The weight-loss drug Wegovy, made by the manufacturers of Ozempic, will be available to patients in
Wegovy can also be prescribed to patients who are significantly overweight and have at least one related medical condition such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes or obstructive sleep apnea.
The two drugs have the same active ingredient but Wegovy carries a higher weekly dose of semaglutide at 2.4 milligrams, compared to 1 mg in a single Ozempic dose.
Dr.
"But, you know, they're intimately related," said Ur, who is not affiliated with
"I mean, much of diabetes is caused by obesity. Many people with obesity are prone to developing diabetes. So it's a complex interaction."
Semaglutide mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) which promotes insulin production. It also suppresses appetite in the brain and works in the stomach so people feel fuller when they eat.
The insulin effect to treat diabetes can be achieved with a lower dose of semaglutide, but a higher dose increases the appetite suppressant effect, which is why Wegovy is a higher dose than Ozempic, Ur said.
Clinical trials showed that Wegovy was not only safe and effective for weight loss, but also had a positive impact on other weight-related conditions such as cardiovascular health, he said.
Dr.
"(Wegovy) adds to the tool box and the tool kit for all clinicians who are seeing many patients living with obesity," said Sockalingam, whose organization estimates at least eight million Canadian adults have obesity.
Obesity
Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kilograms per square metre or greater, according to
In addition to patients with obesity, doctors can prescribe Wegovy to patients with a BMI of 27 kilograms per square metre and at least one weight-related medical condition. That could include hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia (an imbalance of lipids such as cholesterol or triglycerides) and obstructive sleep apnea.
Wegovy arrives after extensive marketing of Ozempic and a social media-driven surge in demand for its off-label use for weight loss. Experts say it's critical that prescribers, including family doctors, ensure Wegovy is only given to patients who meet specific criteria.
"Physicians are ultimately the gatekeepers of this, and hopefully there will be responsible prescribing for the medication," said Ur.
Sockalingam stressed that when it comes to prescribing Wegovy, "we want to make sure we're very precise, that we're not talking about ... cosmetic or physical appearance."
"This is a medical treatment for a medical condition."
The founder of a support group for people living with obesity called the arrival of Wegovy in
"(It is) signaling a growing recognition of obesity as a serious health issue that requires comprehensive treatment solutions," said
But the high cost of Wegovy raises the issue of equitable access, Chawla said.
"Many in our community, and especially those in the lower socioeconomic bracket, they find these treatments are financially out of reach," she said.
"It's essential that we work towards making Wegovy affordable and accessible to all Canadians who need it."
But multiple experts estimated it would likely cost around
Now that there is a drug specifically approved for weight loss, insurance companies "have to state specifically whether they will or will not cover this product," said Dr.
Wharton conducts research with several drug companies developing diabetes and weight loss medications, including
The most common side effects found in Wegovy clinical trials were gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain, said both Ur and Wharton.
Starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it to the 2.4 mg maintenance dose should help alleviate those symptoms, they said.
Some participants in the study also reported headache, fatigue and dizziness,
Semaglutide has been associated with thyroid tumours in rodents, the web page said.
There has never been a case of thyroid tumours in humans taking Ozempic or Wegovy and there is no evidence to suggest any risk to humans, Wharton said.
Ur agreed, saying someone would only be at risk if they were among the "handful" of people in
This report by The Canadian Press was first published
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