Weight Loss Injections in Singapore
Once-weekly GLP-1 injections are a prescription-only treatment for adults living with obesity or weight-related health conditions. At IN Eternity Clinic the programme starts with a medical assessment, moves through a gradual dose build-up and is reviewed every month.
Ask Dr Sin Yong on WhatsApp →Weight loss injections in Singapore are prescription GLP-1 medicines (the HSA-approved option for weight management is semaglutide 2.4 mg, sold as Wegovy®) given once a week under the skin. They work by lowering appetite and slowing how fast the stomach empties, so you feel full on less food. They are prescribed only after a doctor confirms you meet the medical criteria (BMI 30 and above, or 27 and above with a weight-related condition), and they work best alongside a reduced-calorie diet, more movement and regular follow-up. Dr Sin Yong assesses suitability in person and supervises the whole course.
Thinking about body shape rather than body weight? Read the weight loss vs body contouring guide first.
For stubborn pockets after weight loss, see Onda Pro and Z Sculpt.
- In the STEP 1 trial, adults on semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly lost an average of 14.9% of body weight at 68 weeks, against 2.4% with placebo, both groups with lifestyle support (Wilding 2021).
- In the STEP 5 trial, average weight loss was 15.2% at two years versus 2.6% with placebo (Garvey 2022).
- In the SELECT trial of 17,604 adults with overweight or obesity and existing cardiovascular disease, semaglutide 2.4 mg lowered major cardiovascular events by 20% over about 3.3 years (Lincoff 2023).
- One year after stopping semaglutide and lifestyle support, participants regained about two-thirds of the weight they had lost (Wilding 2022), which is why maintenance is planned from the start.
What weight loss injections are
GLP-1 receptor agonists copy a gut hormone (glucagon-like peptide-1) that your body releases after eating. The injection raises that signal for a full week: appetite drops, meals feel satisfying sooner, food cravings are quieter and the stomach empties more slowly. The result is that most people eat noticeably less without the constant hunger that makes dieting alone so hard to sustain.
In Singapore, semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy®) was approved by the Health Sciences Authority for chronic weight management and became available as a private prescription in July 2025. It is the same molecule as the diabetes medicine Ozempic®, but at a higher maintenance dose and with a separate approved indication. Liraglutide (Saxenda®), a daily GLP-1 injection, is the older alternative.
These are medicines, not slimming products. They are prescribed by a doctor, supplied through a clinic or pharmacy, and are not suitable for people of normal weight who want to lose a few kilograms.
Who is suitable, and who is not
The approved criteria for semaglutide 2.4 mg are adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or above, or a BMI of 27 kg/m² or above with at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, abnormal cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnoea or fatty liver. Singapore’s guidelines also recognise that Asians carry more health risk at a lower BMI, which is part of Dr Sin Yong’s assessment.
| Usually suitable | Needs discussion | Not suitable |
|---|---|---|
| BMI 30 or above | BMI 27–30 with no weight-related condition | Pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding |
| BMI 27 or above with hypertension, prediabetes, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, sleep apnoea or fatty liver | History of gallstones or gastro-oesophageal reflux | Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2 |
| Weight regain after previous diet programmes | Taking insulin or sulfonylureas (dose adjustments needed) | History of pancreatitis, or already on another GLP-1 medicine |
| Adolescents 12 and above with obesity (specialist discussion) | Eating disorder history | Normal BMI wanting cosmetic weight loss |
Suitability is confirmed at an in-person consultation with weight, blood pressure, medical history and, where needed, blood tests. Dr Sin Yong will say plainly if the medicine is not the right tool for you.
How the programme works at IN Eternity Clinic
- 1. Assessment (visit 1). Weight, BMI, waist, blood pressure, medications, past weight history and goals. Blood tests (glucose, lipids, liver, thyroid) if not done recently.
- 2. Starting dose. 0.25 mg once a week for four weeks. The first injection is given in the clinic and you are shown how to self-inject with the pre-filled pen (a very fine needle into the abdomen, thigh or upper arm).
- 3. Gradual build-up. The dose rises every four weeks: 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, then the 2.4 mg maintenance dose from around week 17. Going slowly keeps nausea manageable; the step can be delayed if needed.
- 4. Monthly reviews. Weight, side effects, blood pressure and eating pattern are reviewed each month. Diet is kept simple: a modest calorie reduction, protein at every meal and resistance exercise twice a week to protect muscle.
- 5. Maintenance and exit plan. Treatment is usually continued for at least a year. When and how to taper is decided together, with habits in place to hold the result.
Body contouring devices such as Onda Pro, Z Sculpt and the 4K Body Lift can be added later for the local areas that remain after weight loss, and skin tightening for laxity.
Semaglutide for diabetes vs for weight management
| Weight-management semaglutide (Wegovy®) | Diabetes semaglutide (Ozempic®) | Liraglutide (Saxenda®) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approved use in Singapore | Chronic weight management (BMI criteria) | Type 2 diabetes | Chronic weight management |
| Maintenance dose | 2.4 mg once a week | 0.5–2 mg once a week | 3.0 mg once a day |
| Average weight loss in trials | About 15% at 68 weeks (STEP 1) | Lower, dose-dependent | About 8% at 56 weeks (SCALE) |
| Injections per month | 4 | 4 | About 30 |
Because the two semaglutide products share one molecule, Ozempic® has sometimes been prescribed off-label for weight loss. Using the product approved for the purpose, at its studied dose, is the cleaner choice and avoids pressure on diabetes supply.
Side effects and safety
The common side effects are digestive and are most noticeable in the first weeks and after each dose increase: nausea (about 4 in 10 people in STEP 1), diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, bloating and reflux. Most are mild to moderate and settle; eating smaller meals, avoiding fatty food and staying hydrated help. Around 7% of trial participants stopped because of side effects.
Less common but important: gallstones, pancreatitis (rare), low blood sugar if combined with insulin or sulfonylureas, and a temporary rise in heart rate. Rapid weight loss also loses some muscle, which is why protein intake and strength training are part of the plan. The medicine must be stopped at least two months before trying to conceive.
Semaglutide carries a precaution about thyroid C-cell tumours seen in rodent studies; it is not prescribed to anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2. Only HSA-registered products supplied through a licensed clinic or pharmacy should be used; HSA has removed unauthorised online listings of these medicines.
Cost of weight loss injections in Singapore
The total cost depends on how long treatment continues and which dose you reach, so it is explained at the consultation rather than quoted as a single figure. Costs are made up of the medicine itself (priced per pen by the supplier), the doctor’s review visits and any blood tests. Weight-loss medicines are generally not claimable under MediSave. The consultation fee at IN Eternity Clinic is S$120 and is waived when a treatment is started.
For the price guides we publish on other treatments, see the aesthetic treatment prices page.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wegovy available at IN Eternity Clinic?
Yes. Semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy®) can be prescribed at IN Eternity Clinic after a medical assessment confirms you meet the approved criteria. It is a prescription-only medicine, so it cannot be bought over the counter or online, and the first dose is given in the clinic.
How much weight can I expect to lose?
In the STEP 1 trial the average loss was 14.9% of body weight at 68 weeks with lifestyle support, and about a third of participants lost 20% or more. Individual results vary widely with dose tolerance, diet and activity; some people respond little. Your own progress is tracked monthly.
How quickly does it start working?
Appetite usually drops within the first one to two weeks at the starting dose. Weight loss builds gradually as the dose rises over four months; most of the trial weight loss happened within the first year.
Do I have to inject myself?
Yes, once a week, with a pre-filled pen and a very fine needle. The first injection is done in the clinic with teaching; most people find it easier than expected. The pen is kept in the fridge before first use.
What happens when I stop?
Appetite returns and some weight tends to come back; in the STEP 1 extension study about two-thirds of the lost weight was regained within a year of stopping. That is why treatment is planned for the longer term and tapered with habits in place rather than stopped abruptly.
Can I use it for a few kilograms before an event?
No. These medicines are approved only for adults who meet the BMI criteria, and they are not prescribed for cosmetic weight loss in people of normal weight. For shape rather than weight, body contouring is the appropriate route.
Does it cause the “Ozempic face”?
Losing a lot of weight quickly from any cause reduces facial fat, which can make the face look more hollow or tired. It is a result of weight loss, not of the drug itself. If it bothers you, collagen stimulators or fillers can be discussed once weight is stable.
Is it safe to combine with body contouring treatments?
Yes. Non-surgical body contouring such as Onda Pro or Z Sculpt treats local fat and muscle tone and is usually scheduled once weight has plateaued, so that the result is not overtaken by further weight change.
Will my muscles waste away?
Some lean mass is lost with any significant weight loss, typically around a quarter to a third of the total. Enough protein (about 1.2–1.6 g per kg per day) and resistance training twice a week keep most of it. Muscle-toning devices can add to, but not replace, exercise.
Is it suitable if I have diabetes or high blood pressure?
Often yes; both are weight-related conditions that bring the BMI threshold down to 27. If you are on insulin or sulfonylureas, doses need adjusting to avoid low blood sugar, and your usual doctor is kept informed.
References
- Wilding JPH et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med 2021;384:989-1002. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
- Garvey WT et al. Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 5 trial. Nat Med 2022;28:2083-2091. doi:10.1038/s41591-022-02026-4
- Lincoff AM et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes (SELECT). N Engl J Med 2023;389:2221-2232. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2307563
- Wilding JPH et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: the STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes Obes Metab 2022;24:1553-1564. doi:10.1111/dom.14725
- Novo Nordisk. Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) now available in Singapore for weight management. Press release, 12 July 2025. www.malaymail.com/news/money/mediaoutreach/2025/07/12/wegovy-semaglutide-24mg-by-novo-nordisk-is-now-available-in-singapore-for-weight-management/395026
These sources describe the evidence in general. They are not a promise of any individual result; suitability is decided at an in-person assessment.
Book an assessment
IN Eternity Clinic, 9 Scotts Road, #12-01 Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210. By appointment with Medical Director Dr Sin Yong. Monday to Saturday, 11am to 8pm. WhatsApp or call +65 8815 3008. The consultation fee is waived with any medical treatment.