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| Science & Technology |
| Weight loss drug Wegovy decreases heart attacks and strokes |
| 2023-08-09 |
| [Washington Examiner] A worldwide study published on Tuesday found that the weight loss drug Wegovy has significant benefits for heart health, reducing heart attacks and stroke incidents by 20%. "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," said Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president for development at Novo Nordisk, the maker of semaglutide, found in Wegovy and the Type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic. The SELECT study started in 2018 and examined over 17,000 patients over the age of 45 from 41 countries. Researchers measured three primary adverse outcomes — cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal strokes — all of which were reduced in patients taking Wegovy. Both of Novo Nordisk's semaglutide products have become widely popular as social media influencers have touted their effects. High out-of-pocket costs and product shortages for Wegovy and Ozempic have made it difficult to obtain the drugs. The Danish pharmaceutical company has also come under investigation in recent weeks in connection to semaglutide's adverse side effects, including in relation to thoughts of self-harm and suicide in patients. A Louisiana woman is also suing Novo Nordisk and rival weight loss drug manufacturer Eli Lilly for gastrointestinal distress caused by their diabetes management products. Novo Nordisk previously told the Washington Examiner that patient safety is its top priority and that the company is taking all claims very seriously. Several medical financial analysts commented on Tuesday's study, saying its findings will change the practice of obesity medicine and its corresponding insurance coverage. "We see this as a pivotal result which has the potential to substantially change the obesity treatment paradigm, not only increasing patient stay-time on the drug (potentially even doubling the stay time of the drug to 24 months) but also revolutionizing physician attitudes to treating obesity early, which could increase the penetration of obesity treatment and particularly Wegovy," Richard Vosser of JPMorgan told Reuters. Terence McManus of Bellevue Asset Management also said Wegovy's preventive care benefits would be significant for the healthcare system as a whole. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #1 Losing weight decreases chance of heart attacks, strokes. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2023-08-09 20:41 |