This page is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. An in-person consultation with Dr Joosab is required before any treatment is prescribed or administered. HPCSA Reg. No. 0736686.
Medical weight loss using GLP-1 receptor agonist medication, including Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide), is available at Dr Y Joosab Medical Practice in Overport and KwaMashu. Dr Joosab is an HPCSA-registered general practitioner (MBBCh, Wits) with the qualifications to assess your eligibility, prescribe appropriate medication and monitor you throughout treatment.
GLP-1 therapy is a prescription-only medical intervention. It’s not a supplement, not an over-the-counter product and not something that should be started without a proper clinical assessment. This page explains how the medications work, who qualifies and what the process at the practice looks like.
What is GLP-1 weight loss therapy?
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your gut releases after eating. It signals the brain that you’re full, slows gastric emptying and helps regulate blood sugar. GLP-1 receptor agonists are injectable medications that mimic this hormone at a stronger level than the body generates naturally, producing meaningful reductions in appetite and, over time, body weight.
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are the two main GLP-1 medications used for weight management in South Africa. Both are once-weekly injections administered via a pre-filled pen, self-injected at home after you’ve been shown the technique.
What is the difference between Ozempic and Mounjaro?
Ozempic contains semaglutide and targets the GLP-1 receptor only. In the STEP clinical trial programme, semaglutide produced an average body weight reduction of approximately 15% over 68 weeks in adults with obesity. Wegovy is the higher-dose semaglutide formulation registered with SAHPRA specifically for weight management in South Africa.
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which targets both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors simultaneously. This dual-receptor action is why tirzepatide produces larger weight loss on average than semaglutide in head-to-head comparisons. The SURMOUNT trial programme found tirzepatide achieved average weight loss of approximately 15 to 21% over 72 weeks, with higher doses producing larger reductions. In South Africa, Mounjaro is distributed by Aspen Pharmacare and was launched in December 2024 for type 2 diabetes management.
Neither medication is automatically the right choice. The decision between semaglutide and tirzepatide depends on your medical history, current medications and what the clinical assessment finds. Dr Joosab will recommend the most appropriate option at your consultation.
Who qualifies for GLP-1 weight loss treatment?
GLP-1 medications are prescribed for adults who meet one of the following criteria:
- BMI of 30 or above (obesity), with no additional qualifying condition required
- BMI of 27 or above with at least one weight-related health condition: type 2 diabetes, hypertension, raised cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnoea or established cardiovascular disease
These medications are not appropriate for patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN-2), patients with active or recent pancreatitis, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or patients with significant kidney, liver or cardiac conditions. Several medications also interact with GLP-1 drugs; Dr Joosab will review your full medication list at the consultation.
An online questionnaire doesn’t replicate what an in-person GP can assess. This is precisely why the consultation matters.
What does the process look like at the practice?
Step 1: Weight management consultation
Call 031 271 3056 (Overport) or 031 501 1033 (KwaMashu) to book. The initial consultation covers your medical history, current weight and BMI, relevant blood test results if you have them and your previous experience with weight management. The visit typically takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Step 2: Prescription and dispensing
If you’re a suitable candidate, Dr Joosab issues a prescription. Both Ozempic/Wegovy and Mounjaro are dispensed through pharmacies including Dis-Chem, Clicks and Medirite. Stock can vary by branch and dose, so confirm availability at your nearest pharmacy before attending the consultation. Prescriptions cannot be amended after being issued.
Step 3: Starting dose and titration
Both semaglutide and tirzepatide begin at a low dose and increase gradually over several weeks. Tirzepatide starts at 2.5 mg weekly, increasing to 5 mg after four weeks, with further increases at four-weekly intervals as tolerated. This staged approach reduces the risk and severity of gastrointestinal side effects. Dr Joosab will set out your full titration schedule at the first consultation.
Step 4: Ongoing monitoring
GLP-1 therapy requires regular medical review. You’ll have follow-up appointments at the practice to check weight, blood pressure, kidney function and any side effects, and to adjust dosing if needed. Do not increase your dose without speaking to Dr Joosab first.
What side effects should you expect?
The most common side effects of both Ozempic and Mounjaro are gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation, particularly in the first few weeks and after each dose increase. For most patients these settle within two to four weeks as the body adjusts.
Less common but clinically important side effects include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems and hypoglycaemia (most relevant if you’re also on other diabetes medication). Dr Joosab will discuss the full side effect profile at your consultation and set out clear guidance on when to contact the practice if something feels wrong.
How much do Ozempic and Mounjaro cost in South Africa?
GLP-1 medications are not inexpensive. At current South African pricing, Mounjaro treatment costs approximately R3,000 to R4,500 per month depending on the dose and pharmacy. The starting dose (2.5 mg weekly) is at the lower end of that range; higher maintenance doses (7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg) cost progressively more.
Ozempic and Wegovy pricing is in a broadly similar range at maintenance doses. Pricing at pharmacies varies; always confirm the cost at your specific branch before collecting.
Most South African medical aids do not cover GLP-1 therapy prescribed specifically for weight management. If you have a formal type 2 diabetes diagnosis, coverage may apply under the Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) framework. Check with your medical aid scheme before starting.
Why see a GP in person rather than using an online-only service?
Online prescription services for GLP-1 therapy are legal in South Africa and work well for straightforward cases. The limitation is clinical depth: an online questionnaire can’t examine you, won’t always have access to your full medical file and can’t manage complications the way a GP with your history on hand can.
At Dr Joosab’s practice, your weight management is part of your broader health picture. If you’re also managing hypertension, diabetes or raised cholesterol, those conditions interact directly with GLP-1 therapy and benefit from being handled by the doctor who already knows your clinical story. That continuity is worth something.
Frequently asked questions
Does a GP in South Africa need to refer me to a specialist to prescribe Ozempic or Mounjaro?
No. Both tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) are Schedule 4 prescription medicines that any HPCSA-registered GP can prescribe independently. You don’t need a referral to an endocrinologist, bariatric physician or obesity specialist.
How long does it take to see results?
Most patients notice a reduction in appetite within the first two to four weeks. Visible weight loss typically starts between six and eight weeks once you’re at an effective dose. The meaningful 10 to 20% body weight reductions seen in clinical trials develop over six to twelve months of consistent treatment. Individual responses vary.
What happens if I stop taking Mounjaro or Ozempic?
GLP-1 medications suppress appetite pharmacologically. When you stop, appetite typically returns and weight may be regained. This doesn’t mean treatment failed; it reflects the chronic nature of obesity. Dr Joosab can discuss long-term management options at your follow-up.
Are Ozempic and Mounjaro available at Clicks and Dis-Chem in Durban?
Both medications are distributed nationally through major pharmacy chains including Clicks, Dis-Chem and Medirite. Stock levels, particularly for higher Mounjaro doses, can be inconsistent. Confirm availability and price at your specific branch before your consultation appointment.
