1. Wegovy averts heart attacks – will this widen use?
- Author
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Wilson, Clare
- Subjects
- *
SEMAGLUTIDE , *WEIGHT loss , *MYOCARDIAL infarction , *GLUCAGON-like peptide 1 , *BLOOD sugar , *HEART diseases - Abstract
A recent trial has found that the weight-loss injection Wegovy, made up of the drug semaglutide, can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This result is significant because it suggests that weight-loss injections could become a normal part of healthcare, similar to taking cholesterol-lowering statins. Semaglutide is a once-weekly injection that mimics the actions of a hormone called GLP-1, which helps control blood sugar and suppresses appetite. The cost and availability of Wegovy have been barriers to access, but with evidence of its effectiveness in preventing medical conditions like heart disease, insurers may expand coverage. Additionally, the approval of another weight-loss injection called tirzepatide may increase the supply of these drugs and potentially lower their cost in the future. Overall, this trial highlights the importance of treating obesity as a medical issue rather than just a cosmetic concern. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2023
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