1. This isn’t a “diet pill” – This has absolutely nothing to do with body image or appearance. This drug is for people who have complications from obesity or are at serious risk of complications.

2. The drug isn’t entirely new: “Wegovy” is #semaglutide, a drug also found in “Saxenda” and “Ozempic” but at a different dose.

3. It’s not a short-cut. In semaglutide studies, the drug was used WITH – not instead of- lifestyle changes (nutrition support) and counselling.

4. What end point was important in trials? Patients achieved and maintained a 10% weight loss. 10% weight loss is the amount of weight loss needed to see a real reduction in risk or progression of obesity-related complications.

5. What don’t we know? Obesity is a chronic and relapsing disease. Sustained weight loss takes real commitment to making lifestyle changes. The STEP studies have shown promising results out to 89 weeks, but we don’t have those 5 year and 10 year studies yet to prove the weight loss is maintained and there is a sustained real reduction in obesity-related health complications.

6. It’s only for adults over 18. There is an ongoing study for adolescents over age 12 in the US called STEP TEENS.

7. It’s all very interesting but I’m left wondering: does it even matter to us here? Even if we approve it in Ireland, I suspect access will likely be a problem due to waitlists. In the new NICE guidelines, this drug will only be offered to patients in specialist obesity or bariatric clinics, so usually those who have at least one obesity-related health complication. It’s both good and bad. It’s good to have the drug prescribed with holistic approach to managing the chronic disease that is obesity with multi-disciplinary support. However, wait lists means that nothing really changes: many, many patients in Ireland are waiting on obesity or bariatric services already and the new drug does nothing to change that.

#semaglutide #obesitymedicine #lifestylemedicine #weightlossjourneys #FactsNotFears