Wegovy: Weight loss injection used by celebrities to be made available on NHS | Science & Tech News

It is expected that thousands of people living with obesity in England will be offered Wegovy, also known as Semaglutide, on prescription after health authorities have approved its use. The drug makes people feel full, which means they eat less and lose weight.

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 1:11 AM, UK

A ‘groundbreaking’ weight-loss injection used by celebrities including Twitter boss Elon Musk is set to be made available through the NHS amid warnings the drug is not a ‘quick fix’.

Thousands of people are living with obesity at a “defining moment”. England Wegovy, also known as Semaglutide, is said to be offered by prescription after health authorities approved its use.

billionaire musk said he used Wegovy to stay in shape while reality TV star Kim Kardashian has denied rumors that she used the drug.

Musk was asked by one last October Twitter Users on the platform what his secret was to looking “fit, muscular and healthy”, to which he replied “fast” and “wegovy”.

NHS patients inject themselves weekly with a pen and the drug works by making people feel full, which means they eat less and lose weight.

It suppresses appetite by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is released after eating.

A previous study found that people given the drug experienced an average weight loss of 12% after 68 weeks.

Another study said side effects included nausea and diarrhea, but these were usually mild to moderate and lessened over time.

Adults with at least one weight-related medical condition and a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35 are eligible for the drug, manufactured by Novo Nordisk.

These conditions include type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia (imbalanced or unhealthy cholesterol levels), obstructive sleep apnea, and heart disease.

Individuals with a BMI of 30 and above can access the drug in some cases.

Wegovy is given to individuals by prescription only, as part of a specialized weight management service involving multiple professionals, and for a maximum of two years.

It is intended to be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), which approved it.

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Nice’s Helen Knight said: “For some people, losing weight can be a real challenge, which is why a drug like Semaglutide is a welcome option.

“It won’t be available to everyone. Our committee has made specific recommendations to ensure it remains value for money for the taxpayer and it can only be used for a maximum of two years.”

Professor Nick Finer of the National Center for Cardiovascular Prevention and Outcomes at UCL said: “The effectiveness of semaglutide is a real game changer for the medical treatment of obesity, a chronic disease that shortens life through its many complications.”

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And Alex Miras, Professor of Endocrinology at Ulster University, said: “This decision taken by Nice is a pivotal moment for the treatment of people living with obesity.

“The weight loss that can be achieved with this safe drug is significant and is likely to result in amelioration of obesity-related complications in a large number of patients.”

dr However, Stephen Lawrence, Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Warwick, warned: “It is important to note, however, that this medication is not a quick fix or a substitute for a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and a healthy diet.”

In February it turned out that some high street pharmacies in England will prescribe the drugif appropriate, through their online medical services.

A spokesman for Novo Nordisk said: “Novo Nordisk welcomes the final Nice recommendation for Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4mg once a week) as a weight management option within the NHS.

“We are working to make Wegovy available in the UK as soon as possible.”