GLP-1 Therapyexplained properly
GLP-1 medicines mimic a hormone your gut already releases after eating. They reduce appetite — which makes eating well easier. They do not decide what you eat, and they are not a programme on their own.
What the medicine actually does
Five effects, working together. None of them is willpower.
- 01Appetite signallingGLP-1 receptors in the brain register fullness. Cravings quieten rather than needing to be resisted.
- 02Gastric emptyingFood leaves the stomach more slowly, so a normal meal keeps you full for longer.
- 03Insulin responseInsulin is released in better proportion to what you have actually eaten.
- 04Glucagon suppressionLess glucose is released by the liver between meals, steadying blood sugar.
- 05Metabolic markersBlood pressure, lipids and liver measures often improve alongside weight.
What it does not do
It does not replace nutrition or activity. Without adequate protein and resistance training, a meaningful share of what you lose is muscle rather than fat — and muscle is what keeps your metabolic rate up afterwards. Weight also commonly returns when treatment stops without a maintenance plan. That is why medication here is always paired with dietetic and lifestyle support, and why we track body composition rather than weight alone.
We do not prescribe without assessment
Eligibility, contraindications and your current medications all have to be established first. There is no consultation-free route to these medicines here, and we do not sell or dispense them online.
Who GLP-1 therapy may suit
Thresholds are a starting point, not a decision. The full clinical picture is what determines suitability.
Who it is not for
These are the situations where GLP-1 therapy is either unsuitable or needs specialist input before it can be considered. This list is not exhaustive — your assessment is.
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, or MEN2 syndrome
- Previous pancreatitis, or active gallbladder disease
- Pregnancy, planned pregnancy, or breastfeeding
- Severe gastrointestinal disease, including gastroparesis
- A current or past eating disorder, without specialist input first
- Type 1 diabetes, where GLP-1 medicines are not a substitute for insulin
If you take insulin or a sulfonylurea, those doses usually need reducing to avoid hypoglycaemia. Bring a complete list of your medications and supplements.
Three agents, one decision
Which one is appropriate depends on your history, other conditions, tolerance and what is currently available. That is a clinical decision made with you, not a menu choice.
Licensing differs by medicine and by indication and changes over time; what is approved and available for your situation is confirmed at consultation. Brand names are trademarks of their respective manufacturers and appear here for identification only. These are prescription-only medicines.
Started low, raised slowly, reviewed constantly
Side effects are largely a function of how fast the dose rises. There is no advantage to rushing it.
- 01
Assessment
Full history, examination, measurements and bloodwork. Eligibility and contraindications are established here — not before.
Visit 1 - 02
Starting dose
Treatment begins at the lowest dose. Starting low is what makes side effects manageable.
Week 1 - 03
Stepped increases
The dose rises in stages at set intervals, only if you are tolerating it. There is no benefit to rushing.
Weeks 4–20 - 04
Review and monitoring
Weight, body composition, blood pressure and bloods are re-checked. Dose is adjusted, held or reduced.
Monthly - 05
Maintenance or taper
Either a steady maintenance dose, or a planned taper with a structured plan to hold the result.
Month 6+
Side effects
Most are gastrointestinal, early, and manageable. A few are serious and need same-day attention.
| Frequency | What you may notice | What we do about it |
|---|---|---|
| Very common | Nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, reflux | Usually early, usually settles as your body adjusts. Managed by holding the dose and adjusting meals. |
| Common | Fatigue, headache, dizziness, burping, injection-site reaction | Generally mild. Worth reporting so we can adjust rather than push through. |
| Less common | Gallstones, dehydration, hair thinning, low mood | More likely with rapid weight loss — another reason for a measured pace. |
| Rare but serious | Pancreatitis, kidney injury, severe allergic reaction, bowel obstruction | Stop and contact us or emergency services. Severe persistent abdominal pain needs same-day assessment. |
Severe, persistent abdominal pain — particularly radiating to the back — needs urgent assessment. If you cannot reach us, contact your doctor or local emergency services.
What happens when you stop
Appetite returns, and weight commonly returns with it. This is well documented and it is the medicine wearing off — not a failure of resolve.
- Any planned stop is tapered, not abrupt
- Protein targets and resistance training continue through and after
- Monitoring carries on into the maintenance phase
- Restarting is a clinical option, discussed openly if regain begins
GLP-1 therapy, answered
Is GLP-1 therapy a substitute for diet and exercise?
No. It reduces appetite, which makes eating well easier — it does not decide what you eat. Without adequate protein and resistance training, a meaningful share of the weight lost is muscle rather than fat. Nutrition and activity are part of the programme, not optional extras.
How much weight do people lose?
It varies widely by individual, agent, dose tolerated and adherence, and published trial averages are not a prediction for any one person. We would rather set expectations at your assessment against your own history than quote a figure here.
How quickly will I notice a difference?
Appetite usually changes within the first few weeks. Weight change is slower and is not linear — plateaus are normal and are not a sign the treatment has stopped working.
What happens if I stop?
Appetite returns, and weight commonly returns with it. This is the medicine wearing off, not a personal failure. Any planned stop is paired with a taper and a maintenance plan, which is where most of the long-term work sits.
Do I have to stay on it forever?
Not necessarily. Some patients continue long term, others taper successfully, and some never need medication at all. It is reviewed at every follow-up rather than decided once.
Will I lose muscle?
Some lean mass is lost in any weight loss. Adequate protein and resistance training substantially reduce it, which is why we track body composition rather than weight alone.
Can I take it with my other medications?
It depends. GLP-1 medicines interact with insulin and sulfonylureas in particular, where doses often need reducing to avoid hypoglycaemia. Bring a full list of what you take to your assessment.
Does it affect the contraceptive pill?
Delayed gastric emptying can affect absorption of oral medicines, and vomiting can too. Discuss contraception at your consultation — this is a common and important question.
Are these medicines licensed in India?
Licensing differs by medicine and by indication, and changes over time. What is appropriate and available for you is confirmed at consultation against current approvals.
Can I buy it online instead?
We would strongly advise against it. Falsified GLP-1 pens are a documented and growing problem, and unsupervised use misses the eligibility checks, dose titration and monitoring that make treatment safe. We do not sell or dispense medication online.
Is it safe long term?
Semaglutide and tirzepatide have multi-year trial and real-world data, and are broadly well tolerated under supervision. Long-term data continues to accumulate. Your monitoring schedule exists precisely because this is an ongoing medical treatment.
What does it cost?
Cost depends on the medicine, the dose you settle at and the programme around it. We set this out clearly at consultation, before anything is prescribed, with no obligation to proceed.
Find out whether it applies to you
Send your details and we will confirm a time. BMI is worked out for you.