In the past year, “Wegovy” has stirred considerable excitement in Germany’s weight loss landscape. The subcutaneous injection, which has been available in the country since mid-July 2023, is causing a buzz due to its effectiveness in promoting weight loss. However, despite its popularity, there are several challenges and developments surrounding the drug.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is a prescription medication designed to aid in weight loss and its maintenance by reducing appetite and enhancing feelings of fullness. It is administered once a week via a pen-like injector. The active ingredient in Wegovy, Semaglutide, has been used for Type 2 diabetes treatment under the brand name “Ozempic” but in a higher dose for weight management. It is approved for individuals with obesity, defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, and is intended to be used alongside diet and exercise.
How Does Wegovy Work?
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, mimics the gut hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). This hormone, released after eating, signals the pancreas to produce insulin, contributing to the anti-diabetic effect. Additionally, it informs the brain that food has been consumed, which promotes a sense of fullness and delays stomach emptying, thereby reducing appetite.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of Wegovy are gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. These symptoms typically diminish as patients adjust to smaller portion sizes. Other rare side effects include pancreatitis and intestinal obstruction. Recent research in JAMA Ophthalmology has raised concerns about a potential link between Semaglutide and a serious eye condition, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), though this has not been definitively proven.
There are also reports of “Ozempic Face,” a phenomenon where rapid weight loss causes facial sagging and an aged appearance. As with any medication, treatment should be closely monitored by a healthcare provider.
Lifelong Use and Lifestyle Changes
Experts stress that Wegovy should be used as part of a comprehensive obesity management plan that includes lifestyle changes such as balanced nutrition and regular physical activity. Given that obesity is a chronic condition, long-term use of the medication is often necessary, similar to diabetes management. The cost of Wegovy is around 300 Euros per month, and it is not covered by statutory health insurance in Germany.
Impact on Fertility and Pregnancy
There is anecdotal evidence that weight loss from Semaglutide treatment may improve fertility in women who were previously struggling to conceive due to obesity. However, there are no conclusive figures on this, and the medication should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Women planning to conceive are advised to discontinue Semaglutide at least two months before trying to become pregnant.
Market Dynamics and Competition
The introduction of Wegovy was initially hoped to alleviate some of the supply issues related to “Ozempic,” which had been used off-label for weight loss. While the availability of Ozempic has improved, Wegovy’s high demand has led to ongoing supply challenges. This has increased the risk of counterfeit products, prompting warnings from regulatory bodies.
Eli Lilly, a competitor, has introduced “Mounjaro,” a new weight loss injection containing Tirzepatide, which is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Recent studies suggest that Tirzepatide may offer more pronounced weight loss compared to Semaglutide, although both drugs carry similar side effect profiles.
Conclusion
One year after its introduction, Wegovy has made a significant impact in Germany’s weight loss arena, despite facing supply issues and competition from new entrants. Its effectiveness, coupled with ongoing challenges and the need for lifestyle modifications, underscores the complexities of managing obesity with medication.
