Date:
July 12, 2021
Issue #:
1628
Summary:
The injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)
receptor agonist semaglutide, previously approved
by the FDA as Ozempic to treat type 2 diabetes and
to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular
events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established
cardiovascular disease, has now been approved in
a higher dose as Wegovy (Novo Nordisk) for chronic
weight management in adults with or without type 2
diabetes who have a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2
or a BMI ≥27 kg/m2 and ≥1 weight-related comorbidity
(e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia). An oral formulation
of semaglutide (Rybelsus) has been available since
2019 for treatment of type 2 diabetes, but it is not
approved for weight management. Liraglutide
(Saxenda), another subcutaneously injected GLP-1
receptor agonist, was approved for chronic weight
management in 2015.
receptor agonist semaglutide, previously approved
by the FDA as Ozempic to treat type 2 diabetes and
to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular
events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established
cardiovascular disease, has now been approved in
a higher dose as Wegovy (Novo Nordisk) for chronic
weight management in adults with or without type 2
diabetes who have a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2
or a BMI ≥27 kg/m2 and ≥1 weight-related comorbidity
(e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia). An oral formulation
of semaglutide (Rybelsus) has been available since
2019 for treatment of type 2 diabetes, but it is not
approved for weight management. Liraglutide
(Saxenda), another subcutaneously injected GLP-1
receptor agonist, was approved for chronic weight
management in 2015.
