Clinical trials for an under-the-skin injection were recently successful, and you have the option now to use this as a weight-loss option if you are obese or overweight.
The FDA announced the approval of a pharmaceutical drug Wegovy (semaglutide) injection –. Pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk’s new drug, Wegovy, is for adults who have obese or overweight and have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Semaglutide: A New Weight-Loss Drug Called Wegovy Receives FDA Approval
According to the FDA, the drug Wegovy is the first weight management drug approved since 2014.
Is Wegovy A Weight-Loss Shot?
Yes, it is once a week weight loss shot.
The FDA has classified Wegovy as a beneficial new treatment option for weight management Americans. It is not being marketed as a weight-loss shot but as a new way to manage weight and include it in diet routines.
The FDA remains committed to facilitating the development and approval of new treatments for obesity and overweight adults.
Patients start by taking Wegovy once weekly, with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. Over 4-5 months, patients gradually increase their dosage to 2.4 milligrams per week. This is done to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.
Ozempic is the injection treatment that Wegovy contains. Its active ingredient, semaglutide, helps give its users type 2 diabetes relief. This higher dose makes it easier to fit into patients’ daily routines. Also, it increases independence for people living with the disease by giving them more excellent self-care.
How Does Wegovy [Semaglutide] Work?
Obesity is not a disease of willpower; underlying biological reasons prevent people from losing weight and keeping it off. Obesity has many causes, including genetics, appetite signals, behavior, and environment.
Wegovy works by mimicking a gut hormone that regulates appetite and food intake. It also helps to fill one up with the amount they are eating. This is because it mimics glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, which is found naturally in the body and plays a significant role in how people feel after eating.
What Are The Clinical Trial Results?
The drug was studied in four trials, each lasting 68 weeks. In these studies, more than 2,600 patients received Wegovy for up to 68 weeks, and more than 1,500 patients received a placebo. In one trial, patients who took Wegovy lost an average of 14% of their body weight; meanwhile, the weight loss in the placebo arm averaged only 2%.
Dr. Robert Kushner, a professor of medicine and medical education at Northwestern University and the principal investigator for the Novo Nordisk-funded phase 3 clinical trial, concluded that this is the first time they have seen such substantial weight loss with a medicine.
According to Kushner, this approval of Wegovy gives people with obesity a once-weekly option for weight loss, with results that have never been achieved. Healthcare providers should embrace this treatment for chronic weight management.
Which Are The Common Side Effects of Wegovy [Semaglutide]?
The most common side effects reported by people taking Wegovy were nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, and headache. Other serious side effects include hypoglycemia in those with type 2 diabetes and gastroenteritis.
Wegovy Faces Challenge With possible Cancer Risks
The Wegovy article warns patients and doctors about an increased risk of thyroid C-cell tumors.
As per FDA – Wegovy should not be used in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or with a rare condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Gulfcoast Institute of Rejuvenation is excited to be able to offer this new breakthrough in weight loss treatments. Call today to schedule your consultation.