FDA approves Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) for chronic weight management

Novo Nordisk/Wegovy (semaglutide)

The FDA approved Wegovy, a once-weekly semaglutide injection, for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition. It was the first once-weekly GLP-1 drug approved for weight management, launching the current wave of obesity drugs.

• In the pivotal trial, users lost an average of 14.9% of body weight over 68 weeks versus 2.4% on placebo; 50.5% lost at least 15%.
• The once-weekly dosing was novel compared to earlier daily GLP-1 therapies for diabetes.
• Gastrointestinal side effects led 4.5% of users to stop treatment.