The FDA, the United States drug regulatory agency, approved on Wednesday (8) the use of the type 2 diabetes drug tirzepatide for chronic weight control and made official the use of the drug, which is already widely prescribed for weight loss. of weight.
The drug, called Mounjaro for diabetes, will be called Zepbound for weight loss, according to an FDA statement. Manufactured by Eli Lilly, the drug is part of a new class of drugs that includes semaglutide, known as Ozempic, for diabetes, and Wegovy for weight loss, which have soared in popularity in recent years.
Tested in clinical trials, Zepbound has been shown to produce more than 20% average weight loss at higher doses for 72 weeks, results greater than those seen with other approved medications. The FDA approved the drug for people with obesity or those characterized as overweight and with at least one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure or heart disease, the same indication as given to Wegovy. Like similar medications, it is taken as an injection that patients give themselves once a week, and is recommended in conjunction with a balanced diet and increased physical exercise.
“Obesity and overweight are serious conditions that can be associated with some of the leading causes of death, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes,” says John Sharretts, director of the FDA’s Division of Diabetes, Lipid Disorders, and Obesity, in the release. agency press. “In light of rising rates of obesity and overweight in the United States, today’s approval addresses an unmet medical need.”
The main side effects of Zepbound are gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea, according to the FDA. The drug label will contain warnings for risks of inflammation of the pancreas, gallbladder problems, low blood sugar, acute kidney injury, diabetic retinopathy, or damage to the retina of the eyes, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and suicidal behavior or thoughts. .
Source: CNN Brasil
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