Semaglutide, diabetes 2 drug is now seen to be vital for those who want to shed some weight. It was found out in the latest study that the said drug can hasten weight loss if it is injected into the patient on a weekly basis.
Is Semaglutide Now A Wonder Drug for the Obese Patients?
Most commonly known under its brand names Rybelsus and Ozempic, Semaglutide has been utilized by diabetic patients. Developed by Novo Nordisk and was FDA-approved in 2020, the drug is intended to treat Type 2 diabetes, a condition where the affected people do not respond to insulin.
The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, where it was accomplished by researchers from Northwestern University in Chicago. Based on the clinical trials conducted by the team, semaglutide has a huge potential to combat obesity.
The participants, which were tallied at 2,000 took the drug trial. The test was conducted in 129 centers in 16 countries where a duration of 68 weeks was given for the time being. They were instructed to inject semaglutide on a weekly basis.
It was later found out that the patients who injected the drug said that they have shed 15% of their body weight while 2.4% reported receiving placebo. Over one-third of those who took semaglutide declared that they lose more than 20% of their weight. Furthermore, patients who have diabetes symptoms and those who are about to acquire diabetes showed drastic improvements in their body.
The Chicago-based team concluded that the effectiveness of the drug will mean that surgery is not at all times needed when it comes to weight reduction. Moreover, the recorded weight loss on average was 15.3 kg for those who injected semaglutide while only 2.6 kg was recorded to have reduced for those participants under the placebo category.
For the drug manufacturer, Novo Nordisk the approval of semaglutide will soon be finalized before 2021 ends. This time, the drug will now be an official prescribed drug for weight loss besides its natural use in diabetes.
UCL Professor Rachel Batterham, who specialized in the study of obesity and diabetes said that the findings meant that there is an improved solution for the growing obesity among people, the Daily Mail reported.
For University of Liverpool Professor John Wilding, semaglutide has been a big leap for obesity treatment. The drug works like a system that is fooling your appetite to be regulated, so you tend to only take calories on a low level.
Side Effects of Taking Semaglutide
According to the Ozempic FAQS page, while the drug is deemed to be effective in diabetes and weight loss, patients should pay attention to its side-effects. Some serious effects might include pancreatitis, thyroid cancer and tumors, low blood sugar, and changes in vision.
Usually, the common side effects of Ozempic include constipation, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. If the side effects persist, better to contact your doctor or physican for further consultation about what you are feeling. At the end of the day, it's better to be safe while taking your drugs for the treatment.
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Written by Joen Coronel
