Long-term Effects of Novo Nordisk’s Obesity Drug Wegovy Revealed in New Analysis
Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug, Wegovy, has shown promising results in a new analysis of the longest clinical trial conducted on the treatment to date. The analysis revealed that patients taking Wegovy maintained an average weight loss of 10% for up to four years. This finding indicates the drug’s potential for long-term weight management, which could have significant implications for insurers and governments considering coverage for this costly but effective drug.
Furthermore, a second analysis from the same trial found that Wegovy also reduces the risk of heart disease, regardless of a patient’s weight. This is a significant discovery as it demonstrates that the health benefits of Wegovy extend beyond weight loss alone. The drug’s ability to improve heart health through mechanisms other than weight reduction is a valuable insight that could enhance its appeal to healthcare providers and regulatory bodies.
The analyses were presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Venice, Italy, this week and build upon previous data from Novo Nordisk’s SELECT trial. The SELECT trial involved over 17,000 patients from more than 40 countries and aimed to assess the cardiovascular benefits of Wegovy.
While insurance coverage for Wegovy and other GLP-1 medications remains limited, the surging popularity of these obesity and diabetes treatments indicates a growing demand. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, the manufacturers of Wegovy and their own weight loss drug respectively, have struggled to meet the increasing demand for their products due to supply constraints.
The SELECT trial participants did not have to track their diet and exercise as it was not an obesity study. Despite this, patients still achieved an average weight loss of 10% after 65 weeks on Wegovy. The remarkable aspect is that patients continued taking the weekly injection for over three years and four months, sustaining their weight loss for up to four years. This highlights the potential long-term efficacy of Wegovy in helping individuals maintain their weight loss.
Interestingly, the second analysis revealed that the heart benefits of Wegovy were experienced by patients regardless of their weight when they started the drug or how much weight they lost. This suggests that Wegovy has cardiovascular benefits that go beyond weight reduction alone. The study authors concluded that the drug improves heart health through alternative mechanisms.
It is worth noting that the weight loss observed in the trial was lower than in a previous study that specifically focused on weight loss and included structured lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. Additionally, the population in the previous study differed from that of the SELECT trial. Nonetheless, the safety results from the analyses were consistent with previous data from the SELECT trial, with more patients on Wegovy experiencing side effects compared to those on a placebo.
In conclusion, the new analysis of Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug Wegovy provides valuable insights into its long-term effects and broad health benefits. The sustained weight loss and reduced risk of heart disease demonstrated in the study contribute to the growing evidence supporting the use of Wegovy in treating obesity. However, challenges such as limited insurance coverage and supply constraints need to be addressed to ensure wider access to this potentially life-changing drug.
