What Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) Costs in Singapore and Who Qualifies (2026)

Where to Buy Tirzepatide in Singapore

Obtain tirzepatide through a prescription and a regulated healthcare provider. Avoid products supplied without a prescription through social media, informal sellers or friends.

HSA has reported serious reactions, including severe vomiting requiring hospital treatment, after GLP-1 medicines were obtained from unauthorised sources. If the source or packaging is unclear, ask a pharmacist or your prescribing clinic to check it before use. See HSA's September 2026 safety notice.

How Often You Take It

Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injection, and each pre-filled pen contains 4 weekly doses. Most people start at 2.5mg for the first 4 weeks, move to 5mg, then increase gradually to a maximum of 15mg a week, based on how they respond.

Cost of Tirzepatide Treatment in Singapore

The medication is prescription-only, and costs vary between clinics in Singapore. Here is a general guide based on current Singapore pricing:

Factors that affect total cost:

• • Dose level: Higher doses cost more. Not everyone requires the maximum 15 mg dose.
  • Treatment duration: Most clinical trials ran for 72 weeks (approximately 18 months).
  • Clinic fees: Consultation and monitoring fees vary between practices.
  • Additional tests: Blood work and health monitoring add to the total.

Treatment is typically not covered by standard health insurance plans in Singapore. Some clinics offer structured payment plans. Discuss pricing and payment options directly with your treating clinic.

If you have been researching weight loss options in Singapore, you may have come across Tirzepatide. This GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist has gained significant attention for its clinical results in weight management.

This guide covers how Tirzepatide works, who is suitable for treatment, what results to expect based on published clinical trials, the side effects to be aware of, and what treatment costs at a Singapore clinic.

This article draws on published clinical trials, observational studies and prescribing information. Each source is identified alongside the relevant findings.

Interested in the once-weekly weight loss injection? Speak with our team on WhatsApp to find out if it may be suitable for you.

What Is Tirzepatide and How Does It Work?

Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injectable medication approved by the HSA for weight management. It belongs to a class of drugs called dual incretin receptor agonists.

Most weight loss injections available in Singapore activate only one hormone pathway, the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor. This medication is different. It activates two: GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide).

This dual mechanism works in several ways:

• • Reduces appetite by acting on hunger-regulating areas in the brain
  • Delays gastric emptying, so you feel full longer after meals
  • Increases feelings of satiety, reducing the urge to eat between meals
  • Reduces cravings for calorie-dense foods
  • Lowers body fat mass through direct regulation of fat tissue

The GIP and GLP-1 receptors have overlapping and nonoverlapping expression patterns in the brain and body. Researchers believe this dual agonism is what gives the medication a stronger effect on weight reduction compared to single-pathway treatments.

Bar chart showing percentage of participants achieving weight reduction targets of 10% to 30% with tirzepatide versus semaglutide in the SURMOUNT-5 trial

How Tirzepatide Differs from Other Weight Loss Injections

Several GLP-1 receptor agonist medications are available for weight management in Singapore, including Ozempic (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide). Here is how Tirzepatide compares:

Semaglutide also comes as a daily tablet rather than a weekly injection. If swallowing a tablet appeals more than injecting, we compare the oral semaglutide tablet against tirzepatide in a separate guide.

In the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial, 751 adults with obesity (but without type 2 diabetes) were randomised to receive either Tirzepatide or semaglutide at their maximum tolerated doses for 72 weeks. The results showed:

• • Tirzepatide group: -20.2% mean body weight reduction (95% CI: -21.4 to -19.1)
  • Semaglutide group: -13.7% mean body weight reduction (95% CI: -14.9 to -12.6)
  • Treatment difference: -6.5 percentage points (P<0.001)

In absolute terms, participants lost an average of 22.8 kg, compared with 15.0 kg for those on semaglutide.

These are population averages from a controlled clinical trial. Individual results depend on factors including starting weight, adherence to treatment, diet, and physical activity levels.

Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Tirzepatide?

This is a prescription medication. A doctor will assess whether you are a suitable candidate based on your medical history, current health status, and weight management goals.

General eligibility criteria used in clinical trials:

• • Adults aged 18 years or older
  • BMI of 30 or higher (obesity), or BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related health condition such as:
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Dyslipidaemia (abnormal cholesterol levels)
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea
  • Cardiovascular disease
• • At least one previous unsuccessful attempt at weight reduction through diet and exercise

Who may not be suitable:

• • Individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
  • Those with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
  • People with a known hypersensitivity to the medication
  • Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
  • Individuals currently taking another GLP-1 receptor agonist medication
  • Those who have had bariatric surgery or are planning surgical weight loss treatment

A thorough medical consultation is necessary before starting treatment. Your doctor will review your full medical history, current medications, and health goals to determine if this treatment is appropriate for you.

What should I tell my doctor before starting?

Bring a list of your medicines and supplements, including other weight-management treatments. Mention insulin or sulphonylureas in particular, because combining them with tirzepatide can increase the risk of low blood sugar and may require a medication review. Singapore's prescribing information explains this interaction.

Tell your doctor if you use the contraceptive pill, are pregnant, are planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding. Tirzepatide can affect how oral contraception is absorbed. Ask whether you need an additional or different contraceptive method before starting treatment and after a dose increase. This concern is covered in the Australian TGA's safety advice.

What to Expect During Treatment

Starting and Adjusting the Dose

Treatment follows a gradual dose escalation schedule to minimise side effects:

1. 1. Weeks 1-4: 2.5 mg per week (starting dose)
   2. From Week 4: Escalate to 5 mg per week
   3. From Week 8 onward: Your doctor may increase the dose in increments of 2.5 mg every 4 weeks, up to a maximum of 15 mg per week

Available dose strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg.

The dose is personalised. Not everyone needs to reach the highest dose. Your doctor will find the dose that provides meaningful weight reduction while keeping side effects manageable.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If it has been four days or less since your dose was due, take the missed dose as soon as you can. If more than four days have passed, skip it and take your next injection on your usual day.

Leave at least three days between injections. Do not take a double dose to make up for one you missed. If you have missed several doses, contact your prescribing clinic before restarting. These instructions follow Singapore's National Drug Formulary.

How the Injection Works

The injection is self-administered subcutaneously (under the skin), typically in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. You rotate the injection site each week. The injection uses a pre-filled pen and takes less than a minute.

In the SURMOUNT-5 trial, 89.3% of participants reached at least the 15 mg dose, indicating that most patients tolerate the dose escalation well.

Clinic Visits

Your treating doctor will schedule regular follow-up consultations to:

• • Monitor your weight, BMI, and waist circumference
  • Assess any side effects
  • Adjust your dose as needed
  • Review your diet and physical activity
  • Check relevant blood markers (blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure
    

Infographic showing tirzepatide dosing schedule from 2.5mg starting dose escalating to maximum 15mg over 20 or more weeks

Expected Results and Timeline

Based on the SURMOUNT-5 trial data published in the _New England Journal of Medicine_:

Weight Reduction

Percentage of Patients Reaching Weight Loss Targets

The SURMOUNT-5 trial reported the following at 72 weeks:

Nearly half (48.4%) of participants on the dual GLP-1/GIP treatment achieved a weight reduction of 20% or more. By comparison, approximately 1 in 4 participants (27.3%) on semaglutide reached the same target.

Waist Circumference

Participants in the treatment group experienced a mean waist circumference reduction of -18.4 cm, compared with -13.0 cm for semaglutide (P<0.001). Reduced waist circumference is associated with improvements in cardiovascular risk factors.

Blood Pressure

Systolic blood pressure also improved: -10.2 mmHg with the dual agonist versus -7.7 mmHg with semaglutide.

Important Context

• • These results come from a controlled clinical trial with regular medical supervision
  • 85% of participants completed the 72-week trial
  • Weight reduction was approximately 6 percentage points greater among women than men in both treatment groups
  • Individual results vary based on adherence, diet, exercise, and other factors
• • The trial excluded participants with type 2 diabetes

Side Effects and Safety Considerations

Like all medications, Tirzepatide can cause side effects. The SURMOUNT-5 trial reported the following adverse events:

Common Side Effects

Most gastrointestinal side effects are mild to moderate and tend to occur during the dose escalation phase. They typically decrease over time as your body adjusts to the medication.

Treatment Discontinuation Due to Side Effects

In the SURMOUNT-5 trial, 2.7% of participants on the dual agonist discontinued treatment due to gastrointestinal side effects, compared with 5.6% for semaglutide. This suggests the treatment may be better tolerated overall.

Serious Side Effects (Rare)

• • Serious adverse events were reported in 4.8% and 3.5% of participants respectively
  • One case of adjudication-confirmed pancreatitis was reported (in the semaglutide group)
  • No deaths occurred in either treatment group
  • No cases of medullary thyroid cancer or pancreatic cancer were reported

When to Contact Your Doctor

Seek medical attention if you experience:

• • Severe or persistent abdominal pain (possible sign of pancreatitis)
  • Signs of an allergic reaction (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing)
  • Symptoms of low blood sugar (shakiness, dizziness, confusion)
  • Persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
  • Any new or worsening symptoms

Tell Your Doctor Before Any Procedure Under Sedation

If you are scheduled for a colonoscopy, tell your colonoscopy doctor and anaesthetist that you take tirzepatide. Share your current dose, when you last injected it, any recent dose increases, and whether you have nausea, vomiting or constipation.

Tirzepatide slows stomach emptying. Food remaining in the stomach can increase the risk of stomach contents entering the lungs during deep sedation or general anaesthesia.

Do not stop or change your medication on your own. Your prescribing doctor and procedure team will decide whether you can continue it and whether your preparation needs adjusting. Follow their bowel preparation and fasting instructions. This approach follows ASA guidance.

Horizontal bar chart comparing common side effects of tirzepatide and semaglutide including nausea constipation diarrhoea and vomiting from SURMOUNT-5 trial data

Tips for Getting the Most from Your Treatment

The medication works alongside, not instead of, healthy lifestyle habits. The SURMOUNT-5 trial participants received counselling on nutrition and physical activity throughout the study. Here are evidence-based ways to support your treatment:

Nutrition

• • Focus on protein-rich meals to preserve muscle mass during weight loss
  • Eat slowly and stop when you feel satisfied (the injection will amplify your fullness signals)
  • Stay hydrated. Aim for at least 2 litres of water daily.
  • Reduce calorie-dense, highly processed foods
  • If nausea is an issue during dose escalation, eat smaller, more frequent meals

Physical Activity

• • Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week (walking, swimming, cycling)
  • Include resistance training 2-3 times per week to maintain lean muscle
  • Start gradually and increase intensity as your weight decreases and fitness improves

Monitoring

• • Weigh yourself consistently (same time, same conditions) once per week
  • Track waist circumference monthly
  • Keep a food journal during the first few weeks to identify patterns
  • Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with your doctor

Long-Term Maintenance

The clinical evidence suggests that weight management with this treatment is most effective as a sustained, medically supervised weight loss programme. Stopping treatment may lead to weight regain, similar to what has been observed with other GLP-1 medications. Discuss a long-term plan with your doctor.

Common Myths About Weight Loss Injections

“These injections are a shortcut that replaces diet and exercise.”

Not accurate. In clinical trials, all participants received lifestyle counselling alongside the medication. The medication helps manage the hormonal and metabolic factors that make sustained weight loss difficult, but it works alongside healthy habits, not as a replacement for them.

“You will regain all the weight once you stop.”

Weight regain is possible after discontinuing usage of any weight loss pens. This is why ongoing medical supervision and a long-term maintenance plan are important.

“Weight loss injections are dangerous.”

In the SURMOUNT-5 trial involving 751 participants over 72 weeks, there were no deaths in either treatment group. Most side effects were gastrointestinal, mild to moderate, and decreased over time. As with any prescription medication, risks should be discussed with your doctor in the context of your individual health profile.

“Only people with diabetes should use these medications.”

This medication is approved for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related health conditions. The SURMOUNT-5 trial specifically excluded participants with type 2 diabetes, demonstrating its effectiveness independent of diabetes.

A More Sceptical Look at What Happens When You Stop

Most coverage of this medication stops at the weight loss figures. The more useful question for anyone deciding whether to begin is what happens afterwards, and there is a trial designed specifically to answer it.

The Withdrawal Trial

SURMOUNT-4 (Aronne LJ, et al. JAMA. 2024;331(1):38-48, NCT04660643) tested exactly this. 783 adults took tirzepatide for 36 weeks and lost a mean of 20.9% of their body weight. 670 of them were then randomly assigned either to continue the medication or to switch to a placebo injection for a further 52 weeks, with both groups keeping the same diet and activity support.

From week 36 to week 88:

• Continued treatment: a further 5.5% weight reduction
• Switched to placebo: 14.0% weight regain
• Difference between the groups: 19.4 percentage points (95% CI, 17.7 to 21.2; P<0.001)
• Kept at least 80% of the weight they had lost: 89.5% of those who continued, 16.6% of those who stopped

A 2026 post hoc analysis of the same trial (Horn DB, et al. JAMA Intern Med. 2026;186(2):157-167) followed the 308 participants who had lost 10% or more and then stopped. 254 of them, roughly 4 in 5, regained at least a quarter of what they had lost within a year. Their improvements in waist circumference, blood pressure, HbA1c and cholesterol reversed in proportion to how much weight returned.

What the Trial Does Not Say

It does not say you end up back where you started. At week 88 the group that stopped was still 9.9% below its starting weight, against 25.3% for the group that continued. Stopping cost most of the benefit, not all of it.

The honest reading is that this behaves like treatment for a chronic condition rather than a course you finish. Regain after stopping is the expected biology of weight loss, not evidence that the medication failed or that you lacked discipline.

Four Other Things Worth Weighing

Most people do not stay on it. In a study of 125,474 US adults who started a GLP-1 medication for weight (Rodriguez PJ, et al. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(1):e2457349), 64.8% of those without type 2 diabetes had stopped within one year. Gastrointestinal side effects and lower income were both associated with stopping sooner. Read alongside the withdrawal trial, that is the uncomfortable combination: the evidence says the benefit depends on continuing, and the real world says most people do not continue.

Some of the loss is muscle. In a DXA substudy of SURMOUNT-1 (Look M, et al. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025;27(5):2720-2729), 160 participants were scanned at baseline and at week 72. About 75% of the weight lost was fat and about 25% was lean mass. The same ratio appeared in the placebo group, so this is a feature of losing weight in general rather than of this drug in particular. It is still the reason protein intake and resistance training belong in the plan from week one.

The cost is ongoing, not one-off. If the benefit depends on continuing, the number that matters is not the price of one pen but the cost of years on treatment. That is worth working out before the first injection rather than after.

Almost all the long-term evidence comes from the manufacturer. The SURMOUNT trials were funded by Eli Lilly, which makes the drug, and several authors on each paper are Lilly employees and shareholders. That does not invalidate randomised controlled data, which is still the strongest form of clinical evidence available, but you are entitled to know who paid for it.

The Question To Bring To Your Consultation

Ask what the plan is for month 18, not just month 3. A doctor who can describe the maintenance phase, what tapering options exist, and what happens if you stop is offering you a treatment plan. One who only discusses the loss phase is offering you a prescription.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Starting

If you are considering this treatment for weight management, here are questions to bring to your consultation:

1. Am I a suitable candidate based on my BMI, health conditions, and medical history
2. What dose should I start on, and how will we determine my maintenance dose?
3. How will we monitor my progress, and how often should I come in for follow-ups?
4. What side effects should I watch for, and when should I contact the clinic?
5. How long should I expect to be on treatment to achieve my weight loss goals?
6. What happens if I want to stop treatment? Is there a tapering process?
7. Are there any medications I am currently taking that could interact with this medication?
8. What dietary changes would you recommend alongside treatment?
9. What is the total estimated cost of treatment over the recommended duration? A good consultation should feel like a conversation, not a sales pitch. Your doctor should explain your options clearly and give you time to make an informed decision.

References

1. Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. _N Engl J Med_. 2022;387:205-16. (SURMOUNT-1)
2. National Drug Formulary, Singapore. Tirzepatide product information. Updated 9 October 2026.
3. ClinicalTrials.gov: SURMOUNT-5 (NCT05822830).
4. Aronne LJ, Horn DB, le Roux CW, et al. Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2025;393:26-36. (SURMOUNT-5)
5. Aronne LJ, Sattar N, Horn DB, et al. Continued Treatment With Tirzepatide for Maintenance of Weight Reduction in Adults With Obesity: The SURMOUNT-4 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2024;331:38-48.
6. Horn DB, Linetzky B, Davies MJ, et al. Cardiometabolic Parameter Change by Weight Regain on Tirzepatide Withdrawal in Adults With Obesity: A Post Hoc Analysis of the SURMOUNT-4 Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2026;186:157-167.
7. Rodriguez PJ, Zhang V, Gratzl S, et al. Discontinuation and Reinitiation of Dual-Labeled GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Among US Adults With Overweight or Obesity. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8:e2457349.
8. Look M, Dunn JP, Kushner RF, et al. Body composition changes during weight reduction with tirzepatide in the SURMOUNT-1 study of adults with obesity or overweight. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025;27:2720-2729.
9. Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, et al. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management. N Engl J Med. 2015;373:11-22. (SCALE)
10. American Society of Anesthesiologists. Drugs for Diabetes or Weight Loss: What To Know Before Surgery. Reviewed 22 October 2025.
11. Health Sciences Authority. Risks of obtaining prescription medicines and unapproved injectable peptides through unauthorised channels. 25 September 2026.
12. Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australia. Updated contraception advice for Mounjaro (tirzepatide). 1 December 2025.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified doctor to determine if tirzepatide is suitable for your individual health needs.

If you want a side-by-side read of how Tirzepatide stacks up against the other major GLP-1 option in Singapore, our companion article breaks down what a year of Ozempic costs in Singapore.