The UK’s medicines regulator has approved Wegovy, a weight-loss treatment containing the drug semaglutide, for reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes in overweight and obese individuals.
Semaglutide, already used by the NHS to aid weight loss in individuals with a BMI above 26, now becomes the first anti-obesity drug to be used for controlling cardiovascular events in people with existing heart conditions and similar BMI levels.
Key Findings from Clinical Trials
A clinical trial involving 17,600 participants found that weekly injections of semaglutide over five years reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events by 20%. The trial, sponsored by Novo Nordisk, was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Shirley Hopper, Deputy Director of Innovative Medicines at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, hailed the approval as “an important step forward in tackling the serious health consequences of obesity.”
How Does Wegovy Work?
Wegovy acts as an appetite suppressant by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which makes people feel fuller after eating. However, semaglutide comes with side effects such as nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
A Breakthrough in Cardiovascular Health
Prof. Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation, emphasized the significance of this drug, noting, “Nearly two-thirds of adults in England are living with excess weight or obesity. For those with cardiovascular disease, semaglutide offers a tool to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes, improving quality of life.”