Medication led Weight-Loss Guide: Dosing, Costs, and What to Expect on Your Monthly Plan
Step-by-step weight-loss programs with weekly injections, monthly dose increases, and regular check-ins to track progress and manage side effects. With a clear breakdown of costs at each stage and what to expect for long-term maintenance.
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Thinking about Semaglutide for weight loss? Get a once-weekly GLP-1 RA injection for adults with BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with conditions like diabetes, high BP, or sleep apnea. It works by reducing appetite and helping you feel full longer. Dosing is stepped up monthly to limit side-effects: 0.25 → 0.5 → 1.0 → 1.7 → 2.4 mg weekly, then continued as maintenance. Best results come with a calorie-controlled diet, activity, and regular follow-ups. Not for pregnancy, pancreatitis history, or certain thyroid cancers.
Monthly dosing adjustment with Consults before each increase:
Month 1 (Weeks 1–4): 0.25 mg weekly
Consult: baseline assessment, measurements/vitals, labs as needed, lifestyle plan, side-effect counselling.
Month 2 (Weeks 5–8): 0.5 mg weekly
Consult: confirm tolerance/adherence, review side effects, weight/waist/BP, then increase.
Month 3 (Weeks 9–12): 1.0 mg weekly
Consult: progress + safety check, adjust lifestyle plan, then increase if well tolerated.
Month 4 (Weeks 13–16): 1.7 mg weekly
Consult: repeat tolerance/safety review and measurements, then increase if appropriate.
Month 5+ (Week 17 onward): 2.4 mg weekly (maintenance)
Consult monthly until stable, then every 3 months.
Semaglutide Treatment: Total Cost Overview
Consultation Fees (Your Clinic)
- First visit (assessment + eligibility): R499
- Monthly follow-up visits (before each dose increase): R299
You will have a consult before each dose step in Months 1–4, and then monthly or quarterly during maintenance.
Estimated Monthly Medication Costs
Dose:0.25 mg / 0.5 mg, Cost:R1,627, When used: Month 1
Dose:1.0 mg, Cost:R2,467, When used:Month 2
Dose:1.7 mg, Cost: R3,254, When used:Month 3
Dose:2.4 mg (maintenance), Cost: R3,254, When used:Month 4 onward
Total Estimated Cost Per Month (Consult + Medication)
Month 1
- First consult: R499
- 0.25 mg: R1,627
- Total ≈ R2,126
Month 2
- Follow-up: R299
- 1.0 mg: R2,467
- Total ≈ R2,766
Month 3
- Follow-up: R299
- 1.7 mg: R3,254
- Total ≈ R3,553
Month 4 and maintenance months
- Follow-up: R299
- 2.4 mg: R3,254
- Total ≈ R3,553
(If moving to quarterly follow-ups after stability, the monthly cost decreases.)
Notes to Share With Patients
- Costs may vary if pharmacies adjust pricing.
- Most people stay on 2.4 mg for long-term maintenance, so expect ±R3,553 per month including the consult.
- If a dose is not tolerated, the cost for that month may be lower because the patient stays on the previous dose.
