“Wegovy”, does this name mean anything to you? This is the new drug, an analogue of GLP-1, manufactured by the Danish laboratory Novo Nordisk, which acts on the feeling of satiety.
Good news for all patients with obesity: a promising new drug can accelerate weight loss.
Candidates were able to test the drug early
To test the effectiveness of the molecule, a large investigation was carried out.
7,048 patients were thus able to benefit from the Wegovy drug in “early access”, for 14 months. The patients, mainly women (65%), were aged 48.5 years on average and presented at least one weight-related comorbidity allowing early access.
All the patients selected suffered from obesity and, for the vast majority, had a BMI greater than 40 kg/m². Most of them had associated health problems, such as cholesterol or cardiovascular disease.
Result ? The findings of this study were positive.
“This first real-life study on the use of Wegovy provides an overview of the characteristics of post-MA early access users of this GLP-1 analogue drug in Europe, and the dose schedules used.“, reveals the ANSM.
How does Wegovy work?
The drug is classified as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist.
It therefore acts like a hormone in the body.by signaling to brain receptors involved in your appetite and food intake“, explains the Obesity and Nutrition Center.
He can “reduce your appetite, which can help you eat less and lead to weight loss“. Il “also slows the rate at which the stomach empties, making you feel full longer“, explains the center again.
The medicine also plays “on the regulation of sugar in the body“, explains nutritionist doctor and founder of the obesity observatory Pierre Azam to BFMTV. “For people who have gained weight a little abnormally and who cannot lose weight, (…) it helps to reclassify insulin“.
NO to diets, YES to WW!
A safe drug?
If Wegovy seems promising, the lack of hindsight on this drug – only tested for 14 months – can be chilling.
“We do not know exactly from laboratory studies whether lifelong intake is indicated.“, underlines Dr Pierre Azam.
The new drug can also cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain with some cases of “pancreatitis” reported marginally, believes the doctor.
