From CNBC: 2024-05-14 11:16:13

Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug Wegovy led to 10% average weight loss sustained for up to four years in the longest clinical trial to date. The drug also reduced heart disease risk regardless of patient weight. These findings, presented at the European Congress on Obesity, bolster the case for insurance coverage of the medication.

Insurance coverage for Wegovy remains limited despite its health benefits. The drug belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1s, mimicking a gut hormone to suppress appetite. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly struggle to meet demand for these popular obesity and diabetes treatments.

Data from Novo Nordisk’s SELECT trial showed that Wegovy slashed the risk of cardiovascular complications by 20%. This led to the FDA’s approval of the drug in March, highlighting its cardiovascular benefits. Participants in the trial lost an average of 10% of their body weight.

Wegovy was shown to benefit heart health regardless of patient weight, with consistent results in the latest analyses. These findings underscore the broader health benefits of the drug beyond weight loss, leading to potential implications for patient care.

Side effects of Wegovy included nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation, consistent with other GLP-1 medications. More patients on Wegovy than the placebo decided to stop the trial due to side effects. These safety results align with previous findings from the SELECT trial.



Read more at CNBC: Wegovy patients maintain weight loss for 4 years: Novo Nordisk study