⚕️ The information below is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Consult your healthcare provider before starting any medication.
Getting a GLP-1 prescription in India is not always straightforward. Unlike buying a supplement at a pharmacy, GLP-1 medications — semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda), dulaglutide (Trulicity), and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) — require a physician's prescription, ideally from an endocrinologist, diabetologist, or obesity medicine specialist.
Many patients arrive at their first consultation underprepared and leave confused. Others get put on a waiting list for tests and never follow through. This guide tells you exactly how to prepare for your first GLP-1 consultation, what to bring, what to say, and what questions to ask — so you leave with a clear plan.
Doctors in India often see 30–60 patients a day. You have 10–15 minutes. Coming with a written one-page summary dramatically improves the quality of your consultation.
Prepare a short note with:
Getting your baseline tests done before the consultation saves an entire follow-up visit. Most of these can be booked at Thyrocare, Lal PathLabs, Metropolis, or your local diagnostic centre. Cost: ₹1,500–₹4,000 for a full panel.
Tests to get in advance:
| Test | Why | Normal Range |
|---|---|---|
| HbA1c | Blood sugar control over 3 months | Below 5.7% (normal); 5.7–6.4% (prediabetes) |
| Fasting glucose | Baseline blood sugar | 70–100 mg/dL |
| Lipid profile | Cholesterol, triglycerides | LDL < 100 mg/dL ideally |
| Kidney function (creatinine, eGFR, urine microalbumin) | GLP-1 safety check | eGFR > 30 for most GLP-1s |
| Liver function (SGPT, SGOT) | Fatty liver baseline | SGPT < 40 U/L |
| TSH (thyroid) | GLP-1 contraindicated in MTC history | 0.5–4.5 mIU/L |
| Serum amylase and lipase | Pancreatitis baseline | Check reference range |
| Complete blood count (CBC) | General health | Standard |
| BMI and waist circumference | Done at clinic | Waist > 90cm (men), > 80cm (women) = abdominal obesity |
Opening statement (practice this):
"Doctor, I am here because I have [condition — type 2 diabetes / prediabetes / obesity / PCOS]. I have tried [diet changes / exercise / previous medications] but have not been able to achieve [weight loss / blood sugar control]. I have read about GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or liraglutide and would like to discuss whether they are appropriate for me."
This framing tells the doctor:
Be honest about these:
Print this list and take it to your appointment:
About eligibility:
About the specific medication: 3. "Which GLP-1 would you recommend — semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, or tirzepatide — and why for my case?" 4. "What dose should I start with, and how quickly do we increase it?" 5. "What brand and formulation will you prescribe? Is it available at local pharmacies?"
About monitoring: 6. "How often should I come for follow-up? What tests will you monitor?" 7. "What blood sugar level would concern you and require a call or early visit?"
About side effects: 8. "What are the most common side effects I should expect in the first 4–6 weeks?" 9. "What symptoms would require me to stop immediately and contact you?"
About cost and logistics: 10. "What is the approximate monthly cost of the medication you are prescribing?" 11. "Do you recommend any specific pharmacy or is there a hospital pharmacy I should use?"
A good doctor will screen you for these contraindications. If you have any of the following, GLP-1 medications are typically not prescribed:
Indian endocrinologists typically prescribe one of:
| Medication | Brand | Typical Starting Dose | Monthly Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide (weekly injection) | Ozempic (Novo Nordisk) | 0.25mg/week | ₹7,000–₹10,000 |
| Semaglutide (daily tablet) | Rybelsus (Novo Nordisk) | 3mg/day | ₹5,000–₹7,000 |
| Liraglutide (daily injection) | Victoza, Saxenda (Novo Nordisk) | 0.6mg/day | ₹8,000–₹15,000 |
| Dulaglutide (weekly injection) | Trulicity (Eli Lilly) | 0.75mg/week | ₹4,500–₹6,000 |
| Tirzepatide (weekly injection) | Mounjaro (Eli Lilly) | 2.5mg/week | ₹12,000–₹18,000 |
Ask specifically: "Is this prescription for the brand name or can a generic be dispensed?" In India, semaglutide generics are emerging (e.g., from Sun Pharma and domestic manufacturers) at significantly lower prices — ask if these are clinically acceptable for your case.
Minimising symptoms to seem like a better candidate. Be fully honest. Doctors need accurate information to keep you safe. If you have had pancreatitis, say so.
Not bringing test results. Without baseline labs, the doctor cannot assess your kidney and liver function or whether there are contraindications. You will leave with an order for tests and a second appointment, not a prescription.
Asking for a specific dose right away. Let the titration schedule be driven by your doctor and your tolerance of side effects. Starting at the correct low dose prevents most serious side effects.
Going to a non-specialist. While general practitioners can prescribe GLP-1s, for complex cases (thyroid history, CKD, heart disease, multiple medications), an endocrinologist or diabetologist is strongly preferred.
Q: Can I just buy GLP-1 from a pharmacy without a prescription? A: No. GLP-1 medications are Schedule H prescription drugs in India. Any pharmacy that sells them without a valid prescription is operating illegally — and you lose medical oversight that protects your safety.
Q: My BMI is 26. Can I still get a prescription? A: ICMR guidelines support GLP-1 at BMI ≥ 27.5 with metabolic complications (diabetes, prediabetes, hypertension, PCOS, dyslipidaemia). BMI 26 with significant metabolic risk factors may qualify at physician discretion. Discuss your specific situation — BMI alone does not tell the whole story.
Q: How long will I need to take GLP-1? A: For most patients, GLP-1 is a long-term medication — similar to blood pressure or thyroid medication. Stopping typically leads to gradual weight regain. Your doctor will discuss long-term plans at follow-up appointments.
Q: What if my doctor is unfamiliar with GLP-1? A: This is increasingly rare in metro areas but still happens. In this case, seek a referral to an endocrinologist or obesity medicine specialist. Hospitals like AIIMS, Apollo, Fortis, and Manipal have dedicated obesity and diabetes clinics with GLP-1 experience.
