A recent study published in Nature Medicine found that Wegovy, a GLP-1 drug, can help with weight loss, diabetes, and heart disease for up to four years. Previously, it was believed that when individuals stopped taking GLP-1 drugs, rebound weight gain occurred. However, research has shown that slowly coming off these medications, along with regular physical activity, can help prevent this rebound weight gain. These medications have become increasingly popular, with many people using them for weight loss, especially those with diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
The SELECT trial, which included over 17,000 adults with overweight or obesity but no diabetes, found that Wegovy, which is the only GLP-1 drug approved for weight loss by the FDA, resulted in an average weight loss of 10.2% of initial weight over four years. Other benefits included a reduction in waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio. Despite experiencing plateaus in weight loss after about a year, many individuals have found success in maintaining their weight loss by slowly tapering off their dosage and incorporating exercise.
GLP-1 drugs work by mimicking the body’s naturally occurring hormone, which slows the passage of food in the digestive tract and reduces appetite. These medications have slightly different ways of addressing weight loss, diabetes, and heart disease, with Wegovy and Ozempic being based on semaglutide and Rybelsus, Saxenda, and Victoza being based on liraglutide. In addition to promoting weight loss and managing diabetes, GLP-1 drugs have been associated with reducing cardiovascular risk factors and adverse events.
While only Wegovy is approved for weight loss, other GLP-1 drugs have similar effectiveness and are approved for diabetes and heart health. Pharmaceutical companies face challenges in receiving approvals for additional indications, as conducting studies and providing supporting evidence can be costly. The high demand for these medications, which can cost thousands of dollars annually, has led to supply shortages. Private health insurance may cover some of the cost, but Medicare is not allowed to pay for weight-loss medications.
Despite the high cost of GLP-1 drugs, there is evidence to suggest that they can save money in the long run by resolving conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. Bariatric surgery has been shown to have similar cost-saving benefits, and as more data supports the long-term cost-effectiveness of these medications, insurance companies may eventually provide more coverage. It is important for individuals to work closely with healthcare providers to determine the best treatment plan for their weight loss, diabetes, and heart health needs.
