(new nation) — the idea of treating obesity simply by taking a pill has long held hope for many of the 40% or more of Americans considered obese — and by those advocating broader weight acceptance. provoked criticism. But it may soon become a reality.
High-dose oral medications in Wegobee, a weight-loss drug, may be as effective as common injections in terms of losing weight and improving health, researchers said. This powerful pill also seems to work for diabetics who are notoriously struggling to lose weight.
Eli Lilly’s investigational drug, orfolglypron, produced a 14.7% weight loss over 36 weeks.
Novo Nordisk already markets Libersus, which is approved to treat diabetes, an oral version of semaglutide, the same drug used in diabetes drugs Ozempic and Wegobee. There are doses up to 14 milligrams.
Ozempic and Wegovy showed that a pill-based approach led to 15.1% weight loss over 68 weeks.
However, results from two gold-standard trials presented at the American Diabetes Association annual meeting showed that oral semaglutide at doses as high as 25 and 50 milligrams helped people lose weight and improve blood sugar levels and other health markers. investigated how it works.
A 16-month study of about 1,600 people who were overweight or obese and were already obese being treated for type 2 diabetes We found that taking the high-dose tablets daily lowered blood sugar significantly more than standard-dose Libersus. From a baseline weight of 212 pounds, the higher doses produced a weight loss of between 15 and 20 pounds, while the lower dose produced a weight loss of approximately 10 pounds.
another 16–study of the moon In over 660 obese or overweight adults (non-diabetic) who are obese or have at least one related condition, taking a 50-milligram tablet per day averages about 15% of body weight, or about 35 pounds. (15.88 kilograms) weight loss was found to be effective. ), about 6 pounds (2.72 kilograms) using a dummy tablet or placebo.
This is “remarkably consistent” with weight loss facilitated by weekly administration of the highest dose of Wegovy, the study authors said.
But there were also side effects. Approximately 80% of participants receiving any dose of oral semaglutide experienced mild to moderate bowel problems, including nausea, constipation, and diarrhea.
In the 50-milligram obesity trial, there was evidence that people who took the drug had a higher incidence of benign tumors than those who took a placebo. In addition, about 13% of people who took the drug experienced “changes in skin sensations” such as tingling or hypersensitivity.
But it’s not just about the results. It is worth noting that these tablets may be available at a fraction of the cost compared to other alternatives.
Injections for weight loss treatments often cost over $10,000 a year for the average American.
Pills can be up to 70% cheaper than injectable treatments.
These drugs basically work by tricking your brain into thinking you’re full when you’re not.
They have been used primarily for the treatment of diabetes. However, it is attracting attention from pharmaceutical companies as a lucrative opportunity to sell to the general public. Projections are for hundreds of billions of dollars in profits.
Novo Nordisk plans to submit an application for FDA approval this year.
While tablets are being considered as a potential option, it is important to note that they may not be an immediate replacement.
Most health experts say tablets are likely recommended after initial weight loss with injections has been achieved and are not a substitute for the natural health benefits of exercise and diet.
