Kim Kardashian reportedly using the drug Wegovy (Picture from file) (PA Wire)
A “groundbreaking” weight-loss injection used by celebrities including Elon Musk and Kim Kardashian is to be made available to certain people with obesity through the NHS in England, health officials have announced.
Thousands are expected to be offered the appetite suppressant Wegovy on prescription after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) gave the green light for use by the NHS.
Experts called the decision a “defining moment” for treating people with obesity, but others warned that the drug is not a “quick fix”.
A previous study found that people given the drug, which is given as a weekly injection, saw their weight drop by an average of 12 percent after 68 weeks. It is self-injected into the stomach once a week.
Nice has issued definitive guidelines recommending Semaglutide (also known as Wegovy and manufactured by Novo Nordisk) for adults with at least one weight-related medical condition and a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35.
Weight-related conditions that make obese people eligible include type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (imbalanced or unhealthy cholesterol levels), obstructive sleep apnea, and heart disease.
In some cases, people with a BMI of 30 and above can access the drug, which is administered through a pen injector.
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’s meant to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, Nice said.
Patients inject themselves weekly with the drug, which suppresses appetite by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is released after eating.
This makes people feel full, which means they eat less and lose weight.
A previous study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that nausea and diarrhea were the most common side effects, but these were “typically transient and mild to moderate in severity and lessened over time.”
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The drug will soon be available to NHS patients if the launch of the drug in England is confirmed by manufacturer Novo Nordisk.
The NHS in England is obliged to implement the Nice recommendations within three months of the product being on the market.
Helen Knight, Director of Drug Evaluation in Nice, said: “For some people, losing weight is 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 taxpayers, and it can only be used for a maximum of two years.
“We are delighted to finally publish our final guidance on Semaglutide, meaning some people will have access to this much-discussed drug in the NHS.”
Twitter boss Elon Musk has said he uses the drug to stay in shape, while Kim Kardashian allegedly used semaglutide to lose 7kg to fit into a dress once worn by Marilyn Monroe.
dr Stephen Lawrence, Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Warwick added: “When used in accordance with prescribed guidelines, it promotes weight loss in a safe and effective manner for most people.
However, it is important to note that this drug is not a quick fix or a replacement for a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and a healthy diet.
“It should therefore only be offered on the judgment of the person taking the drug and as part of a program to establish a healthy lifestyle.”
But Charity Beat raised concerns about the drug’s impact on people with eating disorders.
Tom Quinn, Beat’s director of external affairs, said: “Weight loss drugs like semaglutide can be extremely appealing to people with eating disorders because of their seemingly quick results.
“However, these drugs can be very dangerous because they can make harmful thoughts and behaviors worse for those who are unwell, or contribute to the development of an eating disorder in someone who is already susceptible.”
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