Weight Loss Drug, Wegovy, Found to Reduce Heart Attack and Stroke Risk in Landmark Trial
Novo Nordisk, the maker of the weight loss drug Wegovy, has revealed the results of a groundbreaking clinical trial that demonstrates the drug’s potential to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. The findings of the five-year SELECT trial, published by Novo Nordisk on Tuesday, show that Wegovy can lower the risk of major heart problems, including heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death, by 20%.
This is a significant development as it marks the first time that an obesity drug has been proven to have positive effects on heart health in overweight individuals without diabetes. The results could potentially change how Wegovy is prescribed and covered by insurance policies. Novo Nordisk intends to apply for a label indication expansion to make the drug accessible and covered for reasons other than weight loss.
Wegovy is one of three products approved by the FDA that contains semaglutide, the active compound in these weight loss medications. Another semaglutide product, Ozempic injection, has also been authorized to reduce the risk of major heart problems, but its effectiveness was only demonstrated in people with diabetes.
According to Martin Holst Lange, the executive vice president for Development at Novo Nordisk, the SELECT trial’s results are highly significant. He stated, People living with obesity have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but to date, there are no approved weight management medications proven to deliver effective weight management while also reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death. Therefore, we are very excited about the results from SELECT showing that semaglutide 2.4 mg reduces the risk of cardiovascular events. SELECT is a landmark trial and has demonstrated that semaglutide 2.4 mg has the potential to change how obesity is regarded and treated.
The SELECT trial involved 17,604 participants who were over the age of 45, had a history of heart disease, and were overweight or obese but not diabetic. Those who received weekly Wegovy injections experienced a decrease in major adverse cardiovascular events compared to those who received a placebo.
Novo Nordisk plans to provide further details about the trial at an upcoming scientific conference, with the expectation that once these findings are peer-reviewed, it will pave the way for easier and broader prescription of Wegovy.
Obesity has become a prevalent health issue in the United States, with the estimated annual medical cost reaching nearly $173 billion in 2019, as reported by the CDC. Currently, a month’s dosage of Wegovy alone costs about $1,349.
In conclusion, the results of the landmark SELECT trial conducted by Novo Nordisk demonstrate that Wegovy, a weight loss drug containing semaglutide, can effectively reduce the risk of major heart problems in overweight individuals without diabetes. This breakthrough discovery could revolutionize the treatment of obesity and lead to an expansion in the prescription and insurance coverage of Wegovy beyond weight loss purposes. Further research and reviews are anticipated to solidify the potential of this drug in improving heart health for individuals struggling with obesity. The accessibility of such medications is crucial in addressing the detrimental impact of obesity on public health and healthcare costs in the United States.
