood sugar and promote weight loss.

• Medications in this class include semaglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide. Some are approved for weight loss, while others are approved for treating diabetes.

• GLP-1 RAs are only available with a doctor’s prescription. You will need to visit a doctor to discuss the possibility of receiving one of these medications, so that they can determine whether or not it would be a safe and effective option for you.

• You must fulfill certain criteria in order to be eligible to receive a GLP-1 RA in Singapore.

• There are a few other medications that are also approved for weight loss in Singapore. These include phentermine, orlistat, and bupropion-naltrexone. 

• A healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise, is another alternative to GLP-1 RAs. Health coaching can help to make this much more effective.

• For people taking GLP-1 RAs, a healthy lifestyle is still a crucial part of the treatment plan.

A class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 RAs, has been receiving quite a bit of attention lately. These medications can help to control blood sugar and can also promote weight loss. They work by mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1. This leads to a few different results:

• An increase in insulin, a hormone that lowers blood sugar

• A decrease in glucagon, a hormone that causes increased fasting blood sugar

• Slower emptying of the stomach, so that people feel full for longer

• Reduced appetite and food cravings

There are two GLP-1 RAs that are approved in Singapore for weight loss – a form of semaglutide called Wegovy and a form of liraglutide called Saxenda. There are also several other GLP-1 RAs that are approved for treating diabetes. These include two forms of semaglutide called Ozempic and Rybelsus, a form of liraglutide called Victoza, and a form of dulaglutide called Trulicity.

If you’d like to consider using a GLP-1 RA for weight loss or diabetes, you may be wondering where you can find these medications so that you can try them.

How to get access to GLP-1 RA class of drugs such as semaglutide (Ozempic/Rybelsus/Wegovy)

GLP-1 RAs are prescription medications, which means that you can’t simply buy them on your own at a pharmacy. They’re only available with a doctor’s prescription.

Consult a doctor

The first step in obtaining a GLP-1 RA is to visit a doctor who’s qualified to offer these medications. They’ll evaluate you to determine whether these medications would be a good option for you. There are specific medical indications for these medications. Your doctor will also need to determine whether you have any medical conditions that could make a GLP-1 RA less safe for you. 

If you meet the criteria to be a candidate for the medication and you don’t have any other conditions that would make it unsafe, then your doctor can prescribe it for you. They’ll discuss the various forms of GLP-1 RAs that are available, and advise you about which one they recommend for you. Once you have your prescription, you will then be able to get your medication.

GLP-1 RAs have to be given by self-injection. Most people are not used to giving themselves injections, so you may need some coaching about how to do this properly. Your doctor’s office or healthcare provider can help you learn how to inject your medication.

They’ll also advise you about the potential side effects that you may experience. You’ll be told what to watch out for, so you can contact your doctor if you may be developing any serious side effects. This is rare, but it can occur, so it’s important to be prepared.

Criteria

It’s important to remember that GLP-1 RAs are not without risk. They can have side effects. Your doctor will weigh the risk of side effects against the potential benefit that the medication would have for you, in order to determine whether you’re a good candidate for a GLP-1 RA.

There are specific criteria that a person must meet in order to be a candidate for a GLP-1 RA. In Singapore, a person may be eligible to receive a GLP-1 RA if they: 

• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (indicating obesity) for non-Asians (World Health Organization); or 27.5 or greater for Asians (Singapore Health Promotion Board)*. 

• Have a BMI of 27 or greater, along with health complications of being overweight, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.

• Have type 2 diabetes.

*The WHO established an expert consultation board in 2004 to address the appropriate BMI classification for Asian populations—and recommended using slightly different cut-off points for people in this group, based on the available scientific evidence. For Asian people, a BMI of 23 or greater indicates being overweight, while a BMI of 27.5 or greater indicates obesity.

Recommended Reading: Understanding Your BMI: What Is It and What It Means

GLP-1 RAs can be used as a person’s only diabetes medication if metformin is not a good option for them, because it caused side effects or wasn’t effective. GLP-1 RAs can also be used along with other diabetes medications, in order to gain better control of blood sugar and reduce the risk of long-term complications like heart disease and kidney disease.

Costs of GLP-1 RA medication

Many people are interested in GLP-1 RAs, but want to know more about the cost. In general, the cost of a GLP-1 RA is generally around S$280 to S$430 for a one month supply. For patients with diabetes who are prescribed dulaglutide, there is a government subsidy available, which can cover 40 to 75% of the cost of the medication in certain instances.

Our NOVI Optimum Plus program, which includes a GLP-1 RA along with medical supervision and weight loss coaching, costs S$432 per month or S$1080 for three months.

Types of GLP-1 RA drugs available

Although all GLP-1 RAs work in a similar way, there are a few different medications in this class. These include:

• Semaglutide. There are several forms of semaglutide that are approved in Singapore. Wegovy is the only one of these that’s approved specifically for weight loss, and is given by injection once per week. Ozempic is also an injection that’s used once per week, but it’s approved for treating diabetes rather than for weight loss. (Wegovy and Ozempic injections contain different doses of semaglutide.) Rybelsus is an oral form of semaglutide that’s taken as a daily tablet, and is also approved for treating diabetes.

• Liraglutide. Saxenda is a form of liraglutide that’s approved for weight loss in Singapore. It’s given as a daily injection. Another form of liraglutide, known as Victoza, is approved for treating diabetes, and is also given as a daily injection.

• Dulaglutide. A form of dulaglutide known as Trulicity is approved for treating diabetes. It’s given by injection once per week.

Alternatives to GLP-1 RAs

If you’re interested in losing weight, GLP-1 RAs are only one of your options. Some people are not considered to be good candidates for a GLP-1 RA, while others prefer to try a different method of weight loss first.

There are other medications that are approved for weight loss in Singapore. 

• Phentermine is a stimulant, which works by increasing your body’s use of energy in a manner similar to amphetamines. It’s usually only used short-term, because long-term use raises the risk of serious side effects like heart problems, and carries a significant potential for addiction.

• Orlistat works by reducing the absorption of fat in the intestine. This can lead to unpleasant digestive side effects, and requires adherence to a low-fat diet, which many people find difficult to sustain over the long term.

• Buproprion and naltrexone are used together for weight loss. Bupropion is an antidepressant, and naltrexone blocks certain receptors in the brain. The combination acts in the brain to reduce hunger and to change the brain’s perception of reward related to food. It can lead to side effects related to mental health.

Medications are not the only effective option. Making significant lifestyle changes can also be an effective way to achieve weight loss. This includes choosing healthy foods, controlling portion sizes, and making sure to get enough exercise on a daily basis. 

Unfortunately, many people who try to make these lifestyle changes find it very challenging to stick with their new lifestyle plan. This is why some people believe that diet and exercise don’t work for weight loss.

Having the right support can make a huge difference in being able to lose weight through lifestyle changes. Our NOVI Optimum medical weight loss program includes support from nutritionists and health coaches. They’ll help you create a plan that will work for you, and then they’ll support you as you implement this new plan. Our clients communicate with their teams through our custom NOVI app, allowing them to receive support whenever they need it. With this level of support, losing weight through healthy lifestyle changes is much more achievable. 

Even for people who are taking a GLP-1 RA, diet and exercise are still an important part of the overall weight loss plan. The medications can help to enhance the results of your lifestyle changes, but don’t completely replace them. You’ll get much better results if you work on incorporating healthy lifestyle changes while you’re taking a GLP-1 RA. 

This is why our clients on our NOVI Optimum Plus program also receive professional support and coaching along with their medication. It’s important to ensure that you’re taking a holistic view of weight loss, and making changes that will ultimately benefit you in the long run.