Medical weight management with Mounjaro in Cape Town
How the programme works
- Phone consultation. We go through your health history, weight, and current medicines.
- Blood tests. These are required before you start Mounjaro, and they are not included in the programme price.
- The doctor's decision. The doctor decides whether Mounjaro is right for you and, if it is, writes your prescription.
- First home visit. The nurse shows you, one to one, how to give yourself the weekly injection under the skin. One pen lasts four weeks.
- Check-ins. The nurse checks in with you as the programme goes on. Any change to your dose is the doctor's call.
What the first month costs
One price for the first month at the 2.5 mg starting dose.
| What you pay | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| First month (2.5 mg starting dose) | R4,600 | The Mounjaro pen, the programme, and ongoing support: injection training at home and check-ins with Chloe, your nurse |
Blood tests before you start are paid separately. From month two the doctor may change your dose, so ask us for that month's price.
About the medicine
Mounjaro is Eli Lilly's brand of tirzepatide. SAHPRA registers it as a Schedule 4 medicine, which means you can only get it on prescription.
Your pack comes with its patient information leaflet. SAHPRA also keeps approved leaflets in its online library, the PI and PIL repository.
Who should not use Mounjaro
The South African product information for Mounjaro carries a warning headed "Risk of thyroid C-cell tumours". Tirzepatide caused these tumours in rats, and it is not known whether it does so in humans. The doctor screens for this, and for everything below, before prescribing.
- Thyroid cancer history. Do not use Mounjaro if you or a family member has had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2).
- Allergy. It is not for anyone allergic to tirzepatide or any other ingredient in the pen.
- Under 18. Mounjaro is approved for adults only.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Mounjaro is not recommended during pregnancy. If you could fall pregnant, use contraception while you take it. If you plan to fall pregnant, stop Mounjaro at least one month beforehand. If you fall pregnant while on it, stop it and tell the doctor straight away. Do not breastfeed while you take Mounjaro, and talk to the doctor before you start if you are breastfeeding or plan to.
- Pancreatitis or gallbladder problems. Tell the doctor about any history of either before you start.
- Other medicines and conditions. Tell the doctor if you use insulin, a sulphonylurea, warfarin, or digoxin. Tell them too if you have severe stomach or bowel disease, or diabetic eye disease.
What to know before you start Mounjaro
How much does the Mounjaro programme cost?
The first month, at the 2.5 mg starting dose, is R4,600. That price includes the Mounjaro pen, the programme, and ongoing support. You pay separately for the blood tests required before you start. For later months, ask us.
Who prescribes it, and who do I see?
A doctor writes the prescription and stays involved for as long as you are on the programme. Chloe Nefdt, a registered Professional Nurse, works to the doctor's plan: she trains you to inject at home and is your everyday contact.
Do I need a prescription for Mounjaro?
Yes. Mounjaro is a Schedule 4 medicine, so you need a prescription written for you personally.
Is your Mounjaro genuine?
Yes. IVgo uses genuine Mounjaro made by Eli Lilly, registered with SAHPRA and dispensed on prescription. It is not a compounded or generic version.
Does medical aid cover Mounjaro?
Medical aid cover for weight management is usually limited, and the rules differ by scheme and plan. Check with your scheme before you start.
What are the side effects?
We go through side effects with you before you start, including what to do if you notice one. The patient information leaflet in your Mounjaro pack lists them in full.
Where and when do you visit?
If your suburb is on our service areas page, we come to you, and the same goes for Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Somerset West. Visits run 08:00 to 16:30 on weekdays and 09:00 to 14:00 on Saturdays. If you need another time, ask us.
WhatsApp us on 074 604 5555