Until now, rumors have been circulating about its use by celebrities for weight loss. Semaglutide, a drug marketed in particular under the name Wegovy, received marketing authorization on Wednesday, subject to medical prescription, from the British health authorities. The decision must enter into force within three months.
The treatment, delivered in the form of an injection pen, releases a molecule that is normally produced in the body after a meal, resulting in a feeling of satiety in the recipient. Its marketing should “change the game,” according to several experts, while it already represents hope for many people looking to lose weight.
However, the British health authorities warn that this treatment is not an alternative but a complement to a healthy diet and regular exercise, reports the independent.
The treatment of obesity with semaglutide for non-diabetics is not authorized in France at the moment, but the situation could change shortly: the High Health Authority has issued a favorable opinion with a view to its commercialization in July 2022, paving the way for the commercialization .
Weight loss of 12% on average
Studies in the UK show that people treated with Wegovy saw their weight drop by 12% on average at the end of the 68-week program during which they received a weekly injection. The maximum duration of treatment allowed for UK patients is two years.
This treatment will be delivered only by medical prescription to people with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35, that is, class 2 (from 35 to 40) and 3 (greater than 40) levels of obesity, called “morbid obesity level”. “. ). Some people with a BMI just above 30 may also, in some cases, benefit from injections.
These people must also have at least one weight-related comorbidity such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or sleep apnea syndrome.
“The efficacy of semaglutide is a real game changer in the medical treatment of obesity, a chronic disease that shortens life due to its many complications,” said Professor Nick Finer from the UK Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases. .
Processing is also subject to certain reservations. In particular, it could stand as an easily accessible “miracle solution” for people suffering from eating disorders or vulnerable, judges the Beat charity, which fights these disorders in the UK. However, this illusion could, according to her, hinder a possible cure.
Similar to Ozempic, a deviant antidiabetic
Semaglutide is also contained in Ozempic, an antidiabetic diverted from its main use and recommended by many people, especially on TikTok, to promote weight loss.
In France, the health authorities have warned against the misuse of this product that can “cause potentially serious adverse effects, such as gastrointestinal disorders, pancreatitis or hypoglycemia.” The company that makes the drug, Novo Nordisk, believes that excessive use, especially by non-diabetics, could also lead to supply difficulties for people who use it to regulate their blood sugar.
Source: BFM TV
