Written & medically reviewed by Dr Rachel Ho · MBBS (NUS), MRCS (Edinburgh), M.Med (ENT) · Founder & Medical Director, The Skin Longevity Clinic · 16+ years in aesthetic & longevity medicine
GLP-1 weight loss injections have moved from niche diabetes care to one of the most searched health topics in Singapore. Patients arrive at the clinic having read about GLP-1 weight-loss injections online, and the questions are almost always the same: do they work, are they safe, am I eligible, what will it cost, and will I keep the weight off? This page answers those questions honestly, and explains the doctor-led, longevity-focused way we use these medicines at The Skin Longevity Clinic.
Crucially, weight loss is not just a number on a scale. How you lose weight matters as much as how much you lose. The approach here is designed to protect what makes you healthy and look well as you age — muscle, metabolic health and facial structure — not simply to shrink you as fast as possible.
Dr Rachel Ho’s treatment philosophy: “I treat GLP-1 therapy as metabolic longevity medicine, not a cosmetic shortcut. My background is in surgery and aesthetic medicine, so I think constantly about tissue quality and how a face and body age. What I care about is not the fastest possible drop in kilograms, but a controlled, sustainable loss of fat that preserves muscle and keeps the face looking healthy rather than gaunt. That is why I will not prescribe these medicines as a one-off — they belong inside a structured plan with proper follow-up.”
Obesity and being overweight are rising in Singapore, and with them the metabolic conditions that follow — type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, sleep apnoea, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. For decades the only medical advice was ‘eat less, move more’, which works biologically but is extremely hard to sustain because the body defends its weight by increasing hunger. GLP-1 medicines change that equation by acting on the hormones that govern appetite, which is why interest has exploded.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) are gut hormones released after eating. They tell the brain you are full, slow how quickly the stomach empties, and help regulate blood sugar. Modern incretin medicines mimic these signals, so you feel satisfied on smaller portions and experience less of the constant background hunger many people call ‘food noise’.
Some medicines act on GLP-1 alone (one brand given as a weekly weight-management dose, lower weekly diabetes doses, or an oral tablet) while the other is a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist that engages two pathways at once. Most are once-weekly self-injections with a pre-filled pen; an oral tablet also exists.
All are Prescription-Only Medicines (POM) registered with Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA). One GLP-1 agonist brand carries an indication for chronic weight management; and another brand is approved for type 2 diabetes and, more recently, weight management in eligible adults. For a deeper dive on each, see the companion guides linked at the foot of this page.
Eligibility is individualised, but the medical starting point is usually:
Beyond the numbers, the patients who do best are those ready to treat this as a genuine health intervention — willing to build supportive habits and attend reviews, not those expecting an injection to override their lifestyle.
These medicines are not for everyone, and part of responsible practice is saying so. They are not used in pregnancy, when planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, and require caution or avoidance with a history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, or a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN2. They are also not appropriate for people at a healthy weight who simply want to drop a few kilograms quickly — a request we see often and frequently decline.
Dr Rachel Ho on patient selection: “Two things make me cautious. First, muscle and facial volume: rapid weight loss strips lean mass and can hollow the face — the gaunt, prematurely-aged look that can follow rapid weight loss. I would rather lose weight a little slower and protect muscle with adequate protein and resistance training than chase a dramatic before-and-after. Second, commitment: I ask patients to treat this as a partnership. If someone wants a prescription with no intention of changing habits or returning for review, I do not think I am helping them, and I will say so.”
These are among the most rigorously studied weight medicines available. In the STEP 1 trial, one brand produced an average loss of around 15% of body weight over 68 weeks; in SURMOUNT-1, another brand reached up to roughly 21% at the highest dose over 72 weeks. In SELECT, one brand 2.4 mg reduced major cardiovascular events in a defined high-risk group. The important nuance: these are averages with lifestyle support built in. Real-world results vary with dose, adherence and the habits around the medicine — the trials are a ceiling achieved under structured conditions, not a guarantee.
Consultation & assessment with Dr Rachel Ho — history, goals, measurements, suitability and contraindications.
Baseline checks where indicated (e.g. HbA1c, lipids, liver and kidney function).
Personalised plan
The right medicine and starting dose, with a protein, resistance-training and sleep framework to protect muscle.
Injection training
Storage, technique, site rotation and missed-dose guidance.
Structured reviews
Careful titration, side-effect management, progress tracking and skin/structure monitoring.
Maintenance & exit planning
How to hold, reduce or transition while protecting results.
This is where a longevity-focused clinic differs from a pure weight-loss service. Fast weight loss can reduce lean muscle and deplete facial fat and structure, leaving people lighter but older-looking and metabolically weaker. Our programme deliberately paces loss and pairs it with adequate protein, resistance training and, where appropriate, skin-quality and structural support — so the result is a healthier body and a face that still looks like you.
Weeks 1–4: reduced hunger and cravings as the starting dose settles.
Weeks 8–12: visible change as portions fall and the dose is optimised.
Months 4–12: results compound with titration and habit-building. We set personalised, realistic targets rather than promising trial-best numbers, because over-promising is how patients end up disappointed.
Cost depends on the medicine, your dose, the pace of escalation, treatment duration and reviews. As a 2026 guide, costs range from $600 to $1200 per GLP-1 agonist pen, depending on the strength you settle on (each pen is roughly a one-month supply). Weight-loss medication is not MediSave-claimable and is generally not covered by insurance for weight management. We are transparent about every component before you commit.
We also believe pricing should be clear from the very start. Our GLP-1 prices are published openly and kept competitive and accessible for a doctor-led programme in the Orchard area, so you can weigh cost transparently against the supervision, monitoring and support included — with no hidden fees and no pressure to commit before you understand exactly what you will pay.
Because these are prescription medicines, the safe and legal route is a consultation with a licensed clinic — never a ‘no-consult’ online seller. Singapore also prohibits public advertising of prescription medicines, so pages like this are educational, not promotional. A proper assessment protects you from counterfeit or wrongly-dosed product and matches the therapy to your medical profile.
Yes, GLP-1 agonist weight loss drugs are HSA approved and prescribed by licensed clinics after assessment.
It is a real risk with rapid loss. We mitigate it by pacing weight loss and prioritising protein, resistance training and skin/structure support.
Obesity is chronic, so some patients benefit from longer-term therapy while others step down. We plan maintenance individually.
GLP-1 injections are among the most effective tools we have ever had for weight and metabolic health — but a tool, not a cure. The most appropriate medicine and dose depend on your BMI, health profile, tolerability and goals, and the best results come from pairing medication with habits that protect muscle, metabolism and skin. A proper consultation lets these factors be weighed together.
To explore GLP-1 weight loss in Singapore, book a consultation with Dr Rachel Ho at The Skin Longevity Clinic, 9 Scotts Road, #06-05 Scotts Medical Center at Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210. Call +65 6514 2688 or email support@theskinlongevityclinic.com.
References
About the author
Written and medically reviewed by Dr Rachel Ho — MBBS (NUS), MRCS (Edinburgh), M.Med (ENT). Founder & Medical Director, The Skin Longevity Clinic, Orchard, Singapore. This article reflects Dr Ho’s clinical opinion drawn from more than 16 years in aesthetic and longevity medicine. It is general education only — not medical advice, a diagnosis, or an advertisement for prescription medicine.