Thousands of people living with obesity in England are expected to be offered Wegovy, also known as semaglutide, on prescription after health officials approved its use. The drug works by making people feel full, meaning they eat less and lose weight.
Another study said side-effects included nausea and diarrhoea but these were typically mild-to-moderate in severity and subsided with time.
Adults with at least one weight-related condition and a body mass index score of at least 35 would be eligible for the drug, which is made by Novo Nordisk.Such conditions include type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidaemia , obstructive sleep apnoea and heart disease.People will only be given Wegovy on prescription as part of a specialist weight management service involving input from several professionals, and for a maximum of two years.
It is to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, stated the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence , which approved it.Nice's Helen Knight said:"For some people losing weight is a real challenge which is why a medicine like semaglutide is a welcome option.
"It won't be available to everyone. Our committee has made specific recommendations to ensure it remains value for money for the taxpayer, and it can only be used for a maximum of two years." Professor Nick Finer, from the National Centre for Cardiovascular Prevention and Outcomes at UCL, said:"The efficacy of semaglutide is a true game changer for the medical treatment of obesity, a chronic disease that shortens life through its many complications."
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