A “game-changing” weight-loss injection used by celebrities including Twitter boss Elon Musk will be made available through the NHS while warning the drug is not a “quick fix”.
“Critical moment”, thousands of people are obese U.K. Wegovy (also known as semaglutide) will be available by prescription after health officials approve it for use.
billionaire musk Says he uses a Wegovy to stay in shape while the reality star kim kardashian has denied rumors that she used the drug.
Last October, Musk was asked about Twitter Users on the platform asked what was his secret to looking “fit and healthy,” to which he responded with “fasting” and “Wegovy.”
NHS patients will use a pen to give themselves weekly injections of the drug, which works to make people feel full, meaning they eat less and lose weight.
It suppresses appetite by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) released after eating.
A previous study found that people who took the drug lost an average of 12% of their body weight after 68 weeks.
Another study said side effects included nausea and diarrhea, but these were usually mild to moderate in severity and subsided over time.
Adults with at least one weight-related disorder and a body mass index (BMI) score of at least 35 will be eligible for the drug, which is made by Novo Nordisk.
These conditions include type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (unbalanced or unhealthy cholesterol levels), obstructive sleep apnea, and heart disease.
People with a BMI of 30 and over may be able to use this drug in certain conditions.
People can only get Wegovy by prescription as part of a professional weight management service that involves the advice of multiple professionals and is valid for a maximum of two years.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), which approved it, said it would be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
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Helen Knight, of Nice, said: “For some people, losing weight can be a real challenge, which is why drugs like semaglutide are a popular option.
“It won’t be available to everyone. Our committee has made specific recommendations to ensure it remains good value for the taxpayer and will only be available for a maximum of two years.”
Professor Nick Finer, from UCL’s National Center for Cardiovascular Prevention and Outcomes, said: “The efficacy of semaglutide has truly transformed the treatment of obesity, a chronic disease that shortens life due to many complications.”
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Alex Milas, professor of endocrinology at the University of Ulster, said: “This decision in Nice is a critical moment in the treatment of patients with obesity.
“Use of this safe drug resulted in significant weight loss and may lead to improvements in obesity-related complications in a large number of patients.”
But Dr Stephen Lawrence, clinical associate professor at the University of Warwick, warned: “However, it is important to note that this drug is not a quick fix or a substitute for following a healthy lifestyle, which includes regular physical activity and a healthy diet”
In February, some high street chemists in the UK showed up will prescribeif appropriate, through their online physician services.
A Novo Nordisk spokesperson said: “Novo Nordisk welcomes Nice’s final recommendation for Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4mg once-weekly) as an option for weight management within the NHS.
“We are working hard to get Wegovy on the market in the UK as soon as possible.”