Experts have said that a weight loss wonder medicine, which is given to reduce calorie intake and curb appetite and cravings might be useful in treating obesity. A new study has revealed that a drug called semaglutide, might help fight against the country’s obesity crisis. The authors of the study have said that patients, who have been enrolled in the study, have been given the jab on weekly basis. They have been able to lose a tenth of their total body weight in just 20 weeks that is 25 times higher as compared to patients who have been given a placebo. Semaglutide is known to reduce calorie intake by more than a third. The study has noted that patients who have received semaglutide jabs have reported having fewer hunger pangs. These patients have felt fuller quite faster and have been eating 35 percent fewer calories when they have been given an opportunity to eat unlimited free lunch. The drug is being used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes as well. Experts have said that the drug takes control over the appetite-regulating system of the body. As per the report, a month’s supply of the drug costs around $73. The findings of the study are going to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity.
The study has enrolled around 72 people who have been dealing with obesity. They have been in the age range of 18 to 65 years. The study has been done by experts from a drug manufacturing firm called Novo Nordisk. Around half of the patients have been given a jab and others have been kept on placebo during the study. Experts have done a survey on their eating habits and their appetite at the initial stage of the study. The same kind of survey has been done after 20 weeks as well. Scientists have scheduled a set breakfast for all participants of the study followed by an unlimited free lunch after a gap of 5 hours. Experts have found that patients who have been given the drug have been eating 1736 calories during their lunchtime. It has been 940 calories fewer than the patients who have been given a placebo. The study has shown that people who have been given the jab have lost 9.9 percent of their body weight on average. People who have been given a placebo have been able to lose only 0.4 percent of their body weight on average. People who have been on this drug have said that they have been able to control their hunger in a much better way.
The authors of the study have said that a dose of 1 mg of the jab is given to treat type 2 diabetes, while the new trial has used around a dose of 2.4 mg of the drug. As per the report, the drug has not been authorized for use in severe weight management treatment anywhere across the world. However, the drugmaker has submitted the application for approval. Health authorities are reviewing the application. It shows that the drug might available soon for use on the National Health Service (NHS). Dr. Dorthe Skovgaard, who is one of the authors of the study, has said that a dose of 2.4 mg of semaglutide has been able to suppress calorie intake and reduce frequent food cravings among the participants. Earlier, a study has revealed that patients who have been given treatment with this drug have been able to lose around 14.9 percent of their body weight in just one year. Dr. Tam Fry from the National Obesity Forum has said that the drug is a boon for obesity specialists around the world. The data have shown that nearly two in three adults living in the UK are overweight or dealing with obesity. It shoots up their risk of being diagnosed with cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
