A hormone you already make — boosted.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone your gut releases after meals. It tells the pancreas to release insulin, slows stomach emptying, and signals fullness to the brain.
GLP-1 receptor agonists — including semaglutide and tirzepatide — are molecules that bind the same receptors as the natural hormone but last much longer in the body, allowing once-weekly injection.
Clinically, this translates to lower appetite, smaller portions, reduced cravings, and meaningful weight loss in most patients over 6–12 months.
The numbers, without the marketing.
- Average weight loss in trials: 12–18% of body weight over 12 months on semaglutide; up to 22% on tirzepatide.
- Most patients lose 0.5–1 kg per week once at a therapeutic dose.
- First 4–6 weeks are typically a titration phase to minimise side effects — weight loss accelerates after.
- Lean mass loss is real and must be protected with adequate protein and resistance training.
What to expect — and how we manage it.
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea, constipation, reflux, fatigue. They are usually mild and transient, but they are also the most common reason patients stop the medication unnecessarily.
Dr. Ray's titration is deliberately slower than the typical branded protocol — increasing the dose only when symptoms have settled. Practical anti-nausea strategies, hydration protocols and meal-timing adjustments are part of every onboarding.
Rare but serious effects — pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, severe vomiting — are screened for at every monthly review.
The exclusions.
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN-2
- Active pancreatitis or severe gastrointestinal disease
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or actively trying to conceive
- Type 1 diabetes (use is off-label and case-by-case)
- BMI below 27 without weight-related health concerns
Why compounded, and from where.
MediFit Clinic prescribes compounded GLP-1 medication through a SAHPRA-licensed South African compounding pharmacy. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are the same active molecules used in branded products like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.
Compounding allows for personalised dosing, custom strengths, and access during supply constraints affecting branded products. Every batch is prepared under pharmacist supervision and dispensed for a named patient against a written script.