The drug Wegovy (semaglutide) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from United States in June 2021, and recently also received the permission of the United Kingdom. According to specialists, it appears to be twice as effective as other prescription treatments for obesity.
The obese might avoid a gastric sleeve operation, according to the Novo Nordisk laboratory. The injectable drug might be prescribed for adults with at least one weight-related condition and a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35.
Once approved in the UK, the The National Health Service of the United Kingdom (NHS, for its acronym in English) will begin in the coming months to offer an injectable drug that will allow weight loss to people with certain levels of obesity.
Weight-related conditions that make obese people eligible include high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (unbalanced or unhealthy cholesterol levels), obstructive sleep apnea, and heart disease.
People will only receive semaglutide with medical prescription as part of a specialized weight control service that involves the intervention of several professionals and for a maximum of two years, according to British health authorities.
Cost and side effects
But not everything is rosy, because the same manufacturing company warns of the fearsome side effects and also the cost of the medication.
Side effects of semaglutide tend to be mild, says the Dra. Jennifer L. Kirby, an associate professor in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of Virginia Health System, although many new users experience gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea. Some also experience diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, or stomach pain. To avoid or mitigate such problems, everyone should start with a lower dose and increase slowly.
Semaglutide carries a warning that it has been linked to medullary thyroid cancer, and should not be used by those with a history of pancreatitis or gallbladder disease.
Adults of any age may consider the use of semaglutide which should always be taken under the guidance of a physician before any weight loss efforts are made. (I)
