Wegovy is without doubt one of the newest weight reduction medicines accepted by the U.S. Meals & Drug Administration—providing tens of millions of People combating weight problems an thrilling, confirmed new therapy choice to think about. Approved in June 2021, Wegovy is for adults with weight problems, in addition to chubby adults combating not less than one weight-related well being situation (resembling hypertension, sort 2 diabetes, or excessive ldl cholesterol).
How Does Wegovy Work?
Wegovy’s major element is semaglutide, which was initially developed to deal with diabetes by enhancing blood sugar management. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor drug that stimulates a launch of insulin within the physique.
Immense Demand Results in Lengthy-Time period Remedy Shortages
Instantly upon approval, Wegovy was described as a “game-changer” by many medical doctors specializing in weight problems care, and even a “revolutionary therapy” with the potential for spectacular weight reduction outcomes.
Sadly, only a few months after the Wegovy FDA approval, the drug was in brief provide resulting from manufacturing points affecting manufacturing. This, mixed with the unprecedented demand for the prescription medicine, ultimately resulted in an enormous provide scarcity of Wegovy that has nonetheless not been rectified. In truth, as of August 2022, Novo Nordisk was pulling doses from the cabinets to maintain new sufferers from beginning the drug since follow-up doses for already established sufferers have been changing into practically unattainable to seek out. The pharmaceutical firm additionally discontinued all promotions for the medicine and requested clinicians to cease prescribing it.
Limitations to Getting Wegovy Result in Dangerous Alternate options
Whereas confirmed to be efficient for each diabetes and weight reduction, GLP-1 medication are very costly and never lined extensively by insurance coverage. Out of pocket prices can exceed $1,000 per thirty days for the medicine—placing them out of attain for a lot of. Because of these provide chain points and the excessive value of Wegovy, many have been looking for different options that might provide comparable outcomes.
In consequence, compounding pharmacies and web sites have been discovered trying to “bootleg” the medicine by compounding semaglutide and mixing it with different elements resembling vitamin B12 and/or L-carnitine – providing it at a fraction of the price. Dr. McGowan and his colleagues strongly advise in opposition to taking compounded Wegovy.
“If it appears too good to be true, it most likely is,” says Dr. Christopher McGowan, CEO and Medical Director of True You Weight Loss. “Merely put, compounded Wegovy will not be secure. It falls into fully unregulated territory and is probably going unlawful as properly. The security and efficacy of mixing Wegovy with different elements has by no means been studied, and compounding pharmacies usually are not regulated by the FDA.”
Dr. McGowan continues, “All weight reduction sufferers ought to be conscious that the one type of Wegovy that’s secure to take is the FDA-approved injection made by Novo Nordisk. There are at the moment no workarounds or shortcuts to acquiring this prescription weight reduction medicine.”
How A lot Weight Can I Lose on Wegovy?
The excellent news is that in the event you qualify for Wegovy and may get the Novo Nordisk medicine—it may assist secure, efficient, long-term weight reduction. In one of many FDA’s most profitable Wegovy trials, contributors misplaced a median of 14.9 p.c of their preliminary physique weight (about 33 kilos) over 68 weeks. Those that acquired a placebo misplaced solely 2.4 p.c. Throughout the trials, the injection’s security and efficacy have been confirmed, with just some minor uncomfortable side effects, together with nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and constipation.
It’s vital to notice that the drug is meant to be taken indefinitely—similar to you’d take medicine for different continual well being issues resembling elevated blood stress or excessive ldl cholesterol. Analysis reveals that after a affected person comes off the medicine, they’re prone to regain the burden that’s been misplaced.
When Will Wegovy Turn into Extensively Out there?
Whereas Novo Nordisk claimed in a latest monetary report that Wegovy ought to be obtainable in all doses by the tip of 2022, acquiring Wegovy should still show difficult for a lot of sufferers with weight problems. The excessive value of this month-to-month prescription, and the truth that it’s not lined by medical health insurance, might be an ongoing main hurdle for a lot of adults combating continual weight points. Regardless, compounded Wegovy ought to by no means be thought of in its place choice to the true factor.
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