Semaglutide, also known as Wegovy or Ozempic, is an appetite suppressant that will soon be available by prescription through the NHS.
Produced by the Danish company Novo Nordisk, the drug is given as a weekly injection and has been hailed as a “watershed” in the fight against obesity.
Patients inject themselves with a weekly drug that mimics the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is released after eating. This makes people feel full, which means they eat less and lose weight. A previous study found that people who took the drug lost an average of 12 percent of their weight after 68 weeks.
Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) state that the drug will only be offered on the NHS to adults with at least one weight-related condition and a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35. A BMI score between 30 and 39.9 are classified as obese (40 or more are severely obese).
Weight-related conditions that make obese people eligible include type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (unbalanced or unhealthy cholesterol levels), obstructive sleep apnea, and heart disease. In some cases, people with a BMI of 30 or more can access the drug, which is given through a pen.
People get Wegovy by prescription only, through a specialized multi-specialist weight management service, and for up to two years. It should be used along with a low-calorie diet and increased exercise, Nice says.
Health experts estimate that when the drug becomes available, thousands of people will be eligible to receive it. But if the drug can be bought privately – a number of UK pharmacies have already said they will offer it as soon as it becomes available – the rules may be slightly different.
The package insert for the drug says it can be used by anyone with a BMI above 30 — with or without other medical conditions — and those with a BMI between 27 and 30 who also have another weight-related health condition. Nice said the terms of the NHS offer were “beneficial to the taxpayer”.
Cost and side effects
There are reports of a shortage of the drug due to its growing popularity, but the manufacturer is said to be ramping up production to meet growing demand. Novo Nordisk said in a statement that it is working to get the drug to the UK “as soon as possible”. Once it becomes commercially available, the National Health Service has three months to implement Nice’s recommendations.
The list price of semaglutide 0.25mg, 0.5mg and 1mg is £73.25 per pack (four prefilled pens) excluding VAT. The dosage regimen for patients is set at an induction dose of 0.25 mg, which is increased to a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg every four weeks.
It is believed that the drug is preferred by some celebrities. When asked about his physique, Twitter owner Elon Musk publicly said that his secret was “Fasting and Vegovi.” Reality TV star Kim Kardashian is also said to have used the drug.
Previous research published in New England Journal of Medicinefound that nausea and diarrhea were the most common side effects, but they “usually were transient, mild to moderate in severity, and resolved with time.” Other side effects may include constipation and headaches.
Scientists disagree about the benefits
The scientists called the decision a major development in the treatment of people living with obesity, but others warned that the drug is not a “quick fix.”
Alex Miras, professor of endocrinology at the University of Ulster, said the Nice decision was “a critical moment for the treatment of obese people.”
Nick Feiner, clinical professor emeritus at the National Center for Cardiovascular Prevention and Outcomes at the University of California, said: “The efficacy of semaglutide represents a real breakthrough in the treatment of obesity, a chronic disease that shortens life due to numerous complications.”
However, other scientists warned. Dr Stephen Lawrence, an associate professor of clinical practice at the University of Warwick, warned that the drug “is not a quick fix or replacement for a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a healthy diet.”
Eating disorder charity Beat has raised concerns about the drug. Beat’s external relations director Tom Quinn said: “Slimming drugs like semaglutide can be extremely attractive to people with eating disorders because they seem to give quick results. However, these drugs can be very dangerous because they can exacerbate harmful thoughts and behaviors in people who are not feeling well, or promote an eating disorder in people who are already debilitated.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists said some reports cite semaglutide as a rapid weight loss agent that “may be a potential trigger for people living with an eating disorder and pose a real risk of abuse by those for whom it is not a clinical treatment.” “should be used”. He called for action to be taken to ensure the drug is available on Main Street to ensure proper prescription.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.