The injectable medication is the first glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist — a drug class that includes Ozempic, Mounjaro and Trulicity — to be approved for serious heart problems in obese and overweight adults.
The FDA’s approval label hooks on that Wegovy (semaglutide) should be used alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.
About 70% of U.S. adults are obese or overweight, which the FDA said are “serious health issues that increase the risk for premature death and a variety of health problems, including heart attack and stroke.”
In a phase 3 trial — which included more than 17,000 obese and overweight adults and lasted five years — the medication reduced major adverse cardiovascular events by 20% and quelled heart failure-related symptoms.
Read more here about how Wegovy compares to other GLP-1s.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
