Wegovy: see the risks and benefits of the drug – 09/16/2024 – Equilíbrio

The weight-loss drug Wegovy, already available in Brazil, is administered as a once-weekly injection and is specifically approved for weight management. It should be used in combination with a low-energy diet and increased physical activity.

So how does Wegovy work, and how much weight can you expect to lose while taking it? And what are the potential risks—and costs—for those who use it?

Let’s take a look at what the science says.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is the brand name for the medicine semaglutide, which is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA). This means it makes the body’s glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone, called GLP-1, work better.

Normally, when you eat, your body releases the hormone GLP-1, which helps signal to your brain that you are full. Semaglutide enhances this effect, leading to a feeling of fullness even when you haven’t eaten.

Another function of GLP-1 is to stimulate the body to produce more insulin, a hormone that helps reduce blood glucose (sugar) levels. This is why semaglutide has been used for several years to treat type 2 diabetes.

What is the difference between Wegovy and Ozempic?

Like Wegovy, Ozempic is a semaglutide. Wegovy and Ozempic work in the same way in the body and are manufactured by the same pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk.

But there are two differences:

1) They are approved for two different – but related – reasons.

In Australia and the United States, Ozempic has been approved to improve blood glucose levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. By effectively controlling blood glucose levels, the drug aims to reduce the risk of serious complications, such as heart disease.

Wegovy is approved for use with diet and exercise for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, or 27 or greater but with other conditions, such as high blood pressure.

Wegovy can also be used in people 12 years of age and older. Like Ozempic, Wegovy aims to reduce the risk of future health complications, including heart disease.

2) Both are injectable, but have different dosages.

Ozempic is available in single-dose pens loaded with varying strengths of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg per injection. The dose can be increased slowly, up to a maximum of 2 mg per week, if needed.

Wegovy is available in single-dose pens of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg. Treatment starts with a dose of 0.25 mg once a week for four weeks, then the dose is gradually increased to reach and maintain 2.4 mg weekly.

Is Wegovy effective for weight loss?

Because Wegovy is a semaglutide, there is very strong evidence that it can help with weight loss and weight maintenance.

A recent study found that over four years, participants who took Wegovy as directed lost an average of 10.2% of their body weight and saw a 3-inch reduction in waist circumference.

For those who stopped taking the drug, analyses showed that about two-thirds of the weight lost was regained.

What are the side effects of Wegovy?

The most common side effects are nausea and vomiting.

However, other serious side effects are also possible due to the drug’s impact on the entire body. Thyroid tumors and cancer have been detected as a risk in animal studies, but are rarely seen in human scientific literature.

In Wegovy’s four-year study, 16.6 percent of participants who received the medication (1,461 people) had an adverse event that led them to permanently discontinue use. That number is nearly half as many—8.2 percent—as the participants (718 people) who received the placebo (no active ingredient).

Side effects included gastrointestinal upset (including nausea and vomiting), which affected 10% of people taking Wegovy, compared with 2% of people taking placebo.

Gallbladder-related side effects occurred in 2.8% of people who received Wegovy, and in 2.3% of those who received a placebo.

Concerns about suicidal thoughts and behaviors have recently been raised after a global analysis reviewed more than 36 million adverse event reports from semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy) since 2000.

There were 107 reports of suicidal thoughts and self-harm among people taking semaglutide, including, sadly, six actual deaths. When people stopped taking the drug, 62.5% found that the thoughts disappeared. What we don’t know is whether dose, weight loss, previous mental health status or antidepressant use played a role.

Finally, there are increasing reports of the negative effect of semaglutide on our social and emotional connection to food. Anecdotal and scientific evidence suggests that people taking semaglutide significantly reduce their daily food intake (as expected), skipping meals and avoiding social occasions – which is not a good thing for life with loved ones.

How can people access Wegovy?

Wegovy is available for purchase at pharmacies with a prescription.

But the price is high. The current cost in Brazil varies, on average, between R$1,260.00 and R$2,360.00, depending on the dosage, the state and the pharmacy.

If you are considering using Wegovy, make an appointment with your doctor for individual guidance.

This article was originally published on The Conversation and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. Click here to read the original version