{"id":34250,"date":"2021-06-10T13:41:19","date_gmt":"2021-06-10T17:41:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=34250"},"modified":"2025-02-19T16:16:44","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T21:16:44","slug":"wegovy-semaglutide-fda-approval","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/wegovy-semaglutide-fda-approval\/","title":{"rendered":"FDA approves Wegovy injectable for weight loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new weight-loss drug called Wegovy (semaglutide). It\u2019s the first prescription drug for weight loss made available since 2014. The drug, a once-a-week injectable available by prescription, is intended to be used in adults who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg\/m<\/span>2<\/span> or greater or a BMI of 27 kg\/m<\/span>2 <\/span>or more and have at least one health condition\u2014such as <\/span>high blood pressure<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>diabetes<\/span><\/a>\u2014related to their weight. Wegovy should be used in conjunction with diet and exercise. Wegovy is manufactured by Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company based in Denmark.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In an <\/span>FDA press release<\/span><\/a>, John Sharretts, MD, deputy director of the Division of Diabetes, Lipid Disorders, and Obesity in the FDA\u2019s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said, \u201cApproval [of Wegovy] offers adults with obesity or [those who are] overweight a beneficial new treatment option to incorporate into a weight management program. FDA remains committed to facilitating the development and approval of additional safe and effective therapies for adults with obesity or [who are] overweight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

How does Wegovy work?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Over <\/span>73% of Americans<\/span><\/a> over the age of 20 are obese or overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That puts them at higher risk of serious diseases and conditions like diabetes, <\/span>heart disease<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>stroke<\/span><\/a>, certain cancers, and <\/span>depression<\/span><\/a>. Research shows that losing as little as <\/span>5% of your body weight<\/span><\/a> can improve your health.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. In the body, GLP-1\u2014a naturally-occurring hormone\u2014helps to suppress appetite and delay the emptying of the stomach. Both of these effects help you eat less and feel fuller. Wegovy mimics GLP-1 (the manufacturer reports it is <\/span>94% similar<\/span><\/a> to the real thing) and produces similar results. Wegovy doesn\u2019t replace weight loss tools like diet and exercise\u2014and instead should be used in conjunction with them.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Overweight and obesity statistics<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

How effective is Wegovy?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Wegovy was studied in four, 68-week trials. Researchers found that people who took Wegovy lost an average of 17% to 18% of their body weight compared to those who didn\u2019t receive the drug. In trials conducted on those with diabetes, Wegovy helped people lose a more modest 6.2% of their body weight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTraditionally, our better weight-loss medications average 5% to 10% of weight loss,\u201d says\u00a0 <\/span>Charles \u201cC.K.\u201d Babcock, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a>, a clinical associate professor at Marshall University School of Pharmacy. \u201cThis much weight loss has been shown to have a beneficial effect on health, yet it was often disappointing for many patients looking for cosmetic changes. But losing 17% of body weight is a substantial weight loss for many patients. And possibly more important for patients, the medication helped people continue to lose weight slowly for about 16 months. Slow loss is usually a healthier way to lose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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