O Wegovy a drug for obesity from the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, will be available on the Brazilian market from August 2024. The drug, based on semaglutide — the same component as Ozempic — was approved by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) for the treatment of obesity and overweight in January 2023.
This is the first semaglutide-based injectable medicine aimed at treating obesity. This is a component analogous to the hormone GLP-1, which acts in the secretion of insulin by the pancreas, which plays an important role in regulating blood glucose.
However, semaglutide also helps to promote a greater feeling of satiety, which can help with the weight loss process. Therefore, Ozempic has been used “off label” (outside the prescription leaflet) for obesity, despite its indication being the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Clinical research has shown that Wegovy leads to an average reduction of 17% in weight, with a third of patients showing a reduction of more than 20%, in addition to a 20% reduction in the risk of adverse cardiovascular events, such as cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke.
It has also been proven that the reduction in cardiovascular risk occurs regardless of the degree of weight loss achieved. Studies have also shown a reduction and maintenance of body weight for up to four years.
“Wegovy is the first medicine with unprecedented weight loss results and proven safety. It represents a milestone in the treatment of obesity, recognized as a chronic disease by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2013”, says Priscilla Mattar, medical vice-president of the Brazilian branch.
The use of the drug is recommended for the treatment of adults and children over 12 years of age with obesity, or overweight adults and weight-related comorbidities.
Wegovy and Ozempic: what’s the difference?
Ozempic, a drug from Novo Nordisk for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, also consists of semaglutide, but in a lower concentration (1.34 mg per dose) than Wegovy (2.4 mg per dose). The component acts directly on the secretion of insulin by the pancreas, helping to regulate blood glucose levels, but, as it leads to greater satiety, Ozempic has also been used “off label” for weight loss.
This happens because the molecule helps to delay gastric emptying, promoting a longer feeling of satiety. Furthermore, the GLP-1 analogue also acts in the central nervous system, in the appetite regulation pathways.
However, Wegovy is the first and only semaglutide-based medicine approved by Anvisa to treat people with obesity and overweight. The use of both remedies — Wegovy and Ozempic — must be done with the guidance and monitoring of a specialized health professional.
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Source: CNN Brasil
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