Semaglutide
Semaglutide, sold under the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, is a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes and reduce obesity.
It was developed by Novo Nordisk in 2012.[1] It was approved for use in America in 2017.[2] It was approved in Europe in 2022 [3] and in the National Health Service in 2023. Sales of Wegovy increased five-fold in 2023. Ozempic became the world's biggest-selling diabetes drug.[4]
People who had the weekly injection saw their weight drop by 12% on average after 68 weeks.[5] It is also prescribed for heart conditions.[6]
In a trial of more than 17,600 people aged above 45 with obesity who had cardiovascular disease, but not diabetes, published in 2023, it cut the risk of heart attacks by 28%.[7]
A black market developed in the United Kingdom in 2023 with unlicensed semaglutide being sold through social media and in beauty salons.[8]
References
change- ↑ "Wegovy (semaglutide): a new weight loss drug for chronic weight management". Journal of Investigative Medicine. 27 Oct 2021.
- ↑ "Ozempic (semaglutide) FDA Approval History". Drugs.com. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
- ↑ EMA (2021-11-11). "Wegovy". European Medicines Agency. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
- ↑ "Wegovy, the 'Viagra' of weight-loss drugs flying off the shelves". BBC News. 2024-02-11. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
- ↑ PA; Britton, Paul (2023-03-08). "Weight loss injection popular with celebrities is approved for NHS use". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
- ↑ Kuchler, Hannah (2023-09-01). "Novo Nordisk briefly eclipses LVMH as Europe's most valuable company". Financial Times. Retrieved 2023-09-02.
- ↑ Kuchler, Hannah (2023-11-11). "Novo Nordisk's obesity drug cuts risk of death by 18%, trial data shows". Financial Times. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
- ↑ "The online black market cashing in on weight loss injection hype". BBC News. 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2023-11-15.