Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) in Singapore

Tirzepatide became available in Singapore following Health Sciences Authority (HSA) approval in July 2023. Developed by Eli Lilly, it is classified as a Prescription-Only Medicine (POM) under Singapore’s regulatory framework, meaning it can only be obtained through a valid medical consultation and requires ongoing supervision by a qualified doctor.

The medication comes in pre-filled injection pens across several dosage strengths: 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, and 15mg. Dosing is gradual and personalised, starting at the lowest strength and adjusted over time based on each patient’s response and tolerability. All prescribing and dosage decisions are made by the doctor following a thorough clinical assessment.

What is Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)?

Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide, a prescription medication developed by Eli Lilly and approved by the HSA for use in Singapore. It is classified as a Prescription-Only Medicine, meaning it cannot be purchased over the counter and must be prescribed by a licensed doctor following a proper clinical assessment.

Tirzepatide belongs to a class of medications that act on two hormone receptors simultaneously: the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor and the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor. This dual receptor action distinguishes it from single-receptor agents in the same therapeutic category.

You may also come across the name Zepbound. Zepbound contains the same active molecule, tirzepatide, but is a separate brand marketed in other countries for weight management. In Singapore, Mounjaro is the available brand. Both refer to the same medication; the distinction is primarily one of branding and approved indication by the respective regulatory authority.

As with all prescription medications, Mounjaro must be prescribed and supervised by a doctor. Self-administration without medical oversight is not appropriate, and dosage decisions should not be made independently.

How Mounjaro Works

Tirzepatide works by activating two receptors involved in metabolic regulation: GLP-1 and GIP.

GLP-1 receptors play a role in stimulating insulin release in response to food, suppressing glucagon (a hormone that raises blood sugar), and slowing the rate at which food leaves the stomach. This slower gastric emptying contributes to a prolonged sense of fullness after meals. GLP-1 activation also influences appetite-regulating centres in the brain, which can reduce overall food intake.

GIP receptors are involved in insulin secretion and fat metabolism. Their role in combination with GLP-1 signalling forms the basis of tirzepatide’s dual mechanism. Together, these two pathways affect appetite regulation, blood sugar levels, and how the body processes energy.

It’s important to note that individual responses to tirzepatide vary. How the medication affects any one person depends on a range of physiological factors, and outcomes aren’t predictable in advance.

Who is Mounjaro Suitable For?

Eligibility for Mounjaro is determined by a doctor following a full clinical assessment. General prescribing guidance, in line with Ministry of Health (MOH) considerations, typically applies to adults aged 21 and above who meet one of the following criteria:

• A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, or
• A BMI of 27 or above in the presence of at least one weight-related health condition, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidaemia

For patients of Asian ethnicity, lower BMI thresholds may be clinically relevant. Asian populations can carry a higher proportion of visceral fat at lower BMI values, which affects metabolic risk. Your doctor will take this into account during assessment.

Mounjaro isn’t suitable for everyone. It is generally not recommended for individuals with:

• A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
• A history of pancreatitis
• Severe gastrointestinal conditions
• Type 1 diabetes
• Pregnancy, or those planning to become pregnant

This list isn’t exhaustive. Suitability is always determined by your doctor, who will review your full medical history, current medications, and individual health profile before making any prescribing decision.

How Mounjaro Differs from Other Weight-Loss Medications

Most injectable weight management medications approved to date work by activating a single receptor, the GLP-1 receptor. Tirzepatide is distinct in that it activates two receptors, GLP-1 and GIP, within the same molecule.

What this means clinically for any individual patient is something your doctor is best placed to discuss. No two patients are the same, and the most appropriate medication depends on a person’s medical history, existing conditions, current medications, and treatment goals. Your doctor will advise on which option is suitable for your specific circumstances.

Where to Get Mounjaro in Singapore

Mounjaro isn’t available for purchase without a valid prescription from a licensed doctor, and it should not be sourced through unverified channels. To obtain Mounjaro, you’ll need to attend a medical consultation at a licensed clinic or hospital outpatient pharmacy where a doctor can assess your eligibility, review your health history, and determine whether a prescription is appropriate.

Settings where Mounjaro may be prescribed and dispensed include licensed private medical clinics and hospital outpatient pharmacies in Singapore, provided a doctor-led assessment has taken place.

At TAF Clinic, Mounjaro assessments are conducted by Dr Muhammad Taufiq Rashid, a General Practitioner focusing on men’s health and weight management. The consultation involves a review of your health history and, where necessary, relevant blood tests before any prescribing decision is made.

Dosage and Treatment Schedule

Mounjaro is prescribed using a gradual dose escalation approach. Treatment typically begins at a low dose and is adjusted over time based on how the patient responds and how well the medication is tolerated.

The starting dose is 2.5mg weekly, which allows the body to adjust to the medication and helps minimise early side effects. From there, the dose may be increased at intervals determined by the prescribing doctor, progressing through the available strengths of 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, and 15mg. Because dosage is adjusted according to individual response, the price per month will vary depending on the strength prescribed at each stage of treatment.

Not every patient will require or reach the higher dose levels. Some individuals achieve their treatment goals at intermediate doses. The prescribing doctor makes all dosage decisions based on clinical response, tolerability, and the patient’s overall health profile.

There’s no standard schedule that applies to every patient. Dose progression is managed on an individual basis and is not a fixed timeline. It’s important not to self-adjust doses outside of medical guidance.

Medical Supervision Requirements

Tirzepatide injection prescription requires a comprehensive medical evaluation, including fasting glucose, HbA1c, kidney function (eGFR), and liver enzymes. Doctors assess contraindications, including personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, and severe gastrointestinal disease.

A thorough medication history review is part of the initial consultation. Certain existing medications, such as sulfonylureas, SGLT2 inhibitors, and insulin, may interact with tirzepatide and may need to be reviewed or adjusted to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia.

Ongoing follow-up is a required part of treatment, not an optional add-on. During dose escalation, monthly review appointments are standard. Once a patient reaches a stable dose, follow-up typically shifts to every three months.

• Weeks 1–4: 2.5mg weekly (initiation dose)
• Weeks 5–8: 5mg weekly (maintenance dose)
• Weeks 9 Onwards: Depending on individual response, doses may be increased up to 15mg weekly as advised by the prescribing doctor

These appointments allow the doctor to monitor glycaemic control, assess weight changes, review tolerability, and manage any side effects.

Side Effects

As with all prescription medications, tirzepatide carries a risk of side effects. The most commonly reported are gastrointestinal in nature and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and reduced appetite. These effects are most likely to occur when starting treatment or after a dose increase, and they often improve as the body adjusts.

Practical steps to manage mild gastrointestinal symptoms include eating smaller portions, avoiding high-fat or heavily spiced meals, and staying well-hydrated. Your doctor may also adjust the pace of dose escalation if side effects are persistent.

Less commonly, more serious reactions can occur. Pancreatitis is a rare but recognised risk associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists. Symptoms to be aware of include severe abdominal pain that may radiate to the back. If you experience this, stop the medication and seek medical attention promptly.

A full discussion of risks, benefits, and what to watch for will be part of your consultation before treatment begins.

Mounjaro for Men: A Men’s Health Perspective

Excess visceral fat, the fat stored around the abdominal organs, is a significant driver of metabolic risk in men. It’s associated with elevated blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Weight management in men is therefore not purely a matter of body composition but is closely tied to broader metabolic health.

Tirzepatide, through its effects on appetite regulation and blood sugar control, may be considered as part of a medically supervised weight management plan for men who meet the prescribing criteria. As with any treatment, individual responses differ, and outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

One consideration specific to men undergoing significant weight loss is hormonal monitoring. Adipose (fat) tissue plays a role in hormone metabolism, including the conversion of androgens. As body fat reduces, testosterone levels and related hormonal markers may shift. In cases where testosterone is found to be clinically low, a doctor may discuss testosterone replacement therapy in Singapore as a separate line of treatment, assessed and managed independently of the weight management programme.

Managing weight in the context of men’s health requires attention to these interconnected factors. At TAF Clinic, assessments are conducted within a men’s health framework, which means hormonal health, metabolic markers, and overall wellbeing are considered together rather than in isolation.

Consultation and Programme Fees

To begin treatment with Mounjaro at TAF Clinic, an initial doctor consultation is required. Consultation and programme fees will be provided directly by the clinic. These cover the clinical assessment, medical review, and ongoing supervision required for safe prescribing.

Medication costs are separate and are determined following the consultation, based on the dose prescribed and the treatment plan outlined by the doctor.

For specific fee information, please contact the clinic directly.

Insurance and Payment Considerations

Mounjaro prescribed for weight management is generally not claimable under Medisave. An exception may apply if the medication is prescribed specifically for the management of type 2 diabetes, subject to the insurer’s or CPF Board’s prevailing policies. Patients are advised to check directly with their insurer or the clinic for the most current guidance.

For those with corporate or private health insurance, coverage for tirzepatide varies considerably between plans. Some insurers require pre-authorisation with documented failure of metformin or other first-line agents. Understanding your policy terms in advance can help you plan for the overall cost of treatment. Patients are encouraged to contact their insurer before their consultation to clarify what is covered. The same applies to other men’s health treatments; coverage for erectile dysfunction treatment in Singapore, for instance, differs across insurers and should be confirmed separately.

GST at the prevailing rate of 9% applies to medical services and medications. Some clinics include GST in quoted prices while others add it separately. It’s advisable to confirm this when requesting a fee breakdown.

Storage and Handling Guidelines

Mounjaro pens must be stored in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C prior to first use. Once you begin using a pen, it can be kept at room temperature, below 30°C, for up to 21 days. In Singapore’s climate, this means avoiding leaving pens in environments that are likely to exceed this threshold, such as a car or a bag left in direct sunlight.

Each pen is designed to deliver 4 weekly doses via subcutaneous injection, administered into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotation of injection sites is recommended to prevent localised skin changes and to support consistent absorption.

Used pens must be disposed of properly in sharps containers, available at pharmacies or clinics in Singapore. Some facilities facilitate the return of used devices when patients collect new prescriptions.

When to Seek Professional Help

• Blood glucose levels consistently above 10 mmol/L despite lifestyle modifications
• Persistent fatigue or frequent urination suggests poor glycemic control