No specialty has until now been able to obtain such spectacular results on weight loss, apart from the famous Ozempic (which melted Elon Musk) from the same Danish laboratory Novo Nordisk, but reserved for the treatment of diabetes. However, in France, nearly 10 million people suffer from obesity!
Wegovy is reserved for people who are severely obese, have a BMI (body mass index) greater than or equal to 35, aged under 65 and after the failure of well-conducted nutritional care. “It is not at all an aesthetic solution for slightly overweight people. This misuse also causes serious health risks,” warns Professor Luc Karsenty, head of the gastroenterology and hepatology department at the American Hospital in Neuilly-sur-Seine. Only doctors specializing in endocrinology, diabetology and nutrition have the right to provide the initial prescription. The prescription can then be renewed by any doctor.
An injectable solution
The active molecule is semaglutide, an analogue of GLP-1: a digestive hormone secreted by the intestine which slows the absorption of sugars and the storage of fats, while increasing the feeling of satiety. It received marketing authorization for the indication of weight loss in 2022, but was until now reserved for hospital use. It can now be prescribed by city doctors. It comes in the form of an injectable solution, which is administered into the thickness of the stomach, thigh or arm, at a maximum of 2.4 mg per week (i.e. a dose almost 10 times higher than for the treatment of diabetes). “However, it is not a miracle molecule. Its intake must be accompanied by good dietary hygiene and daily physical activity,” indicates Professor Luc Karsenty.
A treatment not devoid of side effects
Abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea are almost systematic. However, gradually increasing the doses of Wegovy every four weeks helps reduce these side effects. The most severe complication is pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Blood tests for lipase (a pancreatic enzyme) are carried out regularly throughout treatment for early diagnosis.
A medication not reimbursed
Although obesity primarily affects the poorest people, the prescription of Wegovy does not currently benefit from any coverage by Social Security, despite a high cost: around 300 euros per month. But other drugs should soon arrive on the market, such as Mounjaro, from the American laboratory Lilly, with an even more powerful molecule. AstraZeneca and Pfizer are also in the race, as is the Swiss laboratory Roche, which is studying an even more promising oral formula. This competition should logically encourage price reductions.
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Up to 15% loss of total body weight
The results after 68 weeks of treatment are more than convincing. And taking the drug could also reduce cardiovascular risk by 20%. But as soon as the treatment is stopped, the benefits fade and weight is regained. Wegovy is therefore a crutch that must be endured for life, which has already discouraged three-quarters of Americans taking semaglutide from continuing the injections beyond two years.
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