New Weight Loss Drug Semaglutide – FDA APPROVED

A big takeaway: FDA-approved Wegovy (semaglutide) appears twice as effective as other Rx treatments for obesity

On Monday, June 4th, 2021 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Wegovy (generic name semaglutide) injection for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol), for use in addition to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. Since 2014 there has not been a FDA approved weight loss drug new on the market. Semaglutide is an injection that can be administered once per week under the skin. Needless to say, unlike other GLP -1 Antagonist drugs, which are administered on a daily basis.  There has been excellent results noticed as well as documents for chronic weight management in adults with general obesity or overweight. The drug is indicated for chronic weight management in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m2 or greater who have at least one weight-related ailment or in patients with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater.

Semagutide is a GLP – 1 Antagonist, like other popular drugs that have shown extremely favoring results within the treatment of obesity. MedShape Weight Loss Clinic has been actively involved and thoroughly educated in GLP – 1 Antagonist medication for obesity treatment.  These are drugs such as Exenatide, Saxenda, and Byetta.

Semaglutide isn’t a new drug but rather a drug that recognized changes amongst many using it. This was weight loss. The same active ingredient has been on the market since 2017 as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. Use of the drug as a once-weekly injection designed to lower blood sugar often lead to weight loss — especially for those patients who take the 1 mg-per-week dose instead of the lower .5-mg option.

Drug trials show a third lost 20 percent of their body weight

The drug’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, conducted several studies on the safety and efficacy of the 2.4-mg dose before applying to the FDA for approval. The largest study, a 68-week double-blind trial of nearly 2,000 obese adults who did not have diabetes, found that people who took 2.4 mg of semaglutide weekly — in addition to participating in a diet and exercise program — lost significantly more weight than those who made the same lifestyle changes but were given placebo injections.

Half of the participants in the semaglutide group were able to lose at least 15 -20 percent of their body weight, and nearly a third were able to lose 20 percent. (Those in the placebo group lost only about 2.4 percent of their starting weight.) That is an incredible difference.Thanks to the new FDA approval, an even higher dose of semaglutide, 2.4 mg, will now be sold specifically for weight loss under the brand name Wegovy.

Approximately 70% of American adults have obesity or overweight. Having obesity or overweight is a serious health issue associated with some leading causes of death, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes, and is linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer. Losing 5% to 10% of body weight through diet and exercise has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in adult patients with obesity or overweight.

Semaglutide works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake. The medication dose must be increased gradually over 16 to 20 weeks to 2.4 mg once weekly to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.

When should you consider a GLP – 1 Antagonist drug , such as semaglutide or Exenatide, for weight loss? If it seems impossible to lose weight, no matter what you do, no matter what you change, no matter how hard you try, then it is a good time to try a GLP- 1 Antagonist drug. MedShape specializes in both semaglutide and Exenatide. Our clinics have seen incredible and higher than expected results with Exenatide, which is taken daily by injection right under the skin. “Our patients have been thrilled so far of the results they have experienced. Were are witnessing patients losing at a steady and ongoing weekly pace when in the past, we could not get their weight to move regardless of what medication, nutrition changes we treated them with.”

Call today to get started not eh hottest and most promising new weight loss medication available. 480-413-9000

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