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Since the 2021 Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved semaglutide injections (Wegovy) for weight loss, established weight loss programs, such as WeightWatchers, have been considering the purchase of rapidly growing telehealth weight loss companies. Such companies have been marketing telemedicine weight loss prescriptions as part of their diabetes or other service packages since the approval of Ozempic for diabetes treatment in 2017. Other companies offer telehealth weight loss and telemedicine weight loss prescriptions as their only service.
Semaglutide: Wegovy and Ozempic
Semaglutide is sold by Novo Nordisk as Wegovy and Ozempic. They are part of a class of drugs known as GLP-1 (for glucagon-like peptide 1) agonists. They amplify the satiation signal between one’s stomach and brain, allowing people to feel more comfortable with less food. The medications differ in dosage and use but consist of the same compound, Semaglutide. Both are commonly administered by weekly injections, but future generations might be available as pills.
- Wegovy was approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management in adults who are overweight or obese and have at least one weight-related condition (i.e., high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or high cholesterol). It is to be used with reduced caloric intake and increased physical activity.
- Ozempic was approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes and prevent major cardiovascular problems in certain patients.
Side Effects of Semaglutide
A frequently-cited 2018 Lancet article reported the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo and active controlled, dose-ranging phase 2 trial. Estimated weight loss of 10% or more occurred in 10% of participants who were given a placebo compared with 37–65% of participants who were given…