Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical giant behind the weight loss medications Ozempic and Wegovy, has initiated a new clinical trial to investigate the long-term impacts of semaglutide— the active ingredient in these drugs—on adolescent patients.
Semaglutide operates by emulating a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar and curbing appetite. In the United States, it is marketed under the names Ozempic for diabetes management and Wegovy for weight loss.
The new clinical trial, recently registered with the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), will observe approximately 500 teenagers over a minimum of three years. This study aims to evaluate how effectively Wegovy helps adolescents sustain weight loss over time and to identify any potential adverse effects.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for Wegovy in teens aged 12 and older in 2022, following a trial that demonstrated an average 16% reduction in body mass index among participants after 68 weeks, compared to a placebo.
Despite this approval, some healthcare professionals have expressed hesitation in prescribing Wegovy to adolescents due to uncertainties regarding its long-term safety. Novo Nordisk’s new study seeks to address these concerns by providing more comprehensive data on the medication’s enduring effects.
The prevalence of obesity among American children under 19 stands at about 19%, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
