GLP-1 Pharmacotherapy for Obesity

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists represent one of the most significant advances in obesity pharmacotherapy in recent decades, and the SGH Obesity Centre is at the forefront of their clinical use in Singapore. These medications — which include agents such as semaglutide and liraglutide — work by mimicking the natural GLP-1 hormone to suppress appetite, slow gastric emptying, and improve insulin sensitivity, resulting in meaningful and…

At the SGH Obesity Centre, GLP-1 pharmacotherapy is initiated and managed exclusively by endocrinologists — specialists in hormonal and metabolic disease — ensuring that prescribing decisions are grounded in a thorough understanding of each patient's metabolic profile, comorbidities, and treatment history. This is not a private clinic quick-prescribe service; rather, it is a rigorous medical programme where pharmacotherapy is deployed as a targeted…

Patients begin with a comprehensive metabolic assessment including blood glucose regulation, HbA1c, lipid profile, liver function, and cardiovascular risk evaluation. The endocrinologist determines whether GLP-1 therapy is clinically appropriate and, if so, which agent and dose titration schedule will best balance efficacy with tolerability. Common side effects such as nausea are carefully managed through graduated dosing protocols.